Pitt County NcArchives Military Records.....Williams, Joseph Adrian, Captain November 23, 1863
Civilwar The Standard of Raleigh, Jan. 13, 1864
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Death Of  Capt. Joseph Adrian Williams
The Standard of Raleigh, Jan. 13, 1864
      DEATH OF CAPT. JOSEPH A. WILLIAMS
   CAPT. JOSEPH A. WILLIAMS departed this life the 23rd day of November, 1863, 
at the captial city of the Southern Confederacy, of wounds received in battle, 
in the 24th year of his age.
   The death of this young and promising officer deserves a more extended 
notice than the above announcement, and although unable to do justice to his 
memory, I am constrained by personal friendship to add my testimony of his 
worth, both in civil and military life. 
   JOSEPH ADRIAN WILLIAMS was born in Pitt County, North Carolina, in the year 
of 1839. His father, DR. ROBERT WILLIAMS, was a native North-Carolinian, and 
at an early age established a reputation as a physician, scarcely inferior to 
any in the State. His grandfather, also a physician of no small repute, was a 
surgeon in our army during the war with our mother country. His mother was a 
MISS DRAKE, an accomplished and gifted lady. Thus he inherited those superior 
qualities with which he was endowed. His youthful training was commenced at 
home under the tuition of MR. JAMES MURRAY, a learned scholar and an 
experienced teacher, and he completed the University of his native state in 
the summer of 1859.
   During the interval from the time he graduated to the commencement of the 
present war, he spent most of his time traveling. With feels and emotions 
truly Southern, he, unlike most young tourists in search of pleasure, 
discarding the fascination of the cold ungenial North, sought recreation for 
his college labors in his own native South, among its healthful scenes and 
balmy breezes, untainted with fanatical poison.
   Enraptured with its lovely and romantic scenery, its beautiful landscapes, 
its invigorating climate and its rich soil, he concluded to make it his future 
home and purchased a home in Arkansas, and had it not been for this cruel 
strife, into which political madness and sectional animosities have plunged 
us, he would now be doubtless enjoying all the luxuries wealth could afford, 
surrounded with kind friends and blessed with the sweet smiles and caresses of 
a fair and affectionate partner. 
   He had just returned home with the intention of removing his estate of 
negroes and household good thither, when the muttering thunders of war began 
to arouse the Southern people and prepare them for the fiery ordeal through 
which they were destined to pass. With the same love of country and unselfish 
patriotism which distinguished his ancestors in the Revolution of '76, casting 
aside all personal interest and considerations, he threw himself into 
the "deadly breach" and battled manfully for his country's rights, and gave 
his life to her whole cause. Of our final triumph he never entertained a 
doubt, and when the timid and weak-minded sought to influence others with 
their gloom and despondency, he rebuked them in severe terms.
   It is a sad thought, and chills my blood, that he has not been spared to 
enjoy the object -- a country free and happy, which he gave his life to 
obtain. How vain are earthly hopes and calculations.
   CAPT. WILLIAMS possessed many noble and gentle qualities which made him 
beloved and admired. His polished manners and generous nature were a passport 
to the most select social circles and his humorous disposition and ready wit 
made him a pleasant companion. His mind was strong and of great originality, 
and although he neglected many opportunities of strengthening it with the 
intricate studies offered in college, yet it was stored with noble thoughts 
and general information, grasped from the fertile field of reading.  He was 
particularly fond of literary productions of taste, and whiled away many of 
the burdens of camp life  perusing the works of celebrated authors.
   His friendship, when once secured was firm and steadfast, changing not with 
the "tide of events" and deserting in times of danger or distress. My 
association with him was intimate and I think I can speak correctly of him as 
a fellow officer. He was vigilant, earnest and active in the performance of 
his duties. All the energies of his mind seemed bent on the mastery of the 
science of war and the different evolutions of the drill, and I may truly 
says, that as a tactician, he had no superior in his regiment, and but few of 
his rank in the service.
   He received two severe wounds upon the ill-fated field of Bristow Station, 
Va., Oct. 14th, 1863. His Surgeon pronounced him mortal, but he lived so long 
that hopes were entertained for his recovery. He was removed to Richmond as 
soon as possible, where, after lingering for about six weeks:
      "Death, rigid lord, claimed the heliot clay
       While joyously the youthful soul went to take his heritage."
   With the same calm courage that he faced his country's foes, he yielded his 
soul a victim of death, his last enemy.
   His mortal voice will be heard on earth no more; his manly form now lies 
cold beneath the sod, but his early grave will be bedewed with many tears of 
affection and the remembrance of his many public and private virtues, his 
deeds of daring and his self sacrificing and before death, will live long in 
the memory of a grateful country.
                                       R. W. J. 

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