Last General Killed in the Civil War - West Point, Georgia

Brigadier General Robert C. Tyler is often overlooked in writings about Civil War generals, but the Tennessee born Confederate commander holds a unique place in the history of the war. He was the last general of either side killed in action in the Civil War.

Born in 1833, Tyler lived in Tennessee, Maryland and even California before the war. In 1856 he took part in one of filibusterer William Walker's expeditions to Nicaragua. By 1861 he was back in Tennessee, where he volunteered as a private in Company D, 15th Tennessee Infantry. His military abilities were apparent and Tyler quickly advanced through the ranks.

A devoted supporter of General Braxton Bragg, Tyler achieved a staff position with the army and went on to command the combined 15th and 37th Tennessee Infantries. At the Battle of Chickamauga, "with the yells of demons" he led his men in a wild charge that ovewhelmed a Union battery. Falling wounded in the second day of fighting at Chickamauga, he was praised by other officers for his bravery, with one lieutenant colonel noting that "never did I see greater courage and daring."

Tyler recovered and commanded a brigade in Bragg's siege of Chattanooga. He was severely wounded at Missionary Ridge. Surgeons amputated his leg after the battle and while most such wounded soldiers would have gone home to recuperate, Tyler had no home. Instead he wound up at West Point, Georgia, where there was a Confederate hospital and where his friend, Captain Celestine Gonzalez of the 1st Florida Infantry commanded the small post.

When the Union column of Colonel Oscar H. LaGrange arrived in West Point on April 16, 1865, General Tyler took up positions in Fort Tyler overlooking the town. Despite an overwhelming superiority in numbers, it took the Federals almost an entire day to reduce the fort. When they finally did, Tyler lay dead beneath its flagstaff. According to local legend, he swore to the citizens of the town that he would either defend them or die in the effort. He kept his word.

The last general on either side killed during the Civil War, General Tyler was laid to rest in the Fort Tyler Cemetery, located opposite the Chattahoochee River from the fort. He is buried in a common grave with his friend, Captain Gonzalez, who also fell in the defense of Fort Tyler.

To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/forttyler2.

Fort Tyler - West Point, Georgia

One of the last significant battles of the Civil War took place in Georgia on this date, April 16th, in 1865. It claimed the life of Brig. Gen. Robert C. Tyler, the last general on either side killed during the war.

The fierce battle developed when Union troops led by Col. Oscar H. LaGrange approached the town of West Point, Georgia, and its strategic bridge over the Chattahoochee River. A second Union force, commanded by Gen. James Wilson, moved on the downriver city of Columbus, Georgia, at the same time.

When he received news that the Federal force was approaching, Gen. Tyler moved his small force (variously estimated at 120-265 men) of Confederate regulars, convalescents, militia and local volunteers into Fort Tyler. The small but powerful earthwork fort stood on a high hill overlooking West Point and the Chattahoochee River bridge. Armed with three pieces of artillery (two field guns and a 32-pounder), the fort commanded a sweeping view of the surrounding area.

Local tradition holds that local citizens gave Tyler a flag before the battle and that he pledged to them that he would defend it to the last breath.

As LaGrange reached West Point, he sent three regiments of dismounted cavalry to attack Fort Tyler while he joined the rest of his men in a bold dash to seize the bridge. He succeeded in taking the bridge, but was then stunned by a shot from the fort's 32-pounder that killed his horse and sent LaGrange sprawling into the road.

The full strength of the Union force then moved on Fort Tyler. LaGrange planted a battery on a nearby hill to shell the fort and for hours an intense battle raged. One by one the cannon in the fort were dismounted by Union fire, but Tyler and his men continued to hold out. At one critical moment, a Union shell cut loose the flag of the fort, but a 17-year-old Confederate sergeant climbed the pole and nailed the flag back in place.

In the end, his fort reduced to a smoking ruin and his men falling dead and wounded around him, Gen. Tyler made one final, defiant gesture. He exposed himself to Union fire by walking in front of the walls of the fort. He was shot and according to eyewitnesses never moved again. His friend, Captain Celestine Gonzalez of the 1st Florida Infantry, fell dead as well.

Left with no other choice, the survivors in the fort finally lowered their flag late in the afternoon. The Battle of West Point was over while, to the south, the Battle of Columbus was just heating up. Union troops blew up Fort Tyler the next day.

Fort Tyler has been reconstructed and is the focal point of an outstanding park interpreting the history of the battle. To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/forttyler.