This is the story of my grandfather, Captain Jerome Bonaparte Adams,
as copied by granddaughter, Eva Adams Atkins. Enlisted at Buena Vista,
Portage County, Wisconsin, on October 10, 1861, in Company A, 16th
Division Wisconsin. He began camp duty at Berlin Wisconsin and after
three weeks was transferred to Madison, Wisconsin. His company remained
at Madison until March 1862 when they were ordered to St. Louis.
The first active engagement of his regiment was at Pittsburg Landing
where their Captain Sax was killed in the first fire. Many skirmishes
followed, the most important one being at Atlanta.
Before this engagement Mr. Adams had re-enlisted as a Veteran to
serve for three years. This enlistment took place at Redbone Church,
Mississippi, Dec. 11, 1863 Bethel Redbone Methodist Church Warren Co., Miss. Built 1854 Used by the
Federals at one time during the Civil War.). The regiment made camp at
Lake Providence, Louisiana for 5 months and then transferred to
Vicksburg where Mr. Adams was on guard detail. After a thirty day
furlough with his parents he rejoined his regiment at Madison and
proceeded to Cairo. Illinois and immediately left for Atlanta, Georgia.
Here they occupied a prominent position in the front ranks on Kennesaw
Heights. Mr. Adams was promoted to Corporal at Vicksburg and at Atlanta
he received his Sergeant rank. During the battle of Atlanta he served as
color guard of his regiment. His regiment charged through a cornfield
upon the Rebels who were stationed there and captured their works with
loss of many men. Sgt. Adams received a bayonet wound in the left arm
and was ordered to the rear flanks, but at his request was allowed to
remain with the Colors at the head of his troop.
From Atlanta Sgt. Adams’ troop accompanied General Sherman on the
memorable march to the sea, after which they participated in the
Grand Review at Washington D.C. He received his Honorable Discharge
from duty at Louisville Kentucky, July 20, 1865. He returned to his home
in Buena Vista, Portage County.
He married and settled on a land grant after establishing a soldier’s
claim to land in Jim River Valley, North Dakota. He retained his claim
long enough to receive his patent grant and then returned to his Buena
Vista farm which remained in the family until November of 1949. A son,
Bryon, his wife and seven children resided at the home after the death
of Mr. Adams’ wife. I was the youngest daughter. The farm was managed by
Victor, the only son of Bryon Adams. Victor’s death in 1949 at age of 38
years brought about the sale of the farm in the fall of 1949 by the
daughters of the family.
Mr. Adams was a staunch Republican and a strong backer of the
temperance principles. He contributed his soldier’s pay to support his
parents and during the Battle of Atlanta, he received word of his
father’s death.
Mr. Adams had little education beyond his tenth birthday, walking 3
miles to attend a rural school.
Mr. Jerome Adams was promoted to Captain by his Excellency Governor
Lucius Fairchild (wife
Frances) of the state of Wisconsin on July 24, 1864.
The prize possession of Captain Adams’ Civil War, consisted of
diaries, bayonet, musket, sword, powder horn and powder cask remain in
the family. His honorable discharge has been framed. Captain Jerome
Adams died in 1920 and is buried in the Buena Vista Cemetery at
Liberty Corners,
Portage County.
From Jerome Adams’ Civil War Diary
January 1865
Jan. 1, 1865 - Cold here in sunny south.
Jan. 3 - Eve drew 3 days rations today and half of our clothing rations.
Looks like we move again.
Wed. Jan. 4 - Orders to pack and be ready to march and we started at 3
o’clock. Marched to the landing, four miles from Savannah, a place called
Thunderbolt Bay. Rebs had a fort that kept our fleet from running up Hansen
Sound. Here we camped for the night.
Thurs. Jan. 5 - We packed and boarded boat. We landed at Beaufort, S. C.
6:00 PM this eve. We marched 2 miles out of town to camp for the night. This
is just for the night.
Fri. 6 - Moved 3 miles – camping in a cotton field on Tartray Island,
land on this isle is owned by people loyal to our government.
Sun. 8 - Had inspection. Did not come off to well for the officers. We
drew soft bread for the first time since we left Kennesaw Pts. (Had always
had dry biscuits.)
Mon. 9 - I paid 50 cents for 12 herring for supper. Today has been dark
and cloudy. Wed. 11 Went into Beaufort today. I bought a portfolio for
$1.00, $1.50 for a frying pan, $1.00 for a pocket book.
Fri. 13 - We packed and left at 3 o’clock p.m. Marched 6 miles, camping
in a cornfield, one mile from Port Royal Ferry. Sat. 14 Crossed ferry at 6
p.m. on pontoon, our regiment was in the rear of Brigade so we had no
skirmishing to do. Captain Chandler was killed. He was 1st Brigade Picket
officer. We marched 16 miles.
Fri. 21 - Orders to march today. Orders to search down railroad tracks.
We tore up, burned the ties and bent the rails of 3 miles of track.
February 1865
Sat. Feb. 1 - The Old Reb house was burned last night. It was unknown who
set the fire.
Thurs. 9 - Camped near Augusta and Branchville R.R. 7th and 4th Division
have burned the rails as far as we can see. The Rebs shelled them until the
Division hurried them with fire. They left their caissons and run.
Sun. 12 - Crossed the swamp in mud and water 2 feet deep for 30 rods.
Marched all day, destroying 8 miles of track. Good days work and not a man
hurt. Getting plenty of forage this side of the river.
Fri. 17 - Packed our tents and moved at 12 o’clock p.m. Crossed Broad
River after dark and into the edge of Columbia.
Sun. 26 - Built 1 ½ miles corduroy road to cross swamp. Caught up to 1st
and 4th Division.
Tues. 28 - The Division have moved on ahead. Talk is that the Rebs are
out here 4 miles fortified waiting for us to come up. Orders to wait here
until 15 Corps company arrives.
Thurs. 30 - Went out foraging today. Got bacon, potatoes and chicken.
Rebel shooting within 5 rods of camp today. He belonged to Brown’s Battalion
of the first G.C. Militia. Name was James Miller. Stole these.
March 1865
Sat. March 1 - Crossed Tybie River to other side. Mud over top of our
shoes. Our march is on the Bennettsville road, country much better on this
of the river. Brought in flour, meal and pork. This isa rick part of South
Carolina.
Tues. 7 - Marched on Fayetteville Road today. Knapsack inspection, they
thought we has gotten some silk dresses, but didn’t find anything. Peach and
plum trees budding to bloom here in South Carolina.
Thurs. 9 - Marching beside the train. Have to wait for the train to get
out of the mud. Marched 14 miles in rain and still raining.
Sat. 11 - Lost 9 or 10 men in Skirmish at Fayetteville. The Rebels burned
4 transport and a gunboat that they couldn’t get away.
Mon. 13 - Marched down to Cape, our pontoon broke down, waited until it
was fixed, went to camp, two miles from river. Been 4 days without
communications. A number of boys are barefoot and have to wear butternut
pants. Begin to look like the Johnnies.
Wed. 15 - Carried rails to make corduroys today. Stop to lift wagons out
of mud and then march again, all day – stopped and baked a few corn ears –
but told to march. Some sleepy you bet!
Thurs. 17 - Marched 20 miles without sleep.
Sat. 18 - Drew one day rations hard tack.
Sun. 19 - Saw some of the 13th Cavalry today just in from Wilmington.
Mon. 20 - Orders to march. I was rear guard and had to keep teams out of
mud – so got behind the command. Crossed Bentonville and Mill Creek.
Tues. 21 - Skirmishing heavy – raining hard. This battle is called
Bentonville or Mill Creek. Pretty hard fighting. They buried 700 and
captured 1700. good days work.
Wed. 22 - Johnnies evacuated their works last night. Can hear musketry in
distance.
Fri. 24 - We marched at 9 o’clock this morning, crossed the Ponse River,
3 miles from Goldshora. We marched into town and Gen. Sherman sat on his
horse and watched us. He saw some ragged, barefooted men. This is the 54 day
on this campaign and we have drawn 10 days rations of hard bread.
Mon. 27 - Moving camp today. Moved 2 ½ miles into cornfield, good camp
plenty of room and water. New recruits arrived to our Regiment today.
Thur. 30 - Raining and I have to go on picket. A pleasant thing in the
rain. Fri. 31 Cleared off today, just relieved of picket duty, bathed in
creek and put on my new clothes. Feel better.
April 1865
Apr. 1 - Col. Fairchild takes command of Regiment today. Battalion Drill
today, first since leaving Atlanta. Found nothing in our knapsack
inspection.
Sun. Apr. 2 - Rumors that Potomac Army is getting whipped.
Mon. 3 - A pleasant morning wind blows cool and refreshing – all quiet in
this part of country.
Thurs. 6 - Boys all well. I went over to 32nd today. Had good news from
Gen. Grant today. He was in Richmond, had captured 25,000 prisoners and
entire garrison of Petersburg had captured 500 pieces of artillery and was
following up there. Great cheering in camp when we heard news.
Fri. 7 - A very pleasant spring morning. Everything looks gay. Flowers in
bloom and birds singing. Makes me think of old times at home.
Sat. 8 - Grand review today. Mon. 10 15th, 17th, 18th, 20th regiments
marching on towards Raleigh. 15 miles today.
Tues. 11 - 10 miles march today, 35 miles from Raleigh. Citizens say the
Rebs are there and fortified.
Wed. 12 - Orders to march but got good news. Lee has surrendered his
entire army at the Appomattox Court House. We marched one mile, we had to
corduroy the swamp all the way before we could get our train through.
Fri. 14 - We marched through Raleigh about 4 o’clock.
Sat. 15 - Rumored that Johnson has surrendered his army. Our rations run
out today. We had brought 7 days rations and 60 rounds of cartridges – We
drew 1 day’s rations for two days.
Tues. 18 - Cars (railroad cars?) pop by here with Gen. Sherman and staff
every day taking him out to the front where Johnson has surrendered his
entire force. Maybe we will soon be homeward bound, I am in hopes. There was
a great many sorrowful looking faces when we got news of Lincoln’s death.
Wed. 19 - We moved camp today about 2 miles nearer Raleigh and a nicer
camp. Talk is we will stay here until we start for home which I hope will be
soon.
Thurs. 20 - Report today the whole southern Confederacy has surrendered
and that this Army has got to march to Harper’s Ferry which is 350 miles.
Only short march on such an occasion. We are going home!
Fri. 21 - General talk is that we will get home soon. We’ve cleaned our
camp. Looks nice. Shaded our tents by setting pine trees out by each corner.
Mon. 24 - Gen. Sherman and Gen. Grant reviewed the 17th Regiment today. I
was detailed to take charge of 6 men to go down town and guard baggage of
3rd Division.
Thurs. 27 - The corps has come back in to camp and expect to start
homeward in a few days.
Fri. 28 - We leave tomorrow morning.
Sat. 28 - Broke camp at 7 a.m. another campaign which will be more
pleasant than the ones here-to-fore.
May 1865
Friday May 5 - Crossed Roanoke River at Robinson’s Ferry.
Sat. 6 - Struck Plank Road at 9 a.m. and marched 22 miles. Tired. Our
cook didn’t come up with our coffee kettles so had to make our own coffee.
Sun. 7 - Camped inside the Reb works six miles from Petersburg.
Wed. 10 - Laying in camp today 1 ½ miles from Manchester, Richmond is
just across the river.
Fri. 12 - Crossed the Potomac and marched theough the streets of Richmond
and struck out on Turnpike to Alexandria.
Thurs. 16 - Camped at Fredericksburg. Thurs. 25 Gov. Lewis came to see us
today. He says that he will send us home at the earliest opportunity. We
also had a speech from Lucius Fairchild. We gave them 3 cheers.
Wed. 31 - Went down to Washington today, went through the capital and
Patent Office. I saw all the things of Gen. Washington’s, his uniform, his
mess kit, knife, forks etc.
June 1865
June 6 - Got back pay on our Veterans furlough today $728 apiece.
June 11 - Camped in Berkshire Hills tonite.
Fri. 16 - Boys are down in the mouth to think they are not getting their
discharge as quickly as expected.
Sat. 17 - Went to Louisville today. Saw lots of homely women and girls.
Bought a jack knife, pocket album and a few notions.
July 1865
Mon. 3 - Bought a pair of boots in Louisville today. Paid $8.50 for them.
This was the last important data written before his arrival back in Portage
County.