Created by Kimmy

John Park Adams 

Birth

9 Jul 1837

Rensselaer County, New York, USA

Death

26 Sep 1921 (aged 84)

Orting, Pierce County, Washington, USA

Burial

Washington Soldiers Home Cemetery

Orting, Pierce County, Washington, USA

Memorial ID

5550473

I have been able to trace John's lineage to James Adams 1622-1707 (113968009) when he came to The British Prison Colony in Massachusetts.

John lived in Pearl IL when he enlisted on 2/17/1865 as a Corporal.

On 2/17/1865 he mustered into "D New" Co. IL 7th Infantry.
He was Mustered Out on 7/9/1865 at Louisville, KY.

He applied for a pension on 12/5/1889 from the state of NE.

Veterans Affairs, Department of, Orting Soldiers Home, Member Files
https://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/D40EEF016FBB461FC3C0712C65A925EA

Spokane's War Veterans.

-John P. Adams, 613 Mallon avenue, has lived in Spokane since December 1903, and belongs to Reno post, G. A. R.

On the next vessel to reach New England, after the Mayflower were four Englishmen, brothers named Adams. From one of these the two presidents of the same name derived their lineage and from another the subject of this record was descended. Mr. Adams was born in Steventown, Rensselaer County, N. Y., on the borders of Massachusetts, July 9, 1873.

At the outbreak of the war in 1861 Mr. Adams, who was living in Pike County, Illinois, joined in local formation called the "home guards," the members of which provided their own horses, accouterments and arms. The reason for their existence was that Pike County, Missouri. Just across the Mississippi river, was infested with bands of bushwhacker, some, in sympathy with the confederate cause and some ne'er-do-wells and lawless characters. Louisiana, Mo., end other places were constantly threatened by these bands, and there was fear of them crossing the river to the adjoining territory of Illinois.

The citizens of Louisiana, when threatened, called on the Illinois Home Guards to come over to their assistance. When in Missouri these irregular troops placed themselves under the orders of Colonel Lesher and, led by him and his officers, patrolled Pike County, surrounding the bushwhackers in their stronghold, arresting many of them and compelling them to take the oath of allegiance. For this patriotic service, entailing much expenditure of time and money, the home guards received no remuneration.

Eventually, in answer to President Lincoln's last call for men, Mr. Adams enlisted for one year, or till the end of the war, at Pittsfield, Ill., in Company D, Seventh Illinois infantry veteran volunteer captain W. A. Hubbard commanding. He was sworn in at Mt. Sterling and went into Camp Butler, Ill., for a short time till ordered to New York city. From there he embarked at Castle Garden for Morehead City, N, C. Landing there, his regiment marched to New Berne, N. C., and afterward to Raleigh, N. C., April 12 to 15, where it joined Sherman's army in pursuit of General J. B. Johnston and were at the latter's surrender.

Owing to the wet weather and having to ford creeks and rivers on the march, Johnston's forces having destroyed the bridges, Mr. Adams and his brother were both stricken with pleurisy and typhoid and were shipped to Alexandria by the sea route. After some time in a hospital, he was sent on patrol duty to Louisville, Ky., where he was mustered out, July 9, 1865, his 28th birthday.

The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington, Thu, Aug 10, 1911, Page 4

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Inscription

CORPL
CO. D
7 ILL INF

Buried at Washington Old Soldiers Home Cemetery Orting