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Camp Nelson hosts Civil War Days

September 08, 2009

NICHOLASVILLE — The Camp Nelson Restoration and Preservation Foundation along with the Jessamine County Fiscal Court will sponsor the Camp Nelson Civil War Days on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13. The event will be held on the grounds of the best preserved Union Army supply depot and recruitment site in the nation — the 525-acre Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park, which is a designated Lincoln Bicentennial and National Underground Network to Freedom site.

Re-enactors from several states, including those representing the US Colored Troops Living History Association, will converge on Camp Nelson to reenact life as it was at the original 4,000 acre site of the 1863-1866 Civil War Camp.

Visitors will learn what life was like at the Camp Nelson Civil War Union Army Depot and Refugee Camp through living history experiences. Military re-enactors will perform infantry, cavalry and artillery demonstrations. Camps will dot the rural landscape detailing the life of the soldier and the civilians who helped maintain the military site. First person interpretations of soldiers and civilians will bring the experience to life.

At 2 p.m. each day a reenactment of a skirmish based on actual events around Camp Nelson dealing with John Hunt Morgan's retreat from Cynthiana, KY will be portrayed. As Morgan's command retreated to Tennessee several of his men came to the perimeter of Camp Nelson where several sharp skirmishes took place as they were escaping across the Kentucky River.

Along with the re-enacting, Civil War artifacts uncovered from the site will be on display along with museum exhibits depicting Camp Nelson life. Various demonstrations will be held throughout both days such as sewing, clothing, wool spinning, and others. First person interpretations of Camp Nelson notables and commentaries on the Civil War will be provided.

The site will also be alive with music. Tony Thomas, an authentic fiddle and banjo player, will play Saturday and Sunday. Greg Breeding will perform Saturday and Bourbon City Brass Band will play Sunday afternoon

Tours will be provided both days of Camp Nelson's restored "White House" which served as the Officer's Quarters. The newly-constructed replica of a barracks will be available for tours. A special guided tour will be available of the eastern boundary of Camp Nelson which includes Fort Jones and two stone forts. Visitors will be transported to the site and be guided through the woods to learn about the historical features of this site, which sits on top of the Hickman Creek Palisades and overlooks the rural landscape similar to the way it looked during the Civil War. A special tour of the Kentucky River and majestic Palisades will be available by Kentucky River Otter Outpost. Visitors will be transported to the launch site at the river and provided a historical interpretation of the area by pontoon boat.

Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park is a cooperative public-private effort to preserve the historic resources and integrity of Camp Nelson, to restore and develop this nationally significant site for educational purposes, and to encourage heritage tourism.

Camp Nelson is located six miles south of Nicholasville on U.S. 27. A parking fee of $3 per carload is charged. For further event or general information call (859) 492-3115. Visit the website at www.campnelson.org.

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