William Adams

Son of wealthy merchant and "stagecoach magnate" Peter Adams (1802-1883), in 1860 William had recently passed the bar and was a lawyer living with his parents, 2 siblings, and 23 slaves in Greensboro, NC. He enrolled on 20 April 1861 and mustered as First Lieutenant of Company B, 27th North Carolina Infantry on 20 June. He was elected Captain on 4 (or 6) October 1861 (probably to date from 28 September when Captain Sloan was promoted Lieutenant Colonel).

He was killed in action at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862.

The death of Capt. Adams will be severely felt, not only by the men immediately under his command, but also by the entire regiment. No braver man, or more gallant soldier fell on that day. He received his death-wound through the stomach, the ball coming out at the spine, killing him almost instantly.

His father filed a claim for his final pay in September 1864.

He was originally buried by his men in Shepherdstown, VA but his remains were removed and taken home by his father in April 1866.

His service from Wilson,1 his Compiled Service Records,2 online from fold3, and the Reminiscences.3 The quote about his death from the Greensboro Patriot of 2 October 1862, thanks to Steve Peck. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860. His gravesite is on Findagrave, source also of his burial details from the Shepherdstown Register of 21 April 1866.

02/18/1836; Greensboro, NC

09/17/1862; Sharpsburg, MD; burial in Green Hill Cemetery, Greensboro, NC