From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

Robert Reed was born a slave in Kentucky, but during the Civil War, he left the fields of forced labor to make his way to Camp Nelson to enlist in the Federal Army. He served as a private in Company F of the 12th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Regiment. The 12th Regiment saw no reported action during the war, serving garrison duty at various points in Central Kentucky until April 24, 1866, when it discharged and mustered from Federal service.