Charles W. Adams (Confederate general) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles William Adams
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Col. Charles W. Adams
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| Born | August 16, 1817 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | September 9, 1878 (aged 61) Memphis, Tennessee |
| Buried |
Elmwood Cemetery (Memphis, Tennessee)
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| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel, CSAAppointed to duty as:  Acting Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 23rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment Adams' Arkansas Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War * Battle of Prairie Grove * Battle of Missionary Ridge |
| Other work | Lawyer |
Charles William Adams (born August 16, 1817 – died September 9, 1878) was a Confederate colonel during the American Civil War. He was a lawyer and judge before the war. He also owned a large cotton farm.
During the war, he commanded troops in Arkansas. He was known as an "acting brigadier general," which meant he had the duties of a general, but not the official rank. After the war, he continued his work as a lawyer. Charles William Adams was the grandfather of the famous author and activist Helen Keller.
Early Life and Career
Charles W. Adams was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 16, 1817. His parents were Benjamin and Susannah Adams. His father, Benjamin, was related to U.S. President John Adams.
In 1819, his family moved to New Albany, Indiana. Charles worked as a clerk in a store from 1830 to 1835. In 1835, he moved to Helena, Arkansas, and became a cashier at a bank. He studied law at night and became a lawyer in 1839.
In the early 1840s, Adams became a law partner with William K. Sebastian. Sebastian later became a U.S. Senator in 1848. Adams also served as a judge from 1852 to 1854. He became a very successful cotton farmer and owned many enslaved people.
Adams married Lucy Helen Everett. Their daughter, Catherine Everett Keller, was the mother of Helen Keller.
In 1860, Adams supported John Bell for president. In 1861, he was chosen to be part of the Arkansas convention that decided if the state would leave the Union. Adams strongly supported Arkansas leaving the Union.
Service in the Civil War
When the Civil War began in 1861, Charles W. Adams first served as a major for Arkansas state troops. He was a quartermaster, which meant he was in charge of supplies. Later that year, these state troops joined the Confederate States Army.
Adams then formed his own infantry regiment, the 23rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment. These soldiers were from the Helena, Arkansas area. He was elected colonel of this regiment on April 25, 1862. His regiment later joined the Army of Tennessee.
After a few months, Adams returned to Arkansas. He took command of a new regiment, called Adams' Arkansas Infantry Regiment. Most of these soldiers were conscripts, meaning they were forced to join the army.
At the Battle of Prairie Grove in Arkansas on December 7, 1862, Adams's regiment was sent to fill a gap in the Confederate line. They got lost in a deep ravine but eventually joined the battle. They fired at a Union regiment, causing them to retreat. However, when another Union regiment fired heavily on Adams's men, most of them fled. Despite this, Adams was praised for his leadership. His regiment was disbanded soon after.
Adams then worked on the staff of Major General Thomas C. Hindman. He served as an acting assistant inspector general and chief of staff.
Some historians say Adams earned a general's rank for his bravery at the Battle of Missionary Ridge in November 1863. However, there is no official record of this promotion. Adams returned to Arkansas in December 1863.
In 1864, Adams commanded the Northern Sub-District of Arkansas. This area was behind Union lines. He was called an "acting brigadier general." Some Confederate officers, like General Joseph O. Shelby, thought Adams was more interested in trading cotton than fighting. Adams stayed in command until at least December 1864, likely serving until the war ended.
Later Life
After the war, Adams briefly went back to Helena, Arkansas. He tried to work as a lawyer, but federal authorities would not let him. This was because he refused to take the Ironclad Oath, which was a loyalty oath to the United States.
Later in 1865, Adams moved to Memphis, Tennessee. There, he opened a law practice with Albert Pike, who was also a former Confederate general.
Charles William Adams died on September 9, 1878, from yellow fever in Memphis, Tennessee. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis.
Charles W. Adams is remembered as the maternal grandfather of Helen Keller. She was a famous author and advocate who overcame being deaf and blind.
