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

Jackson, Jerry

(died: 1864) Jackson was born a slave in Anderson County but left his native county at an unknown date. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Jerry remained a slave in the deep south until President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves all across the south, and soon after the government called for the enlistment of colored regiments for service in the Union Army.

Jerry therefore made his way to Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, where he enlisted August 13, 1863 as a private in the 11th Regiment of Infantry African Descent. This regiment remained on duty at Milliken's Bend until January 1864. During January and February 1864 the 11th made two uneventful expeditions, then on March 11, 1864, while at Natchez, Mississippi, the 11th was combined with other small regiments to form the 49th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment.

At this time Jackson became a private in Company K. Soon after the re-designation, the 49th was dispatched to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where it served garrison duty. While stationed at Vicksburg, Jerry fell ill with lung fever and died in October 1864.