Group studio portrait CDV of four African American sergeants. N.p., n.d. Period pencil inscription at recto top edge reads, "Sergeants".

Significant portrait of four African American sergeants in uniform. Two are seated with two standing behind. All wear their uniforms with sergeants' chevrons, belts with regulation "US" belt plates, and kepis with company and regimental designation insignia, apparently "E" (or possibly "B") and "62" on the crown. Lt. Adamson commanded Company B, and later transferred to Company E - this was very possibly a souvenir from his fellow officers. Only 5 men served as sergeants in Company E of the 62nd USCT: Francis Diggs, Calvin Pearson, Henry Scott, Willis Shipley, and Robert Witt; and only 6 sergeants served in Company B: Spencer Hutt, William H. Miner (1st sergeant), Andrew Perkins, Harvey Perkins, Frederick Porter, George Porter (1st sergeant), all of whom enlisted on 14 December 1863 at Benton Barracks, Missouri. The identifies of the subjects in the portrait are excitingly at hand.

Aaron M. Adamson (alternatively Aron) began the war enlisting as a corporal on 3 July 1861, mustering into Company H of the 1st Nebraska Infantry. Originally organized as a Nebraska defense force, it was then organized to join the Union army. They joined General Grant's army and participated in the successful attack on Fort Donelson and the Union victory at Shiloh. After these major engagements, Adamson was promoted to sergeant on 12 June 1862. Near the end of 1863, the regiment was redesignated as the 1st Nebraska Cavalry and transferred to the frontier to engage with Native Americans. Adamson, however, was discharged on the last day of the year for commission as a 2nd lieutenant into Company I the 62nd United States Colored Troops (USCT). Originally organized as the 1st Missouri Colored Infantry Regiment, they were redesignated on 11 March 1864. Organized at Benton Barracks in St. Louis, they moved south to Port Hudson and spent most of the war in the Department of the Gulf. Adamson was promoted again to first lieutenant of Company B on 1 October 1864. At the end of the war, the 62nd USCT moved into Texas taking part in some of the very last actions of the war, the Battles of Palmito Ranch and White's Farm.

After the war, Adamson married Margaret L. Patterson on 1 June 1871, was a member of GAR Post #77 (Russell) in Fairbury, Nebraska, applied for a pension in July 1879. The soldiers of the 62nd USCT were instrumental in founding HBCU Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. Having been taught to read and write while enlisted, the troops expressed their desire to continue their studies, signing a pledge to establish a school "for the special benefit of free blacks." The men of the 62nd raised $5,000 to support the establishment of the institution which led to the opening of the Lincoln Institute on 16 September 1866.

WITH Five (5) ordnance documents, all signed by Lt. Aaron M. Adamson, including:

List of CC + G Equipage &c. Transferred by Lt. M.J. Sheridan A.A. Quartermaster U.S. Pwv. Brig. to Lt. A.M. Adamson A.R. Quartermaster 62nd U.S. Col. Inf. partly printed document completed in manuscript and signed by Sheridan. Morganza, Louisiana, 10 September 1864. 1 page, folio, 8 1/2 x 13 3/4 in. -- List of Stores Transferred to Liut. J.N. Gott partly printed document completed in manuscript by Adamson and signed by Lieut. Jonathan N. Gott. Morganza, Louisiana, 1 October 1864. 1 page, folio, 8 x 13 in. Docketed to verso. Listing supplies including an extensive amount of sationery, a "Four Wheel Ambulance", four "six wheel wagons" and more. -- Inventory and Insurance of Unserviceable Ordnance Stores partly printed document completed in mansucript and signed by 1st Lieut. A.M. Adamson. Morganza, Louisiana, 6 October 1864. Lists several munitions that are no longer useable including Enfield Rifle Muskets, Bayonets, Cartridge boxes, and other accoutrements. -- Return of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores partly printed document completed in manuscript for Co. A, 62nd USCT. Washington, D.C., 12 January 1865. 1 page, 4to, on Ordnance Office letterhead. Signed by Captain of Ordnance T.J. Treadwell and Lt. Aron M. Adamson. -- Abstract of Expenditures for Co. E, 62nd USCT partly printed document completed in manuscript and signed by Adamson. N.p., Fourth Quarter 1865. Indicates that 800 percussion caps and 500 Elongated Ball Cartridges .577 calibre were used in practice firing, a further 500 ball cartridges used in guard duty.

Provenance: Descended directly from the family of Lt. Aaron M. Adamson, officer in the 62nd USCT and 1st Nebraska Infantry.

Condition: minor toning to documents.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, African Americana, African American History, Buffalo Soldiers, USCT, United States Colored Troops, Missouri, Historically Black Colleges & Universities, HBCU, HBCUs, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Albumen Photography, CDV, Carte de Visite, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite]