INDIANA CIVIL WAR RELICS

When you think of hunting for Civil War relics, the word “travel” usually come into the conversation. Traveling to the Eastern battlefields where most of the war took place, that is, but there are many locations right here in Indiana that hold some of those coveted artifacts.

Let me share with you some of the history and locations that are amazingly close to home.

• Camp Allen in Fort Wayne was the training grounds for the 30th, 44th, 88th, and 100th Regiments. The 30th was listed as one of the regiments that sustained the heavies total losses from all causes with a loss of 511 of the 1126 men that enlisted. The 44th lost 198 men in the battle of Shiloh, TN and the 100th lost 114 in the battle of Missionary Ridge, TN. The camp was located opposite Sweeny Park in Fort Wayne.
• Camp Ellis in Goshen was the home of the 48th regiment. It was established at the site of the Goshen Fairgrounds in January of 1862.
• Camp Mitchell in Kendallville was the home of the 12th Cavalry and the 129th Regiment. It was in operation from 1863 to 1865.
• Camp Hughes in Albion was the home of the 30th (Company F) and 59th Regiments. It was located 1/2 mile south of town at the old fairgrounds from 1861 to 1862.
• Camp Rose in South Bend was the home of the 99th, 73rd, and 87th Regiments. It was located at the old fairgrounds beginning in 1862.
• Camp Pettit was home for the 75th Regiment. It was located south of the Wabash river on the Allen Smith farm.
• Camp Wabash housed the 89th, 101st, 118th, and 153rd Regiments. It was located in the areas surrounding State and Jennings streets.

As you can see, there was quite a bit of activity right around our immediate area. Much of the issued equipment was lost at these sites and throughout the area as these men trained for the battles to come.

You can never tell when those wonderful relics of the Civil War may pop out of the next hole.

Source: “Hoosiers in the Civil War” by Arville L. Funk