Tyler's Burial

        He also began to meet with the citizens of West Point.  Many gave pleas for information or assistance.

        In 1915, Mrs. George Lee Croft (Charlotte Cherry) wrote of her personal experiences of April 16, 1865, for the fiftieth anniversary of the battle. She wrote that after the battle was lost, �� bodies, under promise to General Tyler�s mother that she would do so should he be killed or wounded.�

        (Note - Based on the accuracy of this statement, it bears historical significance.  The reference to a promise made to Tyler�s mother is one of only two records ever discovered which mention any communication with a living member of Tyler�s family during Tyler�s lifetime.  No such reference has been made after his death.  The origin of Tyler's family has never been claimed or discovered  Most historians believe that Tyler�s parents had died before Tyler had reached his teens. No family member ever applied for his pension or claimed his remains.  It is unknown if any family member every visited the grave site.)

        Mrs. Croft continues, �She sought General LaGrange, the Yankee commander, herself and made the request for a permit to the fort.  He generously gave it to her, and furnished her also with  an  ambulance and a guard.�

        Mrs. Bull recovered the body of Tyler.  She found that  Gonzales was badly wounded and just barely hanging on to life. She transported them both to her home in the provided ambulance provided by the Union.  Knowing his wounds were mortal, she provided comfort care to Gonzales.  During the night, she prepared Tyler�s body for burial. By morning, Gonzales had died.

At daylight ��. the question arose as to where they should secure coffins for the burial, so the two men, Mr. (Orrin or Oroon) Winston and Mr. (William) Shepard went to the home of Mr. Winston, and finding some planks in his smoke house, in a rough way sawed lliam Shepard, and Mrs. Bull�s mother, Mrs. Reese) bore them out to old Hopewell, the family burial ground of the Reese�s, on an ox wagon owned by Mr. Winston, the women of the party walking beside. Mr. Winston and Mr. Shepard dug the graves, and there they lay until removed� over the river, (to) where they now slumber.�  

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Source:

Joe Keith, Jr., "Aftermath: Written for the 130th Anniversary of the Battle of West Point"