Lieut. Mathias Hoyt (biography)

[genealogynut]

Taken from History of the State of Kansas, by William G. Cutler

LIEUT. MATHIAS HOYT, was born near Newark, Ohio, May 17, 1844, where he was raised until seventeen years of age, when he went to Woodford County, Ill., where he enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  Served three years and six months.  Enlisted as a private soldier and was discharged as Second Lieutenant of Company K.  Was with Sherman in his march to the sea.  Was in command of foraging party through North and South Carolina.  Was surrounded by guerrillas and barely escaped with his life, seven of his men being hung to trees by the roadside.  Was in command of Company K, Twenty-sixth Illinois, at battle of Bentonville, North Carolina, his company was first to cross the bridge at Bentonville, North Carolina, under a storm or grape and canister, which caused a loss of one-third of his company.