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Wilson's Headquarters & Camp Historical Marker

Visit the site of General Wilson's winter encampment near Waterloo, Alabama, where the largest cavalry force in the Western Hemisphere gathered.

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Commemorating a significant Civil War encampment, this historical marker recognizes the site where General Wilson assembled the largest cavalry force in the Western Hemisphere in 1865, impacting the war's final stages.

A brief summary to Wilson's Headquarters & Camp Historical Marker

  • Waterloo, Alabama, 35677, US

Local tips

  • Take a moment to reflect on the historical significance of this site and its impact on the Civil War.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to other historical sites in the Waterloo area to learn more about the region's past.
  • Check out nearby Brush Creek Park for recreational activities and scenic views of the Tennessee River.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Florence, Alabama, take County Road 2 west towards Waterloo. Continue on County Road 2 until you reach the intersection with County Road 14. The historical marker will be on the right. There is no dedicated parking area, so utilize the shoulder of the road. No fees are associated with visiting the marker.

  • Walking

    From the center of Waterloo, head east on County Road 14. Walk approximately 2 miles to the intersection of County Road 14 and County Road 2. The historical marker will be on your left. There are no sidewalks, so exercise caution and be aware of traffic. No fees are associated with visiting the marker.

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Discover more about Wilson's Headquarters & Camp Historical Marker

The Wilson's Headquarters & Camp Historical Marker stands as a testament to a pivotal moment in Civil War history. Located near Waterloo, Alabama, the site marks where Major General James Harrison Wilson of the U.S. Army gathered his forces in the winter of 1865. From mid-January to mid-March, this area became the largest cavalry encampment ever assembled in the Western Hemisphere, comprising five divisions totaling 22,000 men. Wilson established his headquarters a mile east of Gravelly Springs at the Wildwood Plantation, the boyhood home of Alabama's Governor George Houston. Here, his troops underwent intensive training before crossing the Tennessee River on March 22, 1865. This invasion of South Alabama and Georgia led to the destruction of the University of Alabama and the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in Irwinville, Georgia, in May 1865. Today, the marker serves as a reminder of the strategic importance of this location during the Civil War and the events that unfolded here, forever altering the course of American history. The marker is located at the intersection of County Road 14 and County Road 2.

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