When, under the president's second call May 25, 1898, Michigan was requested to furnish one regiment of infantry, upon Col. E. M. Irish devolved the matter of selecting the companies. The Michigan National Guard had left the state with the other four regiments but, as has been fully demonstrated, Michigan still possessed ample material for the formation of a superb regiment; that her ability in this direction is recognized is evinced by the fact that applications came from companies from Illinois, Massachusetts and Ohio to enlist in the 35th.

     The whole territory was carefully gone over, the thousands of applications received and filed during the mobilization of the other regiments fairly considered and selections then wisely made, and as a result the 35th is most strongly officered by national guardsmen, regular army men, graduates of Orchard Lake and other military academies and men from the old volunteer service.

     The state at large is well represented in both peninsulas from the sturdy, rugged sons of Ontonagon county to their brothers on the shores of Lake Erie in the extreme southeastern part of the state, and comprises all sorts and conditions of men save one; for in the 35th there is neither marriage nor giving in marriage. As a rejected benedict sullenly remarked, "It's easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a married man to get into the 35th."

     Not like the volunteers of the other regiments who enlisted in all the first heat and fervor of the war has the 35th regiment been mustered in, but after mature deliberation, a thorough knowledge of the privations and hardships to be endured and a realizing sense of what battles mean.

     Though Michigan loves and honors all her soldiers, still there is, perhaps, a peculiarly tender feeling for this regiment that will, in all probability, be her Benjamin.

     Although the material of which the rank and file of the 35th is composed is of the finest, still in a military sense it was raw. The diamonds were all in the rough, and that out of the chaos of recruits that poured into camp has been brought forth such a finely drilled, splendid appearing regiment is the best evidence that the officers were wisely chosen for their experience, and that their command adapted themselves to military training with the proverbial quickness of Americans.

     The examinations were much more rigid than in the other regiments, being the same as that sustained by the regular army. Weighing was done on scales, height measured to a fraction of an inch and respiration also taken.

     Not the smallest point has been overlooked by Governor Pingree, Col. Irish and Col. White in their combined efforts to make this regiment in all respects a perfect one, and their success is such that no body of men finer in physique and appearance, more complete in equipment and proficient in drill ever marched forth into battle. It is a regiment secure in its strength and trained for valuable, reliable service.

     The enthusiasm as well as the lusty tones of the 35th was established early in camp, and it has never yet lost an opportunity of sustaining the reputation it has gained of being the cheering or "hurrah" regiment.

     There exists a comradeship between the different companies of this regiment that was lacking in the others, and while there is of course a rivalry between them, it is the good natured rivalry of brothers. Taken as a whole, there is quite the evidence of a happy-family feeling among them.

     It is also pronounced the neatest and best policed of any of the 5 camps, while the cooking is right up to the mark of the regular army culinary department.

     By June 20 the work of putting up the tents for the 35th was begun. June 27th the independent military companies commanded by the following captains were organized into a state regiment or infantry known as the First Michigan Volunteer Reserve: Captain Prince, Alpena; Captain McCabe, Petoskey; Captain Fleischhauer, Reed City; Captain Sands, Pentwater; Captain Simpson, Hartford; Captain Lockton, Marshall; Captain Haynes, Dundee; and Captain Kimball, Pontiac.

     The independent military companies commanded by Captain Buckingham, Flint; Captain Scranton, Sault Ste. Marie; Captain Atkinson, Detroit; and Captain Thorburn, Midland, were organized into a state battalion.

     The First Michigan Volunteer Reserve Infantry and First Independent Battalion Michigan Volunteer Reserve Infantry were then consolidated into a twelve-company regiment to be known as the First Regiment Michigan Volunteer Reserve Infantry which was mobilized at Camp Eaton, Island Lake, July 1, on which day Colonel Irish arrived and assumed command of the regiment and camp, extending military jurisdiction for a quarter of a mile around the camp grounds.

     The maximum strength of three officers and 106 enlisted men was allowed each company.

     On July 4th the regiment had its first guard mount with Lieutenant Ralph McCoy as adjutant.

     July 5th the organization of the regiment was completed, the company letters being decided by drawing lots.

     July 9th Company E was mustered into the United States service by Captain J. R. C. Irvine. 11th U. S. Infantry. This was the first company mustered, although Company B was a close second by a few hours.

     July 22d was the date of the muster-in of the last company, F. On July 25th the staff and field officers were mustered into the United Slates service.

     The final ceremony of mustering in the regiment in its entirety was performed July 26.