Camp Felder

Camp Felder. . When Texas seceded from the Union on March 2, 1861, and became part of the Confederate States of America, Confederate training grounds and Union prisoner of war camps were established in the area. Camp Felder was established as a cavalry base located on the plantation of Gabriel Felder, a wealthy planter originally from Mississippi, with land along New Years Creek. The camp was in use as early as November 6, 1863, by Andrews' Company, Waller's Regiment of Cavalry. By February 1864, the camp was being used as the headquarters of Company K of McCord's Frontier Regiment., In the fall of 1864, Camp Groce, the prisoner of war camp holding Federal prisoners captured in Louisiana at the Battle of Calcasieu Pass and in South Texas, became overcrowded when additional prisoners were moved there from Camp Ford in Tyler. In September, due to a yellow fever outbreak, the entire prison population was evacuated and made their way to Camp Gillespie. Around 500 prisoners arrived at Camp Felder on October 3, 1864, and stayed for the remainder of the month., Similar to other prison camps, Camp Felder was unsheltered. Prisoners were kept in the open between two hills next to Peach Creek and its tributaries. Due to the yellow fever outbreak and the harsh conditions at Camp Felder, many Union prisoners died as well as at least two Confederate guards. The exact number of deaths is unknown but is estimated between 43 and 78. The prisoners were moved back to Camp Groce in November when the outbreak subsided. As a training ground and base for several regiments and as prisoner of war camp, Camp Felder is remembered for its significant and poignant history.