An item that had come into the collection at the Fenton History Center many years ago landed on my desk after it was found in a storeroom. It is a small booklet entitled “Souvenir of Camp Jackson, Columbia, S.C.” From the picture on the front cover it is obviously from the U.S. Army around the time of World War I. Since we are a local history organization, the first question was, “Why would we want something from South Carolina?” Inside the cover, it was inscribed “April 15, 1918, This is to certify that we all were royally entertained by Maj. Gen. Bailey at Camp Jackson” with four signatures that are mostly unreadable. The next page has a picture of Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey, commander.

So besides the fact that someone in Jamestown gave it to us, we now know why we have it in the collection. Maj. Gen. Charles Justin Bailey lived in Jamestown following his Army career. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1859 to Milton and Fannie O. (Andruss) Bailey. During his childhood, the family moved to Jamestown and he graduated from Jamestown Union School and Collegiate Institute. In 1927, he married his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Hegeman) Bailey, granddaughter of Gov. Reuben E. Fenton. After the marriage, they returned to Jamestown and remained here until his death in 1946.

His Army career began with his enrollment in the United States Military Academy, West Point, in September 1876. Graduating in 1880, he was assigned to the first regiment at Fort Adams, RI. Through the next 40 plus years, he served in a number of places within the United States, as well as the Philippines and France. It was Oct. 8, 1917, that he took command of the 81st Division at Camp Jackson, S.C. In November, he sailed for France, serving on detached service with the A.E.F. until March 1918. Returning to the United States, he again resumed command of the 81st Division and Camp Jackson. In July 1918, Bailey took his division to France where they occupied, with France, the St. Mihiel Sector in Lorraine. They took part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. and Pershing mentioned the activities of the 81st Division during the Meuse-Argonne campaign. Bailey returned to the United States and retired in December 1922.

When he retired from the Army in 1922, he chose West Point as his final resting place. But he must have changed his mind, living in his boyhood home in Jamestown from 1929 until his death in 1946. From his obituary, “For some years he let it be known that it was in Jamestown he desired to rest, with those of his home city who lie in Soldier’s Circle, Lake View Cemetery.” In 1945, he wrote out instructions to be followed at his death. Included was “On the casket, I would like a flag and my military cap, no flowers; nor do I wish a military funeral. I wish to be buried in the Soldiers Section of the cemetery and Mr. Clark knows where I would like to be placed. I hope I may be permitted to purchase this site.” As we remember those who have served our country and decorate their graves this weekend of Memorial Day, one can visit the grave of Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey at Soldier’s Circle in Lake View Cemetery in Jamestown.