Page 306 - WPA Book
P. 306
Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
HOUSES
George W. Reherd Home
Page Two
George W. Reherd was the son of William Reherd and the next eldest of seven boys, one dying in infancy.
William Reherd came to the Valley of Virginia from Pennsylvania many years prior to the War Between the
States and engaged in farming. His farm was about a mile or so east of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Like many other
Southerners, he was opposed both to slavery and to secession, engaged in the defense of the Confederacy,
several of his sons seeing very active service in the Confederate Army.
Lewis Reherd, the eldest son, was a member of the Rockingham Rifles, attached to the 10th Virginia Regiment,
commanded by Colonel D.H. Lee Martz. At the battle of Gettysburg in the famous charge of Pickett and his
men, he was shot in the eye, the ball lodging in the back of his head near the base of the brain and from which
he suffered afterwards until his death, some years after the War.
George W. also saw service in the same command, though not as actively engaged as his brothers, yet with all
seeing plenty of strenuous service as a driver and teamster.
J.E. Reherd, next to the youngest of the boys, and living today at the good old age of 91 years, still filling his
place in the business affairs of the community as president of the National Bank of Harrisonburg, Virginia, did
not enter the service until the third year of the war, being too young. He joined the command of Imboden
attached to General Early and engaged in very active service and hard fighting up and down the Valley when
Early was in command of the Valley Department, chasing Sheridan and being chased in turn by him; witnessing
too, the destruction of much valuable property by that general.
Mr. Reherd feels quite sure that Sheridan’s headquarters at that time was at the Byrd house, now Stoneleigh Inn,
a question which has been much in dispute, at least locally, the Reherd home at that time being only a mile to
the east of the Byrd place.
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Informants: Mr. J.E. Reherd, Mr. O.M. Cooly.
Court Records.
George W. Fetzer
Harrisonburg, VA
April 29, 2024
Page 305 of 482
HOUSES
George W. Reherd Home
Page Two
George W. Reherd was the son of William Reherd and the next eldest of seven boys, one dying in infancy.
William Reherd came to the Valley of Virginia from Pennsylvania many years prior to the War Between the
States and engaged in farming. His farm was about a mile or so east of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Like many other
Southerners, he was opposed both to slavery and to secession, engaged in the defense of the Confederacy,
several of his sons seeing very active service in the Confederate Army.
Lewis Reherd, the eldest son, was a member of the Rockingham Rifles, attached to the 10th Virginia Regiment,
commanded by Colonel D.H. Lee Martz. At the battle of Gettysburg in the famous charge of Pickett and his
men, he was shot in the eye, the ball lodging in the back of his head near the base of the brain and from which
he suffered afterwards until his death, some years after the War.
George W. also saw service in the same command, though not as actively engaged as his brothers, yet with all
seeing plenty of strenuous service as a driver and teamster.
J.E. Reherd, next to the youngest of the boys, and living today at the good old age of 91 years, still filling his
place in the business affairs of the community as president of the National Bank of Harrisonburg, Virginia, did
not enter the service until the third year of the war, being too young. He joined the command of Imboden
attached to General Early and engaged in very active service and hard fighting up and down the Valley when
Early was in command of the Valley Department, chasing Sheridan and being chased in turn by him; witnessing
too, the destruction of much valuable property by that general.
Mr. Reherd feels quite sure that Sheridan’s headquarters at that time was at the Byrd house, now Stoneleigh Inn,
a question which has been much in dispute, at least locally, the Reherd home at that time being only a mile to
the east of the Byrd place.
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Informants: Mr. J.E. Reherd, Mr. O.M. Cooly.
Court Records.
George W. Fetzer
Harrisonburg, VA
April 29, 2024
Page 305 of 482
