People

A Nation at War

Camp Nelson developed rapidly following its establishement in April 1863. During the Civil War, tens of thousands of soldiers, civilians, refugees, and enslaved people passed through the camp. Their stories, both triumphant and tragic, can be found here.

 

People

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  Units Raised at Camp Nelson

  Fifteen regiments were fully or partially organized at Camp Nelson during the Civil War.

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  US Army Officers

  US Army officers from across the country served at Camp Nelson and in the Department of the Ohio.

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  United States Colored Troops

  Camp Nelson was one of the largest recruitment centers for African American soldiers during the Civil War.

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  East Tennessee Soldiers

  Many Unionist men from East Tennessee enlisted in regiments formed at Camp Nelson.

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  White Tennessee Refugees

  Refugees from East Tennessee sought sanctuary at Camp Nelson during the Civil War.

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  Impressed Enslaved Laborers

  Thousands of impressed enslaved African Americans worked at Camp Nelson, and many later became soldiers.

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  White Kentucky Soldiers

  Several units of White Kentuckians were organized at Camp Nelson.

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  USCT to Buffalo Soldiers

  A number of US Colored Troops from Camp Nelson became Buffalo Soldiers after the Civil War.