Colonel Carl Boyd ~ Annie Peebles

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 colonel, and was appointed lieutenant-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, by Lucy Josephine Cunyus; Published by Cartersville, Ga.:Tribune Pub. Co. - FHL Film 1425703 Item 2

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