A native of Bowdoinham, Maine and later author of the town history, Silas Adams enlisted and mustered in on August 25, 1862 as Pvt. Co. F 19th Maine Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged for promotion on September 10, 1864 and was commissioned as Lt. Co. B 41st USCT. He was mustered out on December 10, 1865. During his tenure with the hard fought 19th Maine Infantry the Regiment was engaged in battle at such as Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Bristoe Station, Gettysburg, the Wilderness Spotsylvania Court House, Mine Run, Cold Harbor and more. At Gettysburg the 19th Maine went into action with 440 officers and men and lost during two days, 12 officers and 220 enlisted men. Its losses were also very severe at the battle of the Wilderness, on the Jerusalem Plank Road. While serving as Lt. of the 41st Colored Troops that Regiment was engaged at the Battle of Fair Oaks, Hatcher’s Run, the fall of Petersburg and participated in the pursuit of Lee. Lt. Adams was present with the 41st Colored Troops at Appomattox Court House and the surrender of Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia.