US Army General. He entered the Army as an Ensign in 1786 and served for three years. Boyd then became a mercenary, commanded a privately raised regiment that was hired by various princes and potentates in India and Pakistan, and eventually rose to command of a 10,000 man division in Madras. In 1806 the British conquest of India and Pakistan ended the regional conflicts in which Boyd had participated, so he sold his unit's equipment and returned to the United States, settling in Boston with a considerable fortune. In 1808 he rejoined the US Army as Colonel and commander of the 4th Infantry Regiment. In 1811 his regiment joined William Henry Harrison's expedition against Tecumseh, and took part in the Battle of Tippecanoe. 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. Boyd left the Army again in 1815. 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.
US Army General. He entered the Army as an Ensign in 1786 and served for three years. Boyd then became a mercenary, commanded a privately raised regiment that was hired by various princes and potentates in India and Pakistan, and eventually rose to command of a 10,000 man division in Madras. In 1806 the British conquest of India and Pakistan ended the regional conflicts in which Boyd had participated, so he sold his unit's equipment and returned to the United States, settling in Boston with a considerable fortune. In 1808 he rejoined the US Army as Colonel and commander of the 4th Infantry Regiment. In 1811 his regiment joined William Henry Harrison's expedition against Tecumseh, and took part in the Battle of Tippecanoe. 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. Boyd left the Army again in 1815. 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.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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