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| Camp Beauregard, Pineville, Louisiana - WWI |
Camp Beauregard, named for Louisiana native and Confederate general, Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, is located in Pineville, Louisiana. The Camp was authorized by the War Department on July 15, 1917 so the photo was probably taken closer to 1918, but no later than 1919. The camp was closed in 1919, but at times used for National Guard training until 1940 when reopened. It was closed following WWII, revived in 1973, and currently serves as a training base for the Louisiana National Guard.
Thank you to the Frye Family for allowing me to post this photo. To see more about Charles J. Frye, check my post at this link.
© 2016
"Camp Beauregard, near Alexandria Louisiana in World War II." Web. 15 Jun. 2016. <http://www.alexandria-louisiana.com/camp-beauregard-louisiana.htm>.
Camp Beauregard photo courtesy of the Frye Family
This is very interesting to me! I just found a letter written by my great uncle Mark to his sister (my grandmother). Here are some excerpts from the letter. I will do my best to interpret exactly what he wrote. I wasn't positively sure of the dates. It is handwritten, of course, and the date looks like "Jen". I am assuming he means "Jan." He wrote:
ReplyDeleteCamp Beauregard
Jen 5 1919
My Dear Sister, how are you? I received your card when I was in Lake Charles and was very glad to hear from you, but was sorry you couldn't get off. I found the home folks all well and doing fine. I had a good time, but I didn't get to stay long enough. I got back here in camp New Year's night at 9 o'clock p.m.
Well, I don't know when I am going to get my discharge. They keep telling us we will soon be out of the army. I believe they will soon turn us out after peace is signed. They are going to sign the peace on the 15 of Jan.
The government is going to sell 1 thousand army mules and horses at auction sale on Jen 15. It seems to me like that will take about all the horses and mules they got here.
Well, Beattia, I don't know anything else to write. Take good care of yourself and write soon.
from Mark
I am curious to know if my great uncle is in the photo that you posted Friday, June 17, 2016 and titled, "Friday's Photo: Soldiers at Camp Beauregard". Is there some way to find out? My uncle's name is Mark Kingham.
Thanks so much for making this info available online.
I wish I could tell you more. This was shared to me by a member of the Frye family. Their ancestor was in the photo. I scanned the front and back of the photo. On the back it only said C. J. Frye. If you live in LA - you might want to check out this museum's files. Even if you don't there are some resources you may find on-line. https://geauxguardmuseums.com/download/attachment/12949
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