Timothy Lyons, private, Company G, First Wisconsin Cavalry, detailed as a Scout, was with Major Paine on February 18-19 1864 at Murphy. He deserted his regiment on April 20, 1864 and was later commissioned Captain, Company G. Third Tennesse Mounted Infantry USA.
As a Private, he enlisted for 3 years at Ripon, Wisconsin on October 6 1861, furnished his own horse. Age 22. Born in Ireland. Horse Orderly to Major later Col. Pomeroy. On detached duty as Scout Sept.. 1863 to March 1864. Deserted regiment at Cleveland TN., April 20 1864. Commissioned on August 5, 1864, as Captain by Gen. Andrew Johnson at Loudon TN.
Representative Albert Dawson of Preston Iowa introduced HR 3356 in the 49th Congress to correct the military record of Timothy Lyons... remove charge of desertion.. Bill was passed and approved by President on Feb. 25 1907. Lyons was honorably discharged from 1st Wisconsin Cavalry as of April 20 1864. Discharge being furnished by the Adjutant General of the Army on March 8 1907.
The murder of a popular unionist in Murphy NC. caused Col. Joe Divine of the 3rd TN. Mounted Infantry to send Captain Timothy Lyons and his men to capture and arrest prominet citizens of Cherokee Co. to hold as hostage. On October 6 1864, Lyons arrested and captured Major Marcus Brittian, Confederat Home Guards and Captain James Taylor and Squire Walker of Thomas Legion CSA.
After the war, James Whitaker filed a claim for 250 dollars of property taken by Tim Lyons and his men on October 6 1864, including a mare, rifle and bed clothes. Charles Moore filed a claim for 450 dollars worth of property seized by Lyons at Valleytown. including horses, mules and leather.Thomas Wakefield filed a claim for 175 dollars for loss of horse and an overcoat. He said Lyons and his men met him in the road and took his horse and coat...Lyons also kissed his wife..
James Tatham filed a claim for 314 dollars over two mules. He said he was in the Post Office at Valleytown NC when Lyons rode up and arrested eveyone, including himself....all claims were disallowed.
Five days after Lee surrendred, Lyons was back in Cherokee County, capturing 5 Confedrate prisoners and taking civilian property. Abel Leatherwood filed a claim for 950 dollars for property taken by Lyons and his guerrillas.Though already mustered out at this time, Lyons returned 11 days later on a raid with some men and captured more prisoners and burn down the County Courthouse
In late 1866 an indictment was retured against Lyons and others charging them with arson in the burning down of the Courthouse. Lyons or any of the others were ever apprended or brought to trial. Lyons would recieve a pension from the US goverment till his death.
He was one of the best known partisan fighters in Eastern TN and Western NC border warfare...
James Horton.