Westtown Township near West Chester in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Camp Elder Civil War Paroled P.O.W. Camp
Photographed By Keith S Smith, September 10, 2013
1. Camp Elder Civil War Paroled P.O.W. Camp Marker
After the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, over 2,000 Union prisoners were held at a makeshift camp here, awaiting exchange for Confederate prisoners. Retreating armies often issued battlefield paroles to captured enemy soldiers, who were then held by their own army. The community welcomed these men and tended the injured for several weeks until the Federal government declared the paroles invalid and returned the prisoners to their regiments.
Erected 2013 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1863.
Location. 39° 56.539′ N, 75° 34.304′ W. Marker is near West Chester, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It is in Westtown Township. Marker is at the intersection of Oakbourne Road and Trellis Lane, on the right when traveling west on Oakbourne Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 945 Trellis Ln, West Chester PA 19382, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Revolutionary War Militia (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Revolutionary War Militia (approx. one
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Parole Camp - Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 11, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
2. Marker Dedication Story - Daily Local News. (Submitted on September 17, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
Additional commentary.
1. A letter home:
Camp Elder was a short-term Civil War parole camp near West Chester, Pennsylvania. A paroled soldier there wrote to his family telling them that the parolees in the camp were being guarded by inexperienced members of the Pennsylvania militia, who were fairly lenient in their guard duties. - They were after all guarding men from their own army.
— Submitted September 11, 2013, 
by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Photographed By Keith S Smith, September 10, 2013
2. Camp Elder Civil War Paroled P.O.W. Camp Marker
Photographed By Keith S Smith, September 10, 2013
3. Camp Elder Civil War Paroled P.O.W. Camp Marker - Roadside
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,657 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
