Character Building at Camp Dix - 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 of Character Building by Uncle Sam: The Remaking of Four Million Men. Fun, Exercise, and Educaton of the National Army in War Times as Seen in Camp Dix, © 1918 I. L. Cochrane. GGA Image ID # 18cf405749

Photographs, Captions and Short Stories

On the Front Cover, Officers and Guests on Horseback. Character Building, 1918, p. 1. GGA Image ID # 1cec6d7a90

A Saturday Evening Dance Held by the Ankokas Club in Mt. Holly. Character Building, 1918, p. 2. GGA Image ID # 1cec916690

Reading and Rest Room at Camp Dix. Character Building, 1918, p. 2. GGA Image ID # 1cecba8ffb

Lincoln African-American Soldiers Club, Mt. Holly, NJ (220 W. Washington St). Character Building, 1918, p. 2. GGA Image ID # 1ceccfaa50

The Ankokas Soldiers’ Club, Mt. Holly, NJ. Character Building, 1918, p. 2. GGA Image ID # 1ced382493

Major General Hugh L. Scott, Commander of Camp Dix. Photo by White Studio, Camp Dix, NJ. Character Building, 1918, p. 2. GGA Image ID # 1ced6686d1

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.

Activities at the Camp Dix YMCA. Character Building, 1918, p. 3. GGA Image ID # 1ced921686

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 to Non-English Speaking Soldiers. A Class in English Held in a Branch YMCA These Classes Were Held in Various Parts of the Camp To Teach the Foreign-Born Newly-Made American Enough English To Get By With. Character Building, 1918, p. 3. GGA Image ID # 1ced956f55

The Camp Dix Buglers. "Hark! I Hear the Bugle Calling." 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. Character Building, 1918, p. 5. GGA Image ID # 1cedf8adc6

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 are spirit.

“Yes, Joan of are 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 are returned to save her sacred France.”

African-American Soldiers' YMCA, Officially Known as YMCA No. 7, Located on Delaware Avenue, Camp Dix, Has Been the Recreation Center for Black Men From the Nearby States and Also From the South. Character Building, 1918, p. 5. GGA Image ID # 1cedf5e401

Here may be seen an assembly waiting for a movie show to start. In charge of a black 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. A Building Was Picked Up and Carried to Its New Foundation. Pianos Were Moved From Barrack to Barrack in the Same Way. Character Building, 1918, p. 5. GGA Image ID # 1cee13d5b1

Typical Recreation Room at Camp Dix. 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. Character Building, 1918, p. 2. GGA Image ID # 1cee3f61a7

General Scott, Commander of Camp Dix. Inspecting Army Mules. He Is 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 Fond of Mules by Every Psychological Test Must Be a Big Broadminded Man. Character Building, 1918, p. 8. GGA Image ID # 1cef189781

YMCA No. 10 at Camp Dix, Located in the Base Hospital. The Camp Building With an Atmosphere. Character Building, 1918, p. 9. GGA Image ID # 1cef23b30a

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 Only a Soldier Far From Home Can Truly Appreciate. This Scene Is Typical of Home Hospitality by Residents Near Camp. Character Building, 1918, p. 10. GGA Image ID # 1cef5fed05

The Circus Held at the "Big Y" at Camp Dix Was a Success. It Was No Second-rate Affair. Its 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." Character Building, 1918, P. 11. GGA Image ID # 1cefb605a9

Officers’ Club in a Wing of the “Big Y” at Camp Dix. 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. Character Building, 1918, p. 15. GGA Image ID # 1cf050853c

Boxing Grudge Match at Camp Dix. 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 To Establish the Identity of the Better Man. Character Building, 1918, p. 15. GGA Image ID # 1cf0a091e8

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. Character Building, 1918, p. 16. GGA Image ID # 1cf15a5e1c

The Interior of the Pemberton Soldiers’ Club, Managed by the War Camp Communities Service. Character Building, 1918, p. 16. GGA Image ID # 1cf1ad7c26

Exterior of the New Egypt Soldiers’ Club, Managed by the War Camp Communities Service. Character Building, 1918, p. 16. GGA Image ID # 1cf1d073c9

The Exterior of the Haversack Clubhouse in Wrightstown, under the Management of the Federated Women’s Clubs. Character Building, 1918, p. 16. GGA Image ID # 1cf1d7a84a

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. Character Building, 1918, p. 16. GGA Image ID # 1cf1e08215