Wilson

        Union Brig. Gen. James H. Wilson had led his 13,000 Cavalry Corps of the Military Division of the Mississippi through Alabama.  Since the bridges at West Point were of extreme importance to him to provide an alternate crossing in the event he would run into more trouble than he could handle in Columbus,  he dispatched Colonel Oscar H. LaGrange to West Point.

LaGrange

        Crafty Union Colonel who led the Union brigade into West Point and led the attack on the fort.  Nearly killed in the battle, he proved to be a compassionate man in victory. 

Tyler

        Little is known about this brave man who led Confederate soldiers in defending the fort from the Union assault on Fort Tyler, April 12, 1865.  He died in battle on that Easter Sunday battle, and is buried in West Point.  

Lanier

        A young soldier during the battle.  Willing to defend their home and fellow citizens, he and other young men joined the battle.  They witnessed the final moments of Gen. Tyler's life and recounted those events for posterity.

Griggs

        His home was located just south of the fort.  At General Tyler's request, Mrs. Griggs vacated the house on the morning of April 16, 1865.  The house withstood constant assault during the battle, and use as a hospital and morgue after the battle.

J. McClendon

        He served as mayor of West Point from 1865 until 1871.  He built the first textile mill in the area, later selling his interest in the mill to W.C. and L. Lanier.  

     Brother of James W. McClendon, Wiley fought in the Battle of West Point and was taken prisoner, later to be released.

Stanley

        On his 17th birthday, April 16, 1865, his uncle told him, "The Yankees are sure coming this time, are you ready to fight 'um?"  Young Isham took part in the battle and was captured.  He would later write a riveting account of the battle and the prisoners march to Macon.

Hamlin

        A local resident and veteran of numerous Confederate battles, he served in the battle of West Point and was taken prisoner.  His brother was killed during the battle.

Metcalfe

        He served in numerous campaigns and was also captured at West Point. He was later released upon learning the War was over.

Nancy Harts

        Known as the Nancy Harts, this brave band of women soldiers originated in LaGrange.  It is the Nancy Harts who orchestrated the peaceful surrender of LaGrange with relatively minimal destruction to the city.