Cadet AIAD Researches History of LTC Reed

Cadets Jeilyn Haynes, Jordan Hardy, and Dahlia Flores began their research-oriented Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) investigating the life and experiences of LTC William N. Reed—the highest-ranking Black line officer to serve the United States during the Civil War—with lots of questions. While some questions remain, they have found a plethora of answers and are now writing a narrative that will shed light on how Reed was presented a commission more than a year and a half before the War Department authorized commissions for Black line officers, and his service in his unique position. Their research has brought them through three continents, two civil wars, and (somewhat unexpectedly) one gold rush. Opportunities like this are made possible by donors supporting the Margin of Excellence.