Future Camp Cameron regiment, the 11th Infantry, was mustered into service at Ft Warren in Boston Harbor on June 13th, 1861. (1)
After only one day at Camp Cameron the 1st Regiment received its' orders to move to Washington the next day. (2)

(1) Massachusetts in the War, 1861-1865, Bowen, James L., Clark W. Bryan & CO. Springfield, MA. 1889 pg. 146
(2) History of the First regiment Massachusetts Infantry, From the 25th of May of 1861 to the 25th of May 1864, Cudworth, Warren handel, Wakler, Fuller & Co., Boston, 1866 pg 18

DAN SULLIVAN

Happy Birthday Camp Cameron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1st Massachusetts

On the 13th of June, 1861 the Massachusetts First Infantry moved from Fresh Pond to Camp Cameron. They occupied the camp even though construction was still going on. Again they were mobbed with vistors, wanting to see the new camp. (1) The new camp was leased by the state until October. (2)
Also on this day a future Camp cameron Regiment, the 11th, was mustered into service at Fort Warren in Boston. (3)

(1) History of the First Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, From the 25th of May of 1861 to the 25th of May 1864. Cudworth, Warren Handel, 1866, Walker, Fuller & Co.. Boston. pg 17
(2) Cambridge Chronicle, June 15, 1861
(3) Massachusetts in the War, 1861-1865, Bowen, James L., Clark W. Bryan & Co., Springfield, MA, 1889


DAN SULLIVAN

June 9th 1861 construction begins

On Sunday morning, June 9th, 1861 the Cambridge Chronical watched six loads of lumber cross the West Boston Bridge on its way to camp cameron. (This is the bridge now known as the Longfellow bridge). The lumber amounted to about 200,000 board feet and was only part of the wood that would be used to construct the barracks.
Camp Ellsworth was busy this day also. Word was out that the regiment would soon be leaving for the seat of the war. This brought throngs of well wishers out to the camp for one last visit. So many carrages made the trip to Fresh pond that the roads in the area were blocked. (1)

(1) Cambridge Chronicle, June 15,1861

DAN SULLIVAN

Cambridge before Camp Cameron

Both Cambridge and Massachusetts were at the fore front of Civil war preparadness. When Gov. Andrew took office he began preparing for war at once. On the day he took office he sent messages to the governors of the other New England states urging them to also prepare. He then sent word to the local militias to get ready. Musters had to be readied, the effectivness of enlistees had to be found out. age, health and family situations had to be made clear. Basically the state needed to find out how many men were really able to go to war. Because of this, when Lincoln called for troops Mass. was able to respond very quickly.
Cambridge has the honor of raising the first company in the state. On Jan. 5, 1861 James Richardson put a notice in the Cambridge Chronicle calling for volunteers for an infantry company. They soon began drilling and on April 16th they were called by the Governor to appear at the State House and be organized into a regiment. (1)

(1) Massachusetts an the Army and Navy, During the War of 1861-65, Higginson, Thomas Wentworth, Wright & Potter Printing CO., State Printers, Boston, 1896

DAN SULLIVAN

The Cost of War

Here is part of a list I found at the National archives in Waltham MA. It is from the Office of Army Clothing & Equipage New York. 7th july, 1862. It has nothing to do with Camp Cameron, but it is still interesting.

List of Prices of Army Clothing

Uniform hats, without trimings       1.10
with trimings                                   2.00
Forage caps                                        .55
Uniform Coats Private                     6.70
               Jacket calvery                  5.55
Flannel Shirt                                     .75
Boots                                               3.40
Knassack complete                         2.44
Haversack                                          .48
Blankets woolen                             3.00

NARA RG 110/Stack C/ Row 26/ Comp 01/ Shelf 8-3/ Box 4
  


DAN SULLIVAN

Sad note for Civil War History

On Memorial Day I was standing in front of my store, The Book Oasis in Stoneham, MA, watching the parade. One of the groups marching was the MA 5th Battery re-enactors. I overheard an adult say to his son "What are these guys supposed to be, Hobos?" It is a shame that anyone can be so uneducated!


DAN SULLIVAN

This day in Camp Cameron History 6/1/1861

 All 1047 men of the First Infantry  formed on the Boston Common on June 1 and marched to Fresh Pond in Cambridge, MA.  (1) They occupied an old ice house. This location was known as Camp Ellsworth. (2)


 (1)    Massachusetts Register, 1862 serial Number, Ninety-Four, Adams, Sampson, & Co. Boston. Pg 314
(2)     Hardtack & Coffee, The Unwritten Story of Army Life, Billings, John D. 1888, George M. Smith & Co. Boston, PG 45 

DAN SULLIVAN