By Glenda Todd
Jerome James Hinds was born 12 May 1838 in Fayette County, Illinois and was the son of Simeon Hinds. He was also the brother of Joseph Hinds.
Jerome enlisted into Federal Service on 26 April 1863 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was given the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
According to his service record, in September and October 1863, he was absent on detached service per order of General Dodge by instructions of the Secretary of War. On October 1863, he was shown to be recruiting in Alabama by direction of Col. Spencer.
In January 1864, he was detached from Company F to Company A by order of Lieutenant Colonel O.J. Dodds. On 4 February 1864, he was appointed Captain of Company A, 1st Alabama Cavalry United States Volunteers by authority of the Secretary of War by order of Brigadier General G.M. Dodge. In January and February 1865 he was commanding the 2nd Battalion. In April 1865, he was on special duty in the Regiment. On October 2, 1865, he made affidavit that he had rendered all requisite returns relating to public property for which he had been accountable as required by army regulations.
He mustered out of service on October 20, 1865 in Huntsville, Alabama.
In a letter written by Major Sanford Tramel from Faison's Depot in North Carolina, dated 28 March 1863, he stated that after he was captured by the enemy at Monroe's Crossroads and held prisoner, Captain J.J. Hinds took command of the regiment and retained it until he returned. He stated that Captain Hinds handled the command in a gallant manner during the remainder of the severe and terrible fight.
From 1868-1872, Jerome Hinds served as State Representative from Marion County, Alabama and later settled in Decatur, Alabama where he and his brother, Joseph Munroe Hinds, were in the steamboat and mercantile business. They associated these businesses with a stage line.
Jerome served as US Marshal for the Southern District of Alabama. He died 1 April 1912 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and his remains were returned to Decatur where he is buried in the Decatur City Cemetery by two other Hinds' graves. One is Adolphus L. Hinds, born 28 February 1848 and died 10 June 1864 while serving in the Union Army. The other grave is Albert M. Hinds born 16 September 1850 and died 1 December 1860.
About the Author
Glenda McWhirter Todd is a descendant and a historian with special interst in the 1st Alabama Cavalry, USV and has published First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism detailing many records, stories, and pictures of the 1st Alabama Cavalry.
Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit
can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.