From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

John Coleman was born a slave in Anderson County about 1832. He remained a slave into adulthood; President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in states openly hostile toward the Union. Late in the war, however, the government called for the enlistment of colored regiments, and all who answered the call were granted immediate freedom.

John Coleman therefore made his way to Camp Nelson to enlist and on September 17, 1864 was enrolled as a private and later corporal in Company I of the 12th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Regiment. At the time of his enlistment, he testified that he was born in Anderson County about 1832.

The 12th Artillery saw no reported action, mainly serving garrison duty at various locations throughout Kentucky until it was discharged from service on April 24, 1866.