Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-12-17
From the Greensborough Patriot. ]

from the Greensborough Patriot.
CAPT. WILLIAM ADAMS
Don't give up the ship!" has long been a motto
for the brave. These noble words were spoken by
dying hero, while his shattered ship was 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 .tght on" A nations fame and peoples
gratitude should not allow the names, the words
and the deeds of our heroes to die.
There is no 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
more holy, and they rekindled the fires of their pa
uiotlsm at the funeralpyres of their heroes Their
valor, patriotism and genius have made immortal in
history and song the ancient lard of Freedom and
lett US many examples worthy of imitation, and
mahy lessons of the highest wisdom.
Ihls 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 our people viii he
shametuly 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. c..
on the 18th of. February, 1885, The affectionate
iberaliy of his worthy father gave him the advan.
tages of good education, and he never forgot the
moral teachings ofhs patriotic and Christian mother
Ills love for his mother the strongest feeling of
his life His ardent and sometimes fierv nature
could always be subdued to gentleness bv that voice
which sang the cradle-songs of his childhood. His
lmPuislVe temperament never made him unjust or
ungenerous, and in his heart malice had no resting.
place His sprightly and cheerful disposition was
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
ne never felt the sense of fear and danger ony 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 tie 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 war and all our
woes, was issued on the 18th of April 1861 and
on the 23rd, the Guilford Grays were on their way
to Fort Macon. A nobler band of bows never en-
tered their country's service, and VIM. Adams was
then their first Lieutenant For more than sixteen
months he endured the tolls and prvations of army
lie. his affectlonate heart was every day longing
Tor home, but duty kept him in the camp He soon |
became Captain of his company, and his comrades |
say he was brave and accomplished officer. He |
promptly obeyed the orders of his superlors in COM
nand; and while he was firm in discipline he was
n nono to bic
He commanded his company at the battle of
Newbern, and did all that courage could do. to pre-
rent that disaster. He was with his COMPANY in a
eserved corps during the seven days battle before
Richmond, and he went with the army in the OK.
'editlon into Maryland. He fought his last battle
It Sharpsburg, and there at the post of duty and of
LANCER, he offered up his life as sacrifice to the
reedom of the South. J
At Shepherdstown his sad and weary comrades
aid him in quiet grave, which they hallowed with
he tears Of affection. He sleeps now on the con-
ines OF his country, by the banks of the beautiful
'otomac; and the blue mountains of the land he
oVed, stand guard beside his'tomb. He could have
o prouder restng-place, for the noble river that
ushes by, for more than sixty years. has flowed
ear the grave and sighed the dirge Of WASHINGTON
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT & -
AT meeting of the Greensboroush Lodge, No.
s, A. Y. NJ, the following preamble and resolu-
ons were adopted:
WHEREAS, God in His wisdom and for His own
ory has broken our tie Of brotherhood, by calling
the Celestial Lodge above, our esteemed friend
I'd brother, Captain William Adams, who fell in
lie battle of Sharpsburg, while bravely leading his
'mpany, the Guilford Grays, into the hottest of
'e fight; therefore,
Resolred, That with hearts filled with sadness.
. will bow with humble submission to the decree
that Grand Master, who doeth all things WE'LL"
Re'oI0ed, That by the death of Captain Adams,
asonry has lost one its brightest ornaments, our
ontry brave and patriotic soldier, and an upright
ID useful citizen, and we brother whom we loved.
hesoIred. That we regard it as patriotic duty to
erlsh and honor the memory of the brave brother
no died for the liberty of our country. :
Resotced, That we tender our heartfelt sympathy :
the parents and kindred who so deeply mourn {
e loss OF our noble and gallant brother; and NAV
who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb" ad- q
mister the oil of consolation to their afflicted
arts.
Hesotsed, That copy of these resolutions be
read upon the records of the Lodge, and copy of s
same be furnished to the Patriot and the World
publication
Re'0lred That we wear the usual badge of mourn
3 for thirty days. :
w. s. HILL, :
GEO. w. BILBRO, Com.