Alexander Duncan Adams

Adams was resident of Lyons who was prewar lieutenant in Company A--Lyons Light Guard--of the 54th New York State Militia (NYSM). He had been an Engineer on the project to enlarge the Erie Canal, and teacher at the Union School in Lyons.

At the start of the War he helped raise a company in Wayne County and was appointed Captain, Company B, 27th Infantry at the unit's organization on 2 May 1861. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel after First Bull Run on 1 September 1861.

He commanded the regiment as they led the assault on Crampton's Gap on 14 September, but was not significantly engaged at Antietam on the 17th.

Adams was appointed Colonel on 4 October 1862 and led the regiment until the end of their term of service on 31 May 1863.

After his service, Adams returned to Lyons and became Principal of the Union School. He died of consumption (tuberculosis) in 1872, relatively young at 39 years, leaving a widow and daughter.

Service dates from Maryniak1, additional details from Fairchild2. The photograph here from one in the MOLLUS - Massachusetts collection at the USA Army Military History Institute; see also an engraved portrait of Adams from that volume featured in a post on behind AotW.

12/25/1832; Lyons, NY

10/28/1872; Lyons, NY; burial in South Lyons Cemetery, Lyons, NY