This Historic Camp Was a Safe Refuge for Fleeing Enslaved People During the Civil War

A Safe Haven During the Civil War

Located where two major railroads met, the Corinth Contraband Camp opened in Mississippi in 1862.

More than 6,000 African Americans found safety here after fleeing the Southern plantations. Under Brigadier General Dodge’s guidance, the camp highlights the freedom struggle back in the 1800s.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Building a Community

The first 2,500 residents didn’t wait for help. Using materials from old Confederate buildings, they built wooden houses in neat rows. They did everything, including farming, so crops like corn were grown to sustain the camp’s population. Some worked as laborers for the Union army, performing tasks that went beyond agricultural work. Soon the camp had a church, a school, tiny shops, and a hospital, all using their own money system.

Learning to Read and Write

Mary Thompson, a determined teacher under the American Missionary Association, started the camp’s first school in August 1862.

What began with 75 students quickly grew to 625, with classes running three times a day. Some residents, who had secretly learned to read while enslaved, stepped up to teach others at night.

In just six months, the number of people who could read jumped from 4 out of 100 to 32 out of 100.

Fighting for Freedom

The camp’s men didn’t just seek freedom—they fought for it.

Between 1862 and 1863, around 2000 men joined the Union Army, becoming part of various regiments in the United States Colored Infantry. These brave men built walls to protect Corinth, watched for enemy troops, and kept 15 miles of railroad tracks safe.

The camp’s defenders, including Union soldiers, did play a significant role in resisting Confederate advances.

Taking Care of Their Health

Dr. James Durham, one of America’s first Black doctors, worked here alongside a mixed staff filled with commissioned military personnel, civilians, and volunteer relief workers.

Three doctors and twelve nurses worked hard to care for 1,286 patients in the first year. They kept the camp clean, which cut down deadly typhoid cases by more than half.

They also taught 45 residents basic medical care, helping the whole community stay healthy.

Growing Their Own Food

The camp’s food production was crucial in feeding both its own residents and Union forces stationed nearby.

The residents farmed 521 acres, combining ancestral farming methods used in Africa with new tools from the Union Army. These smart farming techniques led to bigger harvests compared to the nearby farms.

They even saved seeds from 20 types of vegetables, working together in different farming groups.

Women Taking Charge

Fifteen women, led by Martha Richardson, managed and ran the camp’s day-to-day. Their group helped settle 1,200 newcomers during 1863 alone.

The women taught young children at the school and sewed 500 uniforms each month for Union soldiers. Twenty-eight women spoke up for the camp to the Union leaders.

They advocated for better living conditions and fair treatment from military authorities.

Religion & Faith

By early 1863, the camp had three churches: Baptist, Methodist, and African Methodist Episcopal.

People worshipped in ways that mixed African traditions with Christian services. Religious leaders, including Reverend William Johnson, were instrumental in leading services and organizing the community.

The churches weren’t just for worship—they hosted 75 community meetings and 120 learning sessions in 1863.

Learning New Skills

The camp had many skilled workers: blacksmiths, carpenters, and seamstresses who learned their trades while enslaved.

These experts taught new workers, contributing to the camp’s infrastructure and daily operations, which in turn helped maintain a functional community.

They helped build 35 projects nearby and made three miles of wooden roads around Corinth. Using these skills, some camp residents also started their businesses.

Storing Important Records

Captain James Reeve and other leaders wrote down everything that happened at the camp. They tracked the people who arrived between 1862 and 1864, and helped bring 327 separated families back together.

They recorded $57,000 in wages and kept notes about 436 business deals. Today, these 12 books of records are kept safe in the National Archives.

Keeping The Culture Alive

African American culture hit its roots at contraband camps.

Every week, the older residents shared stories and songs from their homeland. Doctors wrote down traditional healing methods that people still used.

Meanwhile, the woodworkers and artists made furniture using methods passed down through generations.

Hannah Davis, who organized domestic work, engaged women in jobs like quilting and cooking.

Making Cinematic History

Want to step back in time to witness a town caught in the middle of the Civil War?

The National Park Service’s film ‘Corinth Crossroads: A Town Amidst War’ isn’t just about battles and soldiers. The central theme is around the Corinth Contraband Camp featuring personal stories and historical events.

Their powerful tale of hope and determination shows how a single town became the setting for one of America’s most important stories of freedom.