Richard S. Lyles was my wife's great grandfather. He enlisted in Sept 1861, Co., H, 10th Texas
Cavalry, Capt Anderson Whetstone's Co. Van Zandt Co., Texas, mustered in Oct 31 1861 at Taos, Tx. Elected 3rd Lt. May 8, 1862 was 1st Lt, Co H., by aug 1862. Was in Command of Co., H. at
the Battle of Chickamauga, wounded Sept 19, 1863 captured by Union Forces and rescued by Confederates the same day. Sent to Hospital near Meridian Mississippi and returned to duty Feb 21 1864, in Camp near Tuscaloosa, Ala April 28, 1864. Promoted to Capt Aug 3, 1864, by Special Order # 8, to take the rank from Sep 25 1863 to fill the vancancy created by the death of Capt W. D. Sommers (possibly W.D. Summers).
was wounded at the Battle Allatoona Pass, He was killed in action on March 31, 1865, presumably at Mobile Ala, . Some of his descendants say he was on his way home after the War when he was killed by Union soldiers who did not know the War had ended. But the 10th Texas did not surrender until May 4, 1865. He may have been Furloughed as a result of the Wounds he recieved at Alatoona and headed home. His Service records end in 1864 with of the offical Records of Gen Finch Regimental "casualities of the wounded in action - Alatoona Pass Co H. Capt R.S. Lyles (wound noted in offical report)."
A friend from his unit returned his Pocket Bible to his wife in Rusk County after the war. I have
possesion of the Bible, bloody handprints and all.