JOHN Q. ADAMS OF THE 147th NY & 30TH USCT — PORTRAIT AND "FIRST-CLASS" GOLD MOLLUS BADGE

Full-length albumen carte-de-visite studio portrait of 2nd Lt. John Q. Adams, Company C, 30th USCT. Frederick, Maryland: Marken’s Gallery, ca. 1864–1865. The inscription on the verso of the mount reads: “Very Respectfully / Lieu- J.Q. Adam[s].” A period inscription at the upper left of the recto reads: “[C]apt Safford.” Modern inscriptions on the recto of the mount summarize Adams’s military service. Photographer’s imprint on the recto of the mount. Corners of the mount clipped.

Provenance: Frederick “Frank” Logan Collection

With “First-Class” Military Order of the Loyal Legion (MOLLUS) badge. Gold Maltese cross badge with red, white, and blue enamels, suspended from its original red, white, and blue ribbon with pin and loop. The obverse features a red-enameled center with a burning candle and crossed swords, surrounded by the inscription “M.O. LOYAL LEGION U.S. / MDCCCLXV.” The reverse center features an eagle clutching olive branches and arrows, encircled by the motto “LEX REGIT • ARMA TUENTUR.” Stamped on the reverse of the loop suspension is serial no. 10509. Approximately 1 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.

Born in Rochester, New York, John Quincy Adams (1835–1908), no relation to the former president, entered military service as a sergeant on 21 August 1862 and mustered into Company D, 147th New York, on 23 September 1862.

Adams served with the 147th New York for a year and a half before being discharged for promotion to first lieutenant in Company B, 30th USCT. While serving with the 30th USCT, he was wounded in action at Petersburg, Virginia, on 30 July 1864, perhaps during the massive mine explosion at the Battle of the Crater. He evidently recovered and, a year later, was promoted to captain, this time in Company C of the 30th USCT. Adams mustered out on 10 December 1865.

For his Civil War service, Adams received a MOLLUS badge. Formed in the aftermath of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States was modeled on the Society of the Cincinnati established after the Revolutionary War. MOLLUS initially served as a hereditary and commemorative society for officers who had served in the Civil War, later expanding to include their direct descendants and others affiliated with the Order as “companions.” A First-Class badge such as the present example was awarded only to those who had themselves served in the Civil War, rather than to descendants or later companions.

From the collection of Frederick "Frank" Logan. Frank Logan was a dedicated Civil War enthusiast and respected member of the collecting community. He began his lifelong passion for Civil War history as a relic hunter in the mid-1970s. Over the decades, that early interest grew into a deep passion for all aspects of the Civil War, with his collecting efforts eventually centering on Maryland-related artifacts and material culture.

A member of the Maryland Arms Collectors Association, he was well regarded among fellow collectors for his knowledge and appreciation of historical artifacts. Carefully assembled over many years, his collection reflects decades of searching, study, and a genuine dedication to preserving pieces of American Civil War history.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate]  [Relics, Militaria] [Medals, Corps Badges, Badges, Ribbons] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards]