CampCamp NelsonNelson Dispatch Dispatch CAMP NELSON CIVIL WAR HERITAGE PARK VOL. 3, ISSUE 4 • WINTER 2002 Camp Nelson hosts Kentucky Society Camp Nelson Honored as of Professional Geologists Fall Outing Distinguished T WAS A gathering of students, teachers, Geologic Site. Ifriends and mainly geologists on the grounds AMP NELSON HAS been of Camp Nelson for the Cselected as a Distinguished Kentucky Society of Geologic Site by the Kentucky Professional Geologists Society of Professional Geologists 2002 Fall Field Trip. (KSPG). County Judge-Executive Those that attended the Neal Cassity accepted the plaque on three day event, Septem- behalf of Camp Nelson at a cer- ber 19-21, learned that To you and me it looks like just another road cut, emony on September 20th. This is 460 million years ago, but to the geologists attending the annual Kentucky only the second Distinguished Site the area was covered by Society of Professional Geologists field trip, it was that has been awarded in the state. a shallow sea that was an odyssey into the ancient environments The other such designation was brimming with life. The represented by the rocks in the Camp Nelson area. Pound Gap on the Kentucky- unique layers of rock at Camp tive landscape which in turn contrib- Virginia border. Nelson tell the complete story of a uted to the unique historic tropical climate replete with clams, events which unfolded oysters, there. Camp Nelson is an “Camp Nelson islands, extraordinary learning shrimp and laboratory where geology is an algae. played a role in shaping extraordinary history.” “We’re The scientists and learning exploring the colleagues in attendance laboratory.” bedrock also got a look at the geology, majestic Kentucky River - William Andrews Kentucky Society of geomorphol- Palisades from the KSPG President David Jackson, (continuing from Professional Geologists ogy, karst and vantagepoint of the stern- left to right,) Jessamine County Judge/Executive fluvial wheeler Dixie Belle. The Neal Cassity holding the Distinguished Geologic hydrology,” explains society member group also investigated Site award plaque, State Representative Bob William Andrews. “The geology of Perryville Battlefield in Damron, State Geologist James Cobb, and former Camp Nelson has created a distinc- Boyle County. State Geologist Donald Haney. IN THIS ISSUE Camp Nelson Living History Weekend • 12th USCT Regiment Rides Again • University Press Publishes New April 26-27 Mark you calendar! Details inside. Camp Nelson Book CAMP NELSON DISPATCH WINTER 2002
NEW BOOK Camp Nelson Camp Nelson, Kentucky: Mailbag A Civil War History Wades of Ohio Follow-up By Richard D. Sears Dear Editor, University Press of Kentucky I just came across an article on 512 pp., 45.00 the Wades of Ohio published in the Camp Nelson Newsletter. I am a RICHARD D. SEARS tells the story sible until descendant of Henry Parsons Wade. of the rise and fall of the camp now. His introduction provides I have a great deal of information on through the shifting perspective of a a historical overview and textual notes Henry and James Wade as well as changing cast of characters — teach- identify individuals and detail the their friend James Brisbin. The ers, civilians, missionaries such as the course of events. attached photograph of them I am Reverend John G. Fee and fleeing Richard D. Sears, Chair of the De- sure was taken while they were all in slaves and enlisted blacks who de- partment of English and Theatre at the 5th and 6th Colored Cavalry. scribe their pitiless treatment at the Berea College, is the author of several Henry is on the left with the tight hands of slave owners and Confeder- books, including A Utopian Experi- fitting jacket. James is on the right. ate sympathizers. Sears fully docu- ment in Kentucky. Also, I would like to join the Camp ments the story of Camp Nelson Nelson Restoration and Preservation through carefully selected military To order, visit the Kentucky Press at Foundation. What do I do? orders, letters, newspaper articles, and www.kentuckypress.com or contact Mark Donnelly other correspondence, most inacces- Wyn Morris at 859-257-8761.
NEWS IN BRIEF Bluegrass Grotto, a local extension A Holiday Silver Tea was held at of the National Speleological the White House on Sunday, Society, visited Camp Nelson on December 8. The event, sponsored October 5th as part of Karst by the Jessamine County Special Encounters 2002. The group found Events Committee, featured the Camp Nelson’s limestone deposits infamous Bull Nelson Rum Cake. and numerous sinkholes to be of Heritage Park grows by 120 Acres. particular interest. Camp Nelson Heritage Park has Send comments or submissions to: purchased additional property east of Dear Mark: Camp Nelson Dispatch Editor Fort Jones that includes an Thanks for your interesting letter P.O. Box 1170, 105 Court Row, entrenchment, and numerous historic and photo. See the membership Nicholasville, KY 40340-1170. and prehistoric features. By email: [email protected] information on the back panel. By telephone: 859-881-9126 The new edition of the Civil War Historical Note: Ohio Senator Sites Travel Guide, will feature the Benjamin Franklin Wade (the father The Camp Nelson Restoration and Camp Nelson Heritage Park. “We Preservation Foundation meets the first of Henry and James Wade) was Monday of every month at the White believe this travel guide is a good widely admired for his active sup- House at the Camp Nelson Heritage Park opportunity to promote and educate port of the anti-slavery movement. at 7:00 p.m. The park is located six miles the public about some of our He visited Camp Nelson in the south of Nicholasville and one mile north nation’s historically rich sites,” summer of 1964, learned of the poor of the Camp Nelson National Cemetery explains Robert Bruce of Alabama’s on old US 27, which parallels new US 27. treatment of the black soldiers’ Crane Hill Publishers. Look for the families, and authored legislation to www.campnelson.org publication in Spring of ’03. protect them. CAMP NELSON DISPATCH WINTER 2002 12th USCT Regiment Shines at Living History
ANNON BARRELS belched flames and smoke at Camp CNelson’s African-American Re-enactment on September 7th and 8th. But there were quieter moments too at the realistic encampment that featured Civil War era food, storytelling , family histories, music, and tributes to the soldiers and refugees. The event was an opportunity for the newly formed 12th U.S. Colored The 12th United States Colored Heavy Artillery, Company K; 5th United States Heavy Artillery Reactivated Regi- Colored Cavalry, Company C; and the 5th United States Colored Infantry ment to show off their skills in Company C represented infantry regiments that originally trained at Camp artillery, cavalry, and infantry drill- Nelson. ing. The group, which uses Camp Nelson as its home base, is paying The 5th USCT “Camp Followers” tribute to the original 12th Regiment portrayed the Camp Nelson Civil which was among the first African- War refugees. The “Camp American Union Army artillery Followers” are family members group as well as to the 10,000 and relatives of the re-enactors. African-American men who enlisted and trained at Camp Nelson during Photo credit: Bennie McRae LEST WE FORGET the Civil War. http://www.coax.net/people/lwf/ “We’re excited about the future for the 12th USCT,” says Jim Hunn, a re-enactor with the 12th USCT. We’re looking at having a major CAMP NELSON LIVING HISTORY USCT gathering in 2004, with Camp Saturday and Sunday April 26-27, 2003 Nelson as the central point. We’re Learn what life was like at the Camp Nelson hoping to draw regiments from Civil War Army Depot and Refugee Camp with a new dramatic Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, and interactive, interpretive approach. even Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Florida.” • Civil War Exhibition Baseball The Camp Nelson Heritage Park is Game in Period Uniform dedicated to preserving the historic • Civil War Artifacts Display resources and integrity of the Camp 12th USCT Earns First Place • Hands-on Archaeology Nelson Civil War Army Depot and • Interactive Artillery, Calvary and Refugee Camp, to restore and develop The Kentucky Chamber of Com- Infantry Demonstrations this nationally significant site for merce Innovation Tourism Award • Interpretive Trail & educational purposes, and to encour- was presented to the 12th USCHA at White House Tours age heritage tourism. • Jr. Quartermaster Program - a ceremony at Louisville’s Sellbach For more information contact ages 7-12 Hotel on November 14. The first Camp Nelson Preservation Office • Cannon firing from at 859-881-9126 place award acknowledged the Reconstructed Fort Putnam September USCT Weekend and the • Admission - $2 per carload or [email protected]. efforts of the 12th USCHA. Louis Wernwag Join the Camp Nelson Restoration and Preservation Foundation celebrated in Members receive the quarterly publication, The Camp Nelson Dispatch. Be- cause the Camp Nelson Restoration and Preservation Foundation is a not-for- profit organization, all donations are tax-deductible and will go 100% toward the upcoming book restoration and preservation. Contributions of $500 or more will be recognized on a permanent brass plaque at the White House. HE ARCHITECT OF Camp ❑ Membership Dues for 2003 – $25.00 TNelson’s long-gone covered bridge is the subject of a new book Stars & Bars Lifetime Membership Friends of Camp Nelson ❑ ❑ on the early wooden bridge builders. $500 per individual $100 per individual ❑ ❑ Dr. Frank Griggs of Rexford, New $650 per individual & spouse $150 per individual & spouse ❑ ❑ York is in the process of authoring $650 per business $150 per business The Brothers of the Bridge - Palmer, Burr and Wernwag. Name ______The Hickman Bridge, a 200-foot covered wooden structure, (some- Street ______times referred to as the Wernwag Bridge), was designed and con- City/State/Zip ______structed in 1838 by Pennsylvania architect Louis Wernwag. As the Phone ______Email ______only bridge spanning the Kentucky River above Frankfort, it became Send to: Camp Nelson Foundation essential to any invasion of Tennes- P. O. Box 1170 see through Kentucky. Nicholasville, KY 40340-1170 The establishment of Camp Nelson protected the bridge through the war years, and it remained in use until 1928. Today massive stone Camp Nelson Foundation abutments are still visible on either P.O. Box 1170 side of the Kentucky River. Look for 105 Court Row a review and information on pur- Nicholasville KY 40340-1170 chasing the new book in a future issue of the Camp Nelson Dispatch.
The Hickman covered bridge at Camp Nelson was designed and erected in 1838 by renowned bridge builder Louis Wernwag. The bridge originally had solid walls, but win- dows were later added to allow enough light for a safer passage.