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     Brig. General John Adams was born on 1 July 1825 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee.^1,2 He was the son of Thomas Patton Adams and Anne Tennant.^1,2 Brig. General John Adams married Georgiana McDougall, daughter of Dr Charles McDougall and Maria Griffith Hanson, on 4 May 1854 in Fort Snelling, Minnesota Territory, now Saint Paul. John was Aide-de-Camp to Gov. William Gorman.^3,1,4 Brig. General John Adams died on 30 November 1864 in Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee, at age 39.^1,2 He was buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee, Find A Grave Memorial# 10814.^5,6
     He graduated from United States Military Academy, West Point, Orange County, New York, in 1846.² He and Georgiana McDougall appeared on the 1860 Federal census of Millville, Shasta County, California, enumerated 14 July 1860. Their children John, Francis Joseph, Charles McDougal and Thomas Patton were listed as living with them. His occupation was listed as "Captain, 1st Dragoons"; this census lists Georgiana's birthplace as Arkansas.⁷



Biography from The Confederate Military History: "John Adams
Highest Rank: Brig-Gen Birth Date: 1825, Biography:

Brigadier General John Adams, a gallant soldier was born at Nashville, July 1, 1825. His father afterward located at Pulaski, and it was from that place that young Adams entered West Point as a cadet, where he was graduated in June, 1846.

On his graduation he was commissioned second lieutenant of the First Dragoons, then serving under Gen. Philip Kearny. At Santa Cruz de Rosales, Mexico, March 16, 1848, he was brevetted first lieutenant for gallantry, and on October 9, 1851, he was commissioned first lieutenant.

In 1853 he acted as aide to the governor of Minnesota with the rank of lieutenant colonel of State forces, this position, however, not affecting his rank in the regular service. He was promoted in his regiment to the rank of captain, November; 1856.

May 27, 1861, on the secession of his State, he resigned his commission in the United States army and tendered his services to the Southern Confederacy. He was first made captain of
cavalry and placed in command of the post at Memphis, whence he was ordered to western Kentucky and thence to Jackson, Miss.

In 1862 he was commissioned colonel, and on December 29th was promoted to brigadier-general. On the death of Brig.-Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, May 16, 1863, Adams was placed by General Johnston in command of that officer's brigade, comprising the Sixth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-third and Forty-third Mississippi regiments of infantry.

He was in Gen. J. E. Johnston's campaign for the relief of Vicksburg, in the fighting around Jackson, Miss., and afterward served under Polk in that State and marched with that general from Meridian, Miss., to Demopolis, Ala., thence to Rome, GA, and forward to Resaca, where he joined the army of Tennessee.

He served with distinction in the various battles of the campaign from Dalton to Atlanta, he and his gallant brigade winning fresh laurels in the fierce battles around the "Gate City. " After the fall of Atlanta, when Hood set out from Palmetto for his march into north Georgia in the gallant effort to force Sherman to return northward, Adams' brigade was much of the time in advance, doing splendid service, and at Dalton capturing many prisoners.

It was the fate of General Adams, as it was of his friend and classmate at West Point, Gen. Geo. E. Pickett, to reach the height of his fame leading his men in a brilliant and desperate, but unsuccessful, charge. But he did not come off so well as Pickett; for in the terrific assault at Franklin, Adams lost his life.

Though wounded severely in his right arm near the shoulder early in the fight and urged to leave the fields he said: "No; I am going to see my men through." He fell on the enemy's works, pierced with nine bullets. His brigade lost on that day over 450 in killed and wounded, among them many field and line officers.
Lieut.-Col. Edward Adams Baker, of the Sixty-fifth Indiana infantry, who witnessed the death of General Adams at Franklin, obtained the address of Mrs. Adams many years after the war and wrote to her from Webb City, Mo. This letter appeared in the Confederate Veteran of June, 1897, an excellent magazine of information on Confederate affairs, and is here quoted:
"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 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. 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."

The wife of General Adams was Miss Georgia McDougal, daughter of a distinguished surgeon of the United States army. She was in every way worthy to be the wife of so gallant a man.
Though left a widow with four sons and two daughters, she reared them, under all the severe trials of that sad period, to be useful men and women."⁸



The following is a quote from Battles and Leaders of the Civil War by James Barr (Volume 4, page 439).
"I was ... interested in that terrible affair at Franklin. ... I would have had a trip to Andersonville (the infamous Confederate prison) had it not been for that 'devil-may-care' counter charge by the Illinoisans (sic) and the Kentuckians. Out Colonel Steward tried hard to save the life of General John Adams ... and called to his men not to fire on him, but it was too late. Adams rode his horse over the ditch to the top of the parapet, undertook to grasp the old flag from the hands of the colour-sergeant, when he fell, horse and all, shot by the colour-guard. I was a reenlisted veteran, and went through twenty-seven engagements. I am sure that Franklin was the hardest fought field that I ever stood upon."

By John McQuaide of Vicksburg, Miss.

"It was General John Adams ... who was killed on top of the works. Early next morning I assisted in putting his body in an ambulance ... Adam's horse was a bay. It was dead upon the works, with its front legs towards the inner side of the works. Adam's body was lying outside, at the base ... when I helped to pick it up."⁹




Brig. Gen. John Adams was a native Tennessean and West Point (1846) graduate who had won a brevet with the dragoons in the Mexican War. Commanding a brigade in Loring's Division throughout most of the civil war, Adams followed Leonidas Polk to Mississippi. In the midst of the deadliest fighting around the cotton gin, witnesses recall seeing the conspicuous Adams astride his white steed, Old Charley. Well out in front of his brigade, he dashed towards the Federal lines, seemingly impervious to the hail of bullets. Spurring his mount to jump the parapets, the horse came crashing down squarely on top of them, dead. Adams fell from the horse and into the ditches, his body riddled with nine bullets. Breathing his last, Adams was to say "It is the fate of a soldier to die for his country."¹⁰

     Mary Kent was born circa 1580 in London, London, England.¹ She married Stephen Hopkins, son of John Hopkins and Elizabeth Williams, on 9 May 1599 in London, London, England.^1,2,3 Mary Kent died before 12 May 1613 in Hursley, Hampshire, England.^1,2,3 She was buried on 12 May 1613 in Hursley, Hampshire, England.³

     John's birth date is unknown. John was born in Hampshire, England.¹ He married Agnes Borrowe before 1575 in Hampshire, England.¹ He married Elizabeth Williams before 1581 in Hampshire, England.¹ John Hopkins died between 1584 and 1644 in London, London, England, probably.²

     Elizabeth Williams was born circa 1552 in England.² She married John Hopkins before 1581 in Hampshire, England.¹ Her death date has not been found. She died in London, London, England, probably.²

     Charity Devoe was born on 19 October 1795 in Albany, Province of New York.² She married Bristol Coleberth Fox, son of Jeremiah Fox and Eunice Bristol, on 13 February 1814.¹ Charity Devoe died on 30 August 1825 at age 29.¹

     Susan B. Fox was born on 22 June 1795 in New Paltz, Ulster County, New York.¹ She was the daughter of Jeremiah Fox and Eunice Bristol.¹ Susan B. Fox married Josiah Washburn on 9 May 1813.¹ She died on 10 August 1826 in Brighton, Otsego County, New York, at age 31.¹

     Rebecca Snow was born on 23 July 1676 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts.^1,2 She was the daughter of John Snow and Mary Smalley.^2,3 Rebecca Snow married (1) Benjamin Smalley, (2) John Porter circa 1694 in Eastham, Province of Massachusetts Bay.³ She died on 31 August 1753 in Salisbury, Connecticut Colony, at age 77.³

     John Snow was born on 3 May 1678 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts.^1,2,3 He was the son of John Snow and Mary Smalley.^2,3 John Snow married Elizabeth Ridley on 25 February 1700.^1,2,3 John Snow died between 9 October 1738 and 14 October 1738 in Duck Creek, Delaware.³

     Isaac Snow was born on 10 August 1683 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts.^1,2,3 He was the son of John Snow and Mary Smalley.^2,3 Isaac Snow died between 15 May 1745 and 15 February 1748 in Duck Creek, Kent County, Delaware.³
     He was on the list of town selectman in 1709.¹

     Lydia Snow was born on 29 September 1685 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Massachusetts.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of John Snow and Mary Smalley.^2,3 Her death date has not been found.

     Elisha Snow was born on 10 January 1686/87 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Massachusetts.^1,2,3 He was the son of John Snow and Mary Smalley.^2,3 Elisha Snow died between 15 January 1744 and 8 February 1752 in Duck Creek, Kent County, Delaware.³

     Phebe Snow was born on 27 June 1689 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Massachusetts.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of John Snow and Mary Smalley.^2,3 Her death date has not been found.

     Jabez Snow was born on 6 September 1670 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts.^2,1,3,4 He was the son of Jabez Snow and Elizabeth Smyth.^1,3,4 Jabez Snow married Elizabeth Treat, daughter of Rev Samuel Treat and Elizabeth Mayo, circa 1695.^2,3,4 Jabez Snow died on 14 October 1750 in Eastham, Province of Massachusetts Bay, at age 80.^2,3,4

     Edward Snow was born on 26 March 1672 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts.^2,1,3,4,5 He was the son of Jabez Snow and Elizabeth Smyth.^1,3,4,5 Edward Snow married Sarah Freeman, daughter of John Freeman and Sarah Myrick, circa 1695.^2,6,4,5 Edward Snow died between 8 April 1754 and 20 September 1758 in Eastham, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^2,5
     He left a will on 8 April 1754.⁴ His will was proved/probated on 20 September 1758.⁴

     Sarah Snow was born on 26 February 1672/73 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts.^2,1,3,4 She was the daughter of Jabez Snow and Elizabeth Smyth.^1,3,4 Her death date has not been found.
     She may have been the Sarah who married (1) Henry Young and (2) Jonathan Sparrow and died in Eastham 28 Nov 1746.⁴

     Grace Snow was born on 1 February 1674/75 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts.^2,1,3,4 She was the daughter of Jabez Snow and Elizabeth Smyth.^1,3,4 Grace Snow married as her first husband Samuel Hedge on 8 December 1698 in Eastham, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^1,2,3,4 Grace Snow married George Lewis on 21 July 1716 in Eastham, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁴ She died after 21 July 1716.⁴

     Thomas Snow was born on 2 April 1677 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts.^2,3 He was the son of Jabez Snow and Elizabeth Smyth.^1,3,4 Thomas Snow died on 2 April 1697 in Eastham, Province of Massachusetts Bay, at age 20.^2,1,3,4

     Elizabeth Snow was born before 1690 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Massachusetts.^2,3 She was the daughter of Jabez Snow and Elizabeth Smyth.³ Elizabeth Snow married Edward Kenrick on 7 December 1706 in Harwich, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^2,3 Elizabeth Snow died before 30 April 1713.^2,3

     Deborah Snow was born before 1690 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Massachusetts.^2,3 She was the daughter of Jabez Snow and Elizabeth Smyth.³ Deborah Snow married Stephen Myrick, son of William Myrick and Abigail Hopkins, on 21 November 1706 in Harwich, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^2,4,5,3 Deborah Snow died after 26 July 1732 in Harwich, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^2,3

     Rachel Snow was born in 1685 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Massachusetts.^2,3 She was the daughter of Jabez Snow and Elizabeth Smyth.³ Rachel Snow married Thomas Huckins, son of Thomas Huckins and Hannah Chipman, on 29 August 1717 in Harwich, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^2,4 Rachel Snow died on 22 March 1765 in Barnstable, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^2,3

     Hannah Sears was born in December 1672 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts.^2,3,4 She was the daughter of Silas Sears and Anna Bursell.^2,3,4 Hannah Sears married Thomas Snow, son of Mark C. Snow and Jane Prence, on 8 February 1691/92 in Eastham, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^1,2,3,4 Hannah Sears died between 21 March 1702/3 and 30 September 1706 in Eastham, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^2,4

     Silas Sears was born in 1637/38 in Marblehead, Massachusetts Bay Colony, now Essex County.³ He was the son of Richard Sears and Dorothy Jones.^3,4 Silas Sears married Anna Bursell in 1660 in Yarmouth, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts.^3,4 Silas Sears died on 13 January 1697/98 in Yarmouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁴

     Anna Bursell was born in 1642 in Yarmouth, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts. She was probably daughter of James Bursell of Yarmouth.² She married Silas Sears, son of Richard Sears and Dorothy Jones, in 1660 in Yarmouth, Plymouth Colony, now Barnstable County, Massachusetts.^2,3 Anna Bursell died on 4 March 1725/26 in Yarmouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay.⁴

     Elizabeth Snow was born on 25 October 1693 in Eastham, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^2,3,4 She was the daughter of Thomas Snow and Hannah Sears.^1,3,4 Elizabeth Snow married Josiah Snow, son of Lieut. Joseph Snow and Mary (?), on 20 October 1719 in Eastham, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^3,4 Her death date has not been found.

     Mary Snow was born on 16 May 1696 in Harwich, Province of Massachusetts Bay.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of Thomas Snow and Hannah Sears.^2,3 Mary Snow married Shuabel Hinckley on 7 October 1718 in Harwich, Province of Massachusetts Bay.³ She died after 10 November 1739 in Truro, Province of Massachusetts Bay.³