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http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...fa8e3eb8ea.html

MICHIGAN CITY | On the corner of Michigan Boulevard and Carroll Street in front of a McDonald's and across the street from a pawn shop is a bronze historical marker.

Passed by hundreds of motorists each day, the marker indicates an area of the past where hundreds of men from the region flocked during the Civil War to enlist, train and prepare for war.

The marker commemorates Camp Anderson, one of three Civil War camps established in LaPorte County, said Fern Eddy Schultz, LaPorte County Historian since 1991.

A second marker on Ind. 2 and Colfax Avenue in LaPorte pays homage to the other camps, Camp Jackson and Camp Colfax.

According to Schultz, Camp Anderson was used in 1863 and 1864 as a training and rendezvous camp. The 12th Cavalry Regiment and 128th and 129th Indiana Infantry Regiments were stationed there.

The camp held barracks and a hospital. It is assumed the camp was named for the Rev. Edward Anderson, a colonel commanding the 12th Cavalry.

Camp Colfax was named in honor of Schuyler Colfax, a U.S. representative during the Civil War and vice president afterward. Established in 1861, according to Schultz's research, the camp was the rendezvous point for the Indiana 9th Regiment following its initial three months of service.

Camp Jackson, at Stanton's Grove, a mile east of LaPorte, was only in existence for three months.

"We don't have a lot of good information on Camp Jackson," said Schultz.

The three camps may have been established in LaPorte County, Schultz said, because of the large number of men from the county who enlisted into the Union army. A total of 2,750 men from LaPorte County served during the Civil War. The camps were where they enlisted and trained before being mustered out.