Matthew Lyons

Infobox Military Person
name=Matthew Lyons
lived=birth date|1823|05|03 – death date and age|1862|03|27|1823|05|03


caption=
unit=
placeofbirth=Houston, Texas
placeofdeath=Santa Fe, New Mexico
allegiance=Republic of Texas, United States of America, Confederate States of America
branch=United States Army, Confederate States Army
serviceyears=1842 – 1848, 1861 – 1862
rank=Captain
nickname="Fantastic Hands"
commands=
battles=Mexican American War
*Battle of Resaca de la Palma
American Civil War
*Battle of Glorieta Pass

awards=
relations=

Matthew Lyons (May 3, 1823 – March 27, 1862) was a medical doctor and a captain in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He is remembered both as an adventurous Texas frontiersman and as a pioneering doctor.

Early life

Matthew Lyons was born to Glen Lyons, a wealthy oil baron, and his wife, Meredith. Matthew had twin younger siblings, Benjamin and Samuel. Matthew learned equestrianism at an early age, and eventually became a letter carrier for the Army of Texas. After the Battle of San Jacinto, Matthew Lyons spread the news of the victory and Mexican surrender to the nearby city of Houston. [The Raven: A Biography of Sam Houston; James, Marquis; University of Texas Press: ISBN 0-292-77040-5.]

First military career

Because of his admiration for both the patriots and the soldiers of the Texas Revolution, Matt Lyons enlisted in the United States Army in 1842. Under the command of Zachary Taylor, Private Lyons fought against the Mexicans during the Mexican-American War. During the Battle of Resaca de la Palma, Matthew Lyons was credited with firing the shot that fatally wounded Gen. José García. [Keleher, William A. (1952). Turmoil in New Mexico, 1846–1868. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. ISBN 0-8263-0631-4. ] Consequently, he received the nickname Matthew "fantastic hands" Lyons. At the conclusion of the war, Matthew was honorably discharged with the rank of private first class.

Medical career

In 1848, Matthew moved to Austin, Texas where he began his career in medicine. While he officially practiced pediatric medicine, Matthew spent much of the time experimenting in a field that would later be classified as epidemiology. Matthew led a fairly insular life throughout this period and did not marry, but he did maintain correspondence with French microbiologist, Louis Pasteur.

econd military career

After the start of the American Civil War in 1861, Matthew Lyons enlisted with the 7th Texas Cavalry on the side of the Confederate States of America. Because of his previous military experience and tactical knowledge, he was granted the rank of captain. Matthew Lyons fought in numerous battles in the Confederacy's New Mexico Campaign. [ The Red-Blooded Heroes of the Frontier ISBN 1434690180] Matthew Lyons died during the Battle of Glorieta Pass on March 27th, 1862. [ Austin Tribune. "Defeat at Glorieta Pass," March 29th, 1862] Matthew Lyons is buried in Austin, Texas.

ee also

*Texas Revolution
*Mexican-American War
*Cavalry in the American Civil War

References

*cite book|author=Catton. Bruce|year=1971|title=The Civil War|publisher=American Heritage Press, New York|id=Library of Congress Number: 77-119671

Notes