KHS dedicates historical marker to
first colored troops at Camp Nelson

Camp Nelson’s first black troops to enlist in the Union army had a rough time of it.

In May 1864, nearly 250 black men, most of them slaves, marched from Boyle County to Camp Nelson in Jessamine County 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. Despite attempts by a few local slave owners 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.

More than 5,000 U.S. Colored Troops eventually were recruited at Camp Nelson.

On Feb. 4, the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) dedicated a historical marker to those troops at Constitution Square in Danville. The marker, administered by KHS in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, tells Kentucky’s story through the people, places and events that have shaped local communities across the Commonwealth.

The markers highlight the importance of place in Kentucky’s collective history, in order to build strong communities for the future. The markers are on-the-spot history lessons that make connections between history, place and historical evidence housed in the Commonwealth’s many historical organizations.

Through the program, Kentucky’s history is made accessible to the public on markers along the state’s roadways and online at www.history.ky.gov/markers and via the Explore Kentucky History smartphone application available for free at iTunes and Google Play.

Representatives from Danville, Camp Nelson and the Kentucky Civil War Sites Association were among those available for the noon ceremonies. Members of the 12th Kentucky U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery presented the colors and helped dedicate the plaque.