CAMP UNION

Dubuque Herald, Aug. 8, 1861. Photo courtesy: Diane Harris

CAMP UNION. In August, 1861 a representative of Governor Kirkland came to Dubuque to make arrangements for the establishment of Camp Union to receive to volunteer regiments. The site selected was at the upper end of the bottom land adjoining LAKE PEOSTA on an elevation of thirty to forty feet above it. Here the volunteers could have good water, bathing in summer, and ice in the winter. The buildings constructed were 20 x 60 feet and arranged to accommodate 100 men each. The first troops to enter the camp were the company from Anamosa which had previously been quartered in various hotels.

Camp Schedule

5 o'clock, a. m. --Reveille

5 1/2 to 6 1/2 --Schools for Officers of Comp. Drill for Privates

6 1/2 a. m.--Breakfast Call

7 1/2 a.m. Surgeon's Call

8 a.m.--Guard Mounting

8 1/2 to 10 1/2 Schools for Officers and Comp. Drill for Privates

12m.--Dinner Call

2 to 3 p.m.-- Comp. drill

4 to 5 p.m.--Battalion Drill

6 1/2 p.m.--Supper Call

9p.m.--Tattoo (9 1/4--Roll Call)

10 p.m.--Taps

Dubuque Herald, Aug. 23, 1861. Photo courtesy: Diane Harris

Dubuque Herald, Aug. 29, 1861. Photo courtesy: Diane Harris

The camp was later renamed Camp Franklin. The entire camp was closed in January 1863 with the barracks sold at auction in January 1863 for $1,564. and dismantled a month later. Years later, the site was known as Rhomberg Park and still later the area along Rhomberg Avenue was filled with apartments still visible in 2011.

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Source: http://www.towncrierdubuque.com/the_town_crier/camp-union

Oldt, Franklin T. The History of Dubuque County. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, p. 291