Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-12-12
From the Greeusborough Patriot
CAPT. WILLIAM ADAMS.

From the Greensborough Patriot
CAPT. WILLIAM ADAMS
"Dont give up the ship :" has long been motto
for the brave These noble words were spoken by
dying hero, while his shattered ship stagger-
ing before the tempest of battle. They have added
glory to nations history, and rendered the name
of Lawrence immortal
As noble words were spoken by dying young
Captain on the bloody field of Sharpsburg. When
the conflict was raging, and the issue was doubtful,
an order was given to charge the lines and batteries
of the enemy Promptly and nobly was the order
| executed Capt William Adams and his Guilford
Grays were in that terrific charge, when he received
his death-wound. When he fell some of his:gallant
comrades wished to bear him from the field. The
last utterance of his noble spirit was, "Leaue me
| and fight On!" nations fame and peoples
/ gratitude should not allow the names, the words
and the deeds of our heroes to die.
There is greater evidence of the intelligence,
sensibility, and high civilization of the ancient
Greeks than the respect they paid to the memory of
those who died for their country. They seemed to
think that the blood of the brave made their land
holy and they rekinded the fires of their pa
trotism at the funeralpyres of their heroes. Their
valor, patriotism and genius have made immortal in
| history and song the ancient land of Freedom and
| left us many examples worthy of imitation, and
| many lessons of the highest wisdom.
This revolution has produced num5erless exam.
pies of devotion to country, and sublime moral
and physical courage, which have never been equal
led IN the annals of history, and people will be
shamefully recreant to sacred duty if they honor
not our noble dead.
Capt William Adams was the son of Peter and
Sarah Adams, and was born in Greensboro, N. g.,
on the 18th of February, 1886. The affectionate
berality of his worthy father gave him the advan-
tages of good education, and he never forgot the
moral teachings ofhis patriotic and Christian mother
His love for his mother the strongest feeling of
his life. His ardent and sometimes fiery nature
could always be subdued to genteness by that voice
which sang the crade-songs of his childhood His
| impulsive temperament never made him unjust or
ungenerous and in his heart malice had no resting
| place. His sprightly and cheerful disposition
the charm of the social circle. He always looked
on the bright side of the pictures of life, and they
| were things of beauty" to him. ; am confident
he felt the Of fear and danger only call
ed forth the energy and fervor of his noble heart.
Capt Adams graduated at our University in June
1858. He chose the profession of law, and was
admitted to the bar in February, 1860. With high
intellect and many noble virtues, he entered the
stadium to contend for the prizes of life. His ar
dent spirit was eager for the contest and the tri
umph; but he never reached the goal to which his
| young ambition pointed.
| The proclamation, the cause of and all our
woes, was issued on the 18th OF April, 1851 and
on the 23rd, the Guilford Grays were on their way
| to Fort Macon. nober hand of boys never en-
tered their country's service, and VIM Adams
| then their first Lieutenant. For more than sixteen
months he endured the tolls and privatons Of army
life. His afectionate heart every day longing
| for home, but duty kept him in the camp. He soon
became Captain of his company, and bis comrades
| say he was brave and accomplished officer. He
promptly obeyed the orders Of his superors in COM
mand; and while he was firm in discipline, he was
| kind and generous to his men.
He commanded his company at the battle of
Newbern and did all that courage could do to pre-
| hat dicac lIa cxryith in
reserved corps during the days battle before
Richmond, and he went with the army in the
petition into Maryland. He fought his last battle
at Sharpsburg and there at the post of duty and of
danger, he offered up his life a sacrifice to the
| freedom of the South
At Shepherdstown his sad and weary comrades
laid him in a quiet grave, which they hallowed with
the tears of affection. He sleeps now on the con-
fines Of his country, by the banks of the beautiful
| Potomac; and the blue mountains of the land he
loved stand guard beside his tomb. He could have
no prouder restng-place, for the noble river that
| rushes by, for more than sixty years, has flowed
near the grave and sighed the dirge of WASHINGTON
r. P. D.
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.
| At meeting of the Greensborough Lodge, No.
76, A. Y. NJ, the following preamble and reSolu-
| tions were adopted:
glory has broken our tie of brotherhood by calling
to the Celestial Lodge above, our esteemed friend
! and brother, Captain William Adams, who fell in
the battle Of Sharpsburg while bravely leading his
company, the Guilford Grays into the hottest of
the fight; therefore,
Resotred That with hearts filled with Sadness
we will bow with humble submission to the decree
of that Grand Master "who doeth all things WELL"
ResolUed, That by the death Of Captain Adams,
Masonry has lost one its brightest ornaments our
country a brave and patriotic soldier and upright
and useful citizen, and brother whom we loved.
Resolred That we regard it as patriotic duty to
cherish and honor the memory Of the brave brother
who died for the liberty of our country.
| Resolued, That we tender our heartfelt sympathy
to the parents and kindred who so deeply mourn
the loss of our noble and gallant brother; and may
He "who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb" ad-
minister the oil Of consolation to their afflicted
hearts
ResOlUed, That copy of these resolutions be
spread upon the records Of the Lodge, and copy of
the same be furnished to the Patriot and the World
for publication.
Resolrsd, That we wear the usual badge of mourn
ing for thirty days.
-... N W; s. n Hill Rir ppo cou