Reuben Playford enlisted on May 14, 1861, as a musician in Company D, 2nd Kansas Infantry; he fought at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861, and reportedly was near General Nathaniel Lyon when he was killed. He mustered out of the 2nd Kansas at Leavenworth, Kansas, on October 31, 1861.

Playford enlisted again as a private in Company I, 11th Kansas Infantry on September 1, 1862, but was promoted to first lieutenant on September 1, 1863, and assigned to Company D, 2nd Kansas Colored Infantry. When the 2nd Kansas Colored Infantry was re-organized as the 83rd U. S. Colored Infantry, Playford continued to serve in the regiment, and he was promoted to quartermaster in August 1865.

Playford was mustered out with the 83rd on October 9, 1865.

Carte-de-Visite by A.C. Nichols, Leavenworth, Kan.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31707