One exceptionally rare and beautiful Civil War letter dated March 28th. It was written by George W. Reed somewhere around the early 1860s. The letter is unique for quite a few reasons. One of them is the fact that it’s written on a multi-color large imprinted Union army stationary, where it says ‘NOT A STAR MUST FALL’. It’s with an eagle and a five-star and a US-army shield on the top left corner of the stationary, possibly reserved only for military officials. This letterhead alone is quite rare and we only found one example of this letterhead in circulation. It was probably written between 1863 and 1864. The letter is written on approximately 8 x 9 inch original piece of army stationary, with the emblem and the engraving. The letter has 4 panels, two sides, all written in beautiful penmanship. We believe that the following is a transcription of the letter:

Mounted Rifles 

Suffolk VA 

March 28

Friend John, 

I just got your letter and having a little spare time in that I would rite an answer to it. This is no news to rite as night of my account except that our General was out on a scout today. They went to the river and saw nothing. It is that. That the enemy is invading Richmond. The most cheering news is that the joy master is coming. It does the eye of a soldier good to see the green sacks home when he can find a parcel of fries or cakes and eat as much as he wants once more. Well John I hope Mark has got what he wanted after I. and fighting but he had better went to the war for he has got in a worse scrape and I think I will fear him out to. I hope they will have a good Time Town meeting I suppose they democrats will rule the day I least hope so. John I hope I may be able to see you before the Fourth of July. 

you must — me for this time. 

So I will find you 

good Night, 

Geo. [George] W. Reed

The present I sent I gave you will get before you do this.

Not a star must fall 

Union forever 

Washington DC 

L L O 

R- 

R- 

D- 

L- 

K- 

‘Civil War Letter from Medal of Honor Recipient, Union Solider, George W. Reed”

George W. Reed served as a Union soldier for the United States military, active in service from 1862 to 1865. He was born in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. He enlisted as a private in Company E of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry. George W. Reed was promoted to Corporal and a became a Medal of Honor Recipient.

The Medal of Honor awarded to George W. Reed was in honor of his service at the Battle of Globe Tavern.

His notable achievement at the Battle of Globe Tavern came as he led Confederate soldiers to Union control, capturing the flag that the color bearer of the 24th North Carolina Infantry had held. George W. Reed was initially captured by five Confederate soldiers, but convinced the soldiers that it was in their best interest to surrender to Reed, return his weapon to him, and surrender to Union forces, as the Confederate soldiers were lost. Being lost risked the soldiers being killed by Union forces.

Below is his entire Wikipedia page:

George W. Reed (1831 – December 21, 1906) was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Globe Tavern.

Born in 1831 in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Reed was living in the city of Johnstown when he enlisted in the Army. He served as a private in Company E of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry. During the Battle of Globe Tavern near Petersburg, Virginia, on August 21, 1864, he was captured in a thickly wooded area by a group of five Confederate soldiers, including a color bearer, from the 24th North Carolina Infantry. When it became clear that the Confederates were lost, Reed stated that they were in danger of stumbling into Union forces and being killed. He convinced the soldiers that the safest decision was to give him back his weapon and surrender themselves to him. The Confederates agreed, and Reed led them to the Union lines as his prisoners. Two weeks later, on September 6, 1864, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle, specifically for capturing the flag which the Southern color bearer had held.

Reed's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Capture of flag of 24th North Carolina Volunteers (C.S.A.)

Reed was promoted to corporal before leaving the military. He died on December 21, 1906, at age 74 or 75 and was buried at Grandview Cemetery in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. A government-issued marker was placed on his grave, however it mistakenly identified him as a Confederate soldier. A new gravestone noting his service in the Union Army and his status as a Medal of Honor recipient was dedicated at a ceremony on November 11, 2006.

This important piece of war memorabilia will ship exactly as photographed in Extremely Fine Condition for an item of 165 years. The item also comes with:
FREE $20,000.00 Certified Insurance Appraisal &
FREE Certificate of Authenticity!

This item can be viewed at our brand new gallery APR57 at 200 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019. We ship anywhere around the world!