George H. Camp

Lives Behind the Letters 16th Corps d’Afrique and 87th U.S. Colored Infantry, 1863–64

George H. Camp, 45, enlisted in New York City on September 25, 1862, for three years, and was mustered in as a private in Company B of the 176th New York. He was captured at Brashear City on June 23, 1863, paroled on August 17, and promoted corporal. On January 19, 1864, at Bonnet Carré, he was discharged “for promotion to second lieutenant, Eighty-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry” (176th roster, p. 877), the regiment then still called the 16th Corps d’Afrique. He served as second lieutenant of its Company K (NPS Soldiers and Sailors).

James wrote in February 1864: “Wilson and Camp have accepted Commissions in our Regiment and arrived yesterday at Brazos Santiago. I have not seen them yet, they are 2nd Lieutenants” (James, February 21, 1864).

Mentioned in 1: 1864 Feb 21