James Sewall Reed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Sewall Reed
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|---|---|
| Born | 3 April 1832 Milton, Massachusetts |
| Died | 22 February 1864 Dranesville, Virginia |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit |  2nd Regiment of Cavalry, Massachusetts Volunteers |
| Commands held | Company A "The California Hundred" 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry |
James "J" Sewall Reed was an important person during the American Civil War. He is best known for helping to organize a special group of about 100 soldiers from California. These Californians traveled all the way to the eastern United States to fight in the war. Most soldiers from California stayed closer to home, fighting in the western parts of the country. James Reed's group became part of the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry.
Early Life and Adventures
James Sewall Reed was born in Milton, Massachusetts, on April 3, 1832. He was the oldest of three sons. When he was 17, James and his younger brother George left their home in Boston. They headed to California to join the exciting California Gold Rush.
They arrived in San Francisco Bay in March 1850. For two years, they searched for gold near Nevada City, California. James later became part of a group called the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance in 1856. This group helped keep law and order in the growing city.
James also traveled through Central America and South America. In 1858, he joined another gold rush, this time in Fraser Canyon. He returned to Boston in 1859, where he met and married Hattie L. Wales. James and Hattie then moved back to San Francisco in September 1859. Their son, Walter Sewall Reed, was born there in January 1861.
Joining the Civil War
In November 1861, James Reed joined a local army group in San Francisco called the First Light Dragoons. Their job was to patrol a route called the Central Overland Route. However, this seemed boring compared to the exciting news of battles happening in the eastern United States.
In late 1862, a group of Californians who were originally from the northeastern U.S. had an idea. They asked the governor of Massachusetts, John Albion Andrew, if they could form a company of 100 cavalry volunteers. The governor agreed, but with a condition: the men had to pay for their own uniforms, equipment, and travel to the East.
A special payment from Massachusetts helped with some of these costs. Also, people in San Francisco donated some equipment. James Reed left his position with the 1st Dragoons to become the captain of this new group, which became known as the "California Hundred."
Fighting in the East
The California Hundred left San Francisco on a steamship called the Golden Age on December 10, 1862. They traveled across the narrow strip of land in Panama and then sailed to New York. In New York, the California Hundred became Company A of the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry. This unit was led by Colonel Charles Russell Lowell.
Captain Reed and his men began fighting in Virginia in April 1863. Later, more volunteers from California joined the 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry, forming other companies. The rest of the companies in the regiment were made up of men from Massachusetts.
Reed's company fought in several battles against a group called the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry, led by John S. Mosby. Sadly, James Sewall Reed was one of five Californians who died in the Second Dranesville battle on February 22, 1864.
