William Haines Lytle was an American soldier, politician, and poet. He was a member of Ohio state legislature.
Background
William Haines Lytle was born on November 2, 1826, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. He was descended from a family distinguished for its martial spirit. His great-grandfather, William, a captain in the French and Indian War and a colonel in the Revolution, moved from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, to Kentucky in 1779. His son, William, generally called General, settled in Ohio. Robert, the father of William Haines Lytle, was for many years an influential political leader, a representative to Congress from the Cincinnati district, and, during President Jackson's administration, surveyor-general, an office which his father had once held. From his mother, Elizabeth (Haines), William probably inherited his poetic strain.
Education
When sixteen years old, Lytle graduated from Cincinnati College. His military predilections made him desirous of entering West Point, but his family urged him to select law as a profession. Accordingly, he entered the law office of his uncle, E. S. Haines, where he remained for five years.
Career
Upon the outbreak of the Mexican War, Lytle entered the service as first lieutenant of the 2nd Ohio Infantry. For ten months he was in active service, and at the close of hostilities had attained the rank of captain.
At the conclusion of the war he began practising law as a member of the firm of Haines, Todd & Lytle. In 1852 and again in 1854 he was elected to the state legislature on the Democratic ticket. During part of this time he was speaker of the House. He was an unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant-governor in 1857 and the same year Governor Salmon P. Chase appointed him major-general in command of the first division of the Ohio Militia.
The period of Lytle's greatest literary activity was during the years between the Mexican and Civil wars. July 29, 1858 he published his poem "Anthony and Cleopatra" in the Cincinnati Commercial that brought the author instant recognition. Among his other poems are, "Popocatepetl, " "Jacqueline, " "Macdonald's Drummer, " "Volunteers, " "Farewell, " and "Sweet May Moon. " A collection, Poems of William Haines Lytle, was published in 1894, and reprinted in 1912.
Upon the outbreak of the Civil War Lytle organized and established Camp Harrison at Cincinnati. In June 1861 he was appointed colonel of the 10th Ohio Infantry. He was twice severely wounded, first at Carnifex Ferry, September 10, 1861; and later, at Perryville, October 8, 1862, on which occasion he was left upon the field for dead. Recovering from his wound, he was paroled and permitted to return home. His gallantry at Perryville won for him the congratulations of Secretary Stanton, and, upon his exchange, Lytle was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. On the second day of the battle of Chickamauga, he was severely wounded while leading a charge and died shortly afterwards. His funeral in Cincinnati, October 22, 1863, was one of the most impressive of the war and reflected the high esteem in which he was held by friend and foe.
Personality
Lytle was described as slight in build, but well developed with gray eyes and a resolute character.