Private John Adams
Pvt. John Adams
Private John Adams was born c. 1837 in Franklin County, Virginia, and enlisted on May 1, 1865, in Montgomery, Alabama. At the time, he was described as a 28-year-old, standing 5’9” tall, with black complexion, black eyes, and black hair. He worked as a farmer and enlisted for a three-year-term. It is likely he had been enslaved in Alabama prior to enlisting.​
Unknown USCT soldiers
Later census records suggest that John may have been married to Alabama-born Harriet Adams before the war. It is entirely possible that they escaped enslavement together, even with children in tow, and followed Union troops. Harriet would have worked as a cook or washerwoman for Union officers, while John was recruited for the United States Colored Troops (USCT). During the Civil War, many formerly enslaved people followed Union troops and settled in refugee or “contraband" camps. These camps provided an opportunity for black families to reunite and build new communities.
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Private John Adams served with the 50th USCT, Company H, which was organized on March 11, 1864, from the 12th Louisiana Infantry. When Adams enlisted, the 50th USCT, Company H, was stationed in Montgomery, Alabama, and later moved to Mobile, Alabama. By June 1864, the regiment relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana, and then to Greenville, Louisiana. He was on duty at various points in the Department of the Gulf until March 20, 1866, when he mustered out in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
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The 1880 Census, though difficult to read, lists John, 43, and Harriet Adams,39, residing at Beat 2, Claiborne, Mississippi. While the army would pay for passage for recruits to return to their place of enlistment, they may not be willing to do so if this involved other family members as well. Not unexpectedly then, the Adams family might have remained near where they were mustered out. The following individuals are listed as their children: G.W. Gains, Jas. H. Gains, Eliza A. Butler, Emma Gains, William Adams, and Elbert Adams. It’s likely that John and older children found work in Mississippi after the war. Because of cotton, there was a high demand for farm labor there, and Claiborne County was known for cotton production. The children listed in 1880 with different surnames were either orphans they took in after the War or nieces & nephews for whom they cared.
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By the 1900 Census, John and Harriet were living together in Richland Parish, Louisiana. A World War I draft registration for their son, Elbert Adams, confirmed that he resided in Mississippi and was married.
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Contributors: Olivia Adkins, Toni Smith, Cathie Cummins and Joyce Staples