Camp Hancock (2)
Camp Hancock (2) (1917-1919) - A U.S. Army World War I National Guard Mobilization and Training Camp first established in 1917 near Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia. Named Camp Hancock in G.O. 95, 18 Jul 1917, after Major General Winfield Scott Hancock (Cullum 1223), U.S. Civil War and Mexican War General. Abandoned in 1919.
Spanish American War (1898-1898)
Earlier Camps were established at this same location for troops mobilized for the Spanish American War. The camp was initially called Camp Young after Major General Samuel B.M. Young, the second commanding officer of the Second Corps, headquartered at Augusta. In early November 1898, the headquarters of the Second Corps and two brigades of its first division were camped at Augusta. Troops continued to arrive in October and November 1898 and the list included the 8th Pennsylvania, 10th Ohio, 1st Maryland, 35th Maryland and 15th Minnesota Regiments. By November 1898, the camp had been renamed Camp MacKenzie after Brigadier General Ranald S. MacKenzie, (Cullum 1967), who distinguished himself in the U.S. Civil War and the following Indian Wars. The camp was abandoned about 6 Feb 1899.
World War I (1917-1918)
One of sixteen U.S. Army National Guard Mobilization and Training Camps established in 1917 to train and integrate National Guard units for service in a U.S. Army division. Camp Hancock was established on 18 July 1917 under the supervision of construction quartermaster Major Gratz B. Strickler on a site of about 1,777 acres on a reservation of 13,811. The camp was to have a capacity of about 50,000 officers and enlisted men that would become the 28th U.S. Infantry Division. The camp was completed in November 1917 at an eventual cost of $ 5,800,000.
The first commander of the camp was Major General Charles M. Clement who formed the 28th U.S. Infantry Division from Pennsylvania National Guard units. The 28th entered Federal service 5 Aug 1917 and began departing for France on 21 Apr 1918. The 28th distinguished itself in combat, fighting sometimes hand to hand. The 28th suffered heavy casualties, including 2,531 killed, 13,746 wounded and 726 captured. The 28th returned to the U.S. and was demobilized on 17 May 1919 at Camp Dix, New Jersey.
At the end of the war, the camp became a demobilization center until it was abandoned 27 Mar 1919 and turned over to a caretaker detachment.
No remains in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia. The camp occupied both sides of Wrightsboro Road from present-day Jackson Road on the west to Johns Road on the east.