Impressed Enslaved Laborers

Fort Jones, constructed to the protect the eastern approaches to Camp Nelson along Hickman Creek. The remnant earthworks are visible in the image. The scarp can be seen on the left; the ditch in the center; and the counterscarp on the right.

NPS

The negroes in these counties will be impressed in the same proportion as in other counties and in the manner prescribed by General Orders, Numbers 41, 1863, from these headquarters, to wit, "all male negroes from the ages of sixteen to forty-five, both inclusive, are subject to impressment. . ."
-Brigadier General Stephen G. Burbridge, District of Kentucky

On August 10, 1863, the US Army issued General Orders No. 41, authorizing the impressment of enslaved African Americans in Central Kentucky. Camp Nelson required laborers in order to successfully establish a supply depot and forward-operating base for the Army of the Ohio. The first task assigned to the laborers was to construct military roads stretching across Kentucky, especially the Lexington-Danville Turnpike (US-27).

US Army engineers designed an elaborate system of fortifications to protect the northern and eastern approaches to the camp. One of the primary tasks given to impressed African Americans was constructing the large system of earthen fortifications that protected the northern and eastern sides of the camp. The remnant earthworks that exist at the park today are a testament to the enslaved people who were at Camp Nelson during the Civil War.

Their connection to the camp did not end upon the expiration of the labor contracts that the Federal government had made with their enslavers. Many returned and self-emancipated at Camp Nelson by enlisting with the US Army in the United States Colored Troops [USCT].

Who Were They?

Below are brief profiles for 3 of the 98 identified impressed laborers turned USCTs.

 

Headstone of Private George Ballard, 5th US Colored Cavalry, at Camp Nelson National Cemetery.

NPS

George Ballard
George Ballard of Madison County was impressed at Camp Nelson on October 22, 1863 and labored until February 11, 1864. In late August 1864, the 19-years old Ballard capitalized on the opportunity for emancipation by enlisting as a private in the 5th US Colored Cavalry.

Within a year of being enslaved by US Army and then enlisting, Ballard was dead of disease. Ballard presumably fought alongside his regiment at Saltville in southwestern Virginia in early October 1864, but upon his return to Camp Nelson, he was hospitalized for sickness. Ballard remained in the camp hospital for several months before he died of pneumonia on February 1, 1865.


John Bailey
John Bailey of Lincoln County was an impressed laborer at Camp Nelson for nearly five months. At age 22, Bailey self-emancipated by enlisting as a private in the 12th US Colored Heavy Artillery (USCHA) on July 22, 1864. Bailey performed garrison duty with his unit at Camp Nelson and throughout Kentucky until well after the war ended.

In mid-December 1864, Bailey was promoted to corporal, which is a remarkable achievement. Although the US Army went from enslaving to recruiting black men, it was quite rare to promote meritorious soldiers, even through to the twentieth century. Bailey mustered out with the other artillerymen of the 12th USCHA in Louisville in April 1866.


James Warren
James Warren was enslaved in Clark County and labored for the US Army at Camp Nelson between late September 1863 and March 9, 1864. Only a little over three months after completing his time of impressment, the 36-years old Warren returned to Camp Nelson to attain his freedom and enlist as a private in the 116th US Colored Infantry (USCI).

Warren often acted as a company cook and served with his regiment in campaigns in Virginia, including the siege operations against Richmond. In less than a year, Warren went from slavery to watching the surrender of Confederate forces at Appomattox. For all the proclamations and military orders, slavery existed in the South for as long as there were Confederate soldiers to enforce the institution.

At war’s end, Warren accompanied the 116th USCI to Texas and later Louisiana to perform garrison duty. He was mustered out with the rest of his regiment in January 1867 in Louisville, Kentucky.

To learn more about the military impressement of enslaved people and the developement of Camp Nelson, please visit our Stories Page.