Camp Stanton, named for Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, was established in Benedict in October 1863 for the recruitment and training of African American soldiers. These men went on to fight in the Union Army as part of the 7th, 9th, 19th, and 30th regiments of the United States Colored Infantry. Except for the 7th, these regiments were organized and trained at Camp Stanton. The 7th was organized in Baltimore and then trained here. The camp closed in March 1864.