During the April 1861 crisis at Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, Tyler was part of a hastily assembled relief force that tried unsuccessfully to reinforce the beleaguered garrison.
Under krisen i april 1861 ved Fort Sumter i Charleston, South Carolina, var Tyler med i en hastigt samlet undsættelsesstyrke, som uden held forsøgte at forstærke den belejrede garnison.