(1825 – 1864) Confederate brigadier general and an officer in the United States Army who first distinguished himself in the Mexican War. Commissioned a Confederate colonel in command of his brigade of infantry, Adams served entirely in the Western Theater. His brigade was selected to lead the advance of John Bell Hood's army into Tennessee. Adams was killed at the Second Battle of Franklin while attempting to capture the colors of the 65th Illinois. He was one of six Confederate generals to perish in the defeat. Excessively rare war-date manuscript D.S., 1p. oblong 8vo., Memphis, April 9, 1862, his ‘Special Orders No 249’, in full: ‘Orderly Sergt of Co ‘G’ 12th Ark[ansas] Regt having escaped from Island 10 will remain here until further instructions and gather up all men of this Regt. The Provost Marshall will designate a building where these men can be quartered.’ He signs boldly in black ink at the conclusion, adding his contemporary rank ‘Capt CSA Com’. Shows expected folds, faintly toned at the edges and slightly ragged at the bottom edge, with slight adhesive residue to the verso, otherwise in very good to fine condition overall. Island No. 10 is situated on a bend of the Mississippi River between Missouri and Tennessee, and was fortified to impede Union efforts to navigate up that river. It fell on April 8, 1862 after a month-long siege.