Bruce Nichols also provided some information in an earlier reply that stated a Lt Dave Reed, former Wayne county blacksmith prior to the war, was noted as killed in an engagement. This makes sense for my family mystery, since he would have known Alexander C. Tarlton very well. Do you know if your David Reed was in a unit that would have been active in Wayne County?

I have noticed on the 1870 census for Wayne County, that the Lt David Reed referred to by Bruce was no longer the head of his family (probably killed in the war).

Thanks for helping provide light on this. Keith Ragan