near Aiken in Aiken County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Camp Butler
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 10, 2013
1. Camp Butler Marker
This is the site of Camp Butler, a
Confederate "camp of instruction"
that operated from the spring to
the fall of 1861, in what was then
Barnwell District. New companies,
organized as independent companies,
or in state regiments, were sent
here for training and organization
into Confederate regiments before
being transferred wherever the
were needed.
(Reverse side text)
This camp was described in a letter
to The Edgefield Advertiser as
"the admiration of every visitor ....
every thing in every direction is
kept in the nicest order." Companies
of the 2nd S.C. Artillery, 7th S.C.
Infantry, and 14th S.C. Infantry,
as well as the Chesterfield Light
Artillery, trained and camped here
from April to October 1861 before
service in S.C., Va., and N.C.
Erected 2012 by The General Joseph Wheeler Camp No. 1245, and Sons of Confederate Veterans. (Marker Number 2-48.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Confederate Veterans/United Confederate Veterans series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1861.
Location. 33° 34.575′ N, 81°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pascalis Plantation / Pascalina (approx. 3.8 miles away); Gaston Livery Stable (approx. 5.9 miles away); Aiken Graded School (approx. 6.1 miles away); Aiken County Farmers' Market (approx. 6.2 miles away); Schofield School (approx. 6.3 miles away); Friendship (African) Baptist Church (approx. 6.4 miles away); Friendship Baptist Church (approx. 6.4 miles away); Aiken Training Track (approx. 6˝ miles away).
Regarding Camp Butler. The following is one of the best accounts given about Camp Butler and is found in the Edgefield Advertiser as reported by one its field reps in 1861:
“The site of this encampment seems to be the admiration of every visitor. Contiguous to a number of gushing fountains which furnish an abundance of the purest water, it is high and dry, gently undulating, and far away from the malaria of the swamps. The parade grounds are nearly level, very smooth, and clear enough for a marble yard. The “streets”
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 10, 2013
2. Camp Butler Marker, reverse side
This suggests an inquiry: why not permit children to have measles at home? So much sickness must of course result in mortality. About a dozen of the volunteers in the 14th have already died, Poor Fellows! Their career on glory's luminous track was brief, and yet it consoling to know that they had shown themselves to be noble, spirited and patriotic, capable of earning an immortality of Fame.
“But now the health of the Regt. is fast improving. The boys are daily returning by scores and by fifties, and soon they will be ready to meet the foe. Woe to the Yankee invader that comes in contact with this splendid corps of well trained and determined men.
“It is but slight praise to say that the Regt. under Col. Jones, can maneuver with ease, rapidly, and accuracy. Their drilling is something extraordinary. I am sustained in this opinion by one of our most promising young lawyers, who went to “the Island,”
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 10, 2013
3. Camp Butler Marker, seen looking west along Wagener Road (State Route 302/4)
“There is often more sadness at home than with the absent. Such is human nature! The members of the 14th Regt. are not all in uniform, and I hope the friends at home will exert themselves to supply this want. I may be allowed to say that Capt. Doctor Tompkins and his Company, at dress parade, present a very handsome appearance. Their uniform is much finer than any I saw. The vicinity of Meeting Street, and of Dorn's Mills, deserve great credit for their liberality in equipping their representatives in the war.
“The musical talent of the Regt. has been organized into a band under the direction of Mr. H. J. Brissenden. And already to the grand old hills echo to the plaintive notes of “Dixie” and other favorable tunes. Col. Thomas G. Lamar, of the artillery, has a company of 100 men, every one of whom is
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 10, 2013
4. Camp Butler Marker at the southwestern bank of Shaw's Creek bridge
(excerpt Aiken Standard • Posted: Sunday, November 25, 2012)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,168 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 13, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
