Daniel Weisiger Adams was an officer for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He was the brother of William Wirt Adams and suffered a serious wound when he lost his eye.
Early Life and Career
- Daniel was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, to George Adams and Anna Weisiger Adams.
- His brother, William Wirt Adams, also served in the Civil War with the Confederate Army
- His family moved to Mississippi in 1824
- Adams showed a love for law and pursued it as a career. He became a lawyer in Mississippi.
- He also joined the Mississippi militia and was a member of the state legislature.
- He showed much promise and was promoted to second lieutenant of the militia
- A newspaper editor criticized his father, and to defend his family's honor, he challenged the editor to a duel. The editor accepted and was shot and killed by Adams during the duel.
- In 1852, Adams moved to New Orleans, Louisiana.
- He became a prominent local politician, and his practice became one of the largest in the city.
Civil War
- After the secession of Louisiana, Adams was appointed a member of the military board created to prepare the state for war.
- He was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 1st Louisiana Regulars in the Confederate Army.
- On October 30, 1861, he was promoted to colonel and was stationed in Pensacola, Florida
- He saw action at the Battle of Shiloh and assumed command of the brigade after Brigadier General Adley H. Gladden was killed.
- Adams was wounded when his unit ran into a cluster of Union soldiers at the Hornet's Nest.
- During the battle, a bullet hit Adams just above his left eye and exited behind his left ear. The bullet severed his optic nerve and left him blind in the left eye.
- After receiving the wound, he was put in an ambulance wagon but was unresponsive. The driver threw his body out of the wagon to lighten the load.
- His life was saved when he was found by passing soldiers of the 10th Mississippi Infantry. He resumed his duties a month later.
- On May 23, 1862, he was promoted to brigadier general. His units saw action at the battles of Perryville and Stones River.
- He took a bullet in his left arm at Stones River.
- He again returned to his duties in 1863 and took part in the siege of Jackson, Mississippi, under commander Joseph E. Johnston
- He saw action at Chickamauga. His brigade broke through the Union lines but was driven back by reinforcements. He was again wounded and captured.
- He was exchanged and took command of a cavalry brigade.
- He was made commander of the District of Central Alabama in 1864.
- He took part in the Battles of Selma and Columbus and surrendered to Union forces in Meridian, Mississippi.
- He took the oath of allegiance to the United States on May 9, 1865
Later Years
- After the war ended, Adams spent some time in England, then returned to New Orleans to practice law along with Harry T. Hays, a fellow Confederate general.
- Adams lived for a time in New York City, where he was involved in the real estate business before moving back to New Orleans to resume his law practice and engage in state politics.
- He died in his office of a massive stroke on June 13, 1872.