The Opening Orders

On June 22, 1863 Special Order 275 from the War Department established Chelten Hills, near Philadelphia, as the rendezvous point for United States Colored Troops recruited in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. This Camp became known as Camp William Penn.

Camp William Penn received its first group of recruits on June 26, 1863. These 80 recruits would become Company A of the Third United States Colored Infantry.