Union Army Encampment

Front: In Jan. 1862, U.S. troops established an encampment on the south side of Boundary St. during their Civil War-era occupation of Beaufort. The Union Army began consolidating control over the Beaufort area following their Nov. 1861 victory at the Battle of Port Royal. They set up a number of camps throughout the Beaufort County sea islands, including this one along what was then called the Shell Road. Reverse: Among those who campaed at this site were companies from the 1st Massachusetts, 79th New York and 8th Michigan Regiments. Soldiers stayed in tents along what are now Bladen and Congress Sts. A number of forges were located close to Boundary St. Troops also regularly conducted drills on nearby parade grounds. By Aug. 1862, most of the soldiers encamped here had been transferred to duty in Virginia.