William Boyle was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel at the age of 18 and at the time of his death was the youngest person of that rank in the entire Union Army. Before being promoted to Lt. Colonel he was affectionately known as, "The Boy Major". During the Atlanta Campaign in the Summer of 1864 he daringly led his regiment behind enemy lines and prevented the capture of his men while the rest of the cavalry division was captured along with Division Commander, Major General, George Stoneman. Stoneman was the highest ranking Union officer ever to be captured. Bolyle received a promotion to Lt. Colonel for meretorious service during the Atlanta Campaign. Unfortunatelty Boyle died only three months later.
"Lt. Colonel Boyle was killed on the afternoon of Dec. 18, 1864 while leading a charge at the Battle of Marion, VA. Colonel Boyle was riding at the head of his regiment, the 11th Kentucky Cavalry.when a bullet struck him in the head, killing him instantly. The charge eventually faltered and Colonel Boyle's body was left lying on the field of battle.. There were several unsuccessful attempts that evening to recover Bolyes remains but Confederate sharpshooters thwarted every attempt. The Confederate's evacuated the field later that night of December 18th and Boyles body was recovered the following morning. Upon returning to Kentucky most of the Union wounded that could not ride were left behind to be taken prisoner. All of the dead were buried with the exception of William Boyle. General Stephen Burbridge had Boyle's body embalmed in salt and transported back to his home in Boyle County. Burbridge and Col. Boyle's regiment, the 11th Kentucky Cavalry delivered Col. Boyles remains to his father, General Jeremiah T. Boyle. General Burbridge and the 11th Kentucky Cavalry regiment remained in Boyle County and participated in the funeral services for William Boyle. It was said that Jeremiah Boyle never recovered from the loss of his son, William."
This information was provided by Barry Goodall and is included in the book he published in 2004 titled, "GLORY GONE FORGOTTEN, The Untold Story of the 12th Kentucky Cavalry".
"Lt. Colonel Boyle was killed on the afternoon of Dec. 18, 1864 while leading a charge at the Battle of Marion, VA. Colonel Boyle was riding at the head of his regiment, the 11th Kentucky Cavalry.when a bullet struck him in the head, killing him instantly. The charge eventually faltered and Colonel Boyle's body was left lying on the field of battle.. There were several unsuccessful attempts that evening to recover Bolyes remains but Confederate sharpshooters thwarted every attempt. The Confederate's evacuated the field later that night of December 18th and Boyles body was recovered the following morning. Upon returning to Kentucky most of the Union wounded that could not ride were left behind to be taken prisoner. All of the dead were buried with the exception of William Boyle. General Stephen Burbridge had Boyle's body embalmed in salt and transported back to his home in Boyle County. Burbridge and Col. Boyle's regiment, the 11th Kentucky Cavalry delivered Col. Boyles remains to his father, General Jeremiah T. Boyle. General Burbridge and the 11th Kentucky Cavalry regiment remained in Boyle County and participated in the funeral services for William Boyle. It was said that Jeremiah Boyle never recovered from the loss of his son, William."
This information was provided by Barry Goodall and is included in the book he published in 2004 titled, "GLORY GONE FORGOTTEN, The Untold Story of the 12th Kentucky Cavalry".
William Boyle was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel at the age of 18 and at the time of his death was the youngest person of that rank in the entire Union Army. Before being promoted to Lt. Colonel he was affectionately known as, "The Boy Major". During the Atlanta Campaign in the Summer of 1864 he daringly led his regiment behind enemy lines and prevented the capture of his men while the rest of the cavalry division was captured along with Division Commander, Major General, George Stoneman. Stoneman was the highest ranking Union officer ever to be captured. Bolyle received a promotion to Lt. Colonel for meretorious service during the Atlanta Campaign. Unfortunatelty Boyle died only three months later.
"Lt. Colonel Boyle was killed on the afternoon of Dec. 18, 1864 while leading a charge at the Battle of Marion, VA. Colonel Boyle was riding at the head of his regiment, the 11th Kentucky Cavalry.when a bullet struck him in the head, killing him instantly. The charge eventually faltered and Colonel Boyle's body was left lying on the field of battle.. There were several unsuccessful attempts that evening to recover Bolyes remains but Confederate sharpshooters thwarted every attempt. The Confederate's evacuated the field later that night of December 18th and Boyles body was recovered the following morning. Upon returning to Kentucky most of the Union wounded that could not ride were left behind to be taken prisoner. All of the dead were buried with the exception of William Boyle. General Stephen Burbridge had Boyle's body embalmed in salt and transported back to his home in Boyle County. Burbridge and Col. Boyle's regiment, the 11th Kentucky Cavalry delivered Col. Boyles remains to his father, General Jeremiah T. Boyle. General Burbridge and the 11th Kentucky Cavalry regiment remained in Boyle County and participated in the funeral services for William Boyle. It was said that Jeremiah Boyle never recovered from the loss of his son, William."
This information was provided by Barry Goodall and is included in the book he published in 2004 titled, "GLORY GONE FORGOTTEN, The Untold Story of the 12th Kentucky Cavalry".
"Lt. Colonel Boyle was killed on the afternoon of Dec. 18, 1864 while leading a charge at the Battle of Marion, VA. Colonel Boyle was riding at the head of his regiment, the 11th Kentucky Cavalry.when a bullet struck him in the head, killing him instantly. The charge eventually faltered and Colonel Boyle's body was left lying on the field of battle.. There were several unsuccessful attempts that evening to recover Bolyes remains but Confederate sharpshooters thwarted every attempt. The Confederate's evacuated the field later that night of December 18th and Boyles body was recovered the following morning. Upon returning to Kentucky most of the Union wounded that could not ride were left behind to be taken prisoner. All of the dead were buried with the exception of William Boyle. General Stephen Burbridge had Boyle's body embalmed in salt and transported back to his home in Boyle County. Burbridge and Col. Boyle's regiment, the 11th Kentucky Cavalry delivered Col. Boyles remains to his father, General Jeremiah T. Boyle. General Burbridge and the 11th Kentucky Cavalry regiment remained in Boyle County and participated in the funeral services for William Boyle. It was said that Jeremiah Boyle never recovered from the loss of his son, William."
This information was provided by Barry Goodall and is included in the book he published in 2004 titled, "GLORY GONE FORGOTTEN, The Untold Story of the 12th Kentucky Cavalry".
Bio by: Charlotte Raley McConaha
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