Born in Massachusetts to an abolitionist family, George Henry Hoyt gained notoriety in 1859 when he served as one of the counsels for John Brown’s trial for treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a result of his defense of John Brown, Hoyt traveled to Ohio where he met Brown’s son, John Brown, Jr. In 1861, Hoyt volunteered to join a company of “fighting abolitionists” being raised by the younger Brown. This company became Company K in the 7th Kansas Cavalry and Hoyt served as the company’s 2d Lieutenant. When Capt. John Brown, Jr. resigned his commission in May 1862 due to disability, Hoyt was promoted to captain of the company. In July 1862, Hoyt resigned his commission due to poor health and returned to Kansas. After his arrival, his former commander placed Hoyt in operational command of an irregular militia company referred to as the Kansas Red Legs. Following Quantrill’s August 1863 Lawrence Raid, volunteered for service again and was appointed Lieutenant Colonel in the 15th Kansas Cavalry. During the Battle of Westport, Hoyt was in command of the 15th Kansas Cavalry and may, at times, been in operational command of the 1st Brigade in Blunt's Provisional Cavalry Division. On March 13, 1865, Hoyt received a brevet promotion to Brigadier General and resigned from volunteer service on July 19, 1865. After the war, Hoyt served two years as Kansas Attorney General. After running unsuccessfully for Congress in Kansas, Hoyt returned to Massachusetts where he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Wikipedia. “George Henry Hoyt,” October 28, 2018. Link.
Kansas Adjutant General. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kansas, 1861-’65, 252, 500.
Matthews and Lindberg. “‘Better Off in Hell’ The Evolution of the Kansas Red Legs.” North & South 5, no. 4 (May 2002): 20–31.