Also known as New Fairgrounds, or Camp of Instruction. Used as a training
camp in the early part of the war, and consisted of several barracks type
buildings that appear to have been used for garrison and hospital purposes later
in the war. Located west of the city, north of Broad street at the present
location of the area behind the Science Museum of Virginia (former Union
Station).
|
Ledger of Confederate Hospital Practice |
no date; Rules and Regulations for Camp Lee
Hospital |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
10/30/1860; the upcoming cavalry encampment at
the "Central Fair Grounds" will be called "Camp Lee," fifteen companies to
attend |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
10/31/1860; notes on the wool manufacturers of
Virginia, especially Crenshaw Woolen mills. |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
10/31/1860; praises the establishment of Camp
Lee and the upcoming cavalry encampment - in this time of "ominous
clouds...none of us can tell how soon the services of the troops may be
needed." |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/1/1860; notes on the success and proceeds of
the late Agricultural Fair at the Central Fair Grounds |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/1/1860; Capt. Charles Dimmock has resigned
from the board of the Central Agricultural Society |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/2/1860; a cavalry company from Caroline
county will be attending the upcoming encampment - there will be 16
companies there |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/2/1860; a cavalry company from Caroline
county will be attending the upcoming encampment - there will be 16
companies there |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/6/1860; paragraph noting the upcoming
cavalry encampment and that a local citizen has donated a saddle to be won
by competition - some of the troops named |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/7/1860; the first troops are expected today at Camp Lee. |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/7/1860; 1st VA regiment will parade at Camp Lee on Friday, Nov. 9 |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/7/1860; Executive Committee of the Central Agricultural Society to meet |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/8/1860; cavalry encampment at Camp Lee commences today - notes on the
zeal of the soldiers and lists companies that have arrived. "The tents are
pitched on the plat of ground behind the Exhibition Hall." |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/8/1860; Governor’s Guard parades around the city and proceeds to Camp Lee |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/8/1860; Col. Hardee has arrived to visit the encampment and stays with
the Governor |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/9/1860; long and important article about Camp Lee - Col. Hardee has
reviewed the troops, and gives lists of officers from different companies.
First Regiment Virginia Volunteers will be there today. |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/10/1860; important description of review at Camp Lee; 1st VA Regiment
parades, list given of companies participating. Hardee takes the review
again. |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/12/1860; soldiers at Camp Lee conclude their encampment and are dismissed
after parading through town and Capitol Square |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/12/1860; paragraph praising Col. Hardee and thanking him "for coming here
to instruct our troops in the art military" |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/12/1860; members of the cavalry companies have stayed behind at Richmond
following the encampment |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/12/1860; Lamentation that the remains of Gen. Henry Lee have not been
removed to Virginia - Camp Lee was named for him, and petition is circulated
among the cavalrymen to have Lee’s remains returned |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
4/24/1861; VMI cadets have arrived
in Richmond and are quartered at the Fair Grounds (Camp Lee) and parade for
the Governor on Capitol Square |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
4/24/1861; half dozen companies are
encamped at the Fair Grounds - more expected today |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
4/24/1861; all companies arriving
in Richmond will immediately proceed to the Hermitage Fair Grounds (Camp
Lee) |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
4/26/1861; VMI cadets are drilling
recruits at the Fair Grounds (Camp Lee) |
|
Richmond
Enquirer |
4/27/1861; list of troops at the new fair
grounds (Camp Lee); Col. Gilham is in command, and VMI cadets present |
|
Richmond
Enquirer |
4/27/1861; all VMI graduates and ex-cadets can
find employment at the Camp of Instruction (Camp Lee) |
|
Richmond
Enquirer |
4/27/1861; all volunteer companies will proceed
at once to the Hermitage Fair Grounds (Camp Lee) |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
4/29/1861; long article describing the “Hermitage Camp of Instruction” (Camp
Lee) and praising the VMI cadets who have drilled the volunteers there. |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
4/30/1861; provisions needed at Camp Lee
hospital |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
5/4/1861; Rev. Francis Boggs, the
Chaplain at Camp Lee, has been elected Captain in the 1st VA Inf. |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
5/21/1861; religious services are
held at Camp Lee, administered by Dr. Hoge and Dr. Duncan |
|
Richmond
Whig |
5/22/1861; Camp of Instruction (Camp Lee)
described. VMI cadets praised. |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
5/30/1861; great description of the arrival of
President Jefferson Davis in Richmond and the celebration in the city as he
is escorted to Spotswood Hotel; later he reviewed the troops at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
6/25/1861; Col. Gilham of VMI,
currently commandant of Camp of Instruction, is raising an infantry regiment |
| Richmond
Examiner |
6/26/1861; cholera victim at Camp Lee buried
at Shockoe Cemetery |
|
Richmond
Whig |
7/2/1861; Letter from the Richmond Zouaves at
Camp Lee |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
7/3/1861; Maryland Volunteers will
be presented with a new flag at Camp Lee; mentions J. H. Winder presiding
over the ceremonies |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
7/5/1861; George Watt finds a
little negro girl "near the new fair grounds" |
|
Richmond Enquirer |
7/6/1861; Maryland volunteers receive a flag
from President Davis at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
7/10/1861; Dr. Hoge, chaplain at
Camp Lee, has set up collection place for donations next to the R. F. & P.
depot |
|
Gen. John H. Winder CSR , M331 |
7/16, 18/1861; Gen. J. H. Winder
assigned to "Camp of Instruction" to relieve Col. Gilham; two days later
relieved by Col. Dimmock. |
|
M437,
Letters Received by the CSA Secretary of War |
7/19/1861; Surg. Peticolas says
3300-4000 men at Camp Lee and asks for additional surgical assistance -
Surg. (W. A.?) Carrington has been assigned there and Surg. Gen. recommends
A.Y.P. Garnett to the post |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
7/23/1861; 4th company of Richmond
Howitzers, camped at the New Fair Grounds, need 30 men to bring them up to
full strength |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
7/29/1861; letter describing poor
medical treatment at Camp Lee, and praise of the treatment provided by the
Richmond ladies |
|
Richmond
Whig |
8/3/1861; "The Life Guard," and "Capt. Bayly's
company" are at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
8/7/1861; Court Martial at
Hermitage Fair Grounds. Col. Wigfall to be President |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
8/16/1861; 4th Company of Richmond
Howitzers are gathering at New Fairgrounds (Camp Lee) |
|
Richmond
Whig |
9/10/1861; 15 deaths in the 16th Georgia
regiment at Camp Lee in one week |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
11/1/1861;
Rev. John C.
McCabe appointed chaplain of area military posts |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
11/2/1861; more details on Rev. Dr. McCabe -
came from the 32VA |
|
Richmond
Examiner |
11/4/1861; Tents blown down at
Camp Lee and Dimmock |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
11/22/1861; Dr. McCabe, post
Chaplain, overwhelmed with work |
|
Richmond
Enquirer |
12/10/1861; 3 officers and one VMI cadet are
ordered from the Camp of Instruction to duty in the prisons (includes T. P.
Turner and Geo. Emack) |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
3/14/1862; 19 & 179 Militia camped at New Fairgrounds (Camp Lee) |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
3/17/1862; Parker’s Battery to assemble at the old market, and march to Camp
of Instruction (Camp Lee) |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
4/4/1862; soldier accidentally killed at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
4/5/1862; Pryce Lewis and John Scully to be hanged soon at the New Fair
Grounds (Camp Lee) |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
4/16/1862; Herbig’s Infirmary Company is training at the New Fair Grounds
(Camp Lee) |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
4/28/1862; Timothy Webster, a
Pinkerton agent, has been condemned to be hung as a spy |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
4/29/1862; Timothy Webster will be
hung today |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
4/30/1862; Details of the
execution of Timothy Webster at Camp Lee; "Mrs. Webster" still confined in
Castle Godwin |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
7/1/1862; Boylan
orders Sappers & Miners to report to Camp Lee. Company to be disbanded |
|
Richmond
Examiner |
7/7/1862; Camp Lee is being
considered for use as a prison |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
7/8/1862; Lt.
Trabue, ex-Richmond Howitzers, now “General Superintendent” of prisons.
Ordered to “see that the guard do their duty.” Trabue had previously been an
artillery instructor at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
7/12/1862; Wm. J.
Snead, Hospital Steward, wants 1 cook and 1 laundress at Camp Lee Hospital |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
7/14/1862; 1 cook and 1 laundress needed at
Camp Lee Hospital |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
7/15/1862; J. W.
Hines, Asst. Surg. Purcell Battery, adv for lost horse. Battery at Old Fair
Grounds – information to be left at St. Charles Hospital |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
7/24/1862;
Purcell Battery refitted & left Camp Lee to join army. Lost 60 of 90 men in
Seven Days |
|
Charleston
Mercury |
8/2/1862; "War Gossip" mentions criticism
of the Dix-Hill Prisoner Cartel, the condemnation of Gen. Butler, South
Carolinians at Camp Lee, and describes the newly formed Belle Isle Prison -
notes that there are 4600 POWs there |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
8/8/1862; All
members of E59VA to Camp Lee for reorganization |
|
Richmond
Whig |
8/12/1862; excellent description of
Camp Lee and how it has changed since its use as a fair grounds; advocates
sanitary measures be taken |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
8/21/1862; there will be a hanging
of a counterfeiter tomorrow at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
9/8/1862; 500 prisoners paroled
(400 from Belle Isle, 100 from Libby), guarded by men from Camp Lee |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
9/20/1862; Three
men at Castle Thunder to be executed – named. To occur next week at Camp
Lee, under G. W. Alexander’s supervision |
|
Richmond
Enquirer |
9/22/1862; three deserters, confined at Castle
Thunder, to be shot at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
9/23/1862; Davis
postpones three executions at Camp Lee (prisoners are at Castle Thunder) for
10 days |
|
Richmond
Dispatch |
9/29/1862; flag of truce boat has
brought 205 Confederates to Richmond - they have been taken to the Soldiers'
Home and Camp Lee |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
9/29/1862; Three
Irishmen from Camp Lee jailed for drunken fight, including Barney McNunn and
Jno. Brennan; man charged with keeping disorderly house near Dr.
Higginbotham’s Hospital – brawling with wife, etc. |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
10/2/1862; B. W.
Rogers, soldier to be shot for desertion at Camp Lee, pardoned on account of
previous bravery. Two others, Patrick McGowan & John Kellaher, still to be
shot. |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
10/4/1862; D. W.
Rogers, pardoned from execution, has been respited only. Maybe same as John
Roach, crew of CSS Virginia |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
10/4/1862;
Patrick McGowan & John Kellaher, Castle Thunder prisoners, to be shot today
at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
10/6/1862; long
description of 10/4 execution of two 14th Va men: Patrick McGowan & John
Kelleher. Taken from Castle Thunder to Camp Lee in “large omnibus” of
Exchange Hotel, escorted by Wrenn’s Henrico cavalry. Part of Cyrus
Bossiuex’s Co. did the executing. G. W. Alexander in charge. D. W. Rogers, 1
Va., respited 14 days, & Owen Maguire, 1 Va gets 50 lashes. Whipping
performed by volunteer from Wrenn’s Co. |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
10/15/1862; D. W.
Rogers, G1Va at Castle Thunder, to be shot at Camp Lee, 10/18 |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
10/17/1862;
Escape attempt at Castle Thunder foiled. To benefit Rogers, the 1Va soldier
due to be shot. |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
10/21/1862;
25VaBn barracks south side of basin. To have drill today at Camp Lee &
Capitol Square |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
10/31/1862; Jno.
F. Parke, 44Va, at Castle Thunder, announced to be shot 11/3 at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/3/1862; list
of new Castle Thunder inmates. 9 unnamed deserters from Camp Lee; some
disloyal Loudoun county men, & a few others |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/3/1862; member
of the 44th Va (Richmond Zouaves) reprieved from being shot at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/5/1862; list
of comings and goings at Castle Thunder. Some names & details: 13 deserters
received from Camp Lee. |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/12/1862; John
C. Maynard, Capt. AQM Camp of Instruction, taking bids for construction of
frame chapel at post |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
11/13/1862;
absentees from Guy’s Goochland Artillery ordered to report to Camp Lee |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
12/10/1862;
Jackson Triplett, 54NC, died 12/8 at Castle Thunder – typhoid pneumonia;
unnamed sentinel at Camp Lee supposedly froze to death, 12/7 |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
12/13/1862; Jno.
Mulligan, two-time deserter from D5VaCavy., to be shot at Camp Lee, 12/16 |
|
Richmond
Enquirer |
12/13/1862; sentinel at Camp Lee freezes to
death; chaplain seeks blankets for the men |
|
Richmond Dispatch |
12/16/1862; John
Mulligan, 5VaCav., gets 20 day respite from execution |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
4/11/1863; details of the execution of Captain
Webster, a Castle Thunder prisoner, at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
4/29/1863; two men of the City Battalion have
their heads shaved and drummed out of camp for accepting a bribe from a
prisoner which allowed him to escape - sent to Camp Lee as conscripts |
|
Official Records,
Ser. I, Vol. XXVII/3, p. 951 |
7/1/1863; report on convalescents available for
defense of Richmond. Camp Winder and Camp Lee mentioned. |
|
RG 109, Ch. 6, Vol. 416, pp. 154-155 |
7/7/1863; Carrington writes to the surgeon at
the Camp Lee hospital lecturing him about the operation of the hospital.
Gives good details on matrons’ responsibilities, and the role of a Chief
Surgeon. |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
7/20/1863; details on the identification of the
mustering officer at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
8/4/1863; notes that the grounds of the
Hermitage Fair Grounds (Camp Lee) have been negatively impacted by the
usages of war |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
9/26/1863; details of the execution
of Spencer Kellogg (convicted as a spy) at Camp Lee |
|
Richmond
Examiner |
1/1/1864; New Year's dinner donations to Camp
Lee |
|
Richmond
Whig |
5/26/1864; VMI cadets were quartered
at Camp Lee before being put under Brig. Gen. Custis Lee's command and given
new uniforms by the Secretary of War |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
8/17/1864; a duel was fought
yesterday between John M. Daniel of the Richmond Examiner, and R. C.
Elmore, of the Treasury department. Daniel was wounded in the right leg
|
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
8/18/1864; details of the trail of
R. C. Elmore, for duelling with J. M. Daniel. Dr. Peticolas, the physician
at the duel, refuses to testify on the grounds that he might incriminate
himself. Counsel gets a change of venue because the duel was fought in
Henrico, not in the city. |
|
Richmond
Whig |
8/18/1864; description of the duel
examination before the Mayor - mentions Dr. Peticolas' protest |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
8/22/1864; more details on the
recent duel - Dr. Peticolas continues to refuse to testify |
|
Richmond
Whig |
8/22/1864; more details of the
Daniel/Elmore duel in a Henrico court - Dr. Peticolas refuses to testify |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
8/29/1864; arsonist torches the
stable of John M. Daniel |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
8/29/1864; more details on the
recent duel - Dr. Peticolas continues to refuse to testify and is
recommended to be held in contempt of court |
|
Richmond
Whig |
8/29/1864; more details of the
Daniel/Elmore duel trial - including Dr. Peticolas' refusal to testify |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
8/30/1864; more details on the
recent duel - Dr. Peticolas continues to refuse to testify after being
ordered to do so and is thrown in jail |
|
Richmond
Whig |
8/30/1864; Dr. Peticolas is declared
to be "bound to testify" in the Daniel/Elmore duel trial |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
8/31/1864; details on the habeas
corpus case of Dr. Peticolas' refusal to testify |
|
Richmond
Whig |
8/31/1864; more on Dr. Peticolas'
refusal to testify in the case of the Daniel/Elmore duel |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
9/1/1864; Dr. Peticolas is out on
bail awaiting Judge's decision on his refusal to testify |
|
Richmond
Whig |
9/1/1864; more on Dr. Peticolas'
habeas corpus case over his refusal to testify in the Daniel/Elmore duel
case |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
9/3/1864; Judge determines that Dr.
Peticolas is not bound to testify and he is released |
|
Richmond
Whig |
9/3/1864; Dr. Peticolas is declared
not bound to testify, and is released |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
9/5/1864; more details of the trail
of R. C. Elmore, for duelling with J. M. Daniel. |
|
RG 109, Ch. 6, Vol. 151, p. 41 |
9/1862 - 9/1864; Statistics of Camp Lee
Hospital |
|
Richmond
Sentinel |
1/31/1865; description of Dr.
Peticolas' case before the Virginia Supreme Court regarding his right not to
testify in the J. M. Daniel duel case |
|
OR, Series IV, Vol. 3, p. 1093 |
2/17/1865; J. T. L. Preston, Acting Superintendent of VMI,
offers the services of the corps in training negro troops and cites the corps'
previous experience as drillmasters in 1861 and notes that they drilled 15,000
recruits in 2 months. |
|
The Old
Guard, Vol. III, No XII; Dec. 1865; pp 553-565 |
December, 1865; "Camp Lee;" - describes the
camp's use as a freedman's village and its occupation by federal forces.
Excellent description of the physical facility during the war. By George
Fitzhugh. |
|
Trowbridge, John T.,
The South... |
1866 account of the author's travels
to Richmond and the adjoining battlefields. Good material on Belle Isle,
Brown's Island, Libby Prison, battlefields near the city, Camp Lee; makes
passing reference to George Fitzhugh living at Camp Lee, a destitute |
|
Debow's Review |
10/1866; "Camp Lee and the
Freedman's Bureau;" mostly a racist diatribe, gives a few details into the
camp's operation. By George Fitzhugh |
|
Southern Opinion |
6/27/1868; excellent article describing the beer gardens in town, with
lengthy description of the “Hermitage Trotting Park,” formerly Camp Lee.
Describes the current conditions and compares them with the wartime usages.
Elba Park mentioned. |
|
Clark, History of the 39th Illinois |
1889; notes that the Union XXIV
Corps hospital is located at Camp Lee, gives details on surgeons, etc. |
|
Southern
Historical Society Papers 26, 1898, pp. 241- 246 |
Shields, John C. "The Old
Camp Lee." Reprint from Richmond Dispatch, 22 May 1898 |
