Farmer Statue

The Corinth Contraband Camp in Corinth, MS, served as a refuge for formerly enslaved individuals during the Union occupation of the city, transforming from a trickle of escapees to a thriving community following the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation in 1862. Under the leadership of Brigadier General Grenville M. Dodge, the camp became a model of efficiency, complete with housing, a school, and agricultural programs that employed over 6,000 residents.

This camp not only provided shelter and employment but also played a crucial role in the formation of the 1st Alabama Infantry of African Descent, later known as the 55th United States Colored Infantry. The camp's operations came to an end in January 1864 when the Union abandoned Corinth, marking a significant chapter in the history of freedom and military service for African Americans during the Civil War.

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