Seated view of William W. Adams in a light-colored civilian suit and vest. The coat is opened and only the top button of the vest is fastened revealing a checked shirt beneath. Adams is posed seated by a table on which his arm rests.

Contrast and clarity are excellent. Mount has clipped corners and the paper has only light surface dirt. Bottom center of the mount is signed in period ink “YOURS TRULY W. W. ADAMS.” Ink is strong and very readable.

Reverse has no photographer’s imprint but it does have another period ink inscription that reads “COM. D. 4 VA CAVALRY, FITZ-LEE’S DIVISION.” Below this in period pencil is “BALTIMORE, MD.” There is also some collector information in pencil.

Image is from the collection of the late William A. Turner.

William Wirt Adams was born in Alexandria, Virginia in 1842. He enlisted as a private in the Old Dominion Rifles on April 17, 1861. Later, the Rifles would become Company H, 17^th Virginia Infantry. Adams became ill on July 15, 1861 and was sent to the hospital where he received a furlough from August 15^th to October 1, 1861.

Adams served through the year 1862 seeing action at Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines’ Mill, Fraser’s Farm, 2^nd Manassas, South Mountain and Sharpsburg before going AWOL in December of 1862.

The New Year of 1863 found Adams back in the ranks serving at Suffolk in April, Brandy Station and Upperville in June. During the Gettysburg Campaign in July the regiment, as part of Corse’s Brigade of Pickett’s Division, was detached to guard Hanover Junction just north of Richmond. In December of 1863 Adams was detached for duty with the conscription service.

During 1864 Adams was engaged at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Drewry’s Bluff and Cold Harbor.

On July 26, 1864 he was transferred to Company D, 4^th Virginia Cavalry. While with the 4^th Adams saw action at Front Royal and Winchester as well as numerous other small skirmishes.

Adams was captured at Fisher’s Hill on October 19, 1864. Originally held at Harper’s Ferry, he was then moved to Point Lookout where he took the Oath of Allegiance on May 13, 1865 and was released.

Not much is known about Adams’ life after the war. He died on January 16, 1913 in the Robert E. Lee Soldier’s Home in Richmond and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery.    [ad] [ph:L]

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