The Alabama in the Civil War Message Board - Archive

Re: Tuscaloosa Camp of Instruction
In Response To: Tuscaloosa Camp of Instruction ()

Literally dozens of camps were created in Alabama as assembly points for individual units. These were temporary homes for new regiments while awaiting orders assigning them to front-line duty. A military camp and depot existed at Pollard, but it was never a "camp of instruction". Only two permanent camps of instructions were established in Alabama: No. 1 at Notasulga (Camp Watts) and No. 2 at Talladega (Camp Buckner).

I've not been able to find Confederate legislation establishing specific camps. Perhaps someone has that reference and would be willing to offer the citation.

Of course I'm not suggesting that other camps didn't exist. Certainly Camp Jemison operated at Tuscaloosa during the spring of 1862 where companies that later joined the 41st and 43rd Alabama assembled and drilled. The 41st Alabama organized on the University of Alabama campus near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, May 16, 1862, officers and men enlisting for three years or the war. Also known as Talbird’s Regiment, the command drilled at Camp Jemison well into the summer until ordered to Chattanooga. Perhaps as many as five companies assigned to the 43rd Alabama assembled and drilled at Camp Jemison, the last leaving for Mobile on June 12, 1862.

I can't recall any unit larger than company size that assembled at Tuscaloosa afterwards. However, a camp for dismounted cavalrymen existed at Carthage (Moundville?) at the time of Wilson's Raid in 1865.

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