Civil war union generals in order
John Adams (Confederate Army officer)
Confederate Army officer (–)
John Adams (July 1, – November 30, ) was an officer in the United States Army. With the onset of the American Civil War, he resigned his commission and joined the Confederate States Army, rising to the rank of brigadier general before being killed in action.
Early life and career
Adams was born to Irish immigrant parents in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 1, ; by some other sources he was born in Pulaski, Tennessee, on February 8, [1]
He graduated from the United States Military Academy in , ranking 25th in his class.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 1st Dragoons, serving under Kearny. Adams was brevettedfirst lieutenant for gallantry during the Mexican–American War[1] at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales. After the war, Adams served on the western frontier, primarily in California, reaching the rank of captain.[1] As a lieutenant colonel in the state militia, he was aide-de-camp to the Governor of Minnesota in [citation needed]
Civil War Career
With the secession of Tennessee, Adams resigned his commission in the United States Army in early and joined the Confederate Army[1] not long afterward as a captain in the cavalry.
He was commissioned a colonel in , and a brigadier general[1] in December of that same year, replacing the late Lloyd Tilghman in charge of his brigade of infantry. Adams served entirely in the Western Theater and was commended in several official reports for his leadership. He was particularly conspicuous during the Atlanta Campaign, where he again displayed personal bravery as well as a talent for battlefield tactics.
His brigade was selected to lead the advance of John Bell Hood's army into Tennessee.
Baker, Edward Dickinson Brigadier general special rank: February 26, nom: March 1, conf: June 9, Forrest, Nathan Bedford. Category Portal. Retreated after Rich Mountain, Laurel Hill.Adams was killed at the Second Battle of Franklin on November 30, , while attempting to capture the colors of the 65th Illinois.[1]He was one of six Confederate generals to perish in the defeat. An Indiana colonel who witnessed his death later wrote:
General Adams rode up to our works and, cheering his men, made an attempt to leap his horse over them.
The horse fell upon the top of the embankment and the general was caught under him, pierced with [nine] bullets. As soon as the charge was repulsed, our men sprang over the works and lifted the horse, while others dragged the general from under him. He was perfectly conscious and knew his fate.
Biography american civil war generals list She was also criticised for extravagant spending on the refurbishment of the White House. She became a symbol of the abolition movement. Organized quartermaster corps at Richmond, Argonaut Press Ltd.He asked for water, as all dying men do in battle as the life-blood drips from the body. One of my men gave him a canteen of water, while another brought an armful of cotton from an old gin near by and made him a pillow. The general gallantly thanked them, and in answer to our expressions of sorrow at his sad fate, he said, 'It is the fate of a soldier to die for his country,' and expired.
— Confederate Veteran, June
Adams left a widow with four sons and two daughters.
Baird, Absalom Removed from command by Jefferson Davis, March 11, Wounded at Cross Keys. South Carolina legislator. Mexican—American War.See also
References
Sources
- Evans, Clement A. (). Confederate Military History. Atlanta: Confederate Publishing Company.
[1]
- Who Was Who in America: Historical Volume, Chicago: Marquis Who's Who,
Further reading
- Brown, Campbell H., "The Myth of the 5 Dead Generals." Civil War Times Illustrated Volume 8, August
- Lane, Bryan, "The Familiar Road: The Life of Confederate Brigadier General John Adams." Civil War Times Illustrated, Volume 35, October
- Tucker, Leslie R., "Brigadier General John Adams, CSA, A Biography.", McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers,