Troy Times - Veteran - 71st Regiment

April 17, 1862

KYLE, COL. - We received the news of the death of Col. Kyle in time to announce it in but part of last week's issue. We are not fully informed as to the particulars, knowing only that he was shot in the breast on Sunday and died the same day. Col. Kyle was a native of this county, and was one of our best and most influential citizens. His energy was indemitable. Public spirited and enterprising he was always among the foremost and efficient in attending to the interests of our town and county. This, with his genial whole souled disposition, made the people of this county his friends, while his abilities acquired for him an extensive acquaintance throughout the state. From the commencement of the present hostilities he had been active and untiring in laboring to maintain the Union. The 71st Regiment owes its existence mainly to his energy. He firmly declined the colonelcy for the reason that he did not consider himself qualified to fill the office. He fell upon the field of battle, at the head of his regiment, with a bullet in his breast. This is the hero's death! This is glory! Fame rings out her clarion notes, exultant at the deed--this willing sacrifice laid upon the altar of our country. But, readers, most of us are neighbors of the widowed one and the fatherless, and sympathy deafens us to the acclaim of glory. God be with them now!

Troy Times - Veteran - 71st Regiment O. V. I.

April 24, 1862

KYLE, LIEUT. COL. BARTON S. - Lieut. Col. Barton S. Kyle, son of Rev. Samuel and Mary Kyle, was born in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio, April 7, 1825; and on the day of his death was finishing the last day of the 37th year of his life. His father was a minister of the gospel long and favorably known throughout this valley as an able and most successful minister. When Barton was 11 years of age his father died leaving the training of his son at a most interesting and important period to others. That he was most fortunate in enjoying such moulding influences as would direct him well, has been fully demonstrated in his mature years. He was educated entirely in the common schools of this county, and chiefly under the tuition of his elder brother, the late and greatly lamented Thomas B. Kyle long and well known as one of the most successful educators of the county. Perhaps no two brothers were ever more closely united than Barton and Thomas. It was set simply brotherly attachment, but in the decease of the father Barton had turned to his brother for guidance. In a word his character was moulded under this influence. At the age of 20, in June 1845 he came to Troy and entered the Auditor's office as chief Clerk, where he continued about six years, not only to the satisfaction of those responsible to the public for the administration of this difficult and important department of County interest--but that the people were satisfied is abundantly shown in subsequent trusts reposed in his hand. In 1857 he was elected Clerk of the Courts of Miami County, and in 1860 was re-elected. Hence his term had not yet expired. During the administration of Gen. Taylor and Mr. Filmore he served as Deputy United States Marshal for Miami County. He was a member of the National Conventions both American and Republican held in Philadelphia in 1856, and during the Presidential Canvass of that year was an untiring and ardent supporter of Gen. J. C. Fremont for the Presidency. It was in this year that his ability in conducting a political canvass was displayed. He represented this district at Chicago Convention of the Republican party in 1860. His first and last choice being Mr. Lincoln. He has been a member of the board of Education in Troy since 1844 and President of the board since 1856. In this relation his loss will be severely felt. In his early manhood he sought and gained admission to the ancient and honorable order of Free and Accepted Masons. He was initiated, passed and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1847, exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason in 1849; advanced to Royal and select Master in 1860, and received the degrees of Knight Templar and Knight of Malta in 1849, at Lancaster, O. He served as Warden of Franklin Lodge No. 24 for three years; as Worshipful Master of the same lodge for 9 years. He also served as Most Excellent High Priest of Franklin Chapter No. 24 one year.--He also served one year as Junior Grand Warden, and one year as Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.--Besides these, he served in various subordinate stations both in Lodge, Chapter and Council. In the performance of his Masonic (official) duties his intelligence and proficiency not only gave him prominence at home in his own Lodge and chapter, but attracted the attention of intelligent Masons abroad. He was a bright Mason--a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Indeed, in such esteem was his proficiency held by his brethren that when but 25 years of age he was appointed and went forth as Grand Lecturer to the Lodges of Ohio. Mr. Kyle presented intellectual ability of a very practical order. He was prompt in his conclusions and very seldom wrong in his judgment. One of his most prominent traits of character was his unbounded magnanimity. Because a man differed with other men, or however he might be the subject of unjust criticism Mr. Kyle was the enemy of no man. Vindicitiveness was, at the farthest, removed from him--it had no place with him. He was never guilty of a mean act. His was a great, noble heart, filled with generous impulses. In September 1861 he procured an order from his Excellency Governor Dennison to raise the 71st Regiment O. V. to be encamped at Camp Dave Ted, Troy, Ohio. Many men derided the probability of accomplishing this--any other man might have failed. Of this regiment he was offered the Colonelcy but declined it for reasons alike honorable to his head, heart and memory, and consented only to receive a commission as Lieut. Colonel. The work of enlistment went on, and ere long was successful. That is success is attributable to its Lieut. Colonel no one doubts. After the fall of Fort Donnelson the regiment was order to Paducah, Ky., and subsequently up the Tennessee River. On the morning of Sunday, April 6th, the enemy approached in force and a battle of the bloodiest record on this continent ensued. At 10 o'clock A.M. after facing danger went heroically and at the same time showing a father's heart for his men as they fell wounded and bleeding, his own bosom was pierced by a Missille ball and he fell mortally wounded. He fell as a true man falls in his face to the foe. Bleeding and dying he was borne away from his regiment to die, which occurred at 3 o'clock P.M. of the same day, on board the S. B. Chanceller. "Ohio lost no truer or braver man that day," and all men believe it. Today his stricken family mourns--his brethren bound by a mystic tie, and all of us--his fellow citizens united in mourning the decease of a man and a soldier of no common worth. J. J. Thompson.