The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1908-07-16
The 10th Mich.

Editor National Tribune: The 10th
Mich. was organized under the first call
for three years troops and was rendeZ-
vcused just east of the city, on the left
bank of the river west of the old city
cemetery. Many will REMINDER the
place called the island" that was then
covered with timber. This camp of in
struction was named Camp Thompson in
honor of E. II. Thompson, who had
charge of the formation of the regiment,
time. The first company to occupy these
grounds was Co. B, commanded by Capt.
Charles H. Richmond. This company
served as a nucleus for the 10th.
Little Charley, as the boys called him.
took command until the appointment of
Col Lum, of. the Detroit Light Guard.
Col Lum had already served his time
as three months volunteer. He was at
that time Orderly Sergeant, and when
starting for the front Lum was made
Captain of Co. A, LIST Mich Capt Lum
WAS the first to march into Alexandra.
Va. on the morning of May "a, 1861,
when Col. Ellsworth was killed.
f. H. Thompson directed the forma-
ton of the camp, and so fully and COM
pletely cared for the wants of the sol
diers that he found place in the sol
diers' hearts as the soldiers friend. and
often in the remarks from the regimen,
at their Reunions they speak of him as
their father, and always called him
Colonel. The company which first came
to camp was quartered in tents till late
in the Fail, when the weather was very
severe. We were we'll supplied with
straw for beds, and thru the kindness
Of the citizens of Flint and vicinity we
were well provided with blankets and
quilts in addition to those drawn from
the Government, which made us q':ite
comfortable. In short time a large and
sw-l~x
building for the Quartermaster's De-
partment was constructed at an early
date. and thru the energy and efficiency
of Col Thompson barracks. with rooms
for First Sergeants to transact company
business in, were constructed soon after
Cook rooms were attached to the din
ing room and We were in out of the
storm. Officers quarters were built, Mr.
Airport. living near the camp, boarding
the officers. While the barracks were
being constructed, owing to deficiency In
bracing. the structure fell to the ground
fortunately none was seriously hurt
Camp life was quite monotonous. Stand
ing guard, drilling, eating our rations
often comparing Uncle Sans rations
with ours at home. We spoke of our
guard duty as sort of unnecessary evil
We little thot of the necessity of being
well drilled when we should meet the
enemy. 1t was no uncommon thing to
see groups discussing the probability OF
our ever having a chance to fire at the
enemy. More than one-half of these
soldier boys were yet in their teens and
had four years of war staring them in
the face. On Christmas we received ex-
ira rations, the ladies of Flint gave US a
dinner much better than Uncle Sam
thot of doing. They spread upon those
rough tables snowy white table cloths
and hen the tables were covered. load
ed, with eatables of all sorts. and of the
best quality. We shall. as long as we
live, remember the kindness of those
dear ladies who in 1861 made our camp
life so pleasant. We only wish we could
remember their names. They were kind
warm friends OF the boys of the 10th
in 1S61-18S5. A large pan IL I'm the
relic room of the court house that Mrs
Morrison used In making the plum pud
ding which she declared to the day Of
her death served the whole regiment OF
this occasion. We can only say God
bless their memory, and as they have
nearly all gone home their memor,
shall never pass from our minds as
| long as there Is one of us left to re.
member their kind acts and deeds.-M
c. Barney, Sergeant, Co. c, 10th Mich.
Flint. Mich.