Camp Alger
| Camp Alger | |
|---|---|
| 1 1⁄2 miles from Dunn Loring | |
 |
|
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United States |
| Site history | |
| Built | 18 May 1898 |
| In use | 1898 |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
Maj. Gen. William M. Graham |
| Garrison | Second Army Corps |
Camp Alger, near Falls Church, Virginia, was established May 18, 1898, for the Spanish American War effort. It was approved by Secretary of War Russell A. Alger for whom it was named. By August 1898, more than 35,000 troops were stationed at the camp.
Camp Alger was about 1 1⁄2 miles from Dunn Loring, a station on a branch of the Southern Railway, as above stated, and 7 miles from Washington, D.C, and about 5 miles distant from Fort Myer. The surface of this tract is rolling, partly wooded, with cultivated clearings and with good drainage. The soil is of clay and sand and nearly impervious to water. Immediately after the selection of this camp preparations were made for the reception of troops by the erection of storehouses at Dunn Loring, where the Southern Railway put in extra sidings to accommodate the increased traffic.
The Second Army Corps was constituted May 7, and May 16 Maj. Gen. William M. Graham, was assigned to the command, and the troops which were to compose the corps were ordered to this camp. General Graham arrived May 19 and assumed command, which he exercised during the existence of the camp. This corps was composed wholly of volunteers. The troops commenced arriving the 18th of May, and by the last of that month there were 18,309 officers and men in camp. On the last day of June there were 23,511 officers and men, on the last day of July there were 22,180, on the last day of August the troops present at this camp. Total number of troops that went to Camp Alger 31,195.
Duffield's brigade left camp June 15 and Garretson's brigade July 5, both for Santiago, Cuba to reinforce Gen. Shafter's army.
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Wikipedia