HISTORY
OF THE 358th INFANTRY
The 358th Infantry came into existence under authority granted by War Department Order No.
101, August 3, 1917, effective August 5, 1917, authorizing the organization of the 90th Division of
which the 358th Infantry is a part. The 90th Division comprised one of the 16 divisions of the National
Army as designated by Tables of Organization 1917.
Camp Travis, Texas, named in honor of Lt. Col. W. B. Travis, defender of the “Alamo” 1836,
was designated under provisions of General Order No. 95, War Department, July 18, 1917, as a camp in
which the division would be organized and trained. The Camp, adjoining Fort Sam Houston on a high
hill overlooking the historic city of San Antonio, Texas, with all of the physical advantages of a
desirable training camp, was practically finished on August 1, 1917, although a tremendous force of
workmen made history during that month by their patriotic efforts in completing their work. The
barracks were of frame, built to accommodate a full company of 250 men each, with modern kitchens,
mess halls, orderly and supply rooms, and with shower baths and latrines in connection. Headquarters
buildings for all the administration work and officers quarters were completed during the month and
were immediately equipped for comfort and all needs by the U. S. Quartermaster Department. Streets
and avenues were graded and paved; elaborate landscape gardening was begun and railroad tracks and
switches were laid into the Camp. Motor transportation beyond that previously furnished to any
organization in the U. S. Army, for the use of the Division began coming.
The Base Hospital, with adequate Medical Commissioned personnel and equipment, announced
at the end of the month that they were ready to receive the New National Army, the first 5% of whom
were due to arrive in Camp on September 5, 1917.
Major General Henry T. Allen assumed command of the 90th Division and Depot Brigade of
Camp Travis, in accordance with telegraphic orders from the War Department. Brigadier General J. P.
O’Neil, assumed command of the 179th Infantry Brigade, composed of the 357th and 358th Infantry, in
compliance with General Order No. 1, Headquarters 90th Division, August 25, 1917. On August 23,
1917, Colonel Edw. C. Carey was assigned by the Divisional Commander to the Regiment, together
with a full quota of officers. Most of these officers were commissioned in the Officers Reserve Corps,
and came from the State of Texas. The Regiment was formally organized with Colonel Carey in
command and Captain Isaac S. Ashburn as Regimental Adjutant on September 5, 1917.
The enlisted men of the Regiment came from eastern Oklahoma and began to arrive early the
morning of September 5, 1917. Trains of twelve to twenty cars of big healthy, manly appearing young
Americans, wearing a badge showing the name of the county from which they came, leaving behind
them the best wishes of their State, County, city and village and a sweet remembrance of home, mother,
wife, sweetheart and friends, was a sight those who had the opportunity and pleasure of witnessing will
not soon forget. Large motor trucks carried these splendid young men to camp. These men came to
camp in late summer dressed in palm beach suits, some in the finest of tailored clothing, while others
wore the blue overalls they had been wearing when called from their work in their various occupations.
The men coming from every walk of life, doctors, lawyers, merchants, clerks, farmers and laborers,
came carrying what their various fancies had suggested would be useful in their new life – everything
from a live pig to a modern steamer trunk. They received a splendid reception from the people of the
city of San Antonio, Texas, as they passed through the streets on the way to Camp Travis, where, en
route many of them saw their first real Army establishment, Fort Sam Houston, with its soldiers
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