Camp Blair: Major Military Headquarters

Camp Blair: Major Military Headquarters. . Camp Blair was named after Gov. Austin Blair, who served as "Michigan's Civil War Governor" from 1861-65. Blair, of Jackson, visited the camp several times. He is buried in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery,Jackson., Camp of Many Purposes, Camp Blair was a major federal military headquarters during the Civil War. It served many purposes, including as a draft rendezvous point and convalescing center for thousands of Union troops from 1863-1866. Among buildings in the camp were the Quartermaster/Commissary buildings (where supplies were received and issued) and the Post Headquarters, which were on the property occupied by the current owner. Other buildings in the 11-acre camp included barracks that could house 100 men at a time, a 100-bed hospital and a bakery. The camp was commanded by Col. Grover Wormer and later by Brig. Gen. Lysander Cutler. Camp Blair was demolished in 1866., The above photo shows buildings that were located on this property and uniformed soldiers. The map on the left, courtesy National Archives, shows the camp layout (blue star added to show current location). Other images are courtesy Michigan's Military Heritage Museum.