Brothers, I am writing to invite all Brothers from all Indiana SUVCW Camps to the new John Auten Camp 8, South Bend, Indiana Chartering Ceremony.

The Chartering Ceremony will take place on September 22, 2018 at 2:00 PM ET on the steps of the “Old St. Joseph County Courthouse” in downtown South Bend. We intend after the Chartering Ceremony to process a few blocks down the street to the Old South Bend Cemetery. Here we will stop at John Auten’s grave for a rededication of his final resting place. John Auten was a member of the 9th Indiana and was one of the initial 90 day’s men. With just days remaining on his enlistment he volunteered for a scouting party and was killed by a Rebel sharpshooter. His funeral, attended by over 5,000 mourners, was held in the same court house where our Chartering Ceremony is being held.

Of note, a short distance from John Auten’s grave is that of Schuyler Colfax, former Vice-President of the United States and Speaker of the House during President Lincoln’s terms of office.

Please extend our heartfelt invitation to all members of your camps to join us on this special day. If you received this invitation and are not the Camp’s Commander please be sure that your Camp Commander receives it.

The Old Court House stands next to the current County / City building in down town South Bend, it is on the east side of South Lafayette, Blvd., the first street to the north is Washington Street, this street runs east and west while Lafayette Blvd. is a north/south street.

In Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty,

Bill Adams, PDC

Commander, John Auten Camp, 8

Department of Indiana, SUVCW