Camp Nelson National Park-- Part 3: Major Recruitment and Training Center for USCT

Camp Nelson quickly became the largest of the eight black recruitment centers in Kentucky and the third largest training camp in the whole country for United States Colored Troops (USCT).  Once all restrictions on recruitment were removed by June 1864, the number of black enlistments exploded.

These new recruits, who were formerly slaves, were able to be emancipated upon joining.

More than 500 USCT mustered in during the month of June 1864, and a record 1,370 new troops enlisted at the camp in July.  In total, eight USCT regiments organized at Camp Nelson in 1864 to 1865.  Four were infantry units (114th, 116th, 119th and 124th), two were cavalry (5th and 6th) and two were artillery (12th and 13th).

By the time the 13th Amendment was ratified in December 6, 1865, ending slavery throughout the United States, roughly 10,000 Blacks had enlisted at Camp Nelson.

--Old Secesh

Camp Nelson National Monument-- Part 2: A Huge Camp and USCT Training Facility

At the heighth of its use in 1865, Camp Nelson encompassed roughly 4,000 acres, organized around an 800 acre core, including  more than 300 outlying buildings and tents that housed a quartermaster commissary depot, ordnance depot, recruitment center, prison and hospital.

In addition, eighteen earthen forts or batteries, primarily built by Blacks ringed the camp for protection.  The camp was also home to stables and corrals, a bakery and a steam-driven waterworks that could pump water up 470 feet from the Kentucky River tp a 500,000 gallon reservoir.

However, its location proved to be poor as a supply depot because of lack of transportstion, so Gen. William T. Sherman decided to also turn it into a training camp for incoming black soldiers of the United States Colored Troops (USCT).

Because of the supplies, it was also a possible target of Nathan Bedford Forrest.  

Some 3,000 impressed black workers were stationed at Camp Nelson by 1863, performing critical supply jobs as well as fortifying the camp and construction of railroads and the 300 buildings of the post.

And, then the USCT training camp was set up, and eventually some 23,000 black soldiers trained there, making it the second largest training center for them.

--Old Secesh

Camp Nelson National Monument

From Wikipedia.

CAMP NELSON NATIONAL  MONUMENT

Formerly Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park, is located about 20 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky.  The camp was established in 1863 as a depot for the Union Army and it became a recruiting and training ground or new soldiers from eastern Tennessee and for former slaves.

On October 26, 2018, President Trump proclaimed the site as Camp Nelson National Monument, the 418th unit of the National Park Service.

It was established as a supply depot for Union efforts in the area and in Tennessee.  It was named for Union General William "Bull" Nelson who had recently been murdered by Union General Jefferson C. Davis (not the Confederate president) over an insult.  (Another interesting story in itself.)

It was placed near the Hickman Bridge, the only bridge over the Kentucky River upriver from the state capital (Frankfort, Kentucky).

Only he northern side of the camp needed protection as the other three sides  have almost verticle 400-500 foot cliffs.

--Old Secesh

Preserving the Civil War's Camp Nelson in Kentucky

From the February 2023 American Battlefield Trust calendar.

CAMP NELSON, KENTUCKY

Beginning as a supply depot and encampment for the Union Army, Kentucky's Camp Nelson became the third largest recruitment and training ceneter for the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War.

By the end of  1865, when slavery ended, some 10,000 Blacks had enlisted there and had been emancipated.

In 2018, the Trust, National Park Foundation and Jessamine County Fiscal Court helped facilitate a 380-acre donation to the National Park Service to create Camp Nelson National Monument.

--Old Secesh

Forrest's 1864 Railroad Raid-- Part 2: On to Sulfur Creek Trestle

Battle of Sulfur Creek Trestle.

After Forrest defeated Union forces at Athens and Fort Henderson, he  moved north along the railroad with the intent to destroy the strategic trestle at Sulphur Creek, six miles north of Athens.

There, Union forces had erected to blockhouses and fortifications.  There were 928 Union troops defending it including the 111th USCT and the 9th Indiana Cavalry under Col. Ely Lilly.  Rifle pits connected the various defenses.

Forrest surrounded the fort and had 8 pieces of artillery against the Federals 2 cannons.  Outnumbered and outgunned, Lilly surrendered..  Forrest burned the fortification and Union losses were 200 killed and 720 captured.

Union prisoners were transferred to Confederate prisons and many of them died on April 27, 1865, when they were returning home and on board the tragic SS Sultana.

--Old Secesh

American Battlefield Trust & Fort Blakely, Alabama

From the American Battlefield Trust April 2022 calendar.

FORT BLAKELY, ALABAMA

126 acres saved

The battlefield at Fort Blakely (located east of Mobile) is a history-laden landscape in which 16,00 Federals, composed of nearly one-third U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) overran Confederate defense in a raging contest on April 9, 1865 -- the same day Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered  the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Courthouse.

The Trust and its partners, including the Conservation Fund and Historic Fort Blakely State Park, have saved 126 acres at Fort Blakely.

(The Union forces numbered 45,000 against 4,000 Confederate defenders.  Not too surprising how this ended.)

--Old Secesh

The Union Army's XXV Corps, Thomas Morris Chester's Beat

From Wikipedia.

Thomas Morris Chester the war correspondent was embedded with troops of the XXV Corps, which was unique because it was made up  almost entirely of Blacks from the United States Colored Troops.  These soldiers had previously belonged to the  X and XVIII Corps.  They captured Richmond, Virginia and were at Appomattox when the Union forces stopped Lee's retreating Confederate Army.

On December 3, 1864, the two corps of the Union Army of the James  were reorganized.  Its white units went to the XXIV Corps under the command of General Godfrey Weitzel.  The new XXV Corps served with distinction  during the waning days of  the Petersburg Campaign and was the first army group to occupy Richmond on April 3, 1865.

In May, the Corps was sent to Texas to serve as the "Army of Occupation" against Napoleon  III's French presence in Mexico.  The XXV Corps was  disbanded in January 1866.

--Old Secesh

America's First Black War Correspondent, Thomas Morris Chester-- Part 1

From the Feb. 15, 2022, History  "America's first black war correspondent reported from the Civil War front lines" by Farrell Evans.

During the Civil War, hundreds of  reporters from the Union and Confederacy published stories about the war.  Only one of them was a black man, named  Thomas Morris Chester, the nation's first black war correspondent.

The invention of the telegraph in  1844  by Samuel Morse had made it possible for newspapers to report the news  in a matter of hours, not days.  The  correspondents reporting the war were all white men except for Chester and they reported the war through the eyes of the white troops.

But, the white-owned Philadelphia Press hired Chester  in 1864, to cover black troops in Virginia.  

The 30-year-old from Harrisburg native wrote under the pseudonym "Rollin."    His mother had escaped slavery.

His beat was with the United States Colored Troops in the Army of the James from August 1864 to June 1865.  Chester had actively recruited Blacks into the ranks and gave  voice and dignity to them as they  struggled for their right to fight, for parity with white troops and for he respect that should come to men willing to lay their lives down for their country.

--Old Secesh

The Hainesville Civil War Encampment: Elijah and Me

October 16, 2021

As usual, most of the attendees were whites.  I usually don't see many Blacks at one of these, unfortunately.  I also don't see U.S. Colored Troops re-enactors very often which is also too bad.  They have a very interesting history and had a lot to do with the final defeat of the Confederacy.

Walked past U.S. Grant's tent and he was sitting outside it in conference with a Union officer.

I was especially looking to meet with Elijah Haines, the person Hainesville is named after.  The person playing him is my old friend and fellow teacher Bob.  We go back to my first year at Magee Middle School, 1973.

I soon came across him regaling others about little-known aspects of Elijah's life and the early history of the region.  Actually, Elijah owned land where Hainesville was and some of his family lived there, but he spent most of his time in Waukegan and is buried there.

He had already given his talk in the open barn earlier in the morning.

It was sure good to see so many people there.  I think this would be a good place for our Civil War Round Table to "recruit" new members as we are getting a bit long in the tooth.

--Old Secesh

Palmito Ranch, Texas

From the American Battlefield Trust 2021 Calendar, May

PALMITO RANCH, Texas

3 acres saved.

Palmito Ranch battlefield National Historic Landmark, Brownsville, Texas.

On the banks of the Rio Grande River, near Brownsville, Texas, Palmito Ranch looks much as it did  at the time of the battle 156 years ago.

On May 11, 1865, 300 men of the 62nd Regiment United States Colored Troops and the 2nd Texas Cavalry set out on an expedition to attack reported rebel outposts and camps, leading to what many historians consider the final land battle of the Civil War, which began the next day.

The trust's three-acre acquisition there in 2001 remains our lone victory in the Lone Star State.

--Old Secesh

Fort McPherson, Natchez, Mississippi

In the last post, I wrote about Fort McPherson in Natchez, Mississippi.  I'd never heard of it before, so figured I's do some research on it.

NORTH AMERICAN FORTS

Fort McPherson, Natchez. Miss.   (1863-1865)  Was a line of earthworks and batteries surrounding the town, built by Union forces after they took control of the area.

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The site of Fort McPherson was designed by Captain Peter Hains of the Engineering Corps.  It could accommodate 5,000 troops and provided an unobstructed view of the Mississippi River and surrounding countryside.

The site begins at present-day North Canal and Madison streets.  Parts of an old slave market called Forks in the Road were used in its construction.

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It was named for Union General James McPherson who was killed in action during the Atlanta Campaign.

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United States Colored Troops (USCT)  consisted of 175 regiments of black soldiers, many of who had been slaves,   The 58th, 70th and 71st Colored Infantry and 6th  Colored Heavy Artillery were stationed in Natchez.

No major action took place at Fort McPherson.

There are very little remnants of the fort remaining.

--Old Secesh

USCT Monument Proposed for Natchez Memorial Park

From the April 7, 2021, Natchez, Miss.  Democrat by Sabrina Robertson.

It will be placed prominently in the Natchez Memorial Park outside of St. Mary Basilica.  This would honor those who risked their lives by joining the U.S. Army.

The story of Forks of the Road, one of the largest slave markets in the country will also be a part of the monument's design.   Some of the people in the Forks of the Road were about to be sold when they were freed by Union forces.

Parts of the Forks of the Road were used in the construction of Fort McPherson in Natchez.  Some Natchez residents are calling for the removal of the Confederate memorial at the Memorial Park, but it sounds like it will remain as it gives another aspect of Natchez's heritage and past.

I agree whole-heartedly with letting the Confederate monument remain and building the monument to the USCT as more than likely, USCT troops manned Fort McPherson.  However, I would want there to be a separate monument to the Forks in the Road slave market.

I believe history should give all aspects of a group or place.

Natchez has a slave and a Confederate past.  Both should be memorialized.

--Old Secesh

MCCWRT Prisons Discussion-- Part 5: Horrible Conditions and Diseases

**  The conditions at Illinois' Rock Island Prison were horrible and om top of that they had a small pox outbreak.

**  At one time, early on in the camp's history, prisoners were even able to leave prison quarters abd go to town at Camp Douglas in Chicago and also in Rock Island.

**  An Iowa regiment dubbed the "Graybeards" because of their advanced age once guarded the Rock Island Prison Camp.  Also the 108th USCT.

**  I forgot which Union prison camp this was, but it might have been Point Lookout in Maryland, but there were 64 barracks there, each with 95 prisoners.

**  At Camp Douglas, an average of 18 prisoners died each day

**  Prisoners died from typhoid fever, pneumonia, measles, mumps and chronic diarrhea (called the Soldiers' Disease).

--Old Secesh

David Huestis Budlong, Lt.Col. 135th USCT-- Part 2

From My Heritage site.

DAVID HUESTIS BUDLONG, 1831-1912

Born 1831 in New York to Eber Cole Budlong and Anna Budlong.

He had five siblings:  Charles Rose Budlong and Eber Cole Budlong and three others.

Married Nancy Ann Budlong in 1854 at age 23.

They had six children:  Hannah Clarinda  Steele, Lois Amelia Budlong and four others.

In 1880, he lived in Missouri.

Died in 1912 at age 81 in California.

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From the Political Graveyard site.

BUDLONG, DAVID H.

Of Carthage, Jaspar County, Missouri.  Born in New York.  U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue for the 5th Missouri District, 1879.  Burial location unknown.

--Old Secesh

David H. Budlong: Lt. Col. of 135th USCT

LIEUT. COL. DAVID H. BUDLONG

Born in 1829

Married Martha Gruell

Died 1912 at age 83.

Buried Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, California.

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From Wisconsin Geneaology Trails, 33rd Wisconsin

DAVID HUESTIS BUDLONG  Co. C,   Enlisted 10/9/1862

Commissioned   Date Out of Regt.  3/28/65  Discharged due to promotion.

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There was another Budlong in Co. C, 33rd Wisconsin.

EBER BUDLONG

Enlisted 8/21/62   Mustered out 8/9/1865

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From Idaho Civil War veterans

BUDLONG, DAVID H.  Born 1831.  Lived in Kootenai County, Idaho.  Served in Co. C, 33rd Wisconsin Infantry.

--Old Secesh

Black Service in the Civil War-- Part 3: White Officers and Battles

However, all officers were whites.  Blacks could become non commissioned officers like corporals and sergeants.  Many white officers took command of the regiments as a way to rise in the ranks.

USCT did a lot of guard duty, but also took part in engagements.  I have been writing about the nine USCT regiments involved with the engagement at the Confederate Sugar Loaf Line south of Wilmington, N.C.,  in my Running the Blockade blog the last two weeks.

USCT regiments served valiantly at the Battle of the Crater (Virginia), Battle of Chaffin;'s Farm (Virginia)  and Battle of Nashville (Tennessee).  The 54th Massachusetts gained glory at the Battle of Fort Wagner (South Carolina).

Other USCT regiments were present when Lee's Army surrendered at Appomattox.

Seven black sailors received the Medal of Honor during the war.  I wrote about one of them, Robert Blake in my January entries in my Running the Blockade:  Civil War Navy blog.

--Old Secesh

Black Service in the Civil War-- Part 2: 175 Regiments USCT, 20% of Union Navy

Existing volunteer black units  were converted into the United States Colored troops (USCT).  By the end of the conflict, there were 175 regiments of USCT, containing 178,000 enlisted soldiers making up approximately 10% of the Union Army.

Sixteen USCT soldiers earned the nation's highest honor, the Medal of Honor.

In addition, more than 18,000 black men and 3 women served in the U.S. Navy.  That number comprised  20% of all sailors in the war.

Black regiments were formed  in every Union state.  While mostly made up of black soldiers, other minorities  served including Indians and Asians.

--Old Secesh

Col. John E. Gurley, the 135th USCT's Commander-- Part 1: A Midwest Heritage

He was appointed commander of the 135th USCT regiment and remained in command for the rest of the unit's time in the service.  He has quite a Midwest background

He was born in Illinois and lived in Wisconsin.

From Find-A-Grave.

BIRTH:  24 April 1838

DEATH;  2 April 1869, Platteville, Wisconsin

BURIED:  Pine Mound Cemetery,  LaSalle County, Illinois  (Where his father and mother are buried.)

--Old Secesh

135th USCT-- Part 2: Marched in the Grand Review and Mustered Out in Louisville

Once the 135th USCT enlisted in Goldsboro, N.C., the men were issued the blue Union Army uniforms with the famous brass buttons with the freedom eagle on them.

Research on their pension records reveals that the regiment's men felt very proud to be fighting for their freedom.

Upon leaving Goldsboro, the 135th marched as part of Sherman's army and left their picks and shovels behind.  They were now soldiers.  They marched to Raleigh, the state's capital.  Then it was into Virginia to Petersburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg and Alexandria.

Then came one of the regiment's proudest moments as the 135th marched with Sherman's army in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., on May  24, 1865.  In their pension records, they proudly say that they marched past the president of the United States under their own regimental flag.  (I was surprised to see that they participated in the Grand Review as I thought that no USCT were allowed in it.)

Following a brief time in D.C. and performing guard duty  at Fort Kearny, on of the capital's defenses, the 135th was transported by train then boat to Louisville, Kentucky, where they performed more guard duty until mustering out on October 23, 1865.

--Old Secesh

135th USCT-- Part 1: Mustered in at Goldsboro, N.C.

In the last post I wrote about the exhibit on this regiment that will be at the Wayne County Museum in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

From the 135th USCT website.

The regiment was formed in Goldsboro, North Carolina, on March  27, 1865, from men who had previously served in the Pioneer Corps, and were a part of Gen. William T. Sherman's Union Army.

Prior to taking the oath of service in Goldsboro, they had been recruited for the Pioneer Corps during Sherman's March through Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.  Once they were formed into the 135th, they were commanded by Colonel John Edgar Gurley, who then commanded them until the end of the war (which wasn't very long by this time).

The Pioneer Corps worked tirelessly through the winter of 1864 and spring of 1865 to move General Sherman's Army.  They built corduroyed roads to get them through swamps and bridges.  There were a lot of swamps, rivers and streams along Sherman's path.  These Pioneers were a big reason for his success.

They had to work hard to insure  that the over 2,500 wagons of Sherman's army could stay with the 60,000 men.

--Old Secesh