Robert C. Tyler became colonel of the 15th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry in June 1861 and a brigadier general in February 1864. He fought with gallantry in the battles of Belmont, Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Hoover’s Gap, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge, where he was wounded three times in these engagements and captured four guns at Chickamauga. On crutches from the loss of a leg at Missionary Ridge, he commanded Confederate forces in the Battle of West Point on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1865. He was killed by Federal gunfire in the battle and was buried here.