History of District E CCC, Rapides Parish, La Submitted by: Gaytha Thompson ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Source: Annual of District E, Fourth Corps Area, 1935 HISTORY OF DISTRICT "E" CCC Being situated eight miles northeast of Alexandria, the hub city of Louisiana, and being located only a quarter of a mile from a main concrete highway, Camp Beauregard La, was selected by Army officers as the most practical spot for District "E" Headquarters of the civilian conservation Corps. Headquarters officially opened on April 21, 1933, with the arrival of Capt. Roy S. Gibson, who was place in command. With Captain Gibson were several regular Army officers and enlisted men who were ordered from Headquarters Fourth corps Area. At this time, Camp Beauregard was in fairly good condition, but was not adequate to house troops during the winter months. Although the officers in charge knew little of the work that was to be accomplished, Army regulations did not apply to every case, and equipment and supplies were not available, those in command, using their own initiative and judgment, carried out the work in an excellent manner. On May 2nd the ERA office of Alexandria sent three civilians to help with the administrative work at District "E" Headquarters. Mr. F. a. Flynn, who is now head of the Fiscal Department, reported among the first, but Miss Angeline Post, Secretary to the Executive, was the first to be appointed as a permanent civilian, being made Secretary to District Commander Captain Roy Gibson. Up to this time, no civilians had been employed, because regulations did not provide for such employment. However, after approval by the Secretary of War, District Commanders were allowed to employ a few necessary civilians. The enlisted Army men were used in most instances for outdoor work, preparing the camp for conditioning period, and only a few of the best qualified ones were retained in office to help with clerical work. On May 17, 1933, Major Gooding Packard, CAC, Coast Artillery, 319 Custom House, New Orleans, La, of District "E". Upon arrival, Major Packard immediately organized his staff. Capt. Roy Gibson, who had been District Commander was made District Adjutant and given command of Company "E", 22ndInfantry, Camp Beauregard. Major General Kennard, Cavalry, was assigned as District Executive Officer. Captain George M. Couper, Infantry, was made Personnel Adjutant, Finance Officer and Summary Recruiting Officer; 1st Lt. Clifford Blitch, M.C., District Surgeon; 1st Lt. H. P. Forsyth, M.C. Reserve, Camp Surgeon; 1st Lt. F. G. Marchman, Q.M.C., Quartermaster; 2nd Lt. George T. Duncan, Infantry, Assistant Quartermaster; 1st Lt. Clay A. Bienvenu, District Chaplain and 1st Lt. Levi D. Wood, Assistant District Chaplain. While the staff was being organized at Headquarters, activities were going on in the field. On April 29, 1933, Corps Area Headquarters advised that four (4) Forestry Camps were approved for District "E", namely, F-1, Pollock, La., F-2, Provencal, La., F-1, Bude, Miss., and F-2, Meadville, Miss. Up to this time all of the steps taken by District "E" were generally unspecified. With the selection of four (4) camp sites, greater and more definite movements were made. Major A. D. Chipmen, 13th C. A., rendered the report on Reconnaissance of Camp La. F-2, at Provencal. On May 6, 1933, this report was accepted by the War Department and orders were issue that the site was to be occupied as a CCC Camp. While all these activities were taking place both at District Headquarters, and in the fields, FERA Officers throughout the State were selecting enrollees. Those selected were required to report to be examined and to be accepted or rejected by the proper authority. Those that were accepted reported to designated railroads for movement to a conditioning camp. For the first companies, enrollees were conditioned to Fort Barrancas, Florida and Fort Benning, Georgia. Thereafter, all enrollees were conditioned at Camp Beauregard and sent out to field camps. The CCC had been in operation less than a year when the President conceived the idea that education was an essential part of the Corps. A complete staff was appointed, and the District Educational Adviser made his first appearance at District Headquarters on May 15, 1934. This educational project is the third division of the CCC, the others being the Army, and the Using Service. Soon after the appointment of the district Adviser, Camp Advisers were appointed and sent to the Camps. This program, being an entirely new thing, met with many difficult problems and some opposition, but results soon convinced every one concerned that is was a needed organization. Under the administration of Major Packard, the District expanded to thirty five camps. In September, 1934, Major Packard was ordered for foreign duty to the Philippine Islands, when Lieutenant Colonel Leslie J. McNair, 4th Field Artillery, reported on September 5, 1934 and assumed command of District "E". Though his administration was short, many changes were made. The District was divided into Sub Districts, and Sub District inspector instructors were appointed to aid in supervision and administration of the district. As Sub District inspector instructors, Lt. Colonel McNair selected Capt. James McNeer, Captain Ray McKnight, and two regular army officers, Captain McDowall and Captain Murphy. Maj. Larry McHale, District Executive officer under Major Packard, also served throughout the administration of Lt. Colonel McNair. Lt. Jesse Hoffpauir, who served as Quartermaster under Major Packard was relieved by Capt. Jefferson E. Kidd. Colonel E. J. Cringle succeeded Lieutenant Blitch as District Surgeon, but was soon relieved by Lt. Harry Forsyth, who is still holding this position. Capt. James Foley held the position as first Adjutant of the district, and upon being relieved by Lt. James S. Douglass, was appointed as a Sub District inspector instructor. Immediately after Lt. colonel McNair took command Lt. Charles E. Baxter, Jr. was made Adjutant, and he has served in that capacity ever since. Recently, Lt. Baxter was promoted to the rank of Captain. Lt. Colonel McNair, while commanding District "E" Was promoted to the rank of Colonel, and immediately after promotion, was ordered to Washington, D.C., for duty on the staff of the Field Artillery Division. April 1, 1935, col. Thos. D. Osborne reported to Camp Beauregard to relieve Lt. Colonel McNair. At this time general expansion of the district was begun, the number of camps being increased from 35 to 72, making District "E" the second largest district in the Corps Area. Due to the expansion, Colonel Osborne selected additional Sub District inspector instructors to aid him in carrying out the program, Capt. William B. Minter, Capt. W. J. Bryant, Capt. W. G. Smith, Capt. J. E. Kidd and Capt. Donald E. McDonald receiving the appointments. Colonel Osborne has had much valuable experience and his active career has made him very capable of handling such an organization as the Civilian Conservation Corps. Upon assuming command of the District, Colonel Osborne made a few changes, but on the whole followed the general policies of Lt. Colonel McNair. He gives out much constructive criticism, and the excellent condition of the district at present indicates his ability to handle the work efficiently. Colonel Osborne has the interest of the CCC enrollees at heart and has done much for them. He is a real friend to every enrollee in the District, and has instilled this spirit into his staff organization. In selecting Maj. Marlon E. Stephens as Quartermaster, Colonel Osborne appointed a man who has proved very capable and valuable in this position. To Assistant Major Stephens, the District Commander has recently called in Capt. Ralph K. Spicer, who was succeeded as Sub District inspector instructor by Lt. Col. James W. Watkins. The present District "E" Headquarters personnel is working in harmony and is one which knows its objectives and how to attain them. Captain Baxter is a very able Adjutant, knowing his work thoroughly and performing it with utmost proficiency. He is assisted by Lt. Fred McClendon, who has also demonstrated his ability as a staff officer. Every department at Headquarters has its separate function, and the Colonel, through his Adjutant sees that each department head gets his work out correctly and on time. The district Executive has changed twice since Colonel Osborne became District Commander. Major Larry McHale, incumbent when the Colonel reported, was relieved by Captain W. W. Murphy. A recent order placed Captain W. W. Murphy on the D. O L. List at Marion Institute, and he was relieved by Major A. P. Rhett.