®l}^ SItbrarg (Hairt Armnrg, Snatrnt ICtbrarg of tl|r Cttommatib^rg ^tatf of ilafiaarl|U0ftt0 Htlttarg ®rbrr of tl|^ ffingal fogtoit 1914 .a. ^\t i-U '-■ '>^>« n ®I|? ICtbrarg T ^1 1 HE LIBRARY of the Commandery came into being as the outcome of two distinct purposes : First — To carry out in the most effective manner the primary object of the Order, as expressed in its Con- stitution, of cherishing the memories and associations of the war waged in defence of the unity and indivisibility of the Republic and transmitting those memories to future gen- erations. Second — To promote the honest and equitable use of funds annually collected from all Companions of the Commandery by so-called dues. From the date of the organization of the Commandery for almost fifteen years the provisions of the Constitution relative to social intercourse, alone, received attention and called for the appropriation of all moneys, without provision for a future and regardless of the source of our income. The average age of our membership was scarcely over forty — the affiliation resulting from common service in the field was still dominant — the individual connections and family associations in the smaller body resulted in personal friendships and the social side of the organization appealed to those who felt that they had given their part to the making of a page of history and that its perpetuation might well be left to others. As time went on and the increase in numbers brought enlargement of methods of entertainment and an additional ex- pense, a new problem was presented and the Board of Officers could not fail to take account, not only of the income receipts, but also of the sources from which that income was derived, and perhaps for the first time it became evident that a large number of contributors to the funds derived no benefit beyond the mere fact of membership and the right to wear the insignia of the Order, while the material advantages, in addition to such membership and right, were monopolized by a comparatively small number who could eat, drink and be merry at the general expense. Hie records show that from a total membership in the following years the numbers present at the meetings and monthly dinners were : Membership May I 1900, 924 1901, 922 1902, 928 1903, 929 1904, 938 1905, 919 1906, 933 T907, 917 1908, 886 1909, 866 1 9 10, 843 1911, 830 1912, 814 1913, 790 1 9 14, 749 Average Membership — 879 Average Attendance — 298. Admitted, of course, that the right existed in every Compan- ion to be present at all entertainments and enjoy all the benefits ot membership, yet an awakened conscience in the Board resulted in the conviction that the moneys received from those Companions who were non-residents or, while resident members and paying full dues, were, by reason of distance, or for any reason whatso- ever, debarred from being present at meetings, should in some Average Attendance 357 359 380 353 363 3^5 300 283 262 270 269 261 257 206 225 4 degree be devoted, as a matter of fair play, to some other purpose suggested by the Constitution than social and convivial entertain- ment. This conviction once realized, it was but a short step for the Board to determine that a just proportion of such dues should be used for the perpetuation of history of the Rebellion, through the formation of a library and the collection of such relics as would create a museum of the arms, ammunition, clothing and equip- ment of that period. The treasury of the Commandery was not in condition to take even the first step, and certain Companions who recognized the justice and expediency of the movement made contributions which became the beginning of our present library, and thereafter at irregular intervals transfers of moneys were made by vote of the Board of Officers or the Commandery for its maintenance and in- crease from the General Fund. The library at the present time contains about six thousand volumes, many of which were obtained at nominal prices in the earlier years, while a recent expert appraisal of the books alone shows a sound value of more than Fifteen Thousand Dollars. As a working library it has peculiar attractions through its almost complete collection of Regimental Histories, while it is rich in Lincolnia, specially strong in Confederate publications, and in its many volumes covers the whole ground of Slavery, the histories of campaigns, the reconstruction period and the general literature of the Rebellion. The student of military history cannot fail to recognize the convenience of the methods of arrangement and the availability of the volumes for reference or consecutive work. In addition to the books shown by the card catalogues, there has been acquired an almost unique collection of the shot and shell in use on the various battlefields and in naval actions together with a wealth of souvenirs and mementoes of the War. Among these might be mentioned the hat which General Sherman wore from Atlanta to the Sea; his uniform, coat and hat, and his Head- quarters Colors when in command of the Army of the United States. A Barbara Fritchie Flag, presented by her to General Reno at Fredericktown, on the day before his death at the battle of South Mountain. The Flag of the U. S. S. '' Minnesota," showing the ragged hole made by the first shot from the " Merrimac." The Items of this character contained in the catalogue are more than i,ooo in number. The pictorial side of campaigns — the scenes of camps and fields or fortifications, and ships of the navy together with the portraiture of officers and men in service — is represented by 17^ volumes containing over 36,000 prints and portraits, and is un- equaled as a collection. The autograph letters and signatures are a peculiarly valuable and interesting asset, and the wealth of manuscripts and items in- dexed as Documents, covering almost every phase of military ser- vice in the field, of the Loyal Legion and the Grand Army, form a collection the value of which cannot be estimated by any money appraisal. The Corps of Cadets and the Veteran Association have granted us the use of our pleasing Library Rooms, and it is this Library with its valuable collections of historic interest which appeals to the Commandery for support and maintenance, legitimate increase and endowment. For the Library Committee, ARNOLD A. RAND, Chairman. ®1|0 2Ithrarg (HammxtUs Brevet Major William P. Shreve Major Edward T. Bouve Captain Charles W. C. Rhoades Mr. Frank E. Peabody Mr. R. Henry W. Dwight Mr. William F. E. Roelofson Colonel Arnold A. Rand, Chairman iHorm of Ipqupst The Commandery is incorporated under the laws of Massa- chusetts and the following may be used as a form of bequest: / give and bequeath to the Commandery of the State of Massachusetts Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, the sum of General | for the use of its Library I Fund. Permanent J Dollars THE BARBARA FRITCHIE FLAG THE FLAG OF THE U. S. S. MINNESOTA THE ROCKWELL S CHURCHILL PRESS BOSTON LIBRARY OF CONGRESS iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinii 012 196 395 4 s