Monument Documentation

       The history of the Lytle family is impressive, and a bit confusing. First of all, monuments are traditionally symbolic of the patriarch of the family. This is not the case with the Lytle monument. While there is a strong military background throughout the family history, the monument seems the most representative of William H. Lytle, who is actually the end of the family line buried here. To make matters worse, there is another branch of the Lytle family that hails from Tennessee, with a fondness for the same first names.

            The beginning of the Lytle family line began with Captain William Lytle, who is not mentioned on the monument. He was a captain during the French-Indian war. For his service, he was awarded 1,200 acres of land. He commissioned settlers to follow him down the Ohio River on flatboats. When they arrived, the flatboats were disassembled, and the wood was used to build Fort Washington.

            His son, William Lytle II, was one of the most distinguished pioneers of Ohio. He held the title of Surveyor General of Public lands under President Andrew Jackson, with whom he held a close friendship. He founded Williamsburg, Ohio, and then moved to the Cincinnati area. He gained a fortune by surveying the lands of Revolutionary War veterans, who were granted land in Ohio. He was considered the first landed millionaire in the west. However, Lytle lost much of his money during a financial crisis. Cincinnati banks failed, and the landowners could not pay their debts. Lytle recovered by using his father’s land grant to build Cincinnati College and Cincinnati Law College.

            Robert T. Lytle was the son of William Lytle II, and was a renowned orator. He served in the United States Congress in 1833, representing the Cincinnati district. He also held the title of surveyor for public lands in Ohio.

            William H. Lytle, Robert’s only son, has arguably provided the most notoriety for the family. He was a renowned speaker, writer, and military general. He began by studying law in the office of E.S. Hines, his uncle. However, William soon followed in his family’s military footsteps, by volunteering at the eruption of the Mexican War. He was elected captain of the 2^nd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, Company L. While serving in Mexico, William penned a series of letters that showed his potential as a writer. When the war ended, he briefly returned to the study of Law, but was then elected a member of the first Ohio Legislature. William then ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1857, but lost the election by a few hundred votes and was then named major general of the Ohio Militia.

            In the military, William was known for not simply commanding his soldiers, but fighting alongside them. He was wounded in battle twice, first at Carnifex Ferry in West Virginia, and again at the Battle of Perryville. At the Battle of Perryville, William was left for dead, but he recovered and was taken prisoner. When he was released, he rejoined the army.

            The Battle of Chickamauga was William H. Lytle’s last battle. While leading his men against the confederates, Lytle was struck on the left side of his face, and fell from his horse. He died quickly, and his body was guarded until it could be recovered. William was 36 years old.

            William was a noted poet. Many of his poems were published in Cincinnati newspapers. His most famous poem, “Anthony and Cleopatra” has been published in many anthologies, as well as the Yale Book of American Verse.

            William was the end of the Lytle family, as he never married, had no children, and had no brothers. The Lytle family was originally buried in Presbyterian Cemetery, and was moved to Spring Grove in 1865.

            The Lytle Monument is located in section 20 of Spring Grove, near the entrance. As you enter through the main gate, you continue straight until you go under the bridge. You will then take the road to the left, and the monument will be on your right side.

                              

           

            The monument is constructed out of granite, with a bronze inlay depicting William H. Lytle riding his horse at the battle of Chickamauga. The monument is influenced by Corinthian architecture. It is in impeccable condition, the only item on the monument that seems to be weathering is the bronze.

 

       

            The monument has a four-sided base. The most impressive side contains the bronze inlay, and overtop, there is a shield, with stars and stripes. This shield is surrounded by a wreath, and has two swords crossed behind the shield. The bronze depiction William H. Lytle at the battle of Chickamauga, along with the shield and swords, shows the military involvement of the family.  The stars and stripes, reminiscent of the United States flag, is representative of their patriotism. The wreath surrounding the shield appears to be a laurel wreath. A laurel wreath symbolizes victory, immortality, eternity, and chastity. It is commonly used for someone who has merit in the arts, literature, and the military. Given the military involvement of the Lytle family, and the poetry of William H. Lytle, the laurel wreath is fitting.

       The wreath is also depicted on two other sides of the monument, above the names of William and Eliza Lytle, and Robert and Elizabeth Lytle, William H. Lytle’s direct family line. The laurel wreath clearly had significance for the family, and is also represented in some of William H. Lytle’s poetry.

“Give the Caesar crowns and arches,
    Let his brow the laurel twine,
I can scorn the Senate's triumphs,
    Triumphing in love like thine”

-          From “Anthony and Cleopatra

“In vain for me the applause of men,
The Laurel won by sword or pen,
But for the hope, so dear and sweet,
To lay my trophies at your feet.”

-          Prose found on William H. Lytle’s body at death

         On the fourth side of the base, is the name of William H. Lytle. On this side, instead of a wreath, there is an open book, with scrolls and quills crossed behind it above his name. There are many interpretations of an open book. It may represent the bible, faith, a scholar, knowledge, or it may have literary connotations.  The literary theme is continued throughout the quills and scrolls behind the book. Scrolls are also representative of life and time. Given the strong military background of his ancestors, the fact that this is depicted over William’s name on this side, and the military symbols on the opposing side, show his duality as a warrior and a poet.

           

            On top of the base is a broken column, surrounded by ivy. An eagle perches at the top. A broken column symbolizes a life cut short, which may point to the age of William H. Lytle when he died. Ivy is representative of immortality, attachment, friendship and affection. The eagle signifies resurrection and rebirth, and is also the epitome of American symbolism. The eagle also further shows the family’s courage and a military involvement. 

           

        The Lytle Monument is impressive and beautiful. Given the notoriety of William H. Lytle as both a general and poet, the monument mostly reflects his life. While the military theme runs through the entire family, the literary theme is his alone.

Sources:

Keister, Douglas. Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography. Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith, 2004. Print.

"Lytle Family." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Mar. 2012. Web. 08 May 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lytle_family>.

"Lytle, William Haines." Lytle, William Haines. Web. 08 May 2012. <http://myweb.wvnet.edu/~jelkins/lp-2001/lytle.html>.

"Two Lytle Families Meet amidst the Civil War on The Murfreesboro Post." Two Lytle Families Meet amidst the Civil War on The Murfreesboro Post. Web. 08 May 2012. <http://www.murfreesboropost.com/two-lytle-families-meet-amidst-the-civil-war-cms-14204>.