Boyd, Carl, COL

Carl Boyd was born January 24, 1879, in Adairsville and grew to manhood
there. He was the son of Gideon M. Boyd and Julia Humphreys Boyd. The
grandfather of Gideon M. Boyd, John Moody Boyd, born in Virginia, served
in the War of 1812 and died in Mississippi in 1862; his father, James
Boyd, served as 1st lieutenant in the Seminole War and died in 1852.
Gideon M. Boyd, the son of James and Martha Stocks Boyd, at the age of
seventeen entered Co. E, 14the Ga. Regt., C. S. A., and surrendered with
Gen. Lee's army at Appomattox, April 9, 1865. In 1876 he married Mary
Julia Humphreys, who is an ex-regent of the D. A. R. and a Gold Star
Mother. Mr. Boyd engaged in the flour mill business soon after the
Civil War in Adairsville, and before his death on May 3, 1923, had
become a prominent fruit grower and farmer; he had served as the first
mayor of Adairsville and from 1917 to 1921 had served as chairman of the
Bartow county board of commissioners. He was one of the founders of the
Adairsville Methodist church, where he was an active member.

The boyhood of Carl Boyd was chiefly characterized by a spirit of
friendliness that endeared him to everyone that knew him and a faculty
of getting things done without unnecessary friction. He went to school
in Adairsville and graduated from the United States Academy on June 11,
1903. He was appointed 2nd lieutenant and assigned to the 3rd cavalry
at Fort Yellowstone, Wyoming.

In September, 1905 he was assigned to Camp Stolsenburg, P. I.; in
September, 1907 to Fort Clark, Texas; later, to Fort Sam Houston, to
the Riding School at Fort Riley, Kansas, and back to the 3rd cavalry at
Fort Sam Houston, where he was appointed 1st Lieutenant March 11, 1911.
He represented the United States in the International Horse Show at
Madison Square Garden that year. Later, he served in a mountain
howitzer battery on the Mexican border, and in this hard service became
personally acquainted with John J. Pershing.

His special training for the great work of his life began when, in the
summer of 1912, he was sent to France to review his French preparatory
to being assigned as instructor in that language at the Academy. In
1913 he was sent back to France as an exchange military observer and
attached to the 7th Regiment of Dragoons. When the World War began he
was placed under the American ambassador at Paris and acted as military
observer and military attache at that embassy.

On July 1, 1916 he was appointed captain, and on August 5, 1917, major.
When the United States entered the war he asked for active service; and,
on his arrival in France, General John J. Pershing placed him on his
personal staff. On October 12, 1917, he was appointed as aide-de-camp
with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and was appointed colonel July 30,
1918.

From the first he made himself the buffer which absorbed the thousand
and one petty jars and annoyances to which his Chief was subjected. The
sightseer, the seeker of personal privileges, and civil officials
demanding special attention for troops for their districts had first to
see Col. Boyd, and only he whose mission was of sufficient importance
was allowed to take up the General's time. When some new matter came up
Gen. Pershing's first words were: "Where is Boyd?" He accompanied the
general on his important conferences with high officials of the allied
nations.

The value of his services was recognized by the French Government in the
ward to him of the title of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. King
Albert , in March, 1918 decorated him with the Belgian War Cross and
conferred upon him the Order of Leopold. From general Pershing he
received the Distinguished Service Medal.

Carl Boyd married in September, 1903 Miss Annie Peebles by whom there
was one daughter, Anne Boyd. Mrs. Boyd is now Mrs. John R. Edle of
Paris, France.

In February he was taken with influenza, and died on the 12th of
February, 1919. He is buried in the American cemetery at Suresnes,
France. In a cable to his to his mother Gen. Pershing said, "In the
death of your son Carl, of pneumonia at Paris today, the government
loses a gallant officer who has given throughout the war the most loyal
and distinguished service. We at General Headquarters lose a tried and
trusted companion, and I lose a faithful aide, counselor, and friend."

Col. Boyd was the brother of Willis M. Boyd, of Adairsville, G. M. Boyd,
Jr., of New Mexico, Mrs. Pauline B. Goodheart of Kansas City, Mo., and
Robert Boyd of Adairsville.

Source: The history of Bartow County/ formerly Cass County by Lucy
Josephine Cunyus.