Philip Boyd - I25576 - Personoplysninger - Wisconsin and Illinois Genealogy

Noter

Note

The Boyds of French Canada appear to be of Irish decent

1870 - Chickasaw, Iowa

BOYD, Philip Recruit------Trans. to Co. D, as consol.
Jul 1865 - Oct 1865

Company D 12th Regiment Illinois Calvary
Army of the Potomac: Sep 1862 - Nov 1863 Department of the Gulf: Mar 1864 - Feb 1865 *** ‎(Philip's tour)‎Department of Texas: July 1865 - May 1866 Battles/Campaigns Engaged in ‎(Philip missed all these)‎: Harpers Ferry, Chancelorsville Campaign‎[Stoneman's Raid]‎, Gettysburg ‎(McClellan Dragoons, later 12th Cav, Co. H and I)‎: Penninsula Campaign, Seven Days, Antietam, Fredericksburg

UNION ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS
12th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry
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Adjutant General's Report
The Twelfth Cavalry was organized at Camp Butler in February 1862, and remained there guarding rebel prisoners until June 25, when it was mounted, and was sent to Martinsburg, Va.

The first time the Twelfth met the enemy was after the evacuation of Winchester, by General White, of Chicago. It had become necessary, therefore, that the forces at Martinsburg should establish their outposts. Lieutenant Colonel Davis was placed in command of these stations. About five miles from the camp, on the Martinsburg and Winchester pike, on the morning of the 5th of September 1862, he scouted the country as far as Bunker Hill, where he came up the enemy's cavalry, in numbers far superior to his own. These were in strong position, but the scouting party, by a vigorous charge, routed them, and drove them several miles, killing, wounding and capturing a considerable number.

On Saturday morning, the 7th, at day break, the enemy, having been largely reinforced, and designing to capture Colonel Davis and his command, made a bold attempt to get to his rear, and cut him off from his camp at Martinsburg. Anticipating this movement, Colonel Davis sent out a small party, under Lieutenant Logan, to reconnoiter. This detachment was surrounded, but the men succeeding in cutting their way through the enemy, and again joined the Colonel, who immediately dispatched a messenger to Martinsburg for reinforcements. Captain Thomas W. Grosvenor ‎(afterwards Major and Lieutenant Colonel)‎, commanding Company A, with forty men, was immediately ordered forward, to be followed by the remainder of the Twelfth as soon as they could be got ready. As soon as the Captain reported, Colonel Davis ordered him out at once to meet the enemy. He drove several squads of rebels from ambush, in the woods and roadsides, until he reached Darkesville, when he met the enemy in force, to the number of eight hundred. As the little band of Federal cavalry approached the enemy, the latter fired upon them at short range a most terrific volley, severely wounding the Captain, and killing Lieutenant Luff's horse, thus leaving the company without a commander. Colonel Davis led the men in person, driving the enemy until their retreat became a rout, and the forty men literally masters of the field, the enemy running away beyond Winchester, before he could be rallied. In this engagement, the rebels lost 25 killed and 50 prisoners, while there was no loss on the side of the forty men.

A few days subsequent, the Twelfth rejoined General White's command, and with it fell back before the superior numbers of the enemy to Harper's Ferry.

On the following Sunday, Colonel Davis left Harper's Ferry, with his command, and struck across the country, in the direction of Hagerstown, capturing and burning a train of 60 wagons, and soon after joined General McClellan, at Sharpesburg.

While in camp at Sharpesburg, the Twelfth was reinforced by two companies, composing the McClellan Dragoons, which had been doing duty as a body guard to the General-in-Chief. This increased to ten companies. The Twelfth was assigned to General Averill's Brigade, and under that officer made several expeditions, until McClellan was relieved from the command of the army, when the Twelfth was sent on picket at Williamsport, and Dam No. 4, on the Upper Potomac.

On the 16th of November 1862, the grand army began to move by parallel routes. The Twelfth Cavalry was called away from picket and assigned to Sigel's Army, and act as its escort from Warrenton to Fredericksburg, frequently having severe brushes with scouting parties of J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry. After the disastrous battle of Fredericksburg the Twelfth was sent to Manassas and below, to observe the movements of Lee and Stuart. After performing this service, the Regiment was sent to Dumphries.

While there the enemy surprised the outpost pickets, and took about 50 of the Twelfth Illinois and First Maryland Cavalry men prisoners, when a vigorous fight ensued, which continued all day, but the enemy was finally repulsed, with severe loss, having 25 or 30 killed, and about 40 wounded, while our loss was but 3 killed and 8 wounded.
The Twelfth performed a conspicuous part in the celebrated "Stoneman" raid. On the 3d of May, Lieutenant Colonel Davis received orders to penetrate the Fredericksburg railroad, and if possible the Virginia Central, and to destroy communications between Richmond and Lee's Army, then confronting Hooker, on the Rappahannock. The Twelfth began the march before day break, passing down the bank of the south Anna, through a region never before occupied by our forces. It burned one bridge and dispersed a party of mounted guerrillas, who made a poor attempt to oppose it. The first line of railway was struck at Ashland. Lieutenant Mitchell, with a party of about a dozen men, was sent ahead to occupy the place. He dashed into the village and took it without loss.

When the remainder of the Regiment came up, the boys were set to work cutting the telegraph wires, tearing up the railroad track and burning a bridge. While at this work a train of cars approached from Fredericksburg, seven of which were filled with 250 sick and wounded officers and soldiers. Colonel Davis after receiving from them their version of the battle of Chancellorsville, paroled them.

The engine was rendered useless, and after destroying a wagon train and a quantity of harness, and taking about 80 mules, the Regiment moved out of Ashland.

The Central railroad was struck at Hanover station, on the afternoon of the 5th. Thirty officers and men were captured at this station. The work of destroying the railroad there was as effectually done as it was at Ashland. The telegraph wires were cut, and the depot buildings, store houses, stables and a train of cars, were burned. During the night the Regiment marched to within seven miles of Richmond, bivouacked until 8 o'clock the next morning, when it marched for Williamsburg.

At Tunstall station a train of cars, filled with infantry and a three-gun battery, was run up there, with the intention of debarking and giving the Twelfth battle. Colonel Davis at once took measures to break through the force before the men could get out of the cars, or put the battery in position. He therefore brought up the two foremost squadrons, and ordered a charge, which was executed, Captain Reans, with Companies D and F, taking the lead. The charge was made most gallantly, but it was impossible, however to break through. The Twelfth retired from the conflict with a loss of two killed and several wounded, among the latter Lieutenant Marsh, who was one of the foremost in the charge.
Failing to penetrate the enemy's lines at this point, Colonel Davis determined to cross the Pamunkey and Mattapony Rivers, and make for Gloucester Point.

He selected Phinkells Ferry, over the Pamunkey, and occupied it, after driving away a picket on the other side, with whom the Regiment exchanged shots. While enroute to Gloucester Point, they captured 15 rebels and destroyed a large quantity of cavalry saddles, at King's and Queen's Court House, and a train of 18 wagons, loaded with corn and provisions, when near Saluda. In this raid the Regiment traveled a distance of over two hundred miles.
The total loss sustained by the Twelfth, in this most remarkable raid, was two commissioned officers and 33 enlisted men, while the Regiment brought with it 100 mules and 75 horses captured from the enemy. The amount of property destroyed was estimated at over $1,000,000.

A portion of the Twelfth remained at Gloucester Point while one Battalion was sent to General Dix, commanding at Fortress Monroe, and the remainder reported to Alexandria. The detachment which reported to General Dix made frequent excursions into the interior counties, for the purpose of suppressing a band of smugglers, who infested that district. On one these expeditions General Wm. H. Lee, a son of Robt. E. Lee, was captured and taken to Fortress Monroe.

In June, the Regiment was brought together. Immediately after the battle of Beverly Ford, the Twelfth joined Pleasonton, and was assigned to the First Brigade of the First Division.

Burford's Division, without waiting to recover from the fatigue of the recent severe engagements, marched toward the Potomac from Aldie Gap, in the direction of Fredericksburg, where he arrived June 3. At an early hour on the 1st of July, General Buford fell upon the flanks of Longstreet's Corps, which was moving south from Carlisle, charging and recharging, and still repeating the operation, forcing a portion of the enemy at every onslaught to halt, and form line of battle. In this manner the rebels were not only sorely damaged by the loss of a large number of men killed and wounded, but their movements were greatly impeded, which gave General Meade an opportunity to push forward his lagging infantry, and get them into position for resistance. A Brigade of Pennsylvania militia and a battery of artillery, commanded by "Baldy" Smith, which had got into Longstreet's front, and were being hotly pressed, with every indication of falling prisoners, were rescued from that unhappy fate from the daring west roughriders, under Davis, Medill and Chapman, who charged right into the face of the rebel infantry, and forced them to give up the pursuit. After this feat, the Brigade fell back on the main body of the Division, and until 10 o'clock Buford continued to hold his position against Longstreet's entire Corps of Infantry. At that hour he was relieved by the celebrated "Iron Brigade", of Wisconsin infantry, and there troops of the First Corps. On the 4th of July, when Lee's Army made its last grand attempt to retrieve its fortunes, the Brigade was hastened off toward Williamsport, with orders to seize the Ford and hold it against the enemy.
In the march from Gettysburg to Williamsport about 2,000 rebels were captured, and over 200 wagons and teams. The wagons were destroyed, and the mules driven to Washington.

On the 6th of July, the cavalry reached the vicinity of Williamsport, and being informed that the place was guarded by only one Regiment of Stuart's cavalry, the Eighth Illinois and a portion of the Twelfth, rushed forward, driving out the enemy.

After the defeat and retreat of Lee at Gettysburg, the Twelfth followed the fortunes of the Army of the Potomac. It was present at the cavalry battles which occurred at Falling Waters, the Rapidan and at Stevensburg, in all of which it acquitted itself with its usual bravery. On the 20th of November it was relieved from duty with the Army of the Potomac, and ordered home to reorganize as Veterans. This distinguished privilege was awarded the Regiment by the Secretary of War, "for brilliant services in the field".

On the evening of the 28th of November, the Regiment reached Chicago, and was received from first to last with one grand burst of patriotic admiration and enthusiasm.

At the conclusion of the brief season of rest the Regiment, which had been recruited up to the maximum number of 1,256 officers and men, re-assembled at Camp Fry. On the 9th of February 1864, the Regiment started for St. Louis, and went into camp there. Early in March it embarked on transports for New Orleans, and shortly after arriving there was ordered to join General Banks, on his retreat down the Red River. It participated in the different engagements of the retreat, losing a large number of men. Subsequently the Regiment was returned to New Orleans, and ordered to do picket duty on the Lafurtche, from Donaldsonville to Thibodeaux, La., continuing on this line during the summer.
In the early part of September the Regiment was ordered to report to General Lee, commanding the Cavalry Division at Baton Rouge, when it was actively employed in scouting and picket duty. In the early part of November the Twelfth ‎(then brigaded with the Second Illinois Cavalry, the Brigade commanded by Colonel Davis)‎ and other cavalry Regiments under General Lee, made an expedition to Liberty, Miss., where they had a severe action, driving the enemy and capturing a number of prisoners, cannon and small arms. Lieutenant Colonel Dix, in charge of the outposts, repulsed several attacks of the enemy. Subsequently the Regiment participated in General Davidson's expedition against Mobile; returned to Baton Rouge on the 7th of January 1865; went up the river to Memphis, joining General Osband's Division. In the latter part of January, the Twelfth was a part of a raiding party through southeastern Arkansas. Returning to Memphis, it did scouting and picket duty until June, when it was ordered to join General Custer's Cavalry Division, at Alexandria, La. From there it marched with the Division to Hempstead, Tex., at which place it remained until sometime in September, when it marched to Houston, to Major General Mowet. From this time to the final mustering out the Regiment, distributed in detachments, was actively employed in guard and escort duty.

While at Memphis the Twelfth Cavalry was consolidated into an 8 company organization, and the Fourth Cavalry, having previously been consolidated into a Battalion of 5 companies, was consolidated with the Twelfth Cavalry.
The Regiment was mustered out at Houston, Tex., on the 29th of May 1866, and arrived at Springfield on the 14th of June, and on the 18th, it received final pay and discharge.

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Companies "A," "B," "C," "D," "E" and "G" organized at Springfield, Ill., and mustered in February 24, 1862. Captain Gilmore's Company of Cavalry, Company "A," 32nd Illinois, organized at Camp Butler December 31, 1861; assigned as Company "F." Captain Sheerer's and Captain Barker's Companies, McClellan Dragoons, organized at Chicago, Ill., October, 1861; assigned as Company H." Captain Brown's Company, McClellan Dragoons, organized at Chicago, Ill., October, 1861; assigned as Company "I." Companies "K," "L" and "M" organized at Springfield, Ill., December 30, 1863, to January 12, 1864. Duty at Camp Butler, Ill., guarding prisoners, till June, 1862. Ordered to Martinsburg, W. Va., June 25. Attached to District of Martinsburg, W. Va., to September, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Army Corps, Army Potomac, to October, 1862. Defences Upper Potomac, 8th Army Corps, Middle Dept. to February, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army Potomac, to November, 1863. Chicago, Ill., to February, 1864. District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Missouri, to March, 1864. 1st Brigade, Cavalry Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to June, 1864. District of LaFourche, Dept. of the Gulf, to August, 1864. 4th Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, August, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, District of West Tennessee, to July, 1865. Dept. of Texas to May, 1866.

SERVICE.-Duty at Martinsburg, W. Va., and on the Upper Potomac to September, 1862. Near Martinsburg September 3. Bunker Hill September 3-4. Martinsburg September 6. Darkesville September 7. Williamsport, Md., September 11. Martinsburg September 11-12. Defence of Harper's Ferry, W. Va., September 13-14. Regiment cut way through enemy's lines on night of September 14. Antietam, Md., September 16-18. Hagerstown, Md., September 20. Duty on Upper Potomac September 20 to December 8. Williamsport September 21. McCoy's or Russell's Ferry and near Green Springs Furnace October 10. Reconnoissance from Bolivar Heights to Rippon, W. Va., November 9. Dumfries, Va., December 26-27. At Falmouth, Va., till April 1863. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 8. Stoneman's Raid April 29-May 8. Tunstall Station May 4. Aylett's May 5. Raid from Yorktown into Matthews County May 19-23. March to Falmouth, Va., Brandy Station and Beverly Ford June 9. Upperville June 21. Expedition from Yorktown to South Anna Bridge June 23-28 ‎(Detachment)‎. South Anna Bridge June 26 ‎(Detachment)‎. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Williamsport, Md., July 6. Bronsboro July 8. Benevola or Beaver Creek July 9. At and near Funkstown July 10-13. Falling Waters July 14. Chester Gap July 26. Kelly's Ford July 31-August 1. Brandy Station August 1-4. Near Fairfax Court House August 6 ‎(Detachment)‎. Brandy Station and Culpeper Court House September 7-8. Near Bristoe Station September 12. Advance from the Rappahannock to the Rapidan September 13-17. Culpeper Court House September 13. Raccoon Ford September 14-16. Stevensburg September 17. Reconnoissance across the Rappahannock September 21-23. Jack's Shop, Madison Court House, September 22. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Raccoon and Morton's Fords October 10. Brandy Station October 11-12. Oak Hill October 15. Rappahannock Station October 27. Moved to Chicago, Ill., November 20-28, and duty there till February, 1864. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., February 9, thence moved to New Orleans, La., March 15-April 1. Moved to Red River April 20, arriving at Alexandria April 23. Actions at Alexandria April 28-May 5-8. Bayou Teche, La., May 5-8. Wilson's Landing May 14. Avoyelle's or Marksvllle Prairie May 15. Mansura May 16. Yellow Bayou May 17. Morganza May 20. Arrived at New Orleans, La., June 1. Moved to Napoleonville June 11, and duty there till October, engaged in picketing and scouting. Near Napoleonville July 29 ‎(Co. "L")‎. Expedition from Paincoursville to Natchez, Miss., with skirmish August 15-21 ‎(Cos. "I," "L")‎. Expedition to Grand Lake, Grand River and Lake Natchez September 7-11. Expedition from Napoleonville to Grand River and Bayou Pigeon September 26-30. Moved to Baton Rouge, La., and duty there till November 14. Liberty November 18. Davidson's Expedition against Mobile and Ohio R. R. November 27-December 13. Expedition from Baton Rouge to Clinton December 23-24. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., thence to Memphis, Tenn., and to Gaines' Landing, Ark., January 7-26, 1865. Osban's Expedition through Southern Arkansas and Northern Louisiana January 27-February 14. Duty near Memphis, Tenn., till June. Expedition from Memphis, Tenn., into Northern Mississippi March 3-11. Moved to Alexandria, La., June 15-22, thence marched to Hempstead, Texas, August 8-26. Duty in Eastern Texas till May, 1866. Mustered out May 29, 1866.
Regiment lost during service 38 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 192 Enlisted men by disease. Total 234.

During the campaigns of 1863, the regiment constantly skirmished with elements of Confederate General JEB Stuart's cavalry. It performed a conspicuous part in the action known as "Stoneman's Raid." On May 3, the unit was ordered to penetrate the Fredericksburg Railroad and the Virginia Central, to destroy communications between Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and the Confederate Capitol at Richmond. The unit set to work, burning bridges, tearing up rails, and cutting telegraph wires. On the 5th, the Central was struck and destroyed. The troopers logged over two hundred miles during the raid. It was estimated that the regiment destroyed over $1,000,000 worth of Confederate property and supplies.

During the early morning hours of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the 12th, under Colonel George Henry Chapman, along with the rest of the 1st and 2nd Brigades of Buford's 1st Cavalry Division, delayed the advance of Confederate General Henry Heth's infantry for several hours until the Union infantry could arrive on the field. After the battle, in pursuit of the retreating Army of Northern Virginia, the 12th participated in the constant battling and skirmishing that followed until Lee's escape across the Potomac. On November 20, the regiment was relieved from the Army of the Potomac and ordered home to reorganize as veterans. This distinguished privilege was awarded by Secretary of War Stanton for "brilliant services in the field."

Predecessor unit:
ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS
McCLELLAN DRAGOONS.Organized at Chicago, Ills., October, 1861. Assigned to 12th Illinois Cavalry as Companies "H" and "I," February, 1862, but served detached till February, 1863. Attached to Stoneman's Cavalry Command, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. Blake's Brigade, Cavalry Reserve, Army of the Potomac, to April, 1862. Headquarters Army Potomac to November, 1862. Provost Guard Army of the Potomac to February, 1863, and at Headquarters 3rd and 2nd Divisions Cavalry Corps, Army Potomac, to November, 1863, participating in the following service: Duty in the Defences of Washington, D. C., till March, 1862. Moved to the Peninsula, Virginia. Peninsula Campaign, April to August. Siege of Yorktown, Va., April 5-May 4. Near Williamsburg May 4. Battle of Williamsburg May 5. Reconnoissance to Hanover Court House May 26. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Battles of Mechanicsville June 26. Gaines' Mill June 27. Peach Orchard and Savage Station June 29. White Oak Swamp and Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. Campaign in Northern Virginia August 27-September 2. Maryland Campaign September-October. Battle of Antietam September 16-17. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 29-November 17. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. "Mud March," January 20-24, 1863. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Stoneman's Raid April 29-May 8. Brandy Station and Beverly Ford June 9. Upperville June 21. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Williamsport, Md., July 6. Boonsboro July 8. Benevola or Beaver Creek July 9. At and near Funkstown July 10-13. Falling Waters July 14. Chester Gap July 26. Kelly's Ford July 3-Augast 1. Brandy Station August 1-4 and September 7-8. Bristoe Station September 12. Culpeper Court House September 13. Raccoon Ford September 14-16. Stevensburg September 17. Jack's Shop, Madison Court House, September 22. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Raccoon and Morton's Fords, October 10. Brandy Station October 11-12. Oak Hill October 15. Rejoined regiment and moved to Chicago, Ills., November 20-28, 1863.

	Begivenheder for nære slægtninge
Født	4 oktober 1831 Montreal,Province of Quebec,‎(French)‎ Canada
Ægteskab	27 september 1860 (Alder 28) Eliza S. Ripley Winnebago, Illinois
Død	31 marts 1908 (Alder 76)
Universal ID	0CD080FCB569AA468DDA83A1CD96FF54A7B2
Begravelse	Basset, Chickasaw Co. Ia
Sidst ændret	25 juli 2006 - 14:43:23