William Henry Boyle (1836–1919) was an American Colonel of the American Civil War, the Indian Wars and the Spanish–American War. He participated in several battles in both wars, notably commanding the 9th Infantry Regiment during the Battle of San Juan Hill.

American Civil War

William was born on November 13, 1836, at New Utrecht, Brooklyn as the son of Nathaniel Boyle and Margaret L. Stillwell Boyle. He enlisted in the

5th New York Independent Light Artillery The 5th Independent Battery, New York Volunteer Light Artillery or 5th New York Independent Light Artillery ("1st Excelsior Light Artillery") was an artillery battery that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Service The bat ...

in January 19, 1862. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant, he served under

George Crook George R. Crook (September 8, 1828 – March 21, 1890) was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. During the 1880s, the Apache nicknamed Crook ''Nantan ...

and Philip Sheridan, receiving praise from both of them during his service. Boyle was promoted to Major in 1865 and participated at the battles of Harpers Ferry, Lynchburg and Cedar Creek.

Indian wars

Boyle continued to serve in the United States Army, being made a Second Lieutenant and sent to the Umatilla Indian Reservation from 1869 to 1871 as an agent. Initially dispatched to deal with the Yavapai War in 1872, he returned to the

Department of the Columbia The Department of the Columbia was a major command ( Department) of the United States Army during the 19th century. Formation On July 27, 1865 the Military Division of the Pacific was created under Major General Henry W. Halleck, replacing the Dep ...

to fight in the Modoc War as an Adjutant and Field Quartermaster until 1873. In 1877, Boyle was given command of

Fort Lapwai Fort Lapwai (1862–1884), was a Federal government of the United States, federal Fortification#North America, fort in present-day Lapwai, Idaho, Lapwai in North Central Idaho, north central Idaho, United States. On the Nez Perce people#Nez P ...

and began negotiations with Chief Joseph to prevent war with the Nez Perce. Elsewhere, he participated in conflicts with the Bannocks and the Northern Paiutes until June 1884 when he was transferred to Fort Sidney and Fort Randall. In 1883, as Boyle was prepared for promotion to Captain, efforts on trying to find Boyle's date of birth remained in mystery as by 1895, it ranged from 1832 to 1838.

Later years

Along with

Ezra P. Ewers Lt. Colonel Ezra P. Ewers was born in Wayneport, New York. Early life and education Ewers was born in Wayneport, New York and educated in public schools. He was a practical machinist by trade. Military career On January 18, 1862, he enlisted in ...

, Boyle was initially given command of the 9th Infantry Regiment during the Battle of San Juan Hill but later given command of the 6th Artillery Regiment. Despite retiring from active service as a Colonel on 1904, Boyle was made a candidate to succeed Captain Quincy O. M. Gillmore to organize the New York Militia on June 12, 1906, after Captain Merch B. Stewart was deemed to be unavailable but Boyle personally denied the request. He died on April 22, 1919, at Plainfield, New Jersey and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery along with his wife, Elizabeth Cropsey Boyle.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Boyle, William Henry 1836 births 1919 deaths People from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn Military personnel from New York City United States Army personnel of the Indian Wars American military personnel of the Spanish–American War United States Army colonels People of New York (state) in the American Civil War