Camp Wadsworth (1)

 (1917-1919) - A U.S. Army World War I National Guard Mobilization and Training Camp first established in 1917 near Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Named Camp Wadsworth in G.O. 95, 18 Jul 1917, after Brigadier General James S. Wadsworth, U.S. Civil War General who was mortally wounded 6 May 1864 during the Battle of the Wilderness. Abandoned in 1919.

World War I
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 Wadsworth was established 18 Jul 1917 under the supervision of construction quartermaster Lt. Colonel John D. Kilpatrick on a site of about 2,000 acres. The camp was to have a capacity of about 56,000 officers and enlisted men that would become the 27th U.S. Infantry Division. The camp was completed in November 1917 at an eventual cost of $ 5,000,000.

The first commander of the camp was Major General John O'Ryan, NY National Guard, who formed the 27th U.S. Infantry Division and remained commander of the division until they mustered out. The New York Guard units arrived at the camp during September 1917 and the 27th was organized from these units at Camp Wadsworth on 1 Oct 1917. The 27th departed for France May-Jul 1918. The 27th distinguished itself in combat and suffered significant casualties including 1,791 killed, 9,427 wounded and 228 captured. The 27th returned to the U.S. in Feb-Mar 1918 and was demobilized 1 Apr 1919 at Camp Upton, New York.

Also trained at Camp Wadsworth:
 * 6th U.S Infantry Division (10 May 1918 - 23 Jun 1918)
 * 96th U.S. Infantry Division (20 Oct 1918 - 7 Jan 1919)

At the end of the war the camp became a demobilization center on 3 Dec 1918. The camp was ordered salvaged on 4 Feb 1919 and closed 25 Mar 1919. The post headquarters was operating until September 1919.

Current Status
Marker only (may be missing) in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

Sources:
 * , page 724
 * , page 37-38
 * , page 33

Links:
 * Tent and Trench - Camp Wadsworth: an exhaustive site, with book-length text and photos
 * North American Forts - Camp Wadsworth
 * Historical Marker Database - Camp Wadsworth
 * New River Notes - 27th U.S. Infantry Division
 * Oryans Roughnecks - Camp Wadsworth Map