John Parker Boyd
| John Parker Boyd | |
|---|---|
John Parker Boyd, American Brigadier General in the War of 1812
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| Born |
December 21, 1764 Newburyport, Massachusetts |
| Died | October 4, 1830 (aged 65) Boston, Massachusetts |
| Place of burial | Christ Church Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
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| Service/branch |
 United States Army
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| Years of service | 1786-1789 1808–1815 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General
|
| Commands held | 4th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars |
Shays' Rebellion War of 1812 |
| Other work | Soldier of Fortune Businessman Naval Officer of the Port of Boston |
John Parker Boyd (December 21, 1764 – October 4, 1830) was an officer in the United States Army at various periods from 1786 to the end of the War of 1812. He attained the rank of Brigadier General and commanded during the American defeat at the Battle of Crysler's Farm.
Boyd was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on December 21, 1764. Too young to serve in the American Revolution, but decided upon a military career, he served in the militia and joined the Army as an Ensign in 1786.
He served in the force sent to counter Shays' Rebellion, and resigned after three years in the Army to serve as a Soldier of Fortune in the army of the Nizam of Hyderabad, in Central India. Boyd was a highly successful cavalry commander, but was discharged in July 1798, due to his "refractoriness, disobedience, and unreasonableness."
Boyd continued to offer his services as a mercenary in India. After the British conquest ended the conflicts in which he had taken part, he disbanded his units, sold their equipment, and returned to the United States.
Boyd rejoined the United States Army in October, 1808. Commissioned as Colonel of the 4th Infantry Regiment, during the Battle of Tippecanoe he served as a brigade commander and second-in-command to William Henry Harrison, with the rank of acting Brigadier General.
When the War of 1812 broke out, Boyd initially commanded a brigade under Major General Henry Dearborn in Albany, New York and in action in the area around Plattsburgh. He was promoted to permanent Brigadier General in July.
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Wikipedia