Column from The Orphans’ Friend and Masonic Journal. October 29, 1 920.
CHIEF OF THE "WILDCATS" GENERAL C. BATLEY, PENNSYLVANIAN,
COMMANDED THE 81ST IN FRANCE
By R. B. House
N. C. Historical Commission
One of the men best known to North Carolinians who served in the war is General Charles Justin Bailey, who
commanded the 81st or Wildcat Division. The North Carolina Historical Commission is glad to preserve the
record of this Pennsylvanian who is now a North Carolinian also in the affections of this State. The important
dates in his record follow:
Born in Pennsylvania, June 21, 1859; entered the U. S. Military Academy from New York, September, 1, 1876;
graduated June 12, 1880, standing eighth in his class; 2nd lieutenant June 12, 1880; 1st lieutenant January
14, 1888; captain, March 2, 1889; Major June 4, 1905; lieutenant colonel September 1, 1908; colonel March
11, 1911. Appointed brigadier general by President Wilson October 10, 1 91 3.
Up to the date of his appointment as brigadier general General Bailey, served in the artillery branch of the
army. He served as President of the Artillery Board at Fort Monroe, Virginia, for some years and went from
there to Washington in 1907 for service on the General Staff: He was made the Secretary of the Army War
College and later the principal assistant to the Chief of Coast Artillery in the War Department. On being
promoted to a general officer, he was sent to the Philippines in 1 914, where for three years he first
commanded the fortifications of the Islands and later the Philippine Department itself.
In August, 1917, he was made a major general in the National Army, brought back to the United States and
sent to Camp Jackson, Columbia, S. C., to organize and command the 81 st Division. He joined the division in
October, 1917. In December of that year he was ordered abroad, with other division commanders, for an
inspection of our own and foreign methods of fighting, and visited, during the next three months, the British,
French and American fronts. Returning in March, 1918, he took the division to Camp Sevier, Greenville, S. C.,
in May, and in July, 1918, embarked with it, at Hoboken, N. Y., for service in France.
After a month's training there the division was sent to a Trench Sector in eastern France, and then to join the
1st Army at Verdun, where it participated in the fighting immediately preceding the armistice. The 81st Division
was made up at first principally of men from North and South Carolina and Florida, but men from the other
southern states soon joined in large numbers, together with some from New York. Later many came from other
northern states, and at its demobilization every state and territory was represented. It was, however, a
Southern Division to the last, and North Carolina was one of the states contributing most largely to it. What
credit was given it was due to the character and qualifications of its officers and men, and to this North
Carolina contributed to an eminent degree.
For his services as Division Commander General Bailey received the following decorations:
1. Distinguished Service Medal, United States.
"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. He commanded the 81st Division with distinction
throughout its operations, beginning October 1, 1918. The excellent conduct of this division was due in a large
measure to his great military knowledge, energy and zeal. He has shown qualities of able leadership and has
rendered services of great value to the American Expeditionary Forces."
2. Officer, Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre with Palm, France.
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