Military
2
Founded in 1863 as a Union supply depot, hospital, and encampment, Camp Nelson became Kentucky's largest and the nation's third largest recruitment center for African-American soldiers, the U.S. Colored Troops, in 1864. Eight U.S. Colored Troops regiments were organized here and saw action in Kentucky and Virginia. The U.S. Colored Troops were emancipated from slavery upon enlistment, and many brought their wives and children into camp, who were freed after a March 1865 Congressional Act. Twenty-three thousand three hundred slaves were freed here. Camp Nelson included four thousand acres and three hundred buildings and provided men and supplies for the Knoxville, Atlanta, and Saltville-Marion, Virginia, campaigns.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free
FIND IT
Kentucky · United States
