Near Hempstead in Waller County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Camp Groce Cemetery
Photographed By James Hulse, August 2, 2020
1. Camp Groce Cemetery Marker
During the Civil War, a Confederate training camp was built on Colonel Leonard W. Groce's Liendo Plantation. Camp Groce was north of the railroad and east of Clear Creek. Later Camp Groce was converted to a prisoners of war camp for Union officers, soldiers, sailors and teamsters, who were captured at the battles of Galveston, Sabine Pass (Texas), Calcasiue Pass (Louisiana) and Marks Mill (Arkansas).
Disease and logistics required moving the prisoners from camp to camp in 1863 through 1865. Harsh conditions and bad weather caused many deaths and Camp Groce became the joint burial location for both Union and Confederate soldiers.
The Camp Groce Cemetery is located nearby. One memorable internment was the Masonic Funeral for Surgeon Ariel Cummings of the 42nd Mass., an over worked, noncombatant, aiding the sick and wounded. Cummings died of deprivation and disease. Free Masons, both Union and Confederate, gave him a ceremony of honor on September 10, 1863.
Erected 2017 by Waller County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 10, 1863.
Location. 30° 5.309′ N, 96° 2.513′ W. Marker is near Hempstead
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Liendo Plantation (approx. 0.9 miles away); Liendo (approx. one mile away); Plantation Home of Edwin Waller (approx. one mile away); Clear Creek Confederate War Camps (approx. 1.1 miles away); Groce Family Plantations (approx. 1.1 miles away); Gen. George and Libbie Custer Campsite (approx. 1˝ miles away); Captain Alfred H. Wyly (approx. 1.6 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Hempstead (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hempstead.
Regarding Camp Groce Cemetery. Source Wikipedia - Additional details
In June 1863, Camp Groce was re-opened as a prison camp for Union prisoners captured in the Battles of Galveston (January 1, 1863) and Sabine Pass I (January 21, 1863). The Union prisoners of war taken at the Battle of Sabine Pass II (September 8, 1863) were also sent to Camp Groce. 427 Union prisoners were held at Camp Groce in 1863 and 21 died. Most of the dead were buried northeast of camp where most of them still rest today.
Camp Groce was re-opened in May 1864 for 148 Union prisoners captured at the battle of Calcasieu Pass,
Photographed By James Hulse, August 2, 2020
2. Camp Groce Cemetery Area
The view of the cemetery is completely overgrown. This view is right behind the marker.
1863: 427 POWs, 21 died, 2 escaped
1864: 683 POWs, 147 died, 28 missing, 18 escaped, 13 deserted to the enemy, 14 status unknown, and 1 political prisoner held by CS authorities until released in May 1865.
Totals: 1,110 POWs held, 168 died, 28 missing, 20 escaped, 13 deserted to the enemy, 14 status unknown
At least 277 Confederate soldiers died or went missing in and around Hempstead, Texas during the Civil War.
Most of the US and CS soldiers who died in and around Hempstead, Texas during the Civil War are still buried in the area.
Also see . . .
1. Camp Groce. TSHA Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on October 19, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
2. Liendo Plantation. TSHA Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on October 19, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2020. This page has been viewed 643 times since then and 73 times this year. Last updated on October 19, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
