ROBERT N. ADAMS was born in Fayette County, Ohio, near Greenfield, in 1835. He is a descendant of the Douglas family, coming from the Scottish Presbyterian stock, whose traditional firmness of purpose and uprightness of character he inherits. His early life was spent on the farm, and in preparing himself for college at the Greenfield school.

In 1858 he entered Miami University, where he remained until near the close of his junior year, when the rebellion broke out, and he joined the "University Rifles," a company organized at Oxford, in which he served as a private in the Twentieth Ohio through the three months’ service. In August, 1861, he organized a company at Greenfield, of which he was made Captain. It joined the Eighty-First Ohio Infantry. On May 7, 1862, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and August 8, 1864, to Colonel of the regiment. In these different grades he served with his regiment, first in Missouri, under Fremont, and afterward with the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Corps, of the Army of the Tennessee. During the latter portion of the Atlanta campaign, and through the march to Savannah, and to Washington, hoe commanded a brigade. His appointment as Brevet Brigadier-General was made in May, 1865, to date from March 13, 1865.

In July, 1865, he was mustered out with his regiment. He participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Town Creek, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nicojack Creek, Atlanta, July 22d and 28th; Jonesboro’ (at which place he was slightly wounded), and Hobkirk’s Hill.

After the war he entered upon the study of theology, a design which he had cherished for years.