He was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and fought in many of the early battles in the Eastern Theater before being assigned command of the defenses of Baltimore, Maryland.

As a young man, he moved to Ravenna, Ohio, and graduated from what was then known as Granville College (now Denison University).

His brigade was involved in several engagements during the Valley Campaign against the Confederates of Stonewall Jackson, including the First Battle of Winchester.

With the reorganization of the Army of the Potomac following the Northern Virginia Campaign, Tyler was given command of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, in the V Corps.

Tyler's Brigade was involved in the Maryland Campaign and the Battle of Fredericksburg, as well as the Mud March before going into winter quarters.

During the Battle of Monocacy in July 1864, Tyler commanded two regiments of inexperienced Hundred Days Men that successfully held off numerous Confederate attempts to capture the Jug Bridge on the Baltimore Pike.

[2] As the war ended, Tyler was included in the omnibus list of promotions to recognize Union officers for their "gallant and meritorious service."