Elmira Military and Draft Rendezvous

On April 23, 1861 the Governor of New York declared Elmira a military depot for western New York. Two years later the U.S. Government named Elmira a military draft rendezvous. Basically, this meant that military supplies were distributed to and from Elmira while men enlisted and received very basic training before being sent south. Eventually, four camps were built to accommodate the soldiers. Each camp included barracks, drill field and artillery ranges. Over the course of the war 20,796 soldiers were trained in Elmira’s camps.

In the Army Now

Elmira from East Hill, 1862 In his history of Chemung County Ausburn Towner wrote: … for more than four years the atmosphere and surroundings of Elmira were of a particularly military character. Uniforms of all kinds were constantly to be seen on the streets; the sounds of drum and fife, a bugle in the distance, now and then the discharge of a gun, the rattle of artillery wagons, the clattering of a horse with the clink of a saber and spur were as frequent as the minutes of the day.	Locomotive With east to west and south to north railway lines, Elmira was connected to New York City, Chicago, Washington, DC, and other cities so troops and supplies could easily be shipped in and out of the area.
Telegraph receiver used at the Erie Railroad depot in Elmira during the Civil War	Brainard House Military headquarters in Elmira was located in the Brainard House, the current location of the Chemung Canal Trust Company.
Inkwell with pen stand used in a military office on Baldwin Street during the Civil War	Camp No. 1 or Arnot Barracks The military camps were spread across Elmira. Camp No. 1 was located on Madison Ave. between Washington Ave. and Fifth St; Camp No. 2 was north of Washington Ave. between Lackwanna Ave. and Lake St.; Camp No. 3 was on Water St. beyond Hoffman St.; and Camp No. 4 was on Pine St. and Mount Zoar St. on the Southside.
John Arnot The military camps were named after prominent Elmirans John Arnot, William T. Post, John T. Rathbun and John M. Robinson.	Elmira Prison Camp By 1864, two of Elmira’s camps were closed while Camp No. 1 remained a training camp and Camp No. 3 became a Confederate Prison Camp.

Elmira Military and Draft Rendezvous

Elmira from East Hill, 1862

Locomotive

With east to west and south to north railway lines, Elmira was connected to New York City, Chicago, Washington, DC, and other cities so troops and supplies could easily be shipped in and out of the area.

Telegraph receiver used at the Erie Railroad depot in Elmira during the Civil War

Brainard House

Military headquarters in Elmira was located in the Brainard House, the current location of the Chemung Canal Trust Company.

Inkwell with pen stand used in a military office on Baldwin Street during the Civil War

Camp No. 1 or Arnot Barracks

John Arnot

The military camps were named after prominent Elmirans John Arnot, William T. Post, John T. Rathbun and John M. Robinson.

Elmira Prison Camp

By 1864, two of Elmira’s camps were closed while Camp No. 1 remained a training camp and Camp No. 3 became a Confederate Prison Camp.