Volunteers and Draftees
Once Congress declared war, the government had to mobilize soldiers quickly. Some Minnesotans had already been involved in Minnesota National Guard action on the Mexican border, like those in Company K pictured below leaving St. Peter in 1916. In August 1917, all National Guard units, including these from Minnesota, were drafted into U.S. Army service. This action more than doubled the size of the Army and provided experienced soldiers to fight the war.
Other young men signed up voluntarily. These early volunteers were assigned to some of the first units ready for combat in France and jumped right into the fight. Later, a captain in the 25th Regiment Engineers described the situation in which they found themselves:
"These men, coming from all parts of the United States, volunteered early after war with Germany was declared and were among the first American troops to arrive in France. They have struggled in the S.O.S. when the huge camps of to-day were barren mud flats, when it was impossible to get clothing, and when, at times, food was pitifully scarce. They have also endured the 'Grind' at the front, throughout the entire Meuse-Argonne operation, without a whimper or complaint."
While many Minnesotans signed up as volunteers, the government realized they also needed to supplement the ranks with military conscription, also called selective service or the draft. In 1917, all men between the ages of 21 and 30 had to register for military service. By 1918, men between 18 through 45 were registered. The first draft occurred on July 20, 1917, when the U.S. Secretary of War drew more than a million lottery numbers from a bowl. Two more drafts occurred before war’s end, supplying the army with nearly 3 million conscripted soldiers.
Training and Departures
These new recruits needed extensive military training to be able to contribute to the fight in Europe, so after volunteering or being drafted, they traveled to training camps throughout the United States. Most Minnesotans traveled by train to Fort Dodge in Iowa, while others went to camps in Washington, Kansas, Illinois, or New York.
Their communities often sent them off with patriotic events and parades. Some of these celebrations are pictured below:
- World War I home front, Duluth, Minnesota
- World War I soldiers on parade, Morris, Minnesota
- Farewell Celebration for Robbinsdale's World War I contingent, Robbinsdale, Minnesota
- World War I recruits at the Glenwood, Minnesota, Depot
- World War I soldiers going to war from the Milwaukee Depot, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Read about some unique World War I experiences using the page links below.