Camp Campaigns

Camp Nelson at War

Camp Nelson was established in Central Kentucky as a supply depot and forward operating base in April 1863 to support a US Army offensive to capture East Tennessee and liberate Unionists in the region who had been under Confederate occupation since 1861. The Army of the Ohio, consisting of the Ninth and Twenty-third Corps, stockpiled wagons, weapons, and foodstuffs over the course of the summer in anticipation of the start of the advance. The East Tennessee Campaign was a stunning success and proved to be the largest military operation initiated at Camp Nelson during the Civil War. However, smaller actions were fueled by men, material, and animals from the base, including engagements involving United States Colored Troops [USCT] recruited at the camp starting in 1864.

 

Campaigns

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  The Army of the Ohio at Shiloh

  The first Army of the Ohio fought in the Battle of Shiloh in 1862.

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  Army of Liberation

  The new Army of the Ohio formed in 1863 would campaign in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

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  Knoxville Campaign - Part I

  Camp Nelson was established to support the Army of the Ohio's campaign to invade and liberate East Tennessee in 1863.

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  Knoxville Campaign - Part II

  The Army of the Ohio swiftly captured East Tennessee, but later had to defend it from a Confederate counteroffensive in late 1863.

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  Saltville Battle and Massacre

  US Colored Troops (USCT) from Camp Nelson fought at Saltville, Virginia, in 1864.

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  Southwest Virginia Raid

  Both white and USCT regiments from Camp Nelson participated in a raiding expedition into southwestern Virginia in late 1864.