Hello,
I am researching Major Frederick W. Reeder, the officer who commanded a raid targeting Daniel McGee at Mingo Swamp on 4 Feb 1863. If anyone has information re: Reeder, I would appreciate your help.
On 17 Nov, 1862, in an application for a 20 day leave-of-absence (for health reasons), Reeder states that "SEVEN YEARS of continual service" have undermined his health. I can't figure out what service he was talking about prior to his service in the Civil War. He enrolled in the Union army 13 Sept 1862, appointed a Major in the 12th MSM Cav.

His resignation is dated 4th Feb 1863 (same day as the Mingo Swamp massacre) and I wonder if the record appears this way because the 12th MSM was consolidated with the 3rd MSM on this date? His official report of the Mingo raid appears to be written on 7 Feb. Some sources imply that he resigned because of some unhappiness with the events at Mingo Swamp, and that he did not write the official report himself. The report is absolutely gleeful over the raid, so I think that if he wrote it, it is unlikely that he resigned because of the raid. Does anyone know whether it is possible to see the actual report?

Also, can anyone tell me exactly why the 12th MSM was consolidated with the 3rd MSM in Feb of 1863? Was it just part of ongoing normal military operations, or was there some particular reason for it?

It's possible Reeder resigned in order to take a position with the Adjutant General's Office in Washington DC...he enlisted there 14 March 1863. But where was he between the resignation on the 4 Feb and the enlistment in the AGO on 14th March?

FYI, in his federal enlistment record for 14 March 1863, at Washington DC, Reeder is shown as 27 years of age, born in Bonn, Germany. I have had no luck so far tracking him in the census. He does not appear to have a pension, at least not one based on his Union CW service.

Thanks for your time,
Cynthia