Camden in Kershaw County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Monument to Lt. Col. James Polk Dickinson
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2017
1. Monument to Lt. Col. James Polk Dickinson Marker
Lt. Col. James Polk Dickinson (1816-1847) was born in Camden. He studied law and served in the State Legislature from 1842-1848. Contemporary accounts described him as “proud, high spirited, and restive under control.” He was also known for his “prodigal generosity and extravagance.”
Dickinson’s passion and enthusiasm for military glory led him to serve with the Kershaw volunteers in the Seminole Indian Wars in Florida in 1836 and to organize the DeKalb Rifle Guards in 1840. In 1846, his Kershaw County regiment was the first to volunteer to fight in the war with Mexico (1846-1848). His appeal for volunteers given at the DeKalb Monument included the words “I want a place in the picture near the flashing of the guns!” Dickinson was elected second-in-command of the Palmetto Regiment and fought in several engagements until wounded in the Battle of Churubusco.
Jim Lang, Dickinson’s African American body-servant who served with him in Mexico, returned the body to Camden for burial in Quaker Cemetery. In 1856, Dickinson’s remains were reinterred here and the citizens of Camden had this marble obelisk erected in his honor.
Erected by City of Camden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites
this page online
Location. 34° 15.12′ N, 80° 36.493′ W. Marker is in Camden, South Carolina, in Kershaw County. Marker is on Broad Street (U.S. 521), on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in the northwest portion of Monument Square. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Camden SC 29020, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James Polk Dickinson (here, next to this marker); The Americans Return (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Mathis House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Action at Logtown (about 300 feet away); Confederate War Memorial (about 300 feet away); Camden (about 300 feet away); Monument to Kershaw County’s Confederate Dead (about 300 feet away); In Honor and Rememberance (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camden.
More about this marker. The left side of the marker contains a Print of Dickinson in front of the DeKalb Monument, 1841. Image courtesy of the Camden Archives & Museum.
The right side of the marker contains an undated photograph of a ceremony at Monument Square near the Dickinson Monument with the Honor Guard
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2017
2. Monument to Lt. Col. James Polk Dickinson Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2017
3. Marker and Monument to Lt. Col. James Polk Dickinson
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2017
4. Marker in Momument Square
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2017
5. Lt. Col. James Polk Dickinson Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 359 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 10, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
