| This rather stern looking young man is identified on the reverse of the card as Cyrus Adams. In fact the short c. 1885 inscription gives a fair amount of information stating that Adams had enlisted in Company B of the 72nd Regiment of New York Volunteers and was killed in action at Williamsburg, Virginia on May 5th, 1862. Research confirms this information to be correct with additional information showing that Adams enlisted at Jamestown, New York on 28 May, 1861 at the age of 24. Cyrus Adams was born at Fetonville, New York on 19 August, 1836 the son of Jacob Adams and Nancy Forbush. At the time of his enlistment Cyrus Adams and his family were residents of town of Carroll in Chautauqua County, New York. His father Jacob was listed as a farmer but Cyrus seems to have come from a fairly well off family as the 1860 Census shows the family estate being worth some $6000.00. Cyrus was interred at the Fetonville Cemetery after his death. His rather imposing monument is evidence of his family's apparent affluence (see below). This cabinet photograph is typical of original Civil War vintage images that were rephotographed during the later 1800's. In this case the original looks to have been a carte de visite. Cabinet Photograph Fenton & Andruss - Photographer/Copiest No. 4 Forset Ave, Jamestown, New York, U.S.A. c. 1885 (Copied from a c. 1861 original) |
| Right: A recent Memorial Day photograph of Cyrus Adams monument at Fentonville Cemetery. Although weathered by the passing years the decoratively carved American flag and lengthy inscription reflect the relative wealth of this fallen soldier's family. |
