Honoring the Civil War dead

[Dennis Urban]

These Union POWs who had been transferred from Andersonville were actually buried in individual graves. A picture of the grave lot is in the Library of Congress collection. They were known as the "Martyrs of the Race Course." Google that name to see and read more. This was the first memorial day commemoration and was organized by the Charleston African American community. Graves were later removed and relocated. Nothing remains of the gravesite. Area is now Hampton Park, named after CSA General Wade Hampton! Imagine that!