Background
John Parker Boyd was born on December 21, 1764, in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He was the son of James and Susanna Boyd.
(This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)
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John Parker Boyd was born on December 21, 1764, in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He was the son of James and Susanna Boyd.
In 1786, John entered the Army as an Ensign. He served in that rank for three years and then rose to the rank of lieutenant.
About 1789, he arrived in India, in quest of fortune. The conditions in that country favored a military adventurer. The British East India company and the French were in almost constant opposition, and the native Hindu and Mohammedan princes were frequently involved in warfare.
Boyd, like the Italian condottieri, and other adventurers, sold his services, now to one prince, now to another. At one time the Nizam of Hyderabad, acting on British suggestions, engaged Boyd, who owned a body of troops, "a ready formed and experienced corps of 1800 men". Again, he entered the employ of the Peshwa of Poona at a salary of 3000 rupees a month, placed a new Peshwa on the throne, and commanded a brigade in the army of that native prince.
After nearly a score of years in India, Boyd returned to the United States, and in 1808 he re-entered the army as colonel of the 4th Infantry. At the head of this regiment, he fought under Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.
At the opening of the War of 1812, he was commissioned brigadier-general and served on the Canadian border. He led a brigade at the capture of Fort George May 27, 1813, and at the battle of Chrystler's Farm on the following November 11, he was in command. In this engagement, the climax of Wilkinson's disastrous campaign, about 2000 Americans were defeated by 800 of the enemy, and the battle in the words of the historian Adams "was ill-fought both by the generals and the men, " and "had no redeeming incident. "
Boyd was discharged from the army in 1815, and toward the end of his life was naval officer for the port of Boston.
In 1812, Boyd was promoted to Brigadier General, and he took part in the capture of Fort George, commanded a brigade in James Wilkinson's expedition, and fought at the battle of Crysler's Field. After the war, he was involved in several business ventures, often in partnership with his brothers, and was a founder of the Maine towns of Orneville and Medford. In 1820, he was compensated by Britain for military services he had rendered in India. In March 1830, he was appointed US Naval Officer of the Port of Boston, where he served until his death. Boyd's name is included on Plaque 8 in Paul Revere Mall, listed among those from Boston's North End who played leadership roles in the American Revolution and War of 1812.
(This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)
Boyd was described as a compound of ignorance, vanity, and petulance, with nothing to recommend him but that species of bravery in the field which is vaporing, boisterous, stifling reflection, blinding observation. He was competent only for the command of a regiment and he lacked the confidence of the army.
Quotes from others about the person
"Riding into the very heart of Tippoo's dominions, Boyd would strike a series of paralyzing blows, burn a dozen towns, exact a huge indemnity. "
"Military history presents no more fantastic picture than that of this Yankee adventurer spurring across an Indian countryside with a brigade of beturbaned lancers, and a score or so of lumbering elephants, the muzzles of field-guns frowning from their howdahs, tearing along behind him. "
"Brown was said to have threatened to resign rather than serve under Boyd's, and Winfield Scott described Boyd as amiable and respectable in a subordinate position, but 'vacillating and imbecile beyond all endurance as a chief under high responsibilities'".
John Parker Boyd never married.
