| Summary |
This study describes the circumstances leading to the establishment of Fort Bragg, a permanent military installation of the United States Army. Three major elements determined the eventual location of Fort Bragg. First, the sandhill region of North Carolina apparently provided a suitable site for an artillery training center. Secondly, the emergencies engendered by World War I emphasized the need for such training centers to prepare an overseas army for battle. Finally, North Carolina held a favorable position in national politics. Factors that also led to the Fort's establishment included the activities of a group of talented local leaders and army officers. The background of the study rests in the preparedness movement of 1916. The debates forming the preparedness controversy moved inexorably to sponsor an emerging Southern military complex. Specifically, the political role of the South became evident upon the development of the National Defense Act of 1916 which intended to train a large force of volunteers as well as a standing 170,000 man regular army. The United States, however, in 1917 declared war and began to mobilize troops for duty in Europe. The War Department now embarked immediately upon a never before attempted construction program, Southern and other communities vied through promotion and propaganda to gain the War Department's favor. As they proselytized the War Department in 1917, local businessmen in Fayetteville, North Carolina spoke of the area's pleasing climate, rolling terrain, railroad facilities, superior friability of the land, and inexpensive real estate. The citizens first believed they had secured a National Guard training camp only to have it located in nearby Charlotte, North Carolina. As the field artillery gained eminence in the developing holocaust of war, so did the army's need to train men to handle the new guns. The War Department established two field artillery camps, one of which became Camp Bragg in August of 1918. The Armistice occurred shortly thereafter. The national government now faced the arduous task of completing war contracts, demobilizing forces, and selling surplus military properties. To confound the circumstances further. Republicans gained a majority in Congress after wining many contests in the fall elections of 1918. They proceeded to lambaste the opposing party with accusations of sectional partisianship during the prosecution of the war. Camp Bragg's fate became a segment of seemingly endless congressional hearings until Congress finally appropriated the funds to complete its land acquisition and construction. Under the new Republican Administration, the members established a reconstruction policy that decreased radically the size of the army, closed the majority of military installations, and generally cut military budgets. Secretary of War John Weeks ordered the abandonment of Camp Bragg in July 1921. Contrariwise, Colonel Albert J. Bowley, its commander, secured its permanence by engaging in politics with local Republican leaders. In 1922, Camp Bragg's name became Fort Bragg and the permanence of the base was secured. There, however, remained the acquisition of land for the post. The 120,000 acres which would become Fort Bragg were acquired with great difficulty by officials. Federal District Judge Henry Groves Connor spent two years hearing claims To make matters more complicated. from owners. Congress, owing to congressional appropriation procedures. had to designate funds three times purchase the land. Today, Fort Bragg is considered one of the nation's largest and most important military bases. The reservation contains over 140.000 acres. Had it not been for the events of 1917-1921, its story would be considerably different. |
