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43-497: Camp Meade was established August 24, 1898, and soon thereafter was occupied by the Second Army Corps , of about 22,000 men under command of Maj. Gen. William M. Graham , which had been moved from Camp Alger in an attempt to outrun the typhoid fever epidemic. Camp Meade was visited by President William McKinley on August 27, 1898. It was inspected November 3 and 4, and found to be spacious and well laid out. The water supply

86-492: A career United States Army officer and famous Civil War general. The camp was located south of Harrisburg and just west of Middletown. The site is bisected by the east-west Pennsylvania turnpike (76) east-west State Highway 283 and the north–south extension from State Highway 283 to the Harrisburg International Airport . The site is north of the airport in between Middletown and Highspire. The land rises to

129-643: A historical marker on the west side of Pennsylvania Highway 441 (Union Street) at the Middletown Area High School (1155 North Union Street). The 203rd Regiment of the New York U.S. Volunteer Infantry was moved to a quarantine camp at Conewago, Pennsylvania on October 2, 1898, because of the high incidence of typhoid in its ranks at Camp Meade. Conewago is a small town southeast of Middletown. The regiment remained there until it left for Camp Wetherill, Greenville, South Carolina , on November 12, 1898. This camp

172-423: Is not abnormal, and, judging from it, the locality can not be considered unhealthful. The Seventh Illinois Regiment, which was encamped there during the whole time, lost but one man up to the 14th day of December, a record probably not equaled by any other regiment in the service. The establishment of Camp Alger is justifiable upon the report as to the suitableness of the site, but considering the scarcity of water and

215-719: Is sometimes referred to as Camp Conewago. The camp site was near the Conewago railroad station. Second Army Corps (Spanish-American War) The Second Army Corps was a unit of the United States Army raised for the Spanish–American War . A defining event of the Spanish–American War was the typhoid fever epidemic of July to November 1898. The Army consequently undertook a series of mass-retreats and attempted evasions. The Typhoid Board concluded that only one of

258-489: The 1st Brigade were: Colonel John W. Schall , 6th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry took command by May 31, 1898. The troops assigned to the 2nd Brigade at various times were: Brigadier General Nelson D. Cole , U.S.V. took command June 20, 1898. The troops assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, were: The 3rd Division of the Corps was never fully organized. On June 7, 1898, Brigadier General Francis L. Guenther, U.S.V.,

301-486: The 25th of June, when about forty wells had been sunk. There were no adequate bathing facilities nearer than the Potomac River, which was 7 miles distant. The troops were encamped both in the open and wooded portions. Those in the latter did not seem to suffer on account of their position. The sinks were generally properly policed, of the regulation depth, and were very soon enclosed. The woods were quite badly polluted by

344-445: The May 18, and by the last of that month there were 18,309 officers and men in camp. On the last day of June there were 23,511 officers and men, on the last day of July there were 22,180, on the last day of August the troops present at this camp. Total number of troops that went to Camp Alger 31,195. The number of deaths at Camp Alger from May 18 to October 11, 1898, was 71. This death rate

387-471: The Revolutionary War. Camp Alger Camp Alger , near Falls Church, Virginia , was an army camp established on May 13, 1898, for the Spanish–American War effort. It was originally named Camp Harries for George H. Harries, Colonel of the 1st District of Columbia Volunteer Infantry, but the name was changed on May 23 to honor Secretary of War Russell A. Alger who approved the camp. The camp

430-597: The Second Army Corps, commanded by Brigadier General George A. Garretson , left Camp Alger July 5, 1898. This brigade was instead sent to fight in the Puerto Rico Campaign in the Battle of Yauco and the Battle of Guayama . Battalion (2 companies) 2nd Regt. U. S. Vol. Engineers, Capt. A. H. Weber, Commanding, joined at Camp Meade, Pa., August 12, 1898, with a strength of 7 officers and 180 enlisted men. Capt. Weber

473-553: The U.S. and Spain ending the war's fighting on August 12, 1898. The Separate Brigade, 3rd Division 2d Army Corps, under command of Brigadier General Henry M. Duffield , left Camp Alger June 15, 1898. They soon saw action in the Battle of the Aguadores , Cuba. After which the brigade was transferred to the Fifth Army Corps as a provisional brigade, where it remained until the close of the war. The Second Brigade, First Division of

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516-468: The camp and at Dunn Loring on August 2, from which the corps was supplied with excellent bread. As heretofore stated, on 1 August it was decided to reduce the number of troops, one division being sent to Thoroughfare Gap, and about two weeks later it was decided to move the whole corps. Early in September that was accomplished. During the existence of this camp the weather was exceedingly hot and some portion of

559-527: The camp was reopened in April 1899 for the muster out of a number of volunteer units (2nd, 4th, 5th and 9th U.S. Vol. Inf.) up through June 1899. In addition, several of the new volunteer regiments authorized by Congress in 1899 for the Philippine–American War assembled there during July to November 1899. The Mt. Gretna rifle range was used by these regiments. Named after George Gordon Meade , (1815–1872)

602-415: The corps were ordered to this camp. General Graham arrived May 19 and assumed command, which he exercised during the existence of the camp. This corps was composed wholly of volunteers . The troops commenced arriving the 18th of May, and by the last of that month there were 18,309 officers and men in camp. On the last day of June there were 23,511 officers and men, on the last day of July there were 22,180, on

645-447: The division. Brigadier General Joseph W. Plume U.S.V. The troops assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division at various times included the following: Brigadier General George A. Garretson , U.S.V. took command on June 8, 1898. The troops assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, at various times were as follows: Brigadier General John P. S. Gobin , U.S.V. took command on June 24, 1898. The troops assigned to 3rd Brigade were

688-419: The excreta of the men; but the commanding officer issued stringent sanitary regulations and used great efforts to see that they were obeyed. His efforts were fairly successful. The troops were well supplied with tentage. The camps of the different regiments were well policed, and the refuse properly disposed of by burning. The rations were abundant in quantity and good in quality. Field bakeries were established in

731-520: The five army corps stricken with epidemic typhoid succeeded in suppressing the disease actively, the 2nd Army Corps. In the wake of two fruitless relocations and months of casualties, commanders finally managed to impose an effective latrine-policy. A three-part strategy of draconian defecation-management, mass-disinfection, and flight received the Typhoid Board's imprimatur as the principal, recommended method for suppressing existing epidemics. The corps

774-518: The following: The 13th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry , Colonel Henry A. Coursen, Commanding, joined at Camp Alger, Va., May 19, 1898, with a strength of 36 officers and 603 enlisted men. The 12th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Colonel James B. Coryell Commanding, joined at Camp Alger, Va., May 19, 1898, with a strength of 36 officers and 603 men. The 8th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Theodore F. Hoffmann Commanding, joined at Camp Alger, Va., May 18, 1898, with

817-594: The journey, remained at the camp in hospital tents until October. Nothing remains of the camp. It was sold to William Campbell and became known at times as Camp Alger Farm and the Camp Alger Tract. In 1907 the War Department considered buying it back to create a rifle range, but chose a location in Petersburg, Virginia instead. The land was sold and resold several times in the 1920's before finally being developed in

860-526: The last day of August the troops present at this camp. Total number of troops that went to Camp Alger 31,195. Duffield's brigade left camp June 15 and Garretson's brigade July 5, both for Santiago, Cuba to reinforce Gen. Shafter's army. The 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers, arrived at Camp Alger on May 19, 1898, was nicknamed “McKinley’s Own” or “The President’s Own” because three companies were from President William McKinley's hometown of Canton. Another unit from McKinley's home state

903-459: The north from the Susquehanna River. Much of the area in the north central part of the camp is still semi-rural. Residential areas cover many of the sites south of State Highway 283. Rosedale Road cuts across the site diagonally northwest–southwest. The Penn State University Harrisburg Campus is at the south side of the site and a number of the 1898 camp sites are located on the campus. There is

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946-507: The rest of the brigade was sent to Cuba. On August 2, 1898, the Second Brigade was organized composed of the: The troops of the Second Brigade were returned to their states for muster out September 7 and 8. (see Camp Haskell below) Camp Alger was established May 18, 1898, near Falls Church, Virginia , and about 1 1 ⁄ 2 miles from Dunn Loring . General Graham arrived May 19 and assumed command. The troops commenced arriving

989-485: The selection of this camp preparations were made for the reception of troops by the erection of storehouses at Dunn Loring, where the Southern Railway put in extra sidings to accommodate the increased traffic. It was built on a 1,400-acre farm called Woodburn Manor. The Second Army Corps was constituted May 7, and May 16 Maj. Gen. William M. Graham , was assigned to the command, and the troops which were to compose

1032-417: The strength of 41 officers and 770 men. The 15th Regiment Minnesota, Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Harry A. Leonhaeuser, Commanding, joined at Camp Meade, Pa., September 18, 1898, with a strength of 46 officers and 1,256 enlisted men. Brigadier General George W. Davis , U. S. Vols. took Command May 29, 1898. Brigadier General Mark W. Shaefe , U.S. Vols. took command June 30, 1898. The troops assigned to

1075-477: The suitableness of the site, but considering the scarcity of water and the want of facilities for bathing, we are of opinion that it was very undesirable, and was not abandoned too soon." On August 2 the 2nd Division of the corps marched to Thoroughfare Gap , 30 miles distant, and remained in camp there for about one month. Early in September the remainder of the corps was transferred to Camp Meade , near Middletown , Pennsylvania . A few troops, too sick to make

1118-406: The time very rainy, both of which conditions, with myriads of flies which infested the camp, were the causes of much discomfort to the men. The health of this locality is reputed to be as good as any in the section of country about Washington. A defining event of the war and Camp Alger was the typhoid fever epidemic of July to November 1898. "The number of deaths from May 18 to October 11

1161-486: The troops at Camp Alger about the 15th of May, 1898, was assigned to the Command of the 1st Division. Being absent on sick leave at the time of the arrival of Major General Matthew C. Butler , U.S.V., Brigadier General Guenther was relieved from the Command of the 1st Division and assigned to the Command of the 3rd Division. On September 15, 1898, Samuel B.M. Young , Major General of United States Volunteers took command of

1204-492: The troops were moved to camps in the South, General Young making his headquarters at Augusta, Ga., the distribution being as follows: Camp McKenzie, Augusta, Georgia , was originally named Camp S.B.M. Young, after Major General Samuel B.M. Young, U.S. Vols, Commanding Second Army Corps, who had a leadership role in the operations around Santiago . He was to be the camp's commanding officer. Camp Fornance, Columbia, South Carolina ,

1247-574: The want of facilities for bathing, we are of opinion that it was very undesirable, and was not abandoned too soon. On August 2, 1898, the 2nd Division of the Second Corps marched to Thoroughfare Gap , 80 miles distant, and remained in camp there for about one month. The number of deaths and at Thoroughfare Gap was 34. Only two brigades of the 2d Army Corps saw combat in the Spanish–American War. They left for Santiago de Cuba to reinforce Gen. Shafter's army. An armistice having been reached between

1290-526: Was 64. In November Camp Meade was discontinued and the troops not mustered out, distributed to the various camps in the South. The Second Army Corps was directed to hold itself in readiness to proceed to the island of Cuba, with headquarters at Habana; First and Second Divisions at Habana; Third Division at Mariel. This order for service in Cuba was not carried out. General Graham was relieved November 2, 1898, by Maj. Gen. Samuel B.M. Young , U. S. Volunteers, and

1333-403: Was 71, and at Thoroughfare Gap 34. This death rate is not abnormal, and, judging from it, the locality can not be considered unhealthful. The Seventh Illinois Regiment, which was encamped there during the whole time, lost but one man up to the 14th day of December, a record probably not equaled by any other regiment in the service. The establishment of Camp Alger is justifiable upon the report as to

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1376-411: Was abandoned in early August 1898, by which time the number of troops there had risen to more than 35,000, following a Typhoid outbreak and the War Department put it up for sale in September. The most notable soldier stationed at Camp Alger was the poet and author, Carl Sandburg and today Sandburg Street, located on the old route from the camp to the railroad depot, is named in his honor. Camp Alger

1419-459: Was about 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles from Dunn Loring , a station on the Washington, Ohio and Western railroad a branch of the Southern Railway; 7 miles from Washington, D.C. , and about 5 miles distant from Fort Myer . The surface of this tract is rolling, partly wooded, with cultivated clearings and with good drainage. The soil is of clay and sand and nearly impervious to water. Immediately after

1462-539: Was assigned to the command of the 3rd Division, but he was absent sick since May 25, 1898, and never exercised the command. On June 9 the separate brigade was assigned as the First Brigade, Third Division. Brigadier General Henry M. Duffield , U.S.V. took Command June 15, 1898. The troops assigned to the Separate Brigade were: Recruit Detachment of the Separate Brigade, Camp Alger, Va., June 27, 1898, after

1505-450: Was authorized. In mid-May the volunteers were moved to a few large unfinished camps in the South, and when they arrived only seven instead of the eight projected army corps were organized. Two army corps, the Fourth and Fifth consisted of regulars and volunteers, while the others like the Second Corps were made up of volunteers . Before the new army completed its organization and training, it

1548-520: Was constituted May 7, 1898; on May 16, Maj. Gen. William M. Graham was assigned to the command and the troops which were to compose the corps were ordered to Camp Alger . After the declaration of war McKinley revised that arrangement and approved the organization of eight army corps, each of which was to consist of three or more divisions of three brigades each. Each brigade was to have approximately 3,600 officers and enlisted men organized into three regiments and, with three such brigades, each division

1591-414: Was discontinued and the troops—not mustered out—distributed to the various camps in the South. The number of deaths to October 11 was 64. Camp Meade was abandoned about November 17, 1898. The 3rd Brigade of the 2nd Division of the Second Army Corps was relocated to Camp Fornance, Columbia, South Carolina , and a brigade of the 1st Division, Second Corps to Camp Marion, Summerville, South Carolina . Part of

1634-414: Was made Acting Chief Engineer of the 2nd Army Corps September 17, 1898. The 2nd U. S. V. Engineers also built Camp McKenzie, Augusta, Georgia before being sent to Cuba on November 23, 1898. Camp Meade was established August 24, 1898, near Middletown , Pennsylvania . Early in September the remainder of the corps was transferred to the camp. The number of deaths in this Camp Meade to October 11, 1898,

1677-516: Was named for Captain James Fornance of the 13th United States Infantry Regiment who was mortally wounded on July 1, 1898, near Santiago, Cuba , and died of his wounds on July 3. The Camp was abandoned in March 1899. Third Brigade, Second Division, 1st Rhode Island, 2nd Tennessee, 1st Delaware Camp Marion, Summerville, South Carolina , was named after Brigadier General Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion of

1720-438: Was obtained from artesian wells, and was piped to every organization. It was both good and abundant. The hospitals were commodious, and well equipped and conducted. The bathing facilities for the men were ample. The sanitary and other conditions were of high order, and the camp as a whole was open to but little criticism. The testimony of a number of officers and men was taken, and the troops and camp inspected. In November this camp

1763-547: Was the Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry Battalion, an African American regiment. At Camp Alger, this battalion was initially assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division, of the Second Army Corps. When President William McKinley and his Cabinet visited Camp Alger, on May 28, 1898, two short films were made of this event. The water supply was quite limited and never was sufficient for other uses than cooking and drinking, and not for that until about

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1806-538: Was thrust into combat. About two-thirds of Fifth Army Corps , in the form of one dismounted cavalry division and two infantry divisions, sailed for Cuba in June 1898. Expeditions also were mounted for Puerto Rico and the Philippine Islands, in which partial army corps provided the troops. The following troops were attached to Second Corps Headquarters: Brigadier General Francis L. Guenther , U.S. Vols., who had joined

1849-404: Was to total about 11,000 officers and men. Thus the division was to be about the same size as the division of 1861, but army corps were to be larger. The division staff initially was to have an adjutant general, quartermaster, commissary, surgeon, inspector general, and engineer, with an ordnance officer added later. The brigade staff was identical except that no inspector general or ordnance officer

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