Farewell

"Farewell ye plains of Darby, with all your scenes so gay;
For shortly I must leave you and hasten far away;
Though ever is my absence, with a consciousness of worth;
I'll claim you as the land that gave my being birth."

This poem was found in the pocket of a fallen Union County, Ohio soldier, Ransom Reed, after he was killed in battle during the American Civil War. Below is his story.


RANSOM REED - "He Gave All"

Ransom Reed was the son of William and Mary (Amrine) Reed. He was born on April 29, 1940 in the Amrine Settlement, a neighborhood north of Marysville, Ohio in Union County. He went off to fight in the Civil War with many of his friends and relatives in early 1861. And, he was the first from Union County to die in battle. He was killed during the Battle of Carnifax Ferry in West Virginia. A relative, Edwin Turner, went to West Virginia and brought Reed's body back to Union County, where he was interred in the Amrine Cemetery. Ransom Reed's poem was read at his burial. In later years, the Marysville post of the GAR - Grand Army of the Republic, was named in Ransom Reed's honor. There is also a large memorial stained glass window in the Marysville First United Methodist Church that was dedicated in Ransom Reed's honor and memory.


Yes, some did give all. Thank you, Mr. Reed, for protecting this country in time of battle. I salute you today.