Two
Grandsons of James Lyle Died in the American Civil War
Jean M. Hoffman, CG
Joseph R. Lyle was the son of Charles Lyle (3rd
son of James) and Sarah Johnson. He was born about 1842 in Jefferson County,
Indiana.[2]
The family moved to Wapello County, Iowa, by 1848.[3]
Joseph was enlisted for three years at age 20 by Capt. W. V. Lucas on 15 August
1862 in Waverly, Iowa. He was described as five feet ten inches tall, of dark
complexion with blue eyes and black hair at enlistment. He mustered in on 26
November 1862 in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, as a private in Company B, 14th
Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was marked present on all company muster
rolls through February of 1864.[4]
Joseph R. Lyle was killed in action on 9 April 1864 at the
Battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, during the Red River Campaign at age 21 or
22. There was no inventory of his effects as all were lost on the battlefield
where he fell. Capt. Lucas did present an account which stated that Joseph had
last been paid 31 Dec 1863, received $23.83 in clothing and still owed the
sutler $2.[5]
Wilmer Magarvy Lyle was born on 9 November 1843 in
Republican Township, Jefferson County, Indiana, son of William Lyle (5th son of
James) and Matilda Ritchey.[6]
This family moved to Schuyler County, Illinois, and then to Sullivan County,
Missouri, by 1859.[7] Wilmer
enlisted on 18 February 1862 in Macon City, Missouri, in the 11th Regiment,
Missouri State Militia Cavalry that was organized in Missouri at large from 1
Jan to 20 Apr 1862. They were assigned to duty in the District of North
Missouri under the Union Army with various detachments engaging in action until
they were consolidated with the 2nd Regiment Missouri State Militia Cavalry. He
was mustered in on 27 March 1862 in Macon City, Missouri, by Capt. P. P. Cook
as a private in Company G. Wilmer was described as six feet, one inch tall with
sandy hair and complexion and blue eyes at age 18.[8]
His unit from 2 September 1862 was Company G, 2nd Missouri State Militia
Cavalry in which he was marked present on all muster rolls, including a special
one on 10 Apr 1863. He used his own horse and equipments between 30 April 1863
and 31 August 1863 but had them furnished by the army before and after that
time. He was assessed $1.00 by the army for a canteen, haversack and waist belt
in February 1864. Wilmer's cavalry unit engaged in skirmishes and scouting
expeditions and detachments from it chased after or confronted Confederate
units in Missouri and Arkansas and he undoubtedly was involved in some of these
actions.
[1] See Lyle Family website, https://sites.rootsweb.com/~jeangene/Lyle/
. James lived in Pennsylvania and died by 1839 in Allegheny County. He and his
wife, Hannah Crawford, had six sons and one daughter who mostly moved west.
[2] 1850
U.S. census, Wapello County, Iowa, population schedule, District 13, Wapello,
Iowa, USA, sheet 406b, dwelling 90, family 90, Charles Lyle household; imaged, Ancestry
(https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/2649386:8054
: viewed 27 May 2024).
