John G.B. Adams-- Part 2: Wounded at Gettysburg, Captured at Cold Harbor, Nine Months a Prisoner

The Medal of Honor that Adams won was one of 18 awarded Union soldiers at the Battle of Fredericksburg.  And seven soldiers in the 19th Massachusetts  received them as well.

John Adams was later commanded to captain and commanded Company I of the 19th at Chancellorsville and was severely wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2.  Returning in time o be at the battle of the Wilderness and then Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor, where the entire regiment was captured June 22, 1864.

Over the next nine months, he was held at Libby Prison and later Macon, Georgia, and Charleston, S.C., where he was placed on Morris Island to stop the naval bombardment.

The last place he was held at was Columbia, S.C., where he managed to escape, but was recaptured.  He was a prisoner for nine months.

Adams is buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn, Massachusetts.

--Old Secesh

Macon, Georgia's Cannonball House-- Part 2

The mansion was owned by Judge Asa Holt and built in 1853 on the heights overlooking Macon on Mulberry Street. Eyewitnesses to the hit said the cannonball first hit a sand sidewalk, bounced up and through the column and into the home.

Traces can still be seen on the repainted column, the patched parlor plaster and a large dent in the floor.

Stoneman and his men were captured a few days later.

The Holt family left Macon after the incident and moved to their farm in Jefferson County, which put them right in the path of Sherman's March to the Sea. Sometimes you just can't stay out of the war.

When Sherman's Army came through, livestock at the farm were killed, barns burned, food and goods stolen and even the well bucket was destroyed to make it difficult to get water from it.

Sherman's troops were sure that there must be gold and treasure hidden somewhere on the property and hanged Judge Holt from a tree to force him to reveal the location. They repeated the hanging three times until the judge passed out, but servants were able to revive him.

His mansion in Macon is now owned by the Sidney Lanier Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy at 856 Mulberry Street.

There is also a cannon on the grounds made at the Macon Arsenal in 1864.

What Did the North Have Against the Judge? --Old B-R'er

Macon, Georgia's Cannonball House-- Part 1

A few months ago, I wrote about problems regarding the collection at the Cannonball House in Macon, Georgia. Here is some more information about it as provided by Dale Cox in his Explore Southern History Blog an excellent source for history. he also has several other blogs, including my favorite one about the Civil War in Florida, an oft-overlooked aspect of the war. He has also written several Civil War books.

A cannonball fired by Union batteries crashed into the house during the Battle of Dunlap Hill on July 30, 1862. It was fired from across the Ocmulgee River and struck the left middle column out front of the mansion before crashing into the house and landing on the hall floor.

This was part of the intentional firing on civilian targets by Union Brigadier General George Stoneman. His expedition was an attempt to rescue Union prisoners from Camp Oglethorpe and Camp Sumter at Andersonville.

More to Come. --Old B-Runner

Swords from Battle of Mobile Bay in Question-- Part 3

I came across this article from the Sept. 28th 41 WMGT NBC News "Cannonball House Could Involve Bibb County DA in Legal Battle Over Civil War Heirlooms."

Michael Dunn, said that the Cannonball House showed a "lack of good stewardship" when he discovered that some relics, including a Civil War-era picture, two Southern Crosses of Honor and 1912 Veterans Reunion Pins of his great-grandparents were lost when he asked for them back.

Attorneys for the Friends of the Cannonball House say that is Dunn doesn't return the items he has, that they will take it to the District Attorney.

I Have to Admit That I Am a Bit Confused About All This. --Old B-R'er

Swords from Battle of Mobile Bay in Question-- Part 2

In the past year, Michael Dunn has obtained Mumphrey's sword, sash and a photo of him in uniform. He was also given Jouett's sword, but it turned out to be someone else's.

Dunn, 62, says that the other items, including a Confederate Veterans reunion flag, reunion pins and wartime documents are in horrible condition.

He wants the items appraised and then plans to sell Murphrey's sword to an institution that will properly care for it and then donate the monet back to the Cannonball House. Confederate swords regularly sale for big bucks, especially one with this history.

His wife, Lee, a past Cannonball House board member, said, "We are quite baffled" at having to sue to get their items back. Their attorney, Lin Wood, of Chicago doesn't know the exact value of Murphrey's sword, but figures it to be under six figures. Jouett's sword is estimated to be worth $500.

It sounds to me like the Cannonball House is undergoing some financial and support issues, unfortunately. That seems to be more and more common in privately funded museums. I went to their website and there is a pop-up that blocks it. That is not a good indicator.

Let's Hope This Gets Straightened Out. --Old B-Runner