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44TH Regiment during the Civil War

By OSP

Fort Wayne Reader

2006-09-01

Fort Wayne had tasted its share of victory and defeat with the Thirtieth and Forty-fourth. Under Reed’s leadership, the Forty-fourth had marched into Kentucky and by the winter of 1862 had reached Tennessee. There it played an important role in the capture of Fort Henry and participated in the siege of Fort Donelson during bitter February weather. Reed was reportedly “with his men, cheering them on in the thickest of the fight.” The regiment saw additional action in the spring at the battles of Corinth, Perryville, and Pittsburg Landing. Reed was wounded four times by enemy fire and had four horses shot from beneath him. After Pittsburg Landing, Harper’s Weekly ran a sketch of Reed in command of the Forty-fourth. At the conclusion of the battle, the Weekly Sentinel was full of praise for the “cool, determined bravery” of the regiment, which succeeded in driving the rebels, at the point of bayonet, “not only from their position on the hill, but across the adjoining valley over another range of hills.” Seven soldiers were reported killed.

Excerpt from Allen County History Book

Photo courtesy of The History Center/Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society
302 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
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www.fwhistorycenter.com