JFK+50: Volume 7, No. 2312
ARMY OFFICERS IN TRAINING WITH EVERYTHING THEY NEED...EXCEPT SHOES & UNIFORMS
Fort Sheridan, Illinois (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, May 17, 1917, equipment arrived for the men here at the Reserve Officer Training Camp at Fort Sheridan*. They would be issued, by noon the following day, rifles, bayonets, first aid packs and haversacks. Everything they need...except shoes and uniforms.
The Chicago Daily Tribune reported that men were making five mile marches on rough roads wearing "tennis shoes or worse." Some were issued footwear that was "falling apart."
The situation was so bad that on this one day alone, 182 men reported to the post hospital complaining of foot problems.
Uniforms, already measured for, were not expected to arrive at the camp for another week.
*Fort Sheridan occupied 600 acres along Lake Michigan in Highwood, IL from 1887 to 1993. The idea for the fort came from the Commercial Club of Chicago who wanted a national police force to protect private property after the Haymarket Riot of 1886. The idea was supported by Civil War hero General Philip Sheridan^. President Grover Cleveland named the fort in his honor.
^Philip Henry Sheridan (1831-1888) was born in Albany, NY & grew up in Ohio. He graduated from West Point in 1853 & served in the US Army 1853-1888. PHS was commander of the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Shenandoah, Middle Military Division & Department of the Missouri.
SOURCES
"Fort Sheridan," Encyclopedia of Chicago, www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/
"Shoeless Men Stick to Grind At Rookie Camp," The Chicago Daily Tribune, May 18, 1917.
General Philip Sheridan
Photo by Alexander Gardner
Published 1911
ARMY OFFICERS IN TRAINING WITH EVERYTHING THEY NEED...EXCEPT SHOES & UNIFORMS
Fort Sheridan, Illinois (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, May 17, 1917, equipment arrived for the men here at the Reserve Officer Training Camp at Fort Sheridan*. They would be issued, by noon the following day, rifles, bayonets, first aid packs and haversacks. Everything they need...except shoes and uniforms.
The Chicago Daily Tribune reported that men were making five mile marches on rough roads wearing "tennis shoes or worse." Some were issued footwear that was "falling apart."
The situation was so bad that on this one day alone, 182 men reported to the post hospital complaining of foot problems.
Uniforms, already measured for, were not expected to arrive at the camp for another week.
*Fort Sheridan occupied 600 acres along Lake Michigan in Highwood, IL from 1887 to 1993. The idea for the fort came from the Commercial Club of Chicago who wanted a national police force to protect private property after the Haymarket Riot of 1886. The idea was supported by Civil War hero General Philip Sheridan^. President Grover Cleveland named the fort in his honor.
^Philip Henry Sheridan (1831-1888) was born in Albany, NY & grew up in Ohio. He graduated from West Point in 1853 & served in the US Army 1853-1888. PHS was commander of the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Shenandoah, Middle Military Division & Department of the Missouri.
SOURCES
"Fort Sheridan," Encyclopedia of Chicago, www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/
"Shoeless Men Stick to Grind At Rookie Camp," The Chicago Daily Tribune, May 18, 1917.
General Philip Sheridan
Photo by Alexander Gardner
Published 1911
