In Honor of those who fought
William L. Adams
b: 5 Mar 1840 d: 7 Nov 1862
Massachusetts 15th Infantry
William L. Adams was born in North Brookfield, Worcester County, MA. on March 5, 1840, son of Benjamin F. Adams, b: 1812, d: Aug 1877 and Frances P. Holmes. b: Mar 1815, d: Oct 1882.
William was enumerated in the household of Benjamin and Frances Adams in the 1860 US Federal Census on 31 Jul 1860 at West Brookfield, Massachusetts, enumerated as follows: Benj. F. Adams, 48, b. ME; Frances P. 45, b. VT; Rebecca F. 18, b. MA; Charles H. 14, b. MA; Thomas J. 12, b. MA; Austin H. 7, b. MA; John W. 22, Bootmaker, b. MA; and William L. 20, mariner, b. MA.
In 1861, William was living in West Brookfield. At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, he gave his occupation as seaman (per MASSCW); farmer (per Ford’s history).
On 12 Jul 1861, William mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company F. as a Corporal. He was 21 years, 4 months and 7 days old and listed as single.
On 21 Oct 1861, at the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia, William was missing.
On 30, Oct 1861, from “The Worcester Spy”- The following official list of the dead, wounded and missing of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment was telegraphed to Mayor Davis, by Charles B. Pratt Esq.. A portion of those reported as missing are probably dead, but it is now quite certain that some of the commissioned officers, at first reported as killed, are alive and uninjured in the hands of the enemy. Corporal William L. Adams, was included among the missing.
On September 17, 1862 at the Battle of Antietam, Washington County, Maryland, he was mortally wounded in action.
He died on 7 Nov 1862 at Smoketown, Maryland. He was removed from the battlefield at Antietam and transported to Smoketown, where a hospital had been set-up for the more seriously wounded. He was 22 years, 8 months and 2 days old.
He was buried in Nov 1862 at Antietam National Cemetery, Sharpsburg, Maryland, Gravesite: #980.
William has a gravesite at Pine Grove Cemetery West Brookfield, MA. Sec. N2. Lot 33 (This is a family memorial stone).
George E. Adams his brother, died on 15 May 1864 at New Market, Shenandoah County, Virginia, killed in action at The Battle of New Market, serving with the 34th Massachusetts Infantry.
George is buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, West Brookfield, in the family plot, same lot as his brother, William.
John W. Adams, their brother, was wounded on 15 May 1864 at The Battle of New Market, also serving with the 34th Massachusetts Infantry. He survived his wounds and returned to West Brookfield.
William L. Adams
Gravesite (980) Antietam National Cemetery, Sharpsburg, MD
Photos by Kathy & Nancy Parker