Character Building by Uncle Sam - 1918

A glimpse into the making of a World War 1 era soldier - this story takes place near Wrightstown, New Jersey at the new Army training facility called Camp Dix. This tabloid size paper was produced during 1918.

Front Cover, Character Building by Uncle Sam, 1918.

Front Cover, Character Building by Uncle Sam, 1918. GGA Image ID # 18b246323e

Articles, Photographs, Comics, Advertisements

A Saturday Evening Dance Held by the Ankokas Club in Mt. Holly

A Saturday Evening Dance Held by the Ankokas Club in Mt. Holly

Reading and Rest Room

Reading and Rest Room

Lincoln Colored Soldiers Club, Mt. Holly

Lincoln Colored Soldiers Club, Mt. Holly (220 W. Washington St.)

The Ankokas Soldiers’ Club, Mt. Holly

The Ankokas Soldiers’ Club, Mt. Holly

Major General Hugh L. Scott, Commander of Camp Dix

Major General Hugh L. Scott, Commander of Camp Dix
Photo by White Studio, Camp Dix, N. J.

The many friends of General Scott will be pleased to see this photograph taken in the war-time uniform of a Major General. It is an excellent likeness and is considered by those near to him to be one of the best ever taken.

In the grouping of this page, we have purposely placed his picture among scenes of social activity because we know by a thousand tokens that the General, although first a military man, realizes the importance of encouraging every institution, social or educational, that brightens the off hours and makes the soldier a broader minded man, not only better fitted to perform his duties as a soldier, but when he returns to civil life will be a man proud of his army experience and benefited by it.

The old system made a good soldier; the modern system as exemplified in Camp Dix, makes a good soldier and also a better man.

YMCA Camp Activities
The work of the large Y.M.C.A. organization, both in France and in camp, is really too well known to require many words in this book. The scene above is typical of one that may be witnessed almost any time, especially in the evening, at any one of the twelve Y.M.C.A. huts.

Moving picture shows, a piano, phonograph, books, writing paper, athletic paraphernalia, postage stamps and advice are just a few of the things so generously handed out by the large force of Y.M.C.A. Secretaries in Camp Dix.

Teaching English

Teaching English

A class in English held in a branch YMCA These classes were held in various parts of camp so as to teach the foreign-born newly-made American enough English to get along with.

“Hark! I Hear the Bugle Calling” - Camp Dix Buglers

“Hark! I Hear the Bugle Calling”

In the days of khaki “Dolly Grey”  and “The Boys in Blue” are out of date, but not the bugle.

“Its blasty single-octave range was just as thrilling in the Great War as it was to the men under the great Napoleon at Jena or Austerlitz,” said a French officer, discussing the Joan of Arc spirit.

“Yes, Joan of Arc has returned to lead the hosts of righteousness; listen, do you hear the American bugles sounding the charge? That is the spirit of Joan of Arc returned to save her sacred France.”

These boys, amateur buglers, were sent off into the woods to practice the various calls. They squeaked their sometimes discordant notes at the rookies as well, but then the rookie bugler must also have his beginnings, otherwise he could never sound the charge that sent the “flying Hun” reeling into Holland.

Colored Soldiers' Y.M.C.A.

Colored Soldiers' Y.M.C.A.

Officially known as Y.M.C.A. No. 7, located on Delaware avenue, Camp Dix, it has been the recreation center of colored men from the nearby states and also from the south.

Here may be seen an assembly waiting for a movie show to start. In charge of a colored secretary, it has been home to the men.

Notice the big sign in the rear, “Remember to Write That Letter Home.” “They even sent black Americans against us,” read a German report.

The history of the participation of those “Black Americans” in the war is one that will live for all times and it was to this hut they came for sociability and encouragement during the rookie days.

House Moving in Camp Dix

House Moving in Camp Dix. a Building Was Simply Picked up and Carried to Its New Foundation. Pianos Were Moved from Barrack to Barrack in the Same Way.

Here Is a Sample Recreation Room with Its Reading Matter, Billiard Table, Pianola, Talking Machines, Records, Etc.

Barracks Are Not Mere Places to Sleep and Eat. Here Is a Sample Recreation Room with Its Reading Matter, Billiard Table, Pianola, Talking Machines, Records, Etc.

the Drinking Fountain Fed from a Deep Artesian Well Supply of Pure Water Is Located in the Same Place Where a Former Beer Pump Guzzled Forth Suds and Froth.

General Scott, Commander of Camp Dix. Inspecting Army Mules.

General Scott, Commander of Camp Dix. Inspecting Army Mules. He Is in an Expert on the Subject and Is Fond of Them. Camp Dix Was Fortunate in Having the Celebrated Indian Fighter and Former Chief of Staff Assigned at Commander, Not Only Because of the Ability of the General, but Anyone Who Is Fond of Mules by Every Psychological Test Must Be a Big Broadminded Man.

Y.M.C.A. No. 10. Located in the Base Hospital.

Y.M.C.A. No. 10. Located in the Base Hospital. the Camp Building with an Atmosphere. See Article on Another Page.

Home Hospitality at the Alexander Forbes Residence, Mt. Holly

Home Hospitality at the Alexander Forbes Residence, Mt. Holly - A typical home scene, many of which have been enjoyed by the men in Camp Dix. “There is no place like home,” a feeling that only a soldier far from home can truly appreciate. This scene is typical of home hospitality by residents near Camp.

The Circus Held at the “Big Y” Was a Success.

The Circus Held at the “Big Y” Was a Success. It Was No Second-Rate Affair. It's Main and Side Shows Were Everything a Circus Is or Was. the 26th Engineers' Canteen Sold Pink Lemonade and “Hot Dogs." the Picture Shows Some of the Performers at a Corner of the “Big Y.”

Officers’ Club in a Wing of the “Big Y”

Officers’ Club in a Wing of the “Big Y”

The only club or place of assembly in any camp welfare building reserved for officers only, except a small one in Y No. 10. The work of these organizations has been mainly devoted to the men.

Curing A Grudge

Curing A Grudge

These husky boys had an argument and decided to settle it by the old way we  boys “got together” in school days; only, gloves and referee were added in order to establish the identity of the better man.

War Camp Community Service Information Booth

War Camp Community Service Information Booth

One of several hundred information booths in nearby critics where the boys can always learn where their uniform is their pass, where to get good eats at low prices as well as sleeping quarters.

The Interior of the Pemberton Soldiers’ Club

The Interior of the Pemberton Soldiers’ Club, Managed by the War Camp Communities Service.

Exterior of the New Egypt Soldiers’ Club

Exterior of the New Egypt Soldiers’ Club, Managed by the War Camp Communities Service

The Exterior of the Haversack Clubhouse in Wrightstown

The Exterior of the Haversack Clubhouse in Wrightstown, under the Management of the Federated Women’s Clubs.

A Lawn Party at the Residence of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Forbes in Mt. Holly

A Lawn Party at the Residence of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Forbes in Mt. Holly, Just One of the Many Homes near Camp Where Hospitality Is Extended to Boys Far from Home.

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