Balaam Reece (b. abt 1844) served as an under cook in Company G, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry. He is one of twenty-three black men known to have served with the regiment, all of whom served as company cooks.
Personal life[]
Balaam Reece was born about 1844 in Smith County, Tennessee.[1]
Civil War service[]
Reece enlisted in Company G on February 14, 1864 at Carthage, Tennessee for a period of three years. He mustered in on April 16, 1864 in Nashville.
At enlistment he was 20 years old, 5' 9" tall, black complexion, black eyes, and black hair. At the time of his enlistment he was living near Carthage in Smith County where he was a farmer.
According to the muster rolls Reece was present every month throughout his service. He mustered out with the regiment on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville. Records state that he was last paid to August 31, 1864.
Later life[]
Reece applied for an invalid's pension on February 11, 1879, which is filed under the name "Balam Reese". No further information about Reece nor the location of his grave has been found.
Notes[]
- ↑ His name also appears as "Balam" and his surname also appears as "Reese". The most consistent spelling of his name is found in his enlistment papers.