First USCT Recruits at Camp Nelson
Posted by: 
krsmith2
N 37° 38.719 W 084° 46.246
16S E 696672 N 4168800
Slaves enlist in Union Army
Waymark Code: WMJTX8
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 12/31/2013
Views: 9
First USCT Recruits at Camp Nelson
Obverse
May 23, 1864, nearly 250 black men, most of them slaves, left Boyle Co. to march to Camp Nelson in Jessamine Co. to enlist in the Union army. On the way, some Danville citizens threw stones and shot pistols at the recruits. When they reached camp, Union Col. Andrew Clark initially refused to accept them because no policy allowed for the recruitment of slaves.
Over
Reverse
Although a few local slave owners tried to reclaim some of the men, the recruits were accepted into the army, causing a Union policy change that allowed able-bodied African American men, including slaves, to enlist. Over 5,000 U.S. Colored Troops were eventually recruited at Camp Nelson, with some of the first coming From Boyle County.
Marker Name: First USCT Recruits at Camp Nelson
Marker Location: City
Type of Marker: Battle (war)
Marker Number (for official markers): 2388
Group(s) Responsible for placing Marker:
Kentucky Historical Society & Kentucky Department of Highways.
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Visit Instructions:
A picture of the site or anything specific to the text on marker.