Woodford Hiram Reams

1812-1885

 

 

I was born April 6 in the year of our lord eighteen hundred and twelve, in St. Charles Missouri . My father, Robert A. Reams came here from France by way of England with his wife Agnes Reams around 1787.  Father was a tanner and had a tannery in Point Pleasant Ohio . They had four children from this marriage all girls before mother took ill with the fever and later died. Father moved the family to St. Louis , Missouri and married my mother Sarah Dorseyon. My father and my mother Sarah had three boys Jessie my oldest, me, and Jason my youngest.

 

 I attended school and worked in my father’s tannery until I was 16 years old. My father wanted me to have a better education as book work was easy for me. So in 1839 my father enrolled me into West point , were I studied military tactics till I was 20 years old. It was at West Point that I started my military career with the US military.  I excelled in mathematics and horsemanship and I graduated in the middle of my class.  In 1843 I was assign to a post near St. Louis , Missouri . Later the regiment moved to Louisiana and then to the Mexican border. From 1846 to 1848 I served in the Mexican War, taking part in almost every major battle. Here it was said by my superiors that I displayed gallantry on several occasions, including battles at Monterey , Molino del Rey, and Chapultepec .

 

Between 1848 and 1852 I married Julia Logsdon, who becomes my constant source of strength. I would serve as quartermaster at the Great Lakes post. My first child Fredrick was born in 1850.

 

 In 1852 I transferred to the Oregon Territory , where my second child William Allen was born. After two unhappy years in Oregon and California , I resigned from the Army as Captain in 1854.

 

From 1854 to 1861 I tried farming land given to Julia by her father near St. Louis . My third child Nellie was born in 1855 and my fourth child Jesse was born in 1858. Along came bad luck and ill health which caused the failure of my farm. I tried and failed in the restate business. After all this, my father gave me a job as a clerk in one of the family leather goods store in Galena Ill.  

 

Now it is the year 1861. Rumors of war have been on the horizon since 1860.  My two brothers have joined the 2^nd US Cavalry Regiment company D. Father is not happy about this. He understands the South’s issues, but feels things should be worked out politically and quickly. I realize there is more than just the issue of slavery. States are starting to take sides. What is our nation coming too?  I have seen the face of war when I served in the Mexican war. It is not a pretty sight.  Fathers concern for my brothers has prompted him to request that I join the 2nd US Cavalry Regiment Company D in order to look after my two brothers. As a family man I would prefer to stay out of the fight but loyalty to my kin is stronger. Father feels my military experience would aid me protecting my brothers. I hope I can keep that promise. It is a strong burden that I carry. My wife and children need me too, but so does my country and my brothers. It is with a heavy heart that I leave Missouri and join my brother in the 2^nd US Cavalry regiment Company D. I pray this war end quickly.

 

Pvt. Woodford Hiram Reams

2^nd US Cavalry Regiment Company D