Camp William Penn

The camp was notable for being the first training ground dedicated to African American troops who enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War.

[2] After Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, many freed blacks stepped forward to fight in the army.

Thousands of ex-slaves and free blacks displayed a desire to prove they were citizens, like the soldiers currently fighting the war.

"[3] The family of Lucretia Mott, an abolitionist and women's rights advocate, leased land they owned to the Federal government so that a training camp could be established there.

Louis Wagner, who was recovering from wounds received at the Battle of Chancellorsville, volunteered to take command of the camp in early 1863.

The camp, which was fully operational by July 4, 1863, served as the training ground for eleven regiments, nearly 11,000 men, in its two years of existence.

The regiment's flag shows an image depicting an African American soldier, representing the 45th United States Colored Troops, standing next to bust statue of George Washington.

USCT recruiting poster Philadelphia based upon 1864 photograph of 25th USCT recruits-see [ 4 ]
26th United States Colored Volunteer Infantry at Camp William Penn, 1865. [ 5 ] From the collection of the National Archives and Records Administration .