Why Did Army Life Improve in the Late 1800s?

Two soldiers at home plate, playing baseball in Fort Baker.

You are standing before 100 year old structures built for the "new Army." By the late 1800s, the Army realized it had a problem with their recruits. The people who enlisted were often in trouble or flat out broke -- and the poor pay, and low quality of army food, clothing and housing provided little to attract better quality recruits. Col. Richard L. Dodge spoke of this in 1885.

"Some enlist because they really believe the life will suit them; others from disappointments in business or love affairs: others again to hide themselves from some youthful scrape - but the large majority are driven to enlist by absolute want."

High desertion rates and low morale led the army to focus not only on modernizing its defense technology, but also on improving conditions for its enlisted soldiers. These new living improvements would hopefully attract better recruits. Look up the hill at the Colonial Revival style barracks to your right. With their clean, classic designs, they contained vastly improved living conditions. The barracks had spacious bunkrooms, large windows and real beds with mattresses. And even better, they had electricity, hot and cold running water, and indoor toilet and shower facilities; all state of the art for that time. The brick gymnasium behind you also provided improved sports and recreational facilities for the recruits.