President Abraham Lincoln and Congress resisted the enlistment of African Americans into the military during the early stages of the Civil War despite intense pressure from abolitionists. This changed in July 1862, when Congress passed the Second . . . — — Map (db m169974) HM
Gen. Wm. O. Butler, born here in 1791, died Carrollton, Ky. 1880. In War of 1812: the River Raisin, Pensacola, and New Orleans. Gen. Andrew Jackson's staff 1816-17. Cited for heroism in Mexican War 1846-48. U.S. Congressman 1839-43. Although . . . — — Map (db m70965) HM
(South Face)
To Those Buried Here
Here lie the bodies of numerous unknown Tennessee white refugees and Kentucky African-American refugees who perished from disease while at Camp Nelson. These civilians sought freedom and protection . . . — — Map (db m169907) HM WM
Founded in 1863 as a Union supply depot, hospital, and encampment, in 1864 Camp Nelson became Kentucky's largest, and nation's third largest, recruitment center for African - American soldiers, the U. S. Colored Troops (USCT). Eight USCT regiments . . . — — Map (db m169950) HM
The Committee to reopen and expand Camp Nelson National Cemetery, a nonprofit corporation, was formed, Sept. 19, 1974. This action was necessary as a result of a Presidential order closing certain national cemeteries in June 1967. On Memorial . . . — — Map (db m70651) HM
One of 40 burial grounds listed by Congress in 1866 to become National Cemetery sites. Although no battles were fought in immediate area, a large camp hospital was located here. There were 1,183 men buried in this cemetery between July 28, 1863, and . . . — — Map (db m70650) HM
(obverse)
Camp Nelson Refugee Camp
Established in 1863 to house families of African American soldiers, Camp Nelson became the chief center issuing emancipation papers to former slaves. Army's withdrawal from camp in 1866 exposed . . . — — Map (db m70629) HM
Estate of Colonel David Meade III,
who lived here from 1796 to 1832,
and who spent three fortunes on
its development. The house was
originally a cluster of small
buildings, connected by stone and
brick arcades, surrounded by a
100-acre park . . . — — Map (db m169915) HM
Dedicated to the memory of the 3,670 Union soldiers, 1247 of whom are known but to God, buried here. In "giving the last full measure of devotion", they preserved the Union and made the promise of freedom a reality for all Americans. May we never . . . — — Map (db m167384) WM
Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips, founder
of National Federation of Business
and Professional Women's Clubs,
1919, born here, Sept. 15, 1881.
Her work with the YWCA, 1917, led
to interest in organization of
business women. Instrumental . . . — — Map (db m169948) HM
One-half mile west. Organized by
Rev. Adam Rankin 1793-95. Rev.
Robert Bishop came 1803 when stone
church replaced log house. From
1810-18, these two were opposing
leaders In stormy controversy in
early history of Presbyterianism
in Ky. . . . — — Map (db m169988) HM
Defending Camp Nelson
Designed to hold the middle of Camp Nelson's northern line, Fort Jackson is 280 feet deep and 300 feet wide with breastworks ten feet high. It is a lunette — a four-sided, unenclosed fort. It is one of . . . — — Map (db m171681) HM
Son of an Influential Kentucky Family
The Nelson family counted among its friends some of the most important families in Kentucky. William Nelson, born in 1824, near Maysville, Kentucky, grew up in an atmosphere of influence and wealth. . . . — — Map (db m70658) HM
Impressed Labor for the Army
To fill the labor requirements
caused by the Civil War, the Union
army impressed Kentucky slaves
to work on various construction
projects. Of special concern were
transportation and . . . — — Map (db m169970) HM
Jessamine County
Formed from Fayette County, 1798.
Named by Col. John Price, one of
Representatives in Legislature,
who stated he named it for flower
which flourishes in region and for
Jessamine Creek. A moving legend
tells that the . . . — — Map (db m169945) HM
South (front) face:
Our Confederate dead
“Who they were few may know
What they were all know”
1861 1865
East face
“The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
the soldier's last tattoo
No more on life's . . . — — Map (db m169941) WM
Jessamine County Hemp
One of chief producing counties,
it was third in value of product :
and also in the number of cordage
factories, with 14 in 1840. Peak
production reached in late 1800s,
yielding over 1,000 tons per year,
with a . . . — — Map (db m169918) HM
This tablet is dedicated
to the memory of
revolutionary soldiers
who died citizens of
Jessamine County
Benjamin Adams • John Biswell • Samuel Burk • Robt. Campbell • James Carothers • John Carroll • Abram Cassell • John Cox • Col. J. . . . — — Map (db m169934) WM
Dedicated to all Jessamine County
veterans who honorably served
their country in its time of need
during the following:
World War I
World War II
Korea
Viet Nam
and in the peace time era — — Map (db m169939) WM
July 4, 1794, Col. William Price,
veteran of the Revolutionary War,
held one of the first celebrations
of Independence Day west of the
Alleghenies. At his plantation, 40
veterans dined to commemorate the
glorious birthday of our freedom. — — Map (db m169978) HM
This two-story frame building was
erected by Mason Singleton. White
sulphur water was discovered ca.
1848; its medicinal qualities made
hotel and adjoining tavern popular
summer resort of 1840s and 1850s.
Captain G. L. Postlethwait was . . . — — Map (db m169989) HM
Paul Sawyier, “The River Artist,” painted scenes of Kentucky River gorge while living on houseboat near here, from 1908 to 1913. The noted artist created over 2,000 paintings, mostly landscapes of Central Kentucky-State Capitol, Kentucky . . . — — Map (db m70964) HM
Seven Strong Forts Protected Camp Nelson
Seven earthen forts protected the only exposed area of Camp Nelson, here, along its northern periphery. All were formidable earthworks with breastworks eight to ten feet
high. The larger forts . . . — — Map (db m169973) HM
The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, enacted on December 18, 1865, abolished slavery within the United States. Immediately before the ratification of this amendment, slavery remained legal only in Kentucky and Delaware. Elsewhere, slaves . . . — — Map (db m169975) HM
Oliver H. Perry and his wife, Frances, built this house in the mid-1850s. Frances, known to family and friends as Fannie, was the daughter of Robert and Mary Sappington Scott, the largest landowners of what became Camp Nelson.
Built in the . . . — — Map (db m169971) HM
One of Four Cemeteries at Camp Nelson
This cemetery is one of four documented at Camp Nelson; the others being Graveyard No. 2 (the present Camp Nelson National Cemetery) and two smallpox cemeteries located to the west of U.S. 27. . . . — — Map (db m167485) HM
The bridge you see dates to 1929 but its story begins much earlier, when merchants in Lexington and Cincinnati began to demand a direct route to Southern markets, one that did not necessitate shipping goods by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. . . . — — Map (db m218252) HM
Bethel Academy
This was second Methodist school in United States. In 1790 Bishop Francis Asbury laid plans for Bethel Academy, four miles southeast of Wilmore on cliffs above Kentucky River. It was operating by 1794; closed ca. 1804, due to . . . — — Map (db m169977) HM
Highest railroad bridge in US over a navigable stream (308 feet). Planned as suspension bridge for Lexington and Danville R.R. by John Roebling, designer of famous Brooklyn Bridge (N.Y. City). Huge stone towers to hold cables built in 1851. Work . . . — — Map (db m172106) HM
A Rev. War soldier, John Curd lived here. The Va. Gen. Assembly established tobacco inspection warehouse on Curd's land, 1786, at mouth of Dix River, as well as a public ferry across Ky. River. Curd's l1/2-story Federal house, with Flemish bond . . . — — Map (db m218246) HM
The Kentucky River flows almost 225 miles from its origin near Pine Mountain in eastern Kentucky to Carrolton, where it joins the Ohio. In the Bluegrass, between Frankfort and Boonesborough, the meandering river is framed by palisades – imposing . . . — — Map (db m218247) HM
