Camp Dennison, Ohio
Where the 48th Ohio Vol. Inf. was trained

 

Click on image to view the camp, looking west across the Little Miami Railroad tracks which bisected the camp. This view, published in Harper's Weekly, depicts the camp during the late summer of 1861. The shanties shown in this view extended for over a mile and a half. They were constructed by the soldiers who arrived at the camp that spring.


"We arrived at Camp Dennison at 10 A. M. and were introduced to Colonel P. J. Sullivan, who welcomed us in a short, patriotic speech, after which we gave him three rousing cheers, and were marched to the quarters of Capt. Parker's company, from New Lexington, Highland county, Ohio, where we partook of our first meal, furnished by "Uncle Sam," which consisted of coffee, rice, potatoes, bacon and bread...

We were then assigned to our quarters, consisting of frame shanties, ten by twelve feet, with room sufficient to accommodate twelve men. Each company had eight shanties, one kitchen, and a building for the officers.

 


Original patriotic envelope from Camp Dennison

 

The every day duty of the Regiment was squad, company and battalion drill, with dress parade in the evening, besides regular guard and fatigue duty. On Sundays, at 9 o'clock A. M., the companies were drawn up in a line, and inspected by their respective Captains. After the inspection the first Sergeants read the "Articles of War," in which nearly every other section ended, "Any violator of said section shall suffer death, or such other punishment as by a court martial shall be inflicted."

After inspection the companies were dismissed until 11 o'clock A. M. when they were marched to the Colonel's quarters, where a sermon was preached by the Chaplain. With dress-parade in the evening, the Sabbath day duties were closed, excepting for those on guard."

48th Ohio Vet. Vol. Inf. Regimental History, Bering & Montgomery, 1880

 


 
 

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Camp Dennison Song
Transcribed by Albert West
Contributed by Michael West

It was in the month of April as I walked out one day
I met a woman weeping while walking down broadway
She was weeping for her Johnny her dear and only son
who went and joined the army for to fight at Washington

O! Johnny I gave you schooling and also trade likewise
When you joined the volunteers you know it was my advise
You need not went to fight your foes so very far away
For my heart is almost breaking for your sake this day

But since you’ve gone and left me no more can I complain
For the lord he will protect you and bring you back again
But don’t come back a coward tis better you should fall
If you can’t come back with honor don’t you come back at all

Come all you brave Camp Dennison boys Just come along with me
We will destroy the southern rebels and save our Country
We will plant the merry stars and stripes in Charleston’s very town
And we will dare Jeff Davis army to tear that banner down!

 


Divine services held on the grounds of the camp near the officers quarters.
These services were attended by hundreds of soldiers at the camp and
visitors from the surrounding community and were officiated by local clergy.

 


Camp Dennison, Cincinnati, Ohio, East of the Railroad
Harper's Weekly, August 31, 1861

 


Camp Dennison in the 1930's
courtesy of Jace Delgado of JRD Photography, Shalimar, FL

 


Camp Dennison : taken from Old Aunt Roady's Hill
Drawn by Johnson in the Zouave Lt. Guard, Company A. Johnson.
Cincinnati : Gibson & Co. Lith., [186-]
Click on image for larger view

 


JOHN RICHARDON'S LETTERS FROM CAMP DENNISON


WILLAM J. SROFE 'S LETTERS FROM CAMP DENNISON


ALBERT WEST 'S LETTERS FROM CAMP DENNISON

 


Camp Dennison Today


Northern entrance to the town of Camp Dennison (Hwy 126)

 


View of the Little Miami River

 


Monument to Camp Dennison is behind the "modern" cannon

 


Camp Dennison Monument

 

 


 


 


Waldschmidt House ("Camp Dennison Guard House")

Three photos above are courtesy of Jace Delgado of JRD Photography, Shalimar, FL

 


 


Camp Dennison patriotic cover

 

Many thanks to Mike Stretch for many of the images on this page.

 

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9/27/2013