The Detroit times., 1911-06-16
WAR VETERANS
HOLD REUNION HERE
Eight Michigan Infantry in Annual
Gathering-Death Is Rapidly
Thinning Ranks.

The forty-hrst annual reunion OF
the Eighth Michigan Infantry which
marks thea anniversary of the Battle
OF James Island, near Charleston, S.
c., In which one-third of the number
of the regiment were killed, Is being
held today In the G. A X. building.
Upwards of 100 members, some with
their wives, are In attendance. As
usual, "reminiscences of the days OF
the Civil war are features OF the gath
ering. There are about $40 veterans
OF the infantry left, but II Is evident
that a number of them died or moved
during the past year, for 60 of the in
vitations for this years reunion sent
out were returned to the secretary.
George G. Beebe, Detroit.
The Eighth Michigan Infantry was
sworn in on Sept. 23, 1861, at Fort
Wayne. and fought through the whole
of the Civil war. Col. Fenton, ex-
governor of the state. was the first
colonel He resigned before the war
was over and was succeeded by Col.
Frank Graves, The latter was killed
In the battle of the Wilderness, May
6, 1864. Col. Ealy filed the vacancy
caused by the death Of Col. Graves
and was with the infantry until the
close of the war. The infantry figur-
ed In most of the fierce battles or
the war and led in the assault on the
Notifications at James Island, where
209 men were killed and wounded,
most of them members of the Eighth
Michigan.
THE battle of James Island was a
terrible AFFAIR" said John J.. Downey,
superintendent of police and member
OF the Eighth Michigan Infantry, to
The Times, In the reunion hall, FRI
day morning. I'VE we're marched
across an open plain with charged
bayonets. AS we approached the fort
we were showered with grape and
canister shot. II was a terrific charge
on us and many a man fell. We
reached the fort, but couldn't take It,
because OF the way 1t was fortified
There was a canal all around II and
the Notifications we're insurmount
able. Some of our men got inside the
fortifications. but they we're very few
and they never got out.
They talk about other regiments
as fighting bodies but | am satisfied
that none of them did any more fight
ing than the Eighth Michigan Infan-
try"
Supt. Downey, one Of the youngest
of the veterans, only 81 years old,
is himself battle-scarred. In one bat
tie his skull was fractured by rife
ball and he carries the scar to this
day.
Capt. George e. Newall, OF Flint,
captain Of Co. A.. is also battle-scar.
red. He is attending the reunion.
d. c. Spauiding. Detroit, president OF
the Veterans association, was proud
ly displaying q new gavel, Friday
morning. II was made from a timber
which formed part of the Anderson
vile, Ca, prison, In which Mr.. Spauld-
ing and other members of the Eighth
Michigan were imprisoned In 1864.
Mr.. Spaulding spent seven months in
the prison. The wood for the gavei
was secured by ]. s.. Preston. or
Lyons. Ionia county, who had a color
ed man dig the timber out OF the
ground where the old prison stood.
and was made by Francis T. Gleason,
OF Lyons, also a prisoner In the fam
Gus stockade. Mr.. Gleason Is on hand
for the reunion.
The business meeting of the re.
union began at p. M; an auto ride
was scheduled for $3.50. and a banquet
and camp fire will take place in the
G. A. r. hall at $3.50 o'clock. Geo. K.
Swinscoe will be toastmaster. There
will be music and Supt. Downey and
others will make addresses.