Captain "Jack" Adams
July 1865
For thirty-four years I have waited patiently for some one to write a history of the 19th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, but fearing that it may never be accomplished, I have concluded to send out this story. I do not dignify it by calling it a history. It is simply a soldier's story, told by one of the "boys." Most of it is written from memory. The account of prison life is taken from an imperfect diary, kept by the writer while a prisoner of war.
I sincerely hope the publication of this volume will inspire other comrades, and that from the memories thus evoked some one may gather further material whereby the deeds of the men who so bravely followed the flags of the State and Nation for four long, weary years may be preserved.
JOHN G. B. ADAMS
CHAPTER I.
THE CALL TO ARMS
CHAPTER II.
OUR JOURNEY SOUTH
CHAPTER III.
BATTLES OF BALL'S BLUFF AND EDWARD'S FERRY. - EXPERIENCES AT DARNESTOWN AND ROCKVILLE
CHAPTER IV.
OUR FIRST CAMPAIGN. - BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS
CHAPTER V.
BATTLES AT PEACH ORCHARD, GLENDALE AND MALVERN HILL
CHAPTER VI.
BATTLES OF FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE, FLINT HILL AND ANTIETAM
CHAPTER VII.
BATTLES OF FREDERICKSBURG AND MARYE'S HEIGHTS
CHAPTER VIII.
BATTLES OF CHANCELLORSVILLE, THOROUGHFARE GAP AND GETTYSBURG. - WOUNDED AT GETTYSBURG AND ORDERED HOME
CHAPTER IX.
REGIMENT ORDERED HOME. - RECEPTIONS. - MY FIRST CALL UPON GOVERNOR ANDREW. - RETURN TO THE FRONT
CHAPTER X.
BATTLES OF THE WILDERNESS, TODD'S TAVERN AND LAUREL HILL. - ENGAGEMENT AT THE BLOODY ANGLE
CHAPTER XI.
BATTLES AT TOTOPOTOMOY CREEK AND COLD HARBOR
CHAPTER XII.
EXPERIENCES IN REBEL PRISONS, - LIBBY, MACON
CHAPTER XIII.
MACON (CONTINUED), CHARLESTON. - UNDER FIRE OF OUR BATTERIES ON MORRIS ISLAND
CHAPTER XIV.
COLUMBIA. - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
CHAPTER XV.
THE ESCAPE
CHAPTER XVI.
THE CAPTURE AND RETURN TO COLUMBIA
CHAPTER XVII.
THE EXCHANGE AND RETURN NORTH
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS.,
September 25, 1899.
Under the above title, I have published a volume giving a brief account of the services of the 19th Mass. regiment in the Civil War, as well as my nine months' experience in rebel prisons. It is a book of some two hundred pages, bound in cloth. While it is not intended to be a history of the regiment, as nothing of the kind has ever been written, I trust it will be acceptable to my old comrades of the 19th and others interested in the Civil War. The publication is limited, and if you desire a copy early application should be made. The price is one dollar ($1.00), with ten cents additional for postage if sent by mail.
JOHN G. B. ADAMS
This document has been transcribed from a copy of Capt. Adams' book held in the National Library of Australia. All of the original spelling has been retained - which means that he really did spell the word "centre" that way.
The advertisement directly above is a note which is pasted in the front of the National Library's copy, and on the back of the note is a handwritten request to someone to send a "cheque" for $1 to purchase a copy.
The idea for this project came after I had copied the chapter relating to Gettysburg and put it on the site of the Gettysburg Discussion Group. A couple of people wrote to me and suggested that I do the whole book. It seemed like a good idea at the time, and I'm glad I did. It is difficult to locate copies of this book, and in this way, Capt. Adams' story will reach a wider audience.
I have tried to copy the text accurately, but if anyone sees any errors, please let me know at: kwebb@alianet.alia.org.au
Kerry Webb
September 1998
|
|
