A dedication to CSA Soldier, Humphrey Reed took place August 6, 2011 at the Edwards Cemetery in Coeburn, VA. Sponsored by the Salyer-Lee Chapter of the UDC and the General Alexander A.. Wise Unit of the SCV with special thanks to Gaynell Marshall and Janice Busic, 2nd Vice President VA, Division UDC. Our family is honored by Humphrey Reed's service and Luemma Reed's sacrifice.

Humphrey Reed was born in December 1837 in Patrick County Virginia. He was the son of John Humphrey Reed and Elizabeth Akers and married Luemma “Emma” McGhee on 20 Sep 1863. He supported his family as a teamster.

Humphrey enlisted in the army of the CSA on 10 Jan 1861 in Floyd County, Virginia and was assigned to the Company I 54th Infantry Regiment Virginia with Captain Burwell Akers on 1 Oct 1861.

We are unsure of which battles Humphrey fought with his unit since, according to his pension records he had a “fever which settled in his lungs and also had ribs broken by a horse while in the war”. Muster rolls indicate that he spent most of 1863 in the hospital. We have no record of date of discharge but not before July 1863.

Luemma “Emma” McGhee was born Feb 1846 in Patrick County, Virginia. She was the daughter of John Jack McGhee and Nancy Anna Keith. Records indicate that Emma’s mother died when Emma was about 13 years of age. The children were sent to neighbors' homes to be cared for. Not much is known about her father after this point.

When Humphrey and Emma wed he was serving in the army of the CSA and had been wounded and spent most of that year in the hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was trampled by a horse and developed a cavity in the right lung as well as several broken ribs of the left side and would suffer from the effects of this injury until his death.

Humphrey was awarded a pension for his service and injuries of $15.00 per year, later nearly $12.00 per month. After his death Emma received $19.00 per year in widow’s pension.

Children of Humphrey Reed and Luemma McGhee Reed are:
George Washington Reed
Benjamin Harrison Reed
Laura Jane Reed
Sally Reed
Berdie Reed
Alice Reed
Records indicate that they had 9 children but only these survived

From the stories told to his grandson, Kyle May, he was a man of humor and great pride in his service. Humphrey Reed died 22 Feb 1923 in Tom’s Creek, Virginia. Luemma died 15 Aug 1923.