Researcher: Robbie Collatos

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       Lowell W. Adams lived in Franklin, Massachusetts along with his father, Oran Adams. On September 15, 1862, Adams enlisted into the 45th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. He was a private in Company C which was stationed at Morehead City, North Carolina from November 29, 1862 to January 3, 1863. The 45th Regiment suffered more casualties than any other regiment stationed in North Carolina. The 45th regiment was used as a post guard at Newbern from January 26 to April 25, 1863. On April 25, they moved to the mouth of the Trent on the south side of the Neuse River. From April 17 to May 1, 1863, they moved toward Kinston up the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad. They camped near Fort Spinola at the mouth of the Trent until June 29.  

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            On February 2, 1864, Adams joined the 18th Regiment where he served as a private and boot-maker in Company I. While in the 18th Regiment, he was near Brandy Station and Sevensburg until May of 1864. From May to June of 1864, the 18th Regiment campaigned from the Rapidan to the James. 

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          From May 5 to May 7, 1864, Adams and the 18th Regiment served under Ulysses S. Grant, alongside many other regiments, in the Battle of the Wilderness. In this battle, there were 29,800 casualties overall. On May 8, those who were left in the 18th Regiment went to Laurel Hill and then moved to Spotsylvania from May 8 to May 12. On May 12, the 18th Regiment had an assault on the Salient. They served at Spotsylvania Court House from May 12 to May 21 once again under the command of Ulysses S. Grant. This battle saw an estimated 30,000 losses.

 

          From May 23 to May 28, the 18th Regiment went to the North Anna River still under the command of Ulysses S. Grant. On May 23, they were at Jericho Ford and from May 26 to May 28 they were on the lines of the Pamukey. Approximately 400 people were killed and the battle was inconclusive. From May 28 to May 31, they were at the Battle of Totopotomoy. Approximately 2,200 soldiers were lost and the battle was also inconclusive. From June 1 to June 12, they were at the Battle of Cold Harbor. Cold Harbor was Confederate Victory that saw 15,500 deaths. In this battle, both armies formed a seven mile front which stretched from Bethesda Church all the way to the Chickahominy River. The 18th Regiment fought at Bethesda Church from June 1 to June 3 before they moved out of the battle. Lastly, Lowell was with the 18th Regiment for the siege of Petersburg from June 16 to October 21.

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            On October 21, 1864, Lowell W. Adams, along with many other soldiers from the 18th Regiment, mustered into the 32nd Massachusetts Infantry. He was part of Company A as a private. Adams was wounded while serving with the 32nd and was honorable discharged on June 25, 1865.