CHIEF:  Dr Robin Boyd, MA (Oxon); MB BS; LRCP, MRCS; DCH; AFOM, 8th Baron Kilmarnock

Richard G. Boyd

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RichBoyd (at sign) Charter.net

Augustus Franklin Boyd

           
 DAHLONEGA NUGGET - 1 SEPT 1863

A memoir of Captain Augustus Franklin Boyd of Co. B. 52nd Regiment GA  Volunteers and son of Sarah J. and Wier Boyd of Dahlonega, Georgia. He was born 16th of August 1844, in Lumpkin County, GA and was killed in action at the battle of Baker's Creek, Mississippi, aged 18 years 9 months.  In the 12th year of his age he joined the M.E. Church and professed religion the year following at Lumpkin Campground.  He remained an acceptable member of the church, and always maintained a good  moral character, avoiding those vices which often seduce the young from the path of virtue, and especially in camps.

Though young he volunteered to the call which summoned his country  men   to arms in July of 1861, and he was mustered into the military service of the
Confederate States as a 1st Corporal in the Blue Ridge Rifles, commanded by Capt. Joseph Hamilton of Phillip's Legion.  He actively performed the duties of a soldier and braved the dangers incident to the trying campaign through which the legions passed in N. W. Virginia  under General Floyd.

Upon the organization of the 52nd Ga. Regiment in March of 1862, his father being in command of the 52nd Ga. Regt. and appointed Sgt. Major; a vacancy occurring in Co. B. 52nd Georgia Vol. Regt., he was elected Captain of the Company in December 1862.

The duties of his position he discharged with honor to himself and for the benefit of his company. He was a drill officer of marked accuracy and ability. Always rendering prompt obedience to the orders of his superiors; he was strict in requiring it of those under his command maintaining firmness in discipline, but always kind to his men.

He was at the engagement against the enemy at Tazewell, TN in 1862, and at the fight at Vicksburg, Mississippi in December, in both of which he maintained a cool and gallant bearing displaying to an an eminent degree those qualities which make a brave soldier determined on victory or death.

In the unfortunate battle at  Baker's Creek where he fell, the heavy columns of  the  advancing enemy were compelling the Confederate lines to falter and give way yet Captain Boyd still rallied his men and held his position until the fatal ball pierced him through the forehead and he fell dead on the field.

Thus ended the brief and brilliant career of this good young man and brave soldier.  Few of his age had more friends and fewer enemies. Being of sprightly turn and easy manners, he readily introduced himself to others in acquaintance.  None knew him, but to love him.  For his country he had the warmest patriotic feeling; against Northern domination he entertained the strongest contempt, amounting to hatred. But he died for his country at his post, and his relatives & friends take consolation in the belief that he is gone to where [the] rude alarms of war are heard no more.   G. Hughes, Dahlonega, Georgia, August 32nd, 1863  [Sept 1, 1863]

David Drummond Boyd

LETTER WRITTEN BY CAPT. BOYD
Camp 52nd. Ga. Regt. 12 May 1863

Dear Father,
We are now  camped.  Lines seventeen miles below Vicksburg near the River
called Big Black,  the Yankees are on the other side with a force of  50/60
thousand men.  Our right is five or six miles in advance of our army.  I think they thought the 52nd was the best  Regt. & sent us in advance.   From  all the  movements I think there will be a fight here shortly & it will be one of the greatest battles that has ever bin  fought during this war.   I will say to you, confidentially, that it is in the opinion of both officers and soldiers that General P________ has told us the Yankees are moving in the direction of Jackson.I have nothing more of importance to write to you. If you do not get a letter from me again shortly, It won't be easy for if the Yankees move on Jackson it will stop our communi- cation.   One of  my  men by the name of John Goss was tryed by a General Court Martial for desertion & was sentenced to a ball chained to his leg during the war & to add to our fortification. I reckon this will be a warning to all future deserters. There is a considerable excitement in our Regt.  [about]   who should  be  elected  for congress from our district it is  reported that   Findley, McMillan,  and Young are running; it is my opinion that Young will be elected,  it  is nonsense for a man to run for any office that has seen him serious.  I am still enjoying good health;  our Regt. is in the same good health. The boys from D________ are in good health.   My Company is still the Star company in the Regt.

Tell Fannie to send  me a copy of the Piece of Poetry she wrote when it is
printed. I heard another high  compliment passed on her by a  Captain and a
 Sergt the other day. They said she was the sweetest young lady in D_________.
I hope she will have a model to study music for I  think she  can  learn  to
perform well on the piano. Tell her to write to me soon.  Give my love to the
family  relations  and  all  inquiring friends.

Write soon.  Direct your letters to Vicksburg.  Excuse all mistakes for I have to write on my knees and in haste.
                Your affectionate Son,
                     Capt. A.F. Boyd.

(This letter was most probably Augustus' last letter home as he
   was killed four days later at Baker's Creek, MS.)

David D. Boyd

Another Web Site with data on Augustus F. Boyd http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/PhillipsLegion/boyd.html

NOTE: Use this data as a finding tool, just as you would any other secondary source. When you find the name of an ancestor listed, confirm the facts in original sources.

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