African American Civil War Veteran John W. Pollard Seated For a Portrait

African American Civil War veteran John W. Pollard, who served under the name of Private Jackson Ridgway in the 83rd U.S. Colored Troops, in the Grand Army of the Republic uniform. The medal he is wearing in the photograph may have been a decoration or award from the Grand Army of the Republic, or from another military organization. The medal he is wearing in the photograph may have been a decoration or award from the Grand Army of the Republic, or from another military organization.

The 83rd U.S. Colored Troops were formed during the Civil War and comprised of African American soldiers who fought for the Union. The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization for Union Civil War veterans, and it is possible that John W. Pollard was a member of this organization. 

It is important to note that many veterans of the Civil War, particularly those who served in the United States Colored Troops, were not well documented and their records and stories may have been lost over time.