Lt. Axel Hayford Reed, USA/MOH

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8657925

Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Captain in the Union Army. He was awarded the Medal of Honor as a Sergeant in Company K, 2d Minnesota Infantry for action on September 19, 1863 at Chickamauga, Georgia and November 15, 1863 at Missionary Ridge, Tennessee. His citation reads "While in arrest at Chickamagua, Ga.; left his place in the rear and voluntarily went to the line of battle, secured a rifle, and fought gallantly during the two-day battle; was released from arrest in recognition of his bravery. At Missionary Ridge Reed commanded his company and gallantly led it, being among the first to enter the enemy's works; was severely wounded, losing an arm, but declined a discharge and remained in active service to the end of the war." (bio by: Don Morfe)

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Added by Elwin C. Nickerson about this Ancestor. :

Alexander (Axel) Hayford Reed

Axel H. Reed was born in Hartford, Oxford County, Maine on March 13, 1835. He was enrolled August 5, 1861, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota; mustered into service September 12, 1861, as Sergeant, Company K, 2nd Minnesota. Volunteered to serve three years and appointed 1st Sergeant same Company in May 1862. He participated in the battles, seiges and campaigns in which the regiment was engaged, and was severely wounded at the battle of Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863, which resulted in the loss of his right arm. Sergeant Reed returned to duty from hospital April 13, 1864, was appointed Sergeant Major of the regiment to date from June 22nd, mustered in as 2nd Lieutenant, same company, to date August 9, 1864, and as 1st Lieutenant same company to date, February 15, 1865 (The rolls for May and June reports him as on detached service commanding 23rd Missouri Volunteers). He was mustered out of service as 1st Lieutenant with his company July 11, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. He died January 21, 1917 and was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Glencoe, Minnesota.

Information and photographs presented by Axel H. Reed's great great grandson, Sam Reed.

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Letters in Regards Axel H. Reed Military Service and Award of Medal of Honor

Brig. Gen. J. M. Brannan, commanding 3rd division 14th A. C., requests that Sergeant A. H. Reed, Co. K, 2nd Minnesota Volunteers, be released from arrest and charges preferred against him be withdrawn.

E. D. Townsend

Adjutant General 

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Headquarters 14th Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland, Chattanooga, Sept. 28, 1863. In consideration of the gallant conduct of Sergt. A. H. Reed, Co. K, 2nd Minnesota Volunteers, during the engagement of the 19th and 20th of September, and the recommendation of Brig. Gen. Brannan, commanding 3rd division, the charges and specifications preferred against him for publishing an anonymous communication in the Nashville Union, are directed to be withdrawn. Sergt. Reed, Co. K, 2nd Minnesota Volunteers, will be released from arrest and returned to duty.

By command of Maj. Gen. Thomas

A.A.G. and Chief of Staff 

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Headquarters 2nd regiment Minnesota Volunteers, Chattanooga, Tenn., Dec. 10, 1863. Captain J. R. Beatty, A.A.A.G.

2nd Brig., 3rd Div. 14th A. C. 

The purpose of placing on record the names of officers and men of my regiment, who by gallant and meritorious conduct under fire during the assault on Mission Ridge on the 25th, ultimo, have entitled themselves to special mention. I respectfully submit the following report as supplementary to the General Report already on file in your office. 1st Sergeant A. H. Reed commanded his company (K) during the engagement, behaving with marked coolness and courage. He was severely wounded near the close of the fight on the Ridge.

I am, Captain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant.

J. W. Bishop

Lt. Col. Com.

2nd Minn. Vols. 

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Subject Medal of Honor. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., March 22, 1898. File No. R.&P. 450203.

Mr. Axel H. Reed

No. 238 North Capitol Street

Washington, D. C. 

Sir: You are hereby notified that by direction of the President, and under the provisions of the act of Congress, approved March 3, 1863, providing for the presentation of medals of honor to such officers, non-commissioned officers and privates as have most distinguished themselves in action, a CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR has this day been presented to you for MOST DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY IN ACTION, the following being a statement of the particular service, viz: At Chickamauga, Ga., September 19, 1863, this officer, then a sergeant in Company K, 2nd Minnesota Volunteers, was in arrest for a breach of discipline. When the action opened he left his place in rear voluntarily and went unarmed to the line of battle, secured a musket and equipment of a wounded soldier participated in the two days' battle, and in recognition of his distinguished gallantry was released from arrest and restored to duty by the special order of General Thomas. On November 25th he was wounded at Mission Ridge and as a result suffered amputation of an arm. After recovery from this wound he declined a discharge for disability which was offered him, and served during the remainder of the war, participating in the Savannah and Carolina campaigns.

This Medal will be forwarded to you by registered mail, as soon as it shall have been engraved.

Respectfully,

R. A. Alger

Sec. of War.