aass E 4-<^2. Book , A 15^3 COPYRIOHT DEPOSIT ^ ^_ c_ ^ y^ H: I STOR\ T GRAND ARMY OK THE REPUBLIC, By ROBERT B. BEATH, /I WITH AN' INTRODUCTION BY General LUCIUS KAIRCHILD ILLUSTRATED. NEW YORK. BRYAN, TAYLOR <^^ CO., Publishers, 1889. Copyright, 1888, By ROBERT B. BEATH A II rights reserveO. By transfer 5 Jel907 i-*IM rr WllLU MCDOIALO k Co. "il Parte How, New York. INTRODUCTION I have been asked to write a few prefatory words to this History of the Grand Army of the Eepublic. That society whose watch-words are Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty — Fraternity so wide-spread as to embrace all who honored themselves by enlisting in the Union Army ; a Charity so broad as to have included within its benefactions sufferers of every class, and of all sections of our country ; a Loyalty that maintains " true allegiance to the United States of America based upon a paramount respect for, and fidelity to, its consti- tution and laws," that discountenances " whatever tends to weaken loyalty, incites to insurrection, treason or rebellion," and encourages "the spread of universal liberty, equal rights and justice to all men," and which constantly inculcates the spirit of good-will and friendship for all law-abiding citizens of our common country, needs no commendation to the readers of this book. Comrade Past Commander-in-Chief Beath hardly needs an introduction to the public at large, and certainly not to the members of the Grand Army of the Kepublic. He is well known as one of the most excellent and valuable members of our Order. His fitness for this task is beyond question. No man has more complete knowledge of the aims and objects of the Grand Army or of the results accomplished by it. No man is more fully imbued with an ardent love for [iii] iv Introduction. its ])rinciples, or is more thoroughly versed iu its laws. His heart is in this work and the result is a history that will give to the world an intelligent aud accurate account of the society from its birth to the present time. The members of the Grand Army are to be congratulated that Comrade Beath has consented to do them this great favor. Of the necessity of such a history I need not speak — it is the general opinion throughout our membership that the time has arrived when the annals of the Order should be collated and imperishably preserved. The work should have, and will doubtless enjoy, a wide circulation and a permanent popularity, and will surely go forth with the good wishes of every loyal member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Fraternally yours, PRK KACK The comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic have long cherished a desire to have in permanent form an official history of the origin and growth of their organization ; an organization whose cardinal principles are Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty. " With charity for all and malice toward none," they have gone on perfecting and strengthening their organization, until it now stands acknowledged as one of the noblest in its works and pur- poses of any fraternal and charitable association known. The records of -the Grand Army of the Republic, when trans- ferred to Adjutant-General Chipman in 1868, were in an imper- fect condition. He and his successors sought diligently to re- place missing records and secure reliable data relative to the institution of the Grand Army, but unfortunately the materials so gathered, with all the other books and records to that time, were destroyed in the disastrous fire which occurred in Boston on Memorial Day, 1872. When serving as Assistant Adjutant- General of the Department of Pennsylvania, I began collecting for my own use, duplicates of General Orders and Journals. Later, when appointed Adjutant-General of the Order, I sought to secure for National Headquarters missing copies of Orders and Journals, and was able to report to the National Encampment in 1876, that thirteen full sets of the Journals had been collected and bound. The announcement of this fact stimulated a desire for copies, and some seven hundred were printed and issued to subscribers. These, up to this time, have been practically the only available records of the National Encampment for the years above referred to. Lvl vi Preface. General Faircliild, during his terra as Commander-in-Cliief, strDU^ly urg»^cl that I should undertake the work of writing a History of our organization, and kindly expressed his intention to recommend my appointment as Historian of the Grand Army of the Republic. The National Encampment gave its hearty acqui- escence to the proposition, hut upon my own suggestion I was left free to pursue the work without such official designation. I fully realized that this was a serious undertaking ; that it meant the sacrifice for many months, of hours that should be devoted to the rest and relaxation necessary, after a day fully devoted to other duties, and which could not be avoided or slighted. On the other hand, I considered the advantage of the experience gained in twenty-two years of active work in the ranks of the Grand Army and in the many honorable positions conferred ui)on me by the Order. In compiling this History, I deemed it best to treat with as much detail as possible the steps leading to the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic. In some degree records of the National Encampment and of the Departments are available to comrtules, but nowhere is there to be found any specific record of the labors of the founders of the Order. These details have Ijeen gathered from many sources, but largely from personal in- tercourse with the survivors of the early days and from valuable papers placed in my hands for this purpose. Of late years the Commander-in-Chief has presented in his address all the im- portant matters affecting the organization, Avhich are referred to in iiior«! detail in the reports of his staff officers. By condensing these it has l)e('u possible to here ])resent all the important matters that have been acted upon by the National Encampment from 1800 to 1888 inclusive. It \V!is manifestly impossible to tr(?at of Departments in the same manm-r. To concisely present such details of eurly organi- /iition as do not appear in the ])rinte(l records, and to give the uaineH iind the Posts of which they are iniMiibers, of all who Preface. vii served as Department officers, seemed all that could be done in tliis direction. Anything more must be a work to be undertaken by or for each Department. My acknowledgments are especially due, for papers relative to the initial work in Springfield, Illinois, to Comrades A. A. North, Geo. S. Dana and John M. Adair, and Miss Josephine P. Cleveland, who has published a large portrait of Dr. Stephen- son. Also to Comrades George R. Steele, M. P. Kanan, J. T. Bishop and I. N. Coltron, for very valuable documents relative to the first Post, at Decatur, including letters of Dr. Stephenson and copies of the first ritual and constitution. The many other comrades who have so kindly aided me have my hearty thanks. It is a special pleasure to say that the publishers have more than fulfilled their promise to make this book, in its mechanical execution, worthy of the Grand Army of the Republic. No ex- pense has been spared by them in this respect, and I know that with this statement all readers will heartily agree. In closing this work, I cannot better express my apprecia- tion of this grand fraternity of ours, than by repeating the words used in my address as Commander-in-Chief: " We are enjoying, in a land we helped to save, a companion- ship made sacred by common sufferings and sacrifices. " No other organization on earth can lay claim to such glo- rious and precious memories. Let us keep this brotherhood to- gether on the highest plane of citizenship and prove to the jieople, North and South, that the Grand Army of the Republic is worthy of their confidence, that it is doing a work demanded by the strongest claims of humanity, and that its objects are in accord with the purest principles of patriotism." CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE Peace at Last — The Grand Review — The Muster-out 1-10 CHAPTER II. Veteran Societies— Forming op Corps and Army Societies— Organ- ization OF Veteran Political Societies— Society Badges 11-32 CHAPTER III. Organization op the Grand Army op the Republic — Muster op the First Post — Biographical Sketches and Portraits op its Mem- bers — Formui/Ating the Constitution and Ritual — Biographi- cal Sketch op Dr. B. F. Stephenson 33-52 CHAPTER IV. The Springfield Convention — Sketches op Participants —Election OP Officers for Department op Illinois— Beginning op the Work in Other States 53-67 CHAPTER V. First Session of National Encampment, Indianapolis, Indiana, No- vember 20, 1866— Election op the First Commander-in-Chief... 68-76 CHAPTER VI. Administration of Commander-in-Chief S. A. Hurlbut — Second An- nual Session, Philadelphia, January 15, 1868 77-83 CHAPTER VII. Administration of Commander in-Chief John A. Logan — Third An- nual Session, Cincinnati, May 12. 1869 84-103 Special Session. New York City, October 27, 1869 103-105 National Council of Administration 94 [ix] X Contexts. CHAPTER Yin. PAGE Admim^tkation of Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan (Second Tekm)— FoiiiTii Annual Session, Washington, May 11, 1870 lOft-114 CHAPTER IX. Auministkation of Commandeu-in-Chief John A. Logan (Third Term)— Fifth Annual Session, Boston, May 10, 1871 115-123 CHAPTER X. Administration of Commander-in-Chief Ambrose E. Burnside— Sixth Annual Session, Cleveland, May 8, 1872 123-135 CHAPTER XI. Administration of Commander-in-Chief A. E. Burnside (Second Term)— Se\tnth Annual Session, New Haven, May 14, 1873 136-143 CHAPTER XII. Administration of Com.mander-in-Ciiikp Chas. Devens, Jr. (First Term)— Eighth Annual Session, Harrisburgh, May 13, 1874 144-152 CHAPTER XIII. Administration of Commander-in-Chief Chas. Devens, Jr. (Second Termj— Ninth Annual Session, Chicago, May 12, 1875 153-161 CHAPTER XIV. Adminlstration of ('o.m.mander-in-Chief John F, Hartranft (First Term) -Tenth Annual Session, Philadelphia, June 30, 1876 162-171 CHAPTER XV. Admini.stration ok Commander-in Chief John F. I Iai{tuanft (Second Term)— Eleventh .\nnual Session, Providence, June 26, 1877. . .172-181 CHAPPKR XVT. Administration ok Commander in Ciiiek John C. Roiunson (First Term I -Twelfth An.vual Session, Simungkiklo, Massaciiiisetts, Junk 4, 1878 182-193 CIIAI'IIIK XVil. Administration ok ('om.manukr-in-Chiek .John (". Roiunson 'Second Term —Thirteenth Annual Sessidn, Aluany, New York, June 17,1879 l'J4 201 Contents. xi CHAPTER XVIII. PACE Administration of Commander-in-Chief William Earnshaw— Four- teenth Annual Session, Dayton, Ohio, June 8, 1880 205-315 CHAPTER XIX. Administration op Commander in Chief Louis Wagner — Fifteenth Annual Session, Indianapolis, June 15, 18S1 216-233 CHAPTER XX. Administration of Commander in-Chief Geo. S. Merrill— Sixteenth Annual Session, Baltimore, June 31, 1882 233-250 CHAPTER XXI. Administration op Commander-in Chief Paul Van Der Voort — Seventeenth Annual Session, Denver, July 35, 1883 ... 251-269 CHAPTER XXII. Administration op Commander-in-Chief Rorert B. Beath— Eight- eenth Annual Session, Minneapolis, July 23, 1884 270-389 CHAPTER XXIII. Administration op Commander.-in-Chiep John S. Kountz — I^ine- teenth Annual Session. Portland, Maine, June 34, 1885 290-305- CHAPTER XXIV. xA.dministration op Commander-in Chief S S. Burdett — Twentieth Annual Session, San Francisco, August 4, 1886 306-324 CHAPTER XXV. Administration op Commander-in-Chief Lucius Fairchild— Twenty- First Annual Session, September 28. 1887 325-348 CHAPTER XXVI. Administration of Commander-in-Chief John P. Rea— Twenty Second Annual Session, Columbus Ohio, September 13, 1888 349-373 Election of Commander-in-Chief William Warner and Staff Appointments 373-378 xii Contents. Departments of the Grand Army of the PiEpubltp. CHAPTER XXVII. PAGE TiiK Eastkkn States— Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut 379-436 CHAPTER XXVTTI. TiiK Miuni.K Atlantic States — New York, New Jersey, Permsjivania, Delaware, .Mar- land and District of Columbia 437-500 CHAPTER XXTX. Central States — Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa. Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska and Dakota 501-588 CHAPTER XXX. Pacific and ^Iocntain States — California, Nevada. Arizona, New Mex- ico, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Washington Territory . 589-G21 CHAPTER XXXI. .SouTnEUN Departments — Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Mis.sissippi, Kentucky, Arkan.sas, Texas 622-G50 Tables Showing MEMBEUsnip, December 31st op each year, 1871- 1887 inclusive 651 Posts and Members, June 30, 1888. and Relief Disbursed by the OuDEU 652 CHAPTER XXXII. GuA.ND Aum Y Badges 653-058 ("IIAPTER XXXIII. Auxiliary and other Societies— Woman's Relief Corps, Ladies of the (i. A. R.. Sons of Veterans U. S. A , I'liion Veterans' Legion, Union Veterans' Union, Veterans' Rights I iiioii. Union Kx-Pri.soners of War Af-Hocialion 659-681 PKNhioN Statistics 681-684 / PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. POKTEAITS. PAGE Alcoen. W. W facing 292 Allan, Edgar " 328 Anderson, Edward " 350 Anderson, T. J 572 Attwood, C. G 126 Austin, D. R facing 292 Backus, S. W.. " 328 Baldwin, W.H " 208 Bangs, I. S " 252 Barker, Mrs. E. F " 657 Beath, R. B frontispiece Bell, John 89 Bishop, J. T facing 40 Bowers, Geo " 220 Bramhall Frank J 538 Brown, F. E facing 252 Brown. W. W 154 BucKBEE, C. J facing 164 BURDETT, S. S " 306 BURNSIDE, A, E " 123 Burst, J. W " 252 Cameron, John " 308 Campbell, T. C " 88 Carnahan, J. R " 220 Chipman, N. P " 88 CoEY, James 125 Cogswell, Wm 1 85 Cole, Nelson facing 850 Collier, Geo. W 116 CoLTRiN, I N facing 132 Connor, Selben " 308 Cook, John 66 Craig, Mrs. C. Rusk 660 Cushman, a. S 404 PAGE Devens, Chas., Jr facing 144 DeWitt, R. M "376 Din OMAN, H " 208 Donohue, Florence " 350 Douglas, W. W 127 Dunning, Geo. H facing 40 Earnshaw, Wm " 205 Evans, Geo. S " 376 Everett. A. S " 328 Fairchild, L " 325 Farley, J. L 184 Ferguson Ed facing 148 Fish, Damel " 350 Foster, I. M " 252 Foster, Robert S " 72 Fuller, Mrs. S. E " 650 GOBLE, J. R " 148 Goodrich, M. B 136 Gould, Guy T facing 154 Grant, Gen. U. S 474 Gray, E. B facing 328 Green, S. A 115 Grosvenor, C H facing 308 Hadfield, Jos '" 376 Hall, Matthew 195 Hall, W. D facing 292 Hamlin, A. C " 230 Hampton, Mrs. E. S " 657 Harland, Ed 428 Hartranft, John F facing 162 Hawkes, B. F 502 Hawley, Jos. R facing 88 Hedges, I. M " 350 [xiii] XIV PORTKAITS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. Hicks, Ira E facing 292 lIiLL. Hkuheut E 194 Holmes, Walteu H facing 272 Howe, he oOl HrxTEK, Jacob M facing 328 HlKLBUT, S. A " 68 Jakes. Oscar A " 292 Jaudine, Edwahd 153 JoiixNsoN, J. B facing 376 Jones, W. B •' 208 Kanan, M. F •' 36 Keifek, J. W 137 Kimball, Nathan 516 KiNNE, C. Mason 590 KiNNE, Mns. E. D'A facing 657 KouNTz, John S " 290 Lewis, John R LiNEHAN, John C. Logan, John A. . . LOVERING, Jos. F. . LUBET. T 350 84 173 107 McGiLLicuDDY, T. D 504 McKean, J. B facin-i- 72 McMichael, Clayton 466 McNeil, D. C facing 72 ]^lEEcn, Jas. F 408 Merrill, Geo. S facing 233 Miller, Roswell 125 Mitchell. S. B. W 106 Monroe, A. C 410 Nale, J. H facing 40 Neil, M. H •' 376 NoRRis, A. W " 148 I North, A. A 34 \ Olin, Wm. M facing 236 Owen, Joshua T ' 88 Palmer, John " 208 Palmer, John M 65 Peirck, Henry B 406 Phelps. John S facing 52 Pile. W.m. A " 72 PoNij, C. V. H " 236 PAGE Powell, Hans facing 148 Prior, Jos. JI " 36 Proudfit, j. K .537 Pugh,L C facing 36 Raphun, Chas. W •' 208 Rea, JohnP • 349 Reed, Myron W ' 164 Reynolds, Jos. S ' 164 Rhodes, E. H •• 183 Riebsame, C ' 40 Robinson, John C " 182 Rogers, W. F " 164 Ross, W. E. W " 252 Routh, j. W •' 40 Rutledge, W. j 33 Santjers, Add. H : 533 Santmyer, C. a facing 272 Shanafelt, T. M " 292 Shaw, Jas., Jr 99 Sherwood, Mrs. Kate B . . facing 659 Sibley, B. F ■• 36 Snyder, John M • ' 52 Sprague, a. B. R " 148 Squires, Geo B •• 220 Starring, F. A 108 Steele, Geo. K facing 36 Stephenson, B F " 32 Stewart, L. H " 308 Stewart, T. J 470 Styer, Chas facing 236 Swain, E. D ' 220 Taintor, H. E " 328 Taylor, John " 253 ToLAND, Aqcilla " 40 Turner, Mrs. L. A 661 Updyke, S G facing 376 Vanderslice, John M •' 272 Van Der Voort, Pau! " 250 Vandever. Wm. " 272 Vanosdol, Argus D " 808 Veazey. W. G " 350 Wagner, Louis " 210 Waf.kinsiiaw. j. C 573 Ward, William facing 164 Portraits and Illustrations. xv PAGE : . PAGE Warneb, T. C facing 328 j Willich, August facing 72 Warner, William " 372 , Wilson, O. M 517 Watson, Jas. L 172 i Woods, Robert M facing 52 Webber, Jules C facing 52 Weigel, Eugene F " 376 Young, Chas. L " 236 ILLUSTEATIONS. Badges, Corps (Colored Plates) facing pages 4-5, 8-9 Badges, Membership and Official, G. A. R 653-658 Badge. Woman's Relief Corps 659 Badge, Ladies of the G A. R 666 Badge and Coat of Arms, Sons op Veterans, U. S. A. 669, 670 Badge, Loyal Legion 19 Badge, Union Veteran Legion 674 Badge, Army Societies: Tennessee 13 Cumberland .... 15 Signal Corps 16 Potomac 17 Hartford Soldiers' Memorial 436 Hall op Post 2, Philadelphia fiicing 168 Indiana Soldiers' Monument ' " 522 Massacitusetts Soldiers' Home " 416 Minnesota Soldiers' Home " 670 < X T (n en n I Q. _j > D ~) LL n- >- h- JL 1- a -• z U < > < UJ Ql. LL m O X III I t- O > rr < U.I ^ O 7' < ir U lU U 1- u t- z 1 u CD to _J < -J History I Grand Army of the Republic. CHAPTER I. PEACE AT LAST. On the fourteenth day of April, 1865, the United States flag, which just four years before had been lowered upon the formal surrender of Fort Sumter, was again raised over that fort by Major-Greneral Robert Anderson, with appropriate ceremonies, national in their character and importance. On the second of April, Jefferson Davis had made a hurried departure from Richmond, stopping at Danville to issue a procla- mation to the effect that the events of the past ten days would leave the Confederate armies " free to move from point to point, to strike the enemy in detail far from his base." Notwithstanding this, on April 9, General Robert E, Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant, and on the 14th General Joseph E. Johnston opened negotiations for the surrender of his troops to General Sherman, the details being formally consum- mated on the 26th of that month. Mobile had been surrendered on the 12th to the military and naval forces under General Gordon Granger, commanding the 13th Army Corps, and Rear- Admiral Henry K. Thatcher, commanding the AVest Gulf Squadron. Major-Generals George Stoneman and James H. AVilson were leading divisions of cavalry at will through different sections of the South which had not seriously felt the dire effects of war, and the last-named general, by a series of dashing movements, completely routed and scattered the cavalry forces of General N. B. Forrest. A portion of Wilson's command, on May 10, captured the fleeing leader of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis. Practically but one large division of the rebel armies then re- mained in the field, that of the Trans-Mississippi Department, under General E. Kirby Smith, who surrendered, on May 25, to General E. R. S. Canby, commanding the Military Division of the Gulf. The rebellion was ended. 1 [1] i Oranp Army of the Eepublic. SECOND DIVISION— ^aioT-Cjenevdl George Crook. 1st Brigade, Brig.idier-General Henry E. Davies (2d New York C'jivalrv). id Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General John Irvin Gregg, 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry. '.V\ lirigade, Brevet Brigiidier-General C. H. Smith, 1st Maine Cavalry. I'll: ST />//7^70;^'— Brigadier-General Thomas C. Devin (6th New York Cavalry). 1st Brigade, Colonel Peter Stagg, 1st Michigan Cavalry. 'id Brigade, Colonel Charles L. Fitzhugh, 6th Nbav York Cavalry. Reserve Brigade, Brigadier-General Alfred Gibbs (1st New York Dragoons). NINTH ARMY CORPS. Major-General John G. Parke. i-in>^T J^J lis ION— Brevet Major-General O. B. Wilcox. 1st Brigade, Colonel Samuel Harrimau, 37th Wisconsin. 2d Brigade, Brevet Colonel Ralph Ely, 9th Michigan. ;5d Brigiule, Colonel James Bintliff, 38th Wisconsin. SECOND />/;T6'/0A^— Brigadier-General S. G. Griffin. 1st Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General John I. Curtin, -loth Pennsylvania. lM r.rigade. Colonel H. B. Titus, 9th New Hampshire. Til I III) DIVISION— Bre\ei Major-General John F. Hartranft. 1st lirigade. Colonel A. B. McCalmout, 208th Pennsylvania. 2il Brigade, Colonel J. A. Matthews, 205th Pennsylvania. Artill.-ry Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General J. C. Tidball, 4th New York Heavy Artillery. Finn ARMY CORPS. Brfivet Major-General Charles Griffin. I- 1 Its r DIVISION— Brevet Major-General J. J. Bartlett (27th N«^w York I. 1st Brigade, Bn^vct Brigjulier-Ciencral A. ]j. Pearson, 155th Pennsylvania. FIRST CORPS. 1st DIV. 2d DIV. 3d DIV. SECOND CORPS. 1st DIV. 2d DIV. 3d DIV. THIRD CORPS. IsT DIV. 2d DIV. 3d DIV. A IST DIV. FOURTH CORPS. 1»T DIV. 2d DIV. 3d DIV. FIFTH CORPS. 2d DIV. 3d DIV SIXTH CORPS. IsT DIV. 2d DIV. + 3d DIV. SEVENTH CORPS. 1st DIV. 2d DIV. 3d DIV •EIGHTH CORPS. 1st DIV. 2d DIV. 3d DIV. NINTH CORPS. 1st DIV 2d DIV. 3d DIV. 4th DiV. TENTH CORPS. 1st DIV. 3d DIV. ELEVENTH CORPS. 1st DIV. 2d DIV. 3d DIV. TWELFTH AND TWENTIETH CORPS. 1st DIV. 2d DIV. 3d DIV. comneHT lase. Peace at Last. 5 2d Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General E. M. Gregory, 91st Pennsylvania. 3d Brigade, Brigadier-General J. L. Chamberlain (20th Maine). SECOND I) I FIS 10 N—Major-General K. B. Ayres. 1st Brigade, Brigadier-General Joseph Hayes (18th Massa- chusetts). 2d Brigade, Colonel D, L. Stanton, 1st Maryland. 3d Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General James Gwyn, 118th Pennsylvania. THIRD DIVISION— Major-General S. Wylie Crawford. 1st Brigade, Colonel J. A. Kellogg, 6th Wisconsin. 2d Brigade, Brigadier-General Henry Baxter (2d Michigan). 3d Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General Richard Coulter, 11th Pennsylvania. SECOND AKMY corps Major-General A. A. Humphreys. FIRST DIVISION'— Breyei Major-General Nelson A. Miles. 1st Brigade, Colonel John Fraser, 140th Pennsylvania. 2d Brigade, Colonel R. Nugent, 69th New York. 3d Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General C. D. MacDougall, 111th New York. 4th Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General John Ramsey, 8th New Jersey. SECOND DIVISION— Breyet Brigadier-General F. C. Barlow, 61st New York. 1st Brigade, Colonel W. L. Olmstead, 59th New York. 2d Brigade, Colonel J. P. Mclvor, 170th New York. 3d Brigade, Colonel Daniel Woodall, 1st Delaware. THIRD DIVISION— BreYet Major-General Gershom Mott, New Jersey. 1st Brigade, Brigadier-General R. De Trobriand (55th New York). 2d Brigade, Brigadier-General Byron R. Pierce (3d Michigan). 3d Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General R. McAllister, 11th New Jersey. Artillery Brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel J. G. Hazard, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. fi CiUAND Army of the Republic. The Nineteenth Army Corps was represented by a division under command of Brigadier-General William Dwight, formerly Colonel 70th New York. The Sixth Army Corps had remained at Danville, Va., and was formally n'viewed by the President in Washington on June 8. It was then commanded by Major-General H. G. Wright. SHERMAN'S ARMY, Comprising the Army of the Tennessee and the Army of Georgia, was reviewed on May 24. At the lie;wl of the column rode Major-General William Tecumseh Sherman, accompanied by General O. O. Howard. ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE. Major-General John A. Logan. FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS. Major-General William B. Hazen. FIIIST />/r/>S'/OiV— Brigadier-General Charles R. Woods (76th Ohio). 1st Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General W. B. Woods, 76th Ohio. 2(1 Brigjule, Colonel R. F. Catterson, 97th Indiana. :{d Brigade, Colonel George A. Stone, 25th Iowa. SiyOND Z)/rT>S'7'0A^— Brigatlier-General. J. M. Oliver (^15th Michigan). Ist iirigsule, Colonel Theodore Jones, 30th Ohio. 2d Brigjid.', C()h)nel William S. Jones, 58d Ohio. M Uri^'adc, Colouol F. S. Hntcliiuson, 15th Mich. rolirrH DniSlOX^l^wA-ai Major-General John M. Corse, 6th Iowa. Ist lirigiidc, lirig.-ulier-General Elliott AV. Rice (7th Iowa). 2d JJriga-lc, iirig.uli.tr-Gcneral W. T. Clark, Iowa. .'M J}rig)ul(», Colonel Richard Rowett, 7th Illinois. Artillery Brigade, Lieutenant-Coloiu-l W. H. Ross. Peace at Last. 7 seventeenth aemy corps. Major-General Frank P. Blair, Jr. FIRST 2>7FXS'70iV— Brigadier-General Manning F. Force (20tli Ohio). 1st Brigade, Brigadier-General John W. Fuller (27th Ohio). 2d Brigade, Brigadier-General John AV. Sprague (63d Ohio). 3d Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General John Tillson, 10th Illinois. THIRD DIVISION— Brevet Major-General M. D. Leggett (78th Ohio.) 1st Brigade, Brigadier-General Charles Ewing (Ohio). 2d Brigade, Brigadier-General Robert K, Scott (68th Ohio). FOURTH DIVISION— Brexet Major-General Giles A. Smith (8th Missouri). 1st Brigade, Brigadier-General B. F. Potts (32d Ohio). 2d Brigade, Brigadier-General Carlos J. Stolbrand (2d Illinois Artillery). 3d Brigade, Brigadier-General W. W. Belknap (15th Iowa). Artillery, Major Fred. Welker, 1st Missouri Light Artillery. AEMY OF GEOEGIA. Major-General Henry W. Slocum, New York. TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS. Major-General Joseph A. Mower. FIRST DIVISION— BreYet Major-General A. S. Williams, Michigan. 1st Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General James L. Selfridge, 46th Pennsylvania. 2d Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General William Hawley, 3d Wisconsin. 3d Brigade, Brigadier-General J. S. Robinson (82d Ohio). SECOND DIVISION— Brevet Major-General John W. Geary (28th Pennsylvania). 1st Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General A. Pardee, Jr., 147th Pennsylvania. 8 Grand Army of the Eepublic. 2(1 Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General George W. Mindel, 33d New Jersey. 3d Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General Henry A. Barnnin, 149tli New York. TillUD DIVISION— Brevet Major-Geueral W. T. Ward, Ken- tucky. 1st Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General Benjamin Harrison, TOtli Indiana. '2d Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General Daniel Dustin, lOotli Illinois. 3d Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General William Cogswell, 2d Massachusetts. Artillery, Captain Charles E. ^Vinegar, New York. FOURTEENTH ARMY COUPS. Major-General Jefferson C. Davis. FIRST BIFISION—Brigiidier-General Charles C. Walcutt (45th Ohio). 1st Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General H. C. Hobart, 21st "Wis- consin. 2d Brigade, Brigadier-General George P. Buell (58th Indiana). 3d Brigade, Colonel H. A. Hambright, 79th Pennsylvania. SECOND DIVISION— Brevet Major-General James D. Morgan, 10th Illinois. 1st Brigade, Brigadier-General William Vandever (9th Iowa.) 2d Brigade, Brigadier-General John G. Mitchell (113th Ohio). 3(1 Brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Langley, 125th Illinois. Till III) DIVISION— Brevet Major-General Absalom Baird. 1st Brigade, Colonel M. C. Hunter, 82d Indiana. 2d Brigade, Colonel N. Gleason, 87th Indiana. 3d Brigade, Brigadier-General George S, Greene (GOth New York. The titles of officers given above are as designated in the General Orders issued for the Keview. A number afterward re- ceived commissifjns of higher grades. ^lany of tli(^ ollici'rs and large numb«»rs of the soldiers were garlanded witli flowers as they passed along t]i(^ line of marcli. " Sherman's l)niinii('rs " lieljx'd to relieve wliatever of monotony THIRTEENTH CORPS. UNOFFICIAL. As Adopted • Y THC Members of the Corps »T St. Louis. Sept. 29, '87. FOURTEENTH CORPS. 1st DIV. 2d DIV. ^ 3d DIV. FIFTEENTH CORPS. 1st DIV 3d DIV. 4th DIV. SIXTEENTH CORPS. SEVENTEENTH CORPS. 1st DIV. 3o DIV. EIGHTEENTH CORPS. IST DIV. 2d DIV. 3d DIV. NINETEENTH CORPS. IsT DIV. 2d DIV. 3d DIV. TWENTY-SECOND CORPS. TWENTIETH CORPS. SAME AS TWELFTH. TWENTY-FIRST CORPS. NO BADGE ADOPTED. 1st DIV. TWENTY-THIRD CORPS. 2d DIV. 3d DIV. 1st DIV. TWENTY-FOURTH CORPS 2d DIV. 3d DIV. TWENTY-FIFTH CORPS, 1st DIV. 2d DIV. 3d DIV. SIGNAL CORPS. ENGINEER AND PONTONIER. CORPS. WILSON'S CAVALHY. Sheridan's Cavalry. The above Corps Marks, except the 13th Corps, are from the Offi- cial Chart furnished by the War Department. Hancock's Veteran Corps. coFTFioHr lase Peace at Last. 9 tliere was in the continual tramp, tramp, tramp of the armies. A number were mounted on mules or on sorry-looking horses borrowed from some quartermaster's camp of condemned animals, and carrying chickens, pigs, and vegetables ; others on foot swung along in the free-and-easy gait learned on their long march to the sea. It was estimated that nearly 150,000 men participated in these ceremonies — the Army of the Potomac, 80,000 ; the Army of the Tennessee, 36,000 ; and the Army of Georgia, 33,000. Never before had such a pageant been witnessed at the capital of any nation — the passage of an army of citizen soldiers who, having by their valor saved the nation, were now present only that those necessary details might be completed which would enable them to take their places in the ranks of peaceful citizens. With worn uniforms and tattered ensigns telling eloquently of service in the field, these men were now only anxious to return to their homes and loved ones. Though joyfully returning, and, as representatives of all who had honorably served in the armies and navies of the Union, thus receiving the plaudits of the people whom they had so ably served, there were sad thoughts not inhar- monious with the occasion. As they passed the reviewing-stand where representative men were assembled in their honor, the marching soldiers missed above all others that rugged, homely face which now would have been lit with a halo of glory. The great patient heart, that for four years had borne such a fearful strain, was now stilled. In all the land no one was nearer the soldier's heart than Abraham Lin- coln. Other forms were missing from the group — leaders of corps and of armies, of whom John F. Reynolds, McPherson, and Sedg- wick were types. But the thoughts of the soldiers were not then so much with the absent leaders as with the more familiar forms of comrades, dear to their hearts, but now numbered with the dead. Perchance they had been playmates in school-boy days and bosom friends in maturer years. Together they had responded to the call of an imperiled country, together had faced the dangers of the service. In camp and bivouac they had slept under the same blankets and shared the contents of their haversacks and canteens. These, their comrades, had not lived to hear the joyful shouts 10 Grand Army of the PiEruBLic. of victory, and were not to receive the embraces of their loved ones. They had died that the Nation might live ! The fond affection cherished for the honored dead but stimu- lated the ties of sympathy and love for comrades living and shar- ing the thrilling memories of the years of national strife and war- fare now happily over. They were soon to part, each in his own way to fight the battle of life, to form new ties, new friendships, but never could they forget the sacred bond of comradeship welded in the fire of battle, that in after years, should be their stimulus to take upon them- selves the work confided to the people by President Lincoln " to bind up the Nation's wounds," " to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan." CHAPTER II. VETERAN SOCIETIES. The parting of the veterans at their places of final discharge from the service inspired the desire that the friendships formed should be maintained through life, and but few regiments failed to arrange for future meetings at times that should commemorate some important event of their past history. It is impracticable to here make special reference to such regi- mental reunions, that even now, after nearly a quarter of a cen- tury has passed, are red-letter days in the lives of the participants. We can but note the corps and army and naval societies, repre- senting important and jDarticular parts or branches of service, whose members find a still broader field for the cultivation of this fraternity in the organization that embraces all who, on land or sea, honorably served their country — The Grand Army OP THE EePUBLIC. The Third Army Corps Union was the first army society or- ganized during the rebellion. The Third Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, was formed March 16, 1862. General Daniel E. Sickles was assigned to its command on February 8, 1863, and so served until disabled by the loss of a leg at Gettysburg. The First Division, after the death of General Kearny, at Chantilly, September 1, 1862, was commanded by General D. B. Birney, at whose headquarters a meeting of officers of the Corps was held September 2, 1863, to form an association, the main object at that time being to secure funds for embalming and send- ing home for burial the bodies of officers killed in battle or dying in hospitals at the front. General Sickles was elected President ; General D. B. Birney, Vice-President ; Captain Jos. Briscoe, New York, Recording Sec- retary ; Major H. E. Tremaine, New York, Corresponding Secre- tary ; and General Gershom Mott, Treasurer. General Mott served as Treasurer until his death, November 29, 1884. On September 30, 1863, another meeting was held, and General 12 Grand Army of the Republic. Birney was elected President, as the disabled condition of General Sickles prevented bis serving. On July 4, 1864, another meet- ing was lield : General Sickles was elected President ; General D. B. Birney, Vice-President. General Birney died October 18, 1864. On February 5, 1864, Surgeon Edward Welling, New Jersey, was appointed Corresponding Secretary, and on October 24, 1864, Recording Secretary, and has served continuously since in this position. The last meeting, held prior to their final muster-out, was on June 3, 1865. General Sickles, President ; General Mott, Vice- President ; Colonel E. L. Welling, Recording Secretary, and Colonel Chas. P. Mattocks, of Maine, Corresponding Secretary. Meetings have been held annually since the war on May 5, the anniversary of the battle of Williamsburg. The following have served as Presidents of the society since their muster-out of serv- ice : General Gershom Mott, 1866-67 ; General D. E. Sickles, 1868 -69-70 ; General C. K. Graham, 1871-72 ; Colonel Clayton Mc- Michael, 1873-74 ; General Geo. H. Sharpe, 1875-76 ; General W. J. Sewell, 1877-78 ; General H. E. Tremaine, 1879-80 ; General E. R. Biles, 1881 ; Major W. P. Shreve, 1882 ; Major Willard Bullard, 1883; Major John Barclay Fassitt, 1884; Colonel Baukson T. Morgan, 1885 ; Colonel Thos. Rafferty, 1886 ; Colonel A. Judson Clark, Newark, New Jersey, 1887. The twenty-fifth anniversary was held in New York city. May 5, 1888, and after the business meeting and banquet, adjourned to meet at Gettysburg, Jnlj 1-3, for the purpose of laying the corner- stone of a monument for the Third Corps. The present officers are : President, Major-General Daniel E. Sickles, New York city ; Vice-President, Brevet Major-General C. H. T. Collis, New York city ; Recording Secretary, Colonel E. L. Welling, Pennington, New Jersey ; Treasurer, Major Wm. P. Shreve, Boston. All officers or enlisted men of the Third Corps, or who partic- ipated in the battles of the Corps, are eligible to membership. SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE. This was Uw. second socii^ty organized during the rebellion. Tlu! preliminary meeting for tlie formation of tlie society was held in the Senate Chamber, at the State Capitol, Raleigh, North Veteran Societies. 13 Carolina, April 14, 1865. Brevet Brigadier- General W. B. Woods presided, and Major L. M. Dayton acted as Secretary. Major-Generals Frank P. Blair, Jr., John A. Logan, and A. J. Smith ; Brevet Major- General Giles A. Smith and Brevet Briga- dier-General W. B. Woods were appointed a committee to prepare a plan of organiza- tion. Lieutenant Robt. M. Woods, a year later the first Adjutant-General of the Grand Army of the Republic, and Captain George R. Steele, Adjutant of the first Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, participated in these meetings. General Blair reported the plan of or- ganization at an adjourned meeting, held in the same place, April 25. Membershij) in the society was restricted to officers who had served with the " Old Army of the Tennessee." The objects were stated as follows: " To keep alive and preserve that kindly and cordial feeling which has been one of the characteristics of this army during its career in the service, and which has given it such harmony of action, and contributed in no small degree to its glorious achievements in our country's cause. The fame and glory of all officers belonging to this army, who have fallen, either on the field of battle or in the line of their daily duty, shall be a sacred trust to this society, which shall cause proper memo- rials of their services to be collected and preserved, and thus transmit their names with honor to posterity. The families of all such officers who shall be in indigent circumstances will have a claim upon the generosity of the society, and will be relieved by the voluntary contributions of its members whenever brought to their attention. In like manner the suffering families of those officers who may hereafter be stricken by death shall be a trust in the hands of the survivors." Major-General John A. Rawlins was elected President of the society. He was then serving as Chief of Staff to Lieutenant- General Grant, and the committee, in recommending his elec- Badge, Army of the Tennessee. 14 Grand Army of the Republic. tion, reported that they had agreed npon his name "in con- sideration of his eminent services in connection with the 'Army of the Tennessee,' and also because of his ability and fitness for the position." At the next meeting, in Cincinnati, November 14, 1866, the fol- lowing officers were elected : President, General John A. Eawlins ; Vice-Presidents, Major-Generals John A. Logan, F. P. Blair, Jr., R. J. OciLESBY, Giles A. Smith, ^Y. W. Belknap, Brigadier-General Cassius Fairchild ; Recording Secretary, Lieutenant-Colonel L. M. Dayton ; Corresponding Secretary, Brigadier-General A. HiCK- enlooper ; Treasurer, Major-General M. F. Force. General Rawlins remained President of the society until his death, September 6, 1869. General Sherman was then elected President, and is so serving at this date. The Recording Secretary has held that office from the first meeting, and the Corresponding Secretary and the Treas- urer since 1866. By an amendment to the constitution, any member may desig- nate by will the relative to whom such membership shall descend, and in default of such declaration, the eldest son shall inherit his father's title to enrollment in the society. The Society of the Army of the Tennessee erected in Washing- ton, at a cost of $50,000, a handsome equestrian statue of Major- General Rawlins, and has also placed an appropriate memorial, costing §i23,000, over the grave of Major-General James B. McPherson, at Clyde, Ohio, and an equestrian statue of General McPherson in AVashington. A monument in memory of General John A. Logan, will also be erected in Washington. society of the army of the CUMBERLAND. This society was organized in Cincinnati, February 16, 1868. Memljership is open to all officers and enlisted men who served in the Array of the Cumberland. Major-General Geo. H. Thomas was President until his death in 1870, when General W. S. Rosecrans was elected, who served during 1870-71. In 1872 General Philip H. Sheridan was elected President, and is still (June, 1888) serving in that position. The b;ulge of the sociiity was formally juloptod at a meeting of officers and soldiers, held at Artillery Corps Headquarters, Nash- Veteean Societies. 15 ville, June 10, 1865. Breyet Brigadier- General J. L. Donaldson, Brevet Brig- adier-General E. Opdycke, Brevet Colonel W. H. Greenwood, Lieuten- ant-Colonel W. L. Foulke, and Cap- tain R. N. Litson, served as the Com- mittee on Badge. The fact of the adoption of this badge was published by General Geo. H. Thomas in General Orders No. 41, dated Headquarters Department of the Cumberland, Nashville, Tennes- see, June 19, 1865, " to signalize and perpetuate the history of the Army of the Cumberland." The Eive-pointed Star was the badge of the 20th Army Corps, the Triangle of the 4th Army Corps, and the Acorn of the 14th Army Corps. The equestrian statue of General Geo. H. Thomas in Washington, was erected by this society in 1879, as an enduring tribute to the memory of their great leader. The statue cost $35,000. The pedestal was provided by Congress. In May, 1887, the society erected a monument in memory of General James A. Garfield. The Society of the Army of the Ohio, Major-General John M. ScHOFiELD, President, and the Society of the Army of Georgia, Major-General Henry W. Slocum, President, were organized at Chicago, December 15, 1868, when a reunion of these Western societies was held. General Grant, then President-elect of the United States, so intimately associated by service with them, was j)resent, the cen- tral figure of a notable group: Grant, Sherman, and Thomas. General Thomas presided over the meeting, and General Sher- man made the address of welcome. Orations were delivered by representatives of each society as follows: Army of the Tennessee, General W. W. Belknap. Army of the Cumberland, General Chas. Cruft. Army of the Ohio, General J. D. Cox. Army of Georgia, General Wm. Cogswell. Badge, Army of the Cumberland i<; Grand Army of the Kepublic, SIGNAL CORPS. IJadge, Signal. Corps. The United States Veteran Signal Corps As- sociation was organized at Boston, November H, 181)7, Lieutenant J. "SVillard Brown, Presi- dent. Annual meetings have been held as fol- lows : September 1, 1877; September 6, 1878, and August 29, 1879, at Revere Beach, Massa- chusetts, Captain F. R. Shattuck, President ; August 2fi, 1880, Rocky Point, Rhode Island; August 25, 1881, Point of Pines, Massachusetts, Lieutenant J. Willard Brown, President ; August 31, 1882, Fall River, Massachusetts, John F. Ridley, President; August 30, 1883, Hull, Massachusetts, F. W. Marston, President ; August 28, 1884, Crescent Beach, Massachusetts, Major A. B. ('aj)ron, President ; August 27, 1885, Silver Spring, Rhode Island, and August 26, 1886, Brighton Beach, New York, Colonel J. C. Paine, President; August 25, 1887, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, rieueral B. F. Fisher, President. Secretary, Chas. D. ^V. Marcy, 155 Franklin street, Boston, Massachusetts ; Historian, J. Willard Brown, Cambridge, Massachusetts. THE SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE JAMES "Was organized in Boston, September 2, 1868, General Chas. Devens, Jr., President. Meetings were held in 1871, 1874, and lH7f), and tlie society then became incorporated with the Society of the Army of the Potomac. THE SOCIETY oF Jiri: HCHNSIDE EXPEDITION AND OF THE NINTH CORPS Wa.s organized in New York city, February 8, 1869. General A. E. liurnside was President until his death, in 1871. General A. li. U. Sprague, Vice-President, served as President until the next reunif)n, wlien General Jolin F. Parke was elected. General John F. Hartranft was elected President in 1884. The jiresent officers are : President, General Gilbert H. McKib- ])in ; Vice-PreHident, Colonel R. H. I. Goddard ; Secretary and TreiiMurer, General C. H. Barney, 32 Nassau street, New York city. Veteean Societies. 17 AEMY OF THE POTOMAC. Badge, Akmy of the Potomac. The Society of the Army of the Potomac was organized in New York city, July 5, 1869, and has held annual reunions since that date. All officers and soldiers who served in the Army of the Potomac and in the 10th and 18th Army Corps, Army of the James, are eligible to membership. The officers are a President, one Vice- President from each Army Corps, the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Artillery Corps, Cavalry Corps, and Signal Corps, and from the General Staflf ; a Treas- urer, Recording Secretary, and Correspond- ing Secretary. Meetings have been held and Presidents of the society elected as follows : 1869, July 5, New York city, Lieutenant-General P. H. Sheridan 1870, April 9, Philadelphia, Major-General Geo. G. Meade. 1871, May 12, Boston, Major-General Joseph Hooker. 1872, May 7, Cleveland, Major-General A. E. Burnside. 1873, May 14, New Haven, Major-General Irwin McDowell. 1874, May 12, Harrisburg, Major-General W. S. Hancock. 1875, no meeting. 1876, June 6, Philadelphia, Major-General John F. Hartranft. 1877, June 27, Providence, Rhode Island, Major-General H Slocum. 1878, June 5, Springfield, Massachusetts, Major-General ^\ Franklin. 1879, June 18, Albany, Major-General Daniel E. Sickles, 1880, June 16, Burlington, Vermont, Major-General H. G. Wright. 1881, June 8, Hartford, Brevet Major-General Chas. Devens, Jr. 1882, June 10, Detroit, Major-General A. A. Humphreys. 1883, May 16, Washington, D. C, Brevet Major-General John Newton. 1884, June 11, Brooklyn, New York, General Ulysses S. Grant. 1885, May 7, Baltimore, General Ulysses S. Grant. 1886, August 2, San Francisco, Brevet Major-General M. T. McMahon. 2 AV B. 18 Grand Army of the Eepuhlic. 1887, June 22, Saratoga Springs, Major-General John C. Robinson. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Truesdell, New York city, is Treasurer ; Brevet Colonel Horatio C. King, New York city, Reeonliug Secretary ; Brevet Major-General Geo. H. Sharpe, Ron- (lout, New York, Corresponding Secretary. THE SOCIETY OF THE ARMY AND NAVY OF THE GULF AVas formed by officers who served in the DejDartment of the Gulf, at a meeting held at Long Branch, New Jersey, July 8, 1869. Admiral D. G. Farragut was President until his death, when Gen- eral Sheridan was elected. THE SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF WEST VIRGINIA AVas organized at Moundsville, West Virginia, September 22, 1870. General R. B. Hayes was the first President of the society. Large and interesting reunions have been held each year. Officers : President, General George Crook ; Vice-Presidents, General R. B. Hayes, General W. H. Powell, General I. H. Duval, General B. F. Kelley, General W. S. Rosecraus, General H. F. Devol, General W. H. Enochs, General R. H. Milroy, General Van H. Bukey, Major B. M. Skinner, Colonel H. B. Hubbard, General N. Gofi", Colonel John A. Turley, Colonel Robert Bruce, Colonel Thayer Melvin, Colonel J. F. Charlesworth, Colonel J. M. Sclioon- maker. Colonel D. D. Johnson, Major J. M. Overturf, Captain J. P. Hart, Captain N, R. AVarwick. THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE LOYAL LEGION OF THE UNITED STATES. Tlie " Loyal Legion " was the first society formed by officers honorably discharged from the service. On the day after the assassination of President Lincoln, Col- onel S. B. AA'ylie Mitchell, Captain Peter D. Keyser, M. D., and Lieutenant-Colonel T. Ellwood Zell, met at the office of the latter, ill Pliiliwlelphia, to arrange for a meeting of ex-officers of the army and navy to udcipt resolutions relative to the death of President Lincoln. The subject of a jx^riiianent organization was discussed, and tlif'Kf goiitloiiK'ii ;i}^r('('(l to consult otlior army fricMids, and bo pre- Veteran Societies. 19 Obverse. Reverse. Badge, Loyal Legion. pared to take more definite action at a meeting to be held on April 20. On the latter evening, after the adoption of the resolutions referred to, it was decided to efi'ect a permanent organization, and an adjourned meeting w&s, held for this purpose, in the hall of the Hibernia Fire Company, in Philadelphia, May 3, 1865. Lieutenant-Colonel Henry A. Cook presided, with Captain Chas. S. Greene, Secretary. The following were elected officers : President, Lieutenant-Colonel T. Ellwood Zell ; 1st Yice-Presi- dent, Lieutenant-Colonel H. A. Cook ; 2d Vice-President, Major Casper M. Berry ; Secretary, Colonel S. B. Wylie Mitchell, M. D.; Treasurer, Captain Peter D. Keyser, M. D. During the month of May, 1865, a constitution and by-laws were adopted, in part. The officers provided for, were : Commander, Senior and 'Junior Vice-Commanders, Eecorder, Correspondent, Treasurer, Chancel- lor, Chaplain, and Council. 20 Grand Army of the Kepublic. The orgauizatiou proviiloil for District (or local) Command- eries, Graud (State) Commauderies, and a Commandery-in-Cliief. A full corps of officers was elected November 1, 1865. COMMANDERS OF THE LOYAL LEGION. Lieutenant-Colouel T. Ellwood Zell, May to November 4tli, 1865. Major-General George Cadwalader, Acting Commander-in- Chief, November 4th, 1865, until the date of his death, February 3d, 1879. Major-General Winfield S. Hancock, Acting Commander-in- Chief, June 5th, 1879-October 21st, 1885 ; Commander-in-Chief, October 21st, 1885, to February Dth, 1886, when he died. Brevet Major-General Rutherford B, Hayes, Acting Command- er-in-Chief, February 9th to October 20th, 1886. General Philip H. Sheridan was elected Commander-in-Chief October 20th, 1886. RECORDERS. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel S. B. Wylie Mitchell, Secretary, May 17th-.Tuly 20th, 1865 ; Acting Recorder-in-Chief, July 21st, 1865- August 16th, 1869, the date of his death. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel John P. Nicholson, Acting Record- er-in-Chief, August 21st, 1879-October 21st, 1885; Recorder-in- Chiof, October 21st, 1885. State Commauderies are located as follows : Veteran Societies. 21 a> ox CO to 1-^ o <© 00 <^ 05 bS h-i- i4 p W ? g O g g S' CD b" O § crq S &- c § S crq 2 S ^ o :n -^ e:. p CO — •- ii. O C o •T) o o t^ S' 2 :^ t-H a ^tJ z- P- p c s^ ^ !z| O f= O O ^^ O O I— I GO o o t^ Q I— I o CD O O p p tS l-i I-' p T5 p "TS I-' ^^ l-T' "T* t> 00 1-^ ^ 0«OMPP'-«>lP'-<--p^^O'-^'>r"S< SJ p u t— l-H t— ^ w r ■^ s. *^^. o o *^ »^ t-" o S-i >-■• >-( 3 bj S g O Q S! P ^ ^ w q3 "3 ?? Q a w td — t" B b. >► B I § g U- fD S- 5' P W u p w p w s. Q ^ r^ g 2 S EL S= p t::; O CD b3 t3d 22 Grand Aumy of the Republic. The Gram] Army of the Eepublic atlopted in part the titles of ottit-ers aud general plan of organization of the Loyal Legion. A part of the " Objects " of the G. A. K, Sec. 3tl, Art. II, Chap. I, " Loyalty," was copied from the constitution of the Loyal Legion by the Encampment at Indianapolis, November, 18G6. The essential difference in the two societies is in their terms of eligibility to membership, the Loyal Legion restricting member- ship of the first class to officers. THE CINCINNATI SOCIETY OF EX-AKMY AND NAVY OFFICERS Was organized in Cincinnati, October 2, 1874, " to preserve a feel- ing of friendship and cordiality among those who served in our National forces during the struggle for the preservation of the Republic, and also to keep a record of its members." Colonel Stanley Matthews was the first President. Meetings are held quarterly with an annual meeting followed by a banquet, on the 3d Thursday in January. PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE ASSOCIATION. This Association was formed by representatives of the fifteen Pennsylvania regiments organized in 1861, by Governor Curtin, in anticipation of a call for troops to serve for three years, under the title " Pennsylvania Reserves Corps," and were in active service during the whole period of the war, from the date of their mus- ter-in. A preliminary meeting of representatives was held in Phila- delphia, July 3d, 1866, when it was resolved to call a meeting at Lancaster, Septemljer 14, 1866, to effect a permanent organization, " to cherish the memories, perpetuate the friendships, and con- tinue the associations formed in the field." Governor A. G. Curtin was elected President, and has so continued to serve by election annually since. General H. G. Sickel, Vice-President ; Colonel J. I*. Taylor, Treasurer ; Jno. C. Harvey, Recording Secretary ; Col- onel Jno. H. Taggart, Corresponding Secretary. The present officers are : President, Ex-Governor Curtin ; one "N'ice-President from each regiment ; Recording Secretary, Captain Jolin Taylor, Plnlaut it was not by any means a unit, for large nnmbers of gallant soldiers who had ably served their country in the field, were then, and have remained, Democrats in their political belief. During this period quite a number of influential soldiers iden- tified with the Republican Party espoused the cause of President Johnson, and these but added fuel to the flame, and inspired both jiarties to redoubled eflbrts to secure or retain the " soldier vote." POLITICAL VETERANS SOCIETIES. The events referred to excited alike all classes and parties, and induced among the veterans the formation of hundreds of political clubs, under such titles as " Boys in Blue," " Soldiers and Sailors Leagues," " AVliite Boys in Blue," " Conservative Army and Navy Union," " Colored Soldiers Leagues," etc. Both parties were represented in National Conventions of Soldiers and Sailors held in September, 1866. THE CONVENTION AT CLEVELAND. Representative soldiers, members of the Democratic Party, assembled in large numbers at Cleveland, Ohio, September 17, 1866. General John E. Wool was chosen president of the conven- tion. Generals George A. Custer, Gordon Granger, J. B. Steadman, Lovell H. Rousseau, John A. McClernand, Thos. Ewing, Jr., Thomas L. Crittenden, Thomas E. Bramlette, E. S. Bragg, and ThoH. A. Davies were among the influential members of the con- vention. Resolutions strongly indorsing the course of President Johnson were adopted. TFIE CONVENTION AT PITTSBURG. The Soldiers and Sailors Republican Convention held in Pitts- burg, S('pt(niil)cr 2"), was also a large and notable asseml)lage. (Jeni-ral .John A. Logan luid l)een agreed upon for presitlent of the convj?ntion, but was ])revented from attending, and General Jacob D. Cox was rhosen. (Jeueral li. F. Butler was chairman of the cf)inii»itt the law of the Grand Army of the Repul)lic, and iiiidtT it ilui organization has grown to be a power- ful iiitluciKM- for good, a grand conservator of peace. Tim Grand Army lias used this influ(Mice to secure legislation for tin- care and <'(lucation of oi'phans of dead comrades, for in- Veteran Societies. 31 creased pensions for widows and orphans and dependent parents, and for homes for homeless veterans upon whom the hand of ad- versity has heavily fallen. It has urged an increase of pensions for the disabled to help them in their advancing years and increasing infirmities, and has sought to remove from the nation the shame of permitting men who saved its life to live, die, and be buried as paupers in the land they helped to save. While asking State and Nation for needed aid for the unfor- tunate, they have not been unmindful of their own obligations to suffering comrades. As will be shown by the official reports, hun- dreds of thousands of dollars have been annually disbursed by the Grand Army for charity, in addition to the personal donations of members that must amount to fully as much more. And what account shall be taken of fraternal visits to homes of afflicted comrades — a work shared in later years by the Woman's Eelief Corps, and by Ladies' Aids under different names ; of the comfort given the dying veteran in the assurance that wife and children should be cared for and not left to the cold charity of a heedless world ? The work of the Grand Army has been carried on without dis- tinction of party or creed, rank or color, and very largely for those who have remained outside the organization and have contributed nothing for its support. The Grand Army of the Republic has long outgrown the mis- takes of its infancy. With a membership drawn only from the limited number who were privileged to wear the uniform of their country in the days of its great peril, the growth of the Order for some years past has been phenomenal. In examining the statistics of membership elsewhere jDresented, it should be borne in mind that each year brings an ever-increas- ing death-rate among the survivors. It is now over twenty-two years since Dr. Stephenson for- mulated the plans for this organization of veterans of the war against rebellion. His body has long lain in that bea'utiful ceme- tery on the banks of the Sangamon River, but his work goes grandly on. The cultivation of fraternity in this, the grandest association of soldiers and sailors ever formed, the exemplification of charity to the distressed have been only portions of the work of the Grand Army of the Republic. It has countenanced nothing of personal animosities against 32 CJuAND Army of the Kepublic tliose who, a quarter of a century ago, so wrongfully arrayed themselves against their country, but has sought to more deeply imj)ress upon rising generations the lessons to be drawn from the liistory of the past, and which have been indelibly impressed upon the heart of the Nation at such great cost of life and treas- ure — that the highest duty of the citizen is loyalty to his country and its ilag! /3 /' J^^O^Z^^-'Mu^^c.^X^^i^ CHAPTER III. ORGANIZATION OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. The Reverend William J. Rutledge, now residing in Peters- burg, Illinois, was born of a noted family in Yirginia, June 24, 1820. In 1835 he emigrated to Ji^^ip^'^^ Illinois, and at the age of twenty entered the minis- try of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. For over forty-seven years he has been laboring as preacher and chaplain, and is to-day the happy possessor of a strong body and a vigorous intellect. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted as Chaplain of the 14tli Illinois Infantry, and served the three-years term. One son, a boy of 16, enlisted in the Third Illinois Cavalry ; another was a drummer- boy at the age of twelve. Chaplain Rutledge was the tent-mate and bosom companion of Dr. Stephenson, after the latter joined this regiment in 1862. Their regiment formed part of Sherman's Expedition to Meridian, in February, 1864, and while upon this campaign, Chaplain Rut- ledge suggested to Major Stephenson, that the soldiers so closely allied in the fellowship of suffering, would, when mustered out of the service, naturally desire some form of association that would preserve the friendships and the memories of their common trials and dangers. As they talked together, on the march or in bivouac, this thought expanded into the widest fields of conjecture as to the 3 [33] Chaplain W. J. Rutledge. 34 Grand Army of the Eepqblic. capiicity for f^ooil iu such au orgauization of veterans, and they airreeil that if spared they would together work out some such project. After the close of their army service this subject formed the hasis of their correspondence, until March, 1866, when Chaplain Kutledge met Dr. Stephenson, by appointment, in Springfield, Illinois, and spent some time with him iu arranging a ritual for tlie ])r()posed organization. Before this date, however, Dr. Stephenson had shown notes of a j3roposed ritual to persons in Springfield, and Major A. A. North, then a clerk in the drug store with which Dr. Stephenson was connected, was shown such drafts early in the Winter of 1865 -GC), which frequently formed the subject of conversation. Comrade Fred. I. Dean, now of Fort Smith, Arkansas, states that in February, 1866, Dr. Stephenson asked his co-opera- tion in writing out the rough notes of the ritual, and that then he and the business associates of Dr. Stephenson, Drs. Allen and Hamilton, were obligated in the Grand Army work. There are naturally some differences in the statements of those now surviving, who participated in the preliminary work of the (Jrand Army of the Republic — differences occasioned largely by the necessity for relying Tipou memory, after this lapse of time, for details of matters that did not then seem so important, and of which there are but meagre records. The following are known to have participated in the confer- ences in Springfield that finally resulted in the organization of the Grand Army of the li('])n])lic : Colonel John M. Snyder, Doctor .TamcH Hamiltf)n, Major llobert ]\I. Woods, Major Ilobert Allen, ('ha])laiii Williain J. llutledge. Colonel Martin Flood, Colonel Daniel (irass, (Colonel Edward Prince, Captain John S. Phelps, (.'aj)tain John A. Lightfoot, Ca])tain (since Colonel) 13. F. Smith, M.vjiju A. A. XoiiTH. Oeganization. 35 Brevet Major A, A. North, Captain Henry E. Howe, and Lieuten- ant (since Colonel) B. F. Hawkes. Meetings Avere first held in the offices of Drs. Allen, Hamilton, and Stephenson, and afterwards in the office of Colonel John M. Snyder, then Secretary to Governor Oglesby. One of Dr. Stephenson's active associates at that time was Captain John S. Phelps, who had enlisted as a private in Company B, 32d Illinois Infantry, and, at the age of 18 years, had been pro- moted to be First Lieutenant " for meritorious conduct at Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing." His interest in the matter Avas strong and practical, and he urged Dr. Stephenson to at once make a beginning by effecting an organization in Springfield. Captain Phelps also corresponded with the Soldiers and Sail- ors League in St. Louis, and obtained a copy of their ritual, por- tions of which were used for the Grand Army of the Kepublic. The name for the organization had not been decided upon in March, and it is probable that the " work " of an Order started in 1865 in Missouri, " The Advance Guard op America " or " The Grand Army of Progress," suggested the present title. AVhen the ritual was finally deemed ready for printing, in order that due secrecy might be secured, Governor Oglesby, who had baen consulted, suggested that it should be printed in Decatur by the proprietors of the Decatur Tribime, I. AV. Coltrin and Joseph Prior, who, with their employees, had been in the military service. After some correspondence with them on this subject. Captain Phelps was sent to Decatur to supervise the printing of the Ritual, first obligating Messrs. Coltrin and Prior and their compositors to secrecy. Captain Phelps, during his stay in Decatur, also called on a number of his soldier friends, principally members of the 41st Illinois Infantry, and sought their co-operation. "While this work Avas under way, Dr. J. W. Routh, of Deca- tur, who was intimately acquainted with Major Stephenson, went to Springfield to make personal inquiries about the proposed or- ganization, and he interested Captain M. F. Kanan in his mission. Together they called upon Major Stephenson, and this visit re- sulted in their determination to at once organize a Post in De- catur. On the return of Dr. Routh and Captain Kanan, but a short time was required to secure signatures to an application for a charter ; and, anxious to be the first to organize, they again Avent 36 Grand Army of the IIepuhlic to Sprinf^fioltl to jn-esent the application in person and arrange for the inusttT, Ac'corilingly, ou the sixth day of April, 1866, Major Stephenson, assisted by Captain Phelps, organized at Decatur the first Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. The Charter reads as follows : Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Illinois. To all whom it may concern, greeting : Know ye, that the Commander of the Department of Illinois, reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism and fidelity of M. F. Kauau, G. E. Steele, Geo. H. Dunning, I. C. Pugh, J. H. Nale, J. T. Bishop, C. Pteibsame, J. AV. Routh, B. F. Sibley, I. N. Coltrin, Joseph Prior, and A. Toland, does, by the authority in him vested, empower and constitute them Charter Members of an Encampment of the Grand Army of the Piepublic, to be known as Post 1, of Decatur, District of Macon, Department of Illinois, and they are hereby constituted as said Post, and authorized to make By-Laws for the government of said Post, and to do and perform all acts necessary to conduct and carry on said organiza- tion in accordance with the Constitution of the Grand Army of the Republic. DoiK' ;it S])ringfield, Illinois, this 6th day of April, 1866. B. F. STEPHENSON, Commander of Department. RoiiKiiT ]\r. AVooDs, Adjulanf- General. TIm iiiiiiutcs of the first meeting read as follows : \ • all iiifoiiiial iiH'eting held April 6, 1866, for the purpose of <»rgHiii/ing an J*2ncampment of the (irand Army of the Republic, the following-named jx-rsons were miistered by Major Stephenson, and constituted Charter IMembers : I. C. Pugh, Geo. R. Steele, J. \V. Routh, Jos. Prior, J. H. Nale, J. T. Bishop, G. H. Dunning, B. !•'. Sibley, M. V. Kanan, C. ]{eibsame, I. N. Coltrin, Aquilla T«)hind ; whrn, u])(ni motion, the I^iiicampment entered into an election of ollicers with the following result : Group of Charter Members, Post 1. Oeganization. 37 " Officers of the District — Brigadier-General I. C. Pugli, Commandant District ; Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Nale, District Quarter-Master; Dr. J. W. Routh, Adjutant. " Officers for the Post — M. F. Kanan, Post Commander ; G. R. Steele, Post Adjutant ; G. H. Dunning, Post Quarter-Master ; C. Eeibsame, Officer of the Day ; J. T. Bishop, Officer of the Guard ; J. W. Routh, Post Surgeon ; all of whom were duly mus- tered by Major Stephenson, who then declared the Encampment duly organized and ready for the transaction of any and all busi- ness which might come before it, and assigned to it the post of HONOR as " Decatur Encampment, No. 1. " On motion, a committee of two was appointed to procure a suitable room for the Encampment and report at the next regular meeting. Captains Kanan and Dunning, Committee. " On motion Tuesday was decided u]3on as the night for regu- lar meetings. " On motion adjourned to meet April 10, 1866. "Signed, M. E. KANAN, P. C. " G. R. Steele, P. J." ■ At the meeting on April 10th, N. G. Burns, Henry Gorman, N. E. Winholtz, W. H. Andrews, and AY. H. B. Rowe, Avere mustered in due form, and thus became the first recruits after the organiza- tion of the Post. The following is the military record of the charter members of this Post : records of charter members post no. one, DECATUR, ILLINOIS. M. F. Kanan was born in the State of New York. Enlisted at Decatur, Illinois, July 27, 1861, as First Lieutenant, Company A, 41st Illinois Infantry, and served with his regiment in all of Grant's campaigns in the West, among which were the capture of Forts Heiman, Henry, and Donelson, Corinth, and Vicksburg, being wounded at Donelson. He also participated in the battles of " Shiloh," " Hatchie," and the charge of Colonel L C. Pugh's Brigade at Jackson, Mississippi, on July 12, 1862, when more than two-thirds of the entire Brigade were either killed or wounded. He was promoted to be Captain for meritorious services at the battle of Shiloh ; afterwards served on the staff of Major-General M. M. Crocker, and was for a time assigned by Major-General Jas. 38 Grand Army of the Republic. B. McPherson as Assistant Provost-Marslial of the 17th Army Corps at Yieksburg, Mississippi. He returued to his regiment in the Spring of 1864, and com- manded the 41st Illinois Veteran Battalion in the campaign against Atlanta. He resigned November 10, 1864, and was after- ward employed in the Adjutant-General's Department at Spring- field, Illinois, nntil the close of the war. He is now (1888) serving his second term as Mayor of Decatur, and is a member of Post No. 141, Department of Illinois. Geo. E. Steele was born in Springfield, Ohio, September 12, 1836 ; moved to Illinois in December, 1856 ; enlisted as Second Lieutenant, Company A, 41st Illinois Infantry, July 27, 1861, at Decatur, and served in the campaign which resulted in the cap- tiTre of Forts Henry, Heiman, and Donelson. He served as Adjutant of his regiment during the battles of Shiloh, the advance on Corinth, occupation of Memphis, Tennes- see, and the battle of Hatchie. In November, 1862, was ajDpointed Cajstain and Aide-de-camp, and assigned to duty on the staff of Major-General James B. McPherson, commanding 17tli Army Corps, and took an active part in all of the campaigns of that Corps, including the marches, battles, and operations which re- sulted in the capture of Vicksburg, In March, 1864, he accompanied Major-General McPherson to Huntsville, Alabama, Avhen that General was assigned to the com- mand of the " Army of the Tennessee," and served on his staff dur- ing the campaign against Atlanta, including the battle of Jnlj 22, 1864, where General McPherson was killed. By order of General "\V. T. Sherman he accompanied the remains of General McPher- son to their last resting-place at Clyde, Ohio. He was afterwards assigned to dutj^ as Aide-de-camp to Major- General Frank P. Ijlair, who succeeded to the command of the 17th Army Corps. He served with General Blair on Sherman's March to the Sea, the occupation of Savannah, Georgia, the campaign through the Carolinas, and the occupation of Columbia, South Carolina, and Raleigli, North Carolina, Brevetted Major, United States Yolun- teers, Marcli 13, 1865 ; was present at the meeting of Generals Sherman and J(jhnston, April 17, 1865, near Kalrigh, North Caro- lina, wliere negotiations were hiul for the surrender of Johnston's Army. Organization. 39 He was present and took part in the organization of the " Society of the Army of the Tennessee," in the State Capitol building at Ealeigh, North Carolina, April 14, 1865. Participated in the " Grand Eeview " at Washington, D. C, and after the mus- ter-out of the troops of the 17th Army Corps, at Louisville, Ken- tucky, was assigned to duty with General Blair at St. Louis, Missouri, and was mustered-out of the military service November 22, 1865. Has since resided at Decatur, Illinois, and is now (1888) Treas- urer of Macon County, Illinois, an active Grand Army man, and a charter member of Post No. 141, Department of Illinois. Geo. H. Dunning entered the Army from Decatur, as Captain Company A, 21st Illinois Infantry (Grant's Kegiment), May 17, 1861, serving until October 21, 1862, when, on account of ill health, he resigned, and has since died. Isaac C. Pugh was a veteran of the Black Hawk and Mexican Wars. He entered the three months service April 16, 1861, as Caj)tain of Company A, 8th Illinois Infantry. At the expiration of this term he returned to Decatur, Illinois, and organized the 41st Illi- nois Infantry, which regiment served with the Army of the Ten- nessee, being actively engaged in all the campaigns of that army. He was mustered-out August 20th, 1864, and was brevetted Brigadier-General of Volunteers, March 10, 1865. After his mus- ter-out he served four years as Clerk of Macon County, Illinois, and was appointed Postmaster at Decatur during Presidei^*. Grant's administration. He died while holding that position. John H. Nale entered the service July 27, 1861, as Captain Company A, 41st Illinois Infantry, and was in active service with his regiment during all its marches and engagements. Promoted to be Major, April 8, 1862, Lieutenant-Colonel, De- cember 26, 1862 ; mustered-out August 20, 1864. When the last call was made for troops he re-snlisted as Cap- tain Company K, 152d Illinois Infantry, and was mustered-out as Major at the close of the war. He then located at Decatur, Illi- nois, and afterward moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he died of yellow fever. J. T. Bishop entered the service as First Lieutenant, Comj^a- ny I, 116th Illinois Infantry, September 6, 1862 ; was promoted 40 Oh.vnd Army of the Republic. to Captain April 'i;"), 1863 ; served iu the 15tli (Logan's) Corps ; was in the eanipaifjju of Grant which resulted in the capture of A'ickshurg ; with Sherman to Chattanooga, Tennessee, participating in tlie battle of Missionary Ridge and the march to Knoxville to the relief of ]Ju)-nside's command. Resigned March 30, 1864, and returned to Decatur ; subsequently moved to the East, and is Sec- retary of the Oil Companies at Bradford, Pennsylvania, and a member of Post No. 141, Department of Pennsylvania. Christian Riebsame, a native of Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, enlisted as private in Company B, 116th Illinois Infantry, August 11, 1862 ; was promoted to Sergeant, then First Lieutenant, Jan- uary, 1863, and Captain, January 28, 1864. His regiment was as- signed to the 2d Division of the 15th (^Logan's) Corps, and partic- ipated in all the battles and marches of that corps from Memphis, in 1862, to Bentonville, North Carolina, 1865, including Yicksburg, Chattanooga, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, July 22 and 28, 18(54, Sherman's March to the Sea, the Storming of Fort McAllister, the Campaign through the Carolinas, and the Capture of Columbia, South Carolina. A\'as in the Grand Review at AYashington, D. C, and was mus- tered-out June 7, 1865. He retiirned to Decatur, and resided there until 1869, when he moved to Bloomiugton, Illinois. He is very active in all matters of interest to the comrades of the late war, is a life member of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, a pioneer of the North American Turners-bund of St. Louis, and a member of Post No. 146, Bloomington, Department of Illinois. J. W. RouTH enlisted as CorjDoral in Company A, 41st Illinois Infantry, July 27, 1861, from Decatur, Illinois. Served Avitli his company at the capture of Forts Heiman, Henry, and Donelson ; was then promoted to Hospital Steward, and served as such during his term of enlistment. During the Yicksburg campaign, and after the capture of that city, Comrade Routh served as Hospital SteAvard of a General Field Hospital in charge of Dr. B. F. Stephenson ; they became warm personal friends, and Dr. Routh was among the first to wliom Dr. Stephenson confided his project for the organization of a society of the soldiers and sailors of the war of the rebellion. Dr. Routh was mustered-out with his regiment, August 10, 1864. He i)racticed UK^dicine iu Decatur for several years, then removed to St. I'aiil, Aliunesota, whore he died in 1886. Group of Ceiarter Members, Po3r 1. Organization, 41 B. F. Sibley was a practicing physician in Decatur at the time of the breaking out of the war ; enlisted in the 21st Illinois Infantry, acting as Surgeon. Eesigned in the fall of 1862 on ac- count of ill health ; returned to Decatur, where he now resides and continues the practice of his profession. Isaac N. Coltrin entered the service June 23, 1862, from Clin- ton, Illinois, in Company E, 66th Illinois Infantry. During its term of service this regiment was with the Army of Virginia and of the Potomac. He was mustered-out in September, 1862, and then settled at Decatur. He, with Joseph M, Prior, commenced the publication of the Decatur Trihime. They printed the first ritual for the Grand Army of the Republic. He still lives in Decatur, and is a practical printer in the office of the Decatur Republican. Joseph M. Prior entered the service as First Sergeant, Com- pany E, 68th Illinois Infantry, May 30, 1862, from Clinton, Illi- nois ; was mustered-out in September, 1862, settling in Decatur ; joined I. N. Coltrin in the publication of the Decatur Tribune, and assisted in printing the first ritual. He subsequently moved to East St. Louis, Illinois, where he died. Aquilla Toland enlisted as private. Company E, 17th Ohio Infantry, in London, Ohio, at the first call for troops to serve three months. He and a friend were the first to enrol their names as volunteers in Madison County, Illinois. After the ex- piration of his term of enlistment he re-enlisted in Company A, 118th Regular Ohio Infantry ; was promoted to be First Lieu- tenant, and was much of the time in command of his company on account of the physical disability of his captain. After having been mustered-out of the service, he returned to London, Ohio ; subsequently moved to Decatur ; took an active part in the organization of Post One, and always contributed financially to the relief of soldiers in distress. Purchasing a farm some 12 or 15 miles northwest from Decatur, he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death in 1878. THE RITUAL. In preparing the ritual, Major Stephenson evidently thought that all his ideas in relation to the objects to be accomplished by the organization should be fully elaborated. He had added sug- 42 Grand Army of the Eepublic, gestions of others until the ritual became exceedingly lengthy ; the commander's charge alone contained nearly two thousand words, equal to four of these pages. Prior to the organization of the Decatur Post, on the request of Major Stephenson, a commit- tee, consisting of Dr. Eouth, M. F. Kanan, J. T. Bishop, George R. Steele and G. H. Dunning, read over the MSS. of the ritual, to suggest amendments, but on April 18, 1866, Major Stephenson asrain referred to the matter as follows : o Oeganization. 43 This letter was read to the Post, and comrades Bishop, Dun- ning, Mory, Sibley and Glass were constituted a committee to comply with the request. Comrades Dunning, Nale and Steele were appointed a committee to draft regulations (by-laws) for the Post. Up to this date no constitution had been drafted, though the general plans had been discussed. On April 29, Major Stephenson again wrote Captain Kanan, urging him either to send immediately, or personally take a co'pj of the constitution and ritual to Springfield " for comparison with a draft being made " there, that they might "cull and select the best of both." The minutes of May 9 note a report from the committee that " the regulations and ritual had been presented to Department Headquarters and accepted." The original ritual had been re- vised, as one of the committee has since stated, by the free use of paste and scissors — cutting out nearly one-half of the commander's charge. CONSTITUTION. The constitution thus agreed upon was printed in Springfield, and copies sent to the Decatur Post on May 15, followed shortly after by copies of the revised ritual. The plan of organization j)rovided for — Isl — Precinct Organizations, to be known as Post No. (name of city, town, township, ward, or precinct). The oflicers to be Post Commander, Adjutant, and Quartermaster (presumably by election), and " an Officer of the Day and such other officers as may be necessary for the transaction of business, to be detailed by the commanding officer." 2d — County Organizations, to be known as District of (name of county), with a District Commander, an Assistant Adjutant General and District Quartermaster. 3d — State Organizations, to be known as Department of (name of State). Officers — Dej)artmeut Commander, Adjutant- General, Assistant Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General. 4th — The National Organization, to be known as " The Grand Army of the Republic." The officers to be a Command- ing Officer, Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General. In the constitution jDrinted in May, the letters U. S. A. are not appended to the title, but were used in signatures to documents at 44 Grand Aumy of the Eepublic. that time aud later, making' the title read " Grand Army of the RepuMic, V. S. A." REPRESENTATION. Posts Avere to have no direct representation in the Department Encampment. The County or District Organization Avas to be composed of one delegate for every ten members of the Grand Army of the District. The District Organization had general supervision of Posts, and the establishment of new Posts. Each District was entitled to one delegate in the Department Organiza- tion, Avhich was to meet once in each year. The 'National Organization was to be composed of two dele- gates from each Department. The constitution, as amended by the convention at Springfield, July 12, 1866, made no change in the mode or ratio of representation as above given, but provided for additional officers, as follows : In the National Organization, an Assistant Commanding Offi- cer, Surgeon-General and Chaplain. In Departments, an Assist- ant Dejoartment Commander, Surgeon-General and Chaplain. In Posts, an Assistant Post Commander, Post Surgeon, Post Chap- lain, Officer of the Day and Officer of the Guard. Officers of Posts were to be elected annually at the last meeting in December. The Declaration of Principles in the Constitution, written by Adjutant-General Robert M. Woods, read as follows : Constitution of the Grand Army of the Republic. ARTICLE 1. Declakation of Pkinciples. Section!. The soldiers of the Volunteer Army of the United States, during the Rebellion of 1861-5, actuated by the impulses and convictions of patriotism and of eternal right, and combined in the strong bands of fellowship and unity by the toils, the dangers, and the victories of a long and vigorously waged war, feel themselves called upon to declare, in definite form of words and in determined co-operative action, those jirinciples and rules which should guide the earnest patriot, the en- lightened freeman, and the christian citizen in his course of action; and to agree upon thos<' plans and laws which should govern them in a united and systematic working method with which, in some measure, shall be effected the preservation of the graml results of the war, the fruits of their labor and toil, so as to benefit the de- serving and worthy. i'vr. 2. The results which are designed to be accomplished by this organization are as follows: Organization. 45 1st. The preservation of those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound to- gether, with the strong cords of love and affection, the comrades in arms of many battles, sieges and marches. 2d. To make these ties available in works and results of kindness, of favor and material aid to those in need of assistance. 3d. To make prevision, where it is not already done, for the support, care and education of soldiers' orphans, and for the maintenance of the widows of deceased soldiers. 4th. For the protection and assistance of disabled soldiers, whether disabled by wounds, sickness, old age or misfortune 5th. For the establishment and defense of the late soldiery of the United States, morally, socially and politically, with a view to inculcate a proper appreciation of their services to the country, and to a recognition of such services and claims by the American people. To this section the National Encampment, in Philadelphia, January, 1868, added : But this Association does not design to make nominations for office or to use its influence as a secret or- ganization for partisan purposes. The Indianapolis Convention added the word " sailors " where omitted in the Springfield Constitution, and also added a new section, from the Constitution of the " Loyal Legion," as follows : 6th. The maintenance of true allegiance to tlie United States of America, based upon paramount respect for, and fidelity to, the national constitution and laws, mani- fested by the discountenancing of whatever may tend to weaken loyalty, incite to insurrection, treason or rebellion, or in any manner impairs the eflficiency and per- manency of our free institutions, together with a defense of universal liberty, equal rights and justice to all men. Changes were made in the titles of a number of officers as Grand Commander for Department Commander, and Senior and Junior Vice Post Commanders for Assistant Post Commanders. In May, 1869, the present form of Kules and Regulations was adopted. Although a number of veterans had been obligated at the se- cret conferences held in Springfield, Post 2 had not been formally organized, owing to fears expressed by Major Stephenson that other parties, who were not friendly to himself, would endeavor to secure control of the organization. No records have been preserved of the preliminary meetings of Post No. 2, but the minutes of July 10, 1866, refer to action taken at previous meetings without specifying the dates when they were 4() Grand Army of the Republic. held. General Webber recorded tlie date of organization in April. The charter members Avere, as appears by the minutes, General T. S. Mather, E. S. Johnson, General John Cook, Colonel George T. Allen, Major B. F. Stephenson, Colonel John M. Snyder, Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Green, Major Eobert Allen, Major J. W. Bice, Major William T. Prescott, Major Eobert ^r. AVoods, Captain J. S. Burke, Captain G. S. Dana, Cap- tain P. W. Harts, Captain O. S. Webster, Major Alfred A. North, Captain John A. Lightfoot, Captain L. W. Shepherd, Lieutenant William E. Fitzhugh, Lieutenant L. W. Rosette, Surgeon M. T. Hutson, E. H. Errickson, Hatch, L. M. Philips, Cajjtain George R. Webber, John C. Sj^riggs, Norman B. Ames. General T. S. Mather was elected Post Commander; E. S. John- son, Adjutant ; W. E. Fitzhugh, Officer of the Day ; William T. Prescott, Quartermaster, Delegates to State Conyention — John Cook, John M. King, Alfred A. North, H. Vanmeter, M. J. Green, AV. T. Prescott, I. N. Haynie, E. S. Johnson, J. W. Bice, L. W. Shepherd, T. S. Mather, George T. Allen, S. M. Shoup, Robert Allen, John McConnell. Alternates— J. V. Redenburg, H. M. Alden, G. S. Dana, L. W. Rosette, P. W. Harts, J. S. Burke, Bennett, P. H. Able, James Irwin, O. S. Webster. Dr. George T. Allen, of this Post, had taken a yery actiye interest in the establishment of a Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and in 1865 issued a very strong appeal to the Ladies' Aid Organiza- tion of the State for the funds required for this object. A yery pleasant episode in the history of Post 2 occurred in' Noyember, 1866, when the members, accompanied by a number of friends, called upon Dr. Stephenson at his office and presented him with a l)eautifiil gold-headed cane, inscribed : " From the sons of the G. A. B. fo the father, B. F. Stephenson, November, 1866." Captain W. E. Fitzhugh made the presentation speech on be- half of the donors. Dr. Stephenson responded as follows : My comkades, my neighbors and my fellow citizens:— I ucjcI not say to you that 1 am exceedingly grateful for this beautiful j^rcsent, valuable as it is of itself but ten thousand times more so on areonnt of its donors. I do not receive it as a tes- timonial to my supposed merits, but as an acknowledgment of yowr respect for and Organization. 47 appreciation of the G. A. R., which I had the distinguished honor to originate and of which I am for the present the acknowledged head. As such I receive it, and as such I will ever treasui'e it. It is more esteemed and appreciated by me on account of its timely presentation, receiving it as a token of your esteem and regard for our benevolent Order, just as I have descended the hill of life, crossed its summit, and commenced the slippery and treacherous descent of the last declivity, that which leads us on the brink of the narrow tomb. In making this last descent of life there is nothing so faithful and constantly the support of an old man as his staff. Friends and relations may forsake him, but his staff is always by his side. This shall be my stay the remainder of my days, let them be many or few, let them bs dark and dreary or light and joyous, and when I bid you a lasting farewell and commit my little ones to the kind consideration of you, my comrades of the Gr. A. R., this testimonial shall be my last will and testament bequeathed to my issue as a rich legacy; and in after years, my comrades, when I look back on this present moment this will remind me of your many deeds of valor, of the bloody fields won by your prowess. I shall hear the roar of your deadly artillery, the terrible crash and rattle of your muskets, the ringing and clashing of your sabres when you crossed them with those of the enemy, and I shall again see the many fields covered with the dead and wounded of our comrades, the ground made red with their hearts' blood, and hear the faint cry for water to .sustain the fast ebbing life stream. The many sacred messages whispered in my ear, fit only to be conveyed by angels, too sacred for my mortal ears, by my dying comrades, will be remembered. It will also remind me of the groan of the gray-headed sire on learning the sad news, the indescribable look of despair of the widow on learning that her last prop was taken from her. In it the shriek of the newly made bride, and the suppressed anguish of the betrothed maiden, and also of the piteous wail of the bereaved mother as with quivering lips she imparted the sad news to the little ones that are fatherless and perhaps homeless. But my comrades, it shall also remind me that we have not forgotten our dead comrades. That by our glorious Order, whose ranks are as firm as the wood of life that composes its stem, and whose principles are as pure as the gold that en- circles its head, the pathway of the old gray-headed sire is smoothed to his grave. The lone widow is comforted and sustained, the orphans are fed, clothed and educated; society is compelled to give them a home alike comfortable and respecta- ble. Traitors are made to hide their deformed heads and no man dare to lift up hand and voice against this country. May this organization last as long as there is a Union soldier in the United States and as long as the fibres of this wood hold together. B. F. STEPHENSON, Benjamin Franklin Stephenson, tlie founder of the Grand Army of the Bepublic, was born in Wayne county, Illinois, Octo- ber 30, 1822. In 1825 his parents removed to Sangamon county, where he grew to manhood, strong in body, but with meagre opportunities for obtaining an education. He was unable to follow the bent of his inclination, which was to study medicine, until after he had attained his majority. 48 Grand Army of the PiKPURLir. His first course of study Avas Avith his brother, Dr. William Stepheusoii, at Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He afterwards attended lectures at Columbus, Ohio, and graduated in the class of 1849-'50 from the Rush Medical College, Chicago. He commenced the practice of his profession at Petersburg, Illinois, and on March 30, 1855, was married in Springfield to Barbara B. Moore. Upon the organization of the 14th Illinois Infantry, May 25, 1861, Dr. Stephenson Avas elected Surgeon by the officers and en- listed men of the regiment, voting under the laAvs of Illinois, but he Avas not commissioned, and Dr. G. T. Allen, oi Alton, A\'as mus- tered in that position. Dr. Allen Avas afterAvard promoted to be Brigade-Surgeon, and the vacancy Avas filled by the appointment of Dr. Stephenson, avIio was mustered in at Pittsburg Landing, April 7, 1862. Dr. Stephenson served Avith the regiment in its arduous cam- paigns until June 24, 1864, Avlien the three years term of the regiment expired, and he Avas mustered out. The regiment Avas at that time re-organized by A-eteran re-enlistment under Colonel Cyrus Hall, avIio had succeeded Colonel Palmer upon the promo- tion of the latter to Brigadier-General. Dr. Stephenson returned to Springfield, Avhere a Avarm personal friend, the Hon. Jesse K. Dubois, secured him an interest in the firm of D. K. Gold & Co., druggists. He remained one year Avitli this firm, and then formed a part- nership) Avith Dr. Allen, above referred to, and Dr. James Hamil- ton. This connection Avas dissolved ujjon the appointment of Dr. Allen as United States Consul to Moscoav by President Grant. Dr. Stephenson became for a time a popular and successful practitioner. With his opportunities he should have soon se- cured a lucrative practice, but he lacked that tenacity of purpose and thorough devotion to his profession so necessary to success, and Avas inclined to put off duties and responsibilities that Avere in any Avay unpleasant. He Avas but a poor manager in financial affairs, ahvays feeling rich Avith a feAV dollars in hand, and evi- dently caring little Avhen he had none. He had formed many strong friendships, and friends tried often to impress upon him the necessity of his being more careful and methodical, but he preferred letting the morroAV care for itself. Xo matter Avliat troubles assailed him his fund of good nature Avas unfailing, and to the last he was ahvays sanguine of great re- sults from some projected enter])rise. Organization. 49 He was easily moved by tales of distress, and freely gave to the poor his own services and orders for medicines without thought of recompense. When, after months of consideration, the Grand Army was ac- tually organized, its work became uppermost in his thoughts and influenced all his actions. His professional jDractice became, more than ever, a secondary consideration, and this seriously af- fected his usefulness as a physician, without, in the end, bringing him any substantial returns for sacrifices made or the attendant discomforts of himself and his family. And then, after trials which perhajDs another man more cold- blooded or les^ sanguine than himself could have better borne, it was to him a grievous disappointment when the representatives of the Grand Army, assembled at Sjjringfield to form a Depart- ment organization, selected another for the highest honors of the Order he had founded. A similar disappointment awaited him at Indianapolis, when the National Encampment was formed, and though Major Stephenson then accepted a subordinate po- sition, as Adjutant-General, he felt until his death that he had been slighted by his comrades in these instances. He was yet to meet another and more bitter disappointment, for in the closing years of his life, through troubles of mind and illness of body that unfitted him for the delicate duties of his profession, it seemed as though his labors and those of his col- leagues were fruitless, as the " Grand Army " had practically disappeared from public vieAV in the west. In his own State, though the Department maintained a nominal existence, there was hardly a Post in active operation ; in neighboring States they were entirely dead ; and, while Department organizations were maintained in tlie east, even there Posts had disbanded l)y the score. He had dreamed of a grand organization of veterans, moving en masse, a potent influence in moulding and fostering public sen- timent in favor of those who had " borne the battle; " that should secure recognition of their services in places of honor and j)rofit; and, while preserving and strengthening the bonds of comrade- ship, should be a help to all who had followed the flag, and to the widows and orphans of the dead, who needed a helping hand and sympathizing friend. Years were to pass before the Grand Army of the Eepublic should reach a position in any degree fulfilling the fondly cher- 4 50 Gkand Army of the Republic. isheil belief of its fouuder — years that were to test the faith and coustaucy of the few, ami show the weakness of the many who had failed to comprehend the principles of the Order, and measured these only by personal desires or as means for their own ad- vancement. After years of unrequited toil, disabled and discouraged, Dr. Stephenson removed his family from Springfield to the old home at Petersburg. He died at Rock Creek, Menard county, Illinois, August 30, 1871, in his 49th year. He was buried in the cemetery at Rock Creek, and his remains there rested until August 29, 1882, when they were removed to Petersburg, and interred in the Soldiers Plot of Rose Hill Ceme- tery, on the banks of the Sangamon river, one mile east of Peters- burg. The solemn services of re-interment were conducted by Estill Post No. 71, G. A. R., of Petersburg ; the Avidow, a sou and two daughters being present. The procession was under the charge of Colonel Cornelius Rourke, Marshal. The pall-bearers were John J. Baker, Thomas Kearns, P. S. Scott, Joseph Deerwester, J. W. Biggs, and Richard Goodsell. The services over the grave were in accordance with the Grand Army Ritual. After the coffin had l)een lowered into the grave the Reverend Francis Springer, Chaplain, pronouncetl the following : •' To unother of our coiiii)anions in the journey of earthly existence is the work of life done; tlie march has been made, the journey is ended and the irrave now holds the form of a comrade whom on earth we shall not see again. " We cherish the memory and honor the name of our departed brother, B. F. Stephenson, because ho was worthy as a countryman, neighbor and friend. But to- day we call to mind, also, the position and service of our departed brother as one of the great family of patriotic citizens who periled property and life in the cause of our dorious country. • This .service of re bm'ial is coniiucted in the name of the Grand Army of the Hepulilic, one purpose of whose organization is to peri)etuate the recollection, and wid. Webber, Jules C. (For Biography, see page 53.) WiLLSON, Hall — Major 27th Illinois Infantry, August 10, 1861; Colonel 5tli Illinois Cavalry, December 12, 1861-January 19, 1863. Now deceased. Wheaton, Lloyd — First Sergeant 8th Illinois Infantry, 3 months service ; in three years service. First Lieutenant and Captain, Company E ; Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Colonel ; mustered-out May 4, 1866. Woods, Eobert M. (For Biography, see page 53.) The following, not named in the above, were reported present at the Convention : Adams, Charles H. — Major and Lieutenant-Colonel 10th Illi- nois Infantry, 3 months service ; Lieutenant-Colonel 1st Illinois Light Artillery, October 23, 1861, to November 2, 1864. Allen, Kobert — Captain, Company I, 30th Illinois Infantry, August 28, 1861 ; Major, November 20, 1.862-August 12, 1864. Beardsley, Ezra M. — Adjutant 69th Illinois Infantry, 3 months service ; Lieutenant-Colonel 126th Illinois Infantry, September 4, 1862-August 12, 1864. Bice, Jesse W. — First Lieutenant, Company A, 3d Illinois Cavalry, August 11, 1862 ; Captain, May 14, 1863 ; Major, April 29, 1865 ; mustered-out October 10, 1865. Briscoe, Alexander T. — Captain, Company A, 94th Illinois CO Grand Army of the Republic. Infantry, August 20, 1862 ; Major, November 29, 1862 ; mustered- out December 9, 1864. Clements, Isaac^ — Second Lieutenant Utli Illinois Infantry, July 27, 1861 ; First Lieutenant and Captain ; mustered-out August 20, 1864. Has since served in a number of important public positions. Cunningham, William — Captain, Company I, 90th Illinois In- fantry, from October 30, 1862, to July lltli, 1864. Dunning, George H. (See page 39 ; Decatur Post.) Frohock, William T. — First Lieutenant and Adjutant 45tli Ill- inois Infantry, August 30, 1861; Captain, Company A, January 21, 1863 ; Colonel 66tli United States Colored Troops, January 12, 1864; Brevet Brigadier-General, March 13, 1865. Green, M. J. Hall, Fred. H. Hill, . Hurlbut, S. a. (Portrait opposite page 68. For Biography, see page 72.) Jones, John J. — Lieutenant-Colonel 46th Illinois Infantry, January 1, 1862; brevetted Colonel; mustered-out January 20, 1866. Johnston, E. S. — First Lieutenant 7th Illinois Infantry, July 22, 1861; Captain, February 1.5, 1862 ; Major, April 22, 1864*^; mus- tered-out August 9, 1865. King, John T. — Lieutenant-Colonel llltli Regiment Illinois Infantry, September 18, 1862 ; Colonel, Augi^st 4, 1863 ; resigned on account of illness, December 4, 1864. Lightfoot, John A. (For Biography, see page 54.) LuKENs, Edward. ]\IrARTHUR, John — Colonel 12th Regiment Illinois Infantry, ^lay 3, 1861; Brigadier-General United States Volunteers, INIarch 21, 1862; Brevet Major-General, December 15, 1862; mustered-out August 24, 1865. ]MrCoNNELL, John — Major 3d Illinois Cavalry, September 11, 1861; Colonel 5th Illinois Cavalry, June 15, 1863; Brevet Briga- dierrGeneral, Marcli 13, 18r)5; mustered-out October 25, 1865. MrXri.TA, John— Captain, Company A, 1st Illinois Cavalry, May 3, 1S61, to July 14,1862; Lieutenant-Colonel 94th Illinois Infantry, August 20, 1862 ; Colonel, November 29, 1862 ; mustered- out July 17, 1865. Now Receiver " AVabash " Railway System, Cliii'iigo, Illinois. The Springfield Convention. 61 Matthews, A. C. — Captain, Company C, 99th Illinois Infantry, August 23, 1862 ; Major, October 9, 1863 ; Lieutenant-Colonel, May 25, 1864 ; Colonel, December 16, 1861 ; mustered-out July 31, 1865. Martin, Parkhurst T. — Promoted to Captain, Company K, lltli Illinois Infantry, as re-organized March 18, 1865 ; mustered- out September 16, 1865. Moore, Jesse H. — Colonel 115th Illinois Infantry, September 13, 1862 ; Brevet Brigadier-General, May 15, 1865 ; mustered-out June 11, 1865. Appointed United States Consul to Callao, Peru, 1881, and died at his post of yellow fever. MORY, W. J. North, Alfred A. — (See Portrait, page 34.) Enlisted Septem- ber 21, 1861, as First Lieutenant Company A, 10th Illinois Cav- alry ; resigned February 23, 1863, on account of ill health ; com- missioned Captain, Company M, 10th Illinois Cavalry, April 26, 1864 ; resigned October 15, 1864, on account of disease contracted in the service ; brev3tted Major, March 13, 1865. Phelps, John S. (For Biography, see page 35.) Prentiss, B. M.— Colonel 10th Illinois Infantry, April 29, 1861; Brigadier-General United States Volunteers, May 17, 1861 ; Major-General, November 29, 1862-October 8, 1863. Prescott, William T. Puterbaugh, George — First Lieutenant, Company E, 47th Illinois Infantry, August 25, 1861 ; Captain, September 2, 1862 ; mustered-out October 11, 1864. Junior Vice-Commander, Depart- ment of Illinois, 1880. KussELL, Robert. — Private, Company F, 64th Illinois Infantry, December 17, 1861; Sergeant-Major, December 30, 1863; Adjutant, July 13, 1865 ; mustered-out July 1, 1865. Scates, Walter B. — Major and Assistant Adjutant-General, June 30, 1862, on the staff of General McClernand ; mustered-out January 4, 1866. Since deceased. Sickles, H. F. — Major 9th Illinois Cavalry, September 18, 1861, to February, 1862 ; promoted Lieutenant-Colonel ; resigned January 23, 1863, for disability; afterwards commissioned Colonel 147th Illinois Infantry, February 21, 1865; mustered-out January 28, 1866; Brevet Brigadier-General to date, March 13, 1865. Shepherd, Levin W. — Captain and Assistant Quartermaster United States Army, October 3, 1862 ; mustered-out October 7, 1865 ; brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel for faithful services during 62 Grand Army of the Kepublic. the ^val•. Died while serving as Secretary of Illinois Soldiers Home, Quincy, Illinois. Smith, George P. — Colonel 129th Illinois Infantry, September 8, 18()2-May 7, 1863. Smith, Benjamin F. — Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General on the staff of General John Cook, Commanding Military De- partment of Illinois. Van Meter, H. — Assistant Surgeon 114th Illinois, Septem- ber 1, 1862; Surgeon, August 14, 1863; mustered-out August 3, 1865. Wait, Sheridan — Major and Assistant Adjutant-General staff of General Oglesby. Adjutant-General State of Illinois. Wilson, KoBERT-^Sergeant 8th Illinois, 3 months service ; Captain, Company I, 8th Illinois Infantry, 3 years service, July 25, 1861-October 20, 1862. In its issue of July 13, 1866, the Illinois Journal, Springfield, said, editorially, in an article headed — "GRAKD ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC." '• The proceedings of the Convent iou of the Grand Army of the Republic, which met in this city yesterday, will be found on the fourth page, and will command gen- eral attention. The attendance was quite large, and all arms of the military .service were fully and ably represented; indeed, among the delegates to the convention, we observe many of the most distinguished men who took part in the war for the Union from the State of Illinois. The sessions of the convention were private, but we understand that the utmost harmony and good feeling prevailed. " From the resolutions reported Ijy M:ijor-General Hurlbut, it will be observed that the object of the organization is not political in a mere party sense, but is to render all material aid and assistance in supplying the wants of the widow and the fatherless, and in furnishing employment to the poor, and to those wounded in the service of our common country." Major Stephenson called the meeting to order, and appointed a committee on organization, who reported -the following as offi- cers of the convention : President, Colonel Walter B. Scates, of Chicago ; Vice-Presi- dents, Major-General B. M. Prentiss and Brigadier-General James M. True; Secretary, Major liobert M. AVoods, of Springfield; As- sistant Secretaries, Captain Thomas M. Thompson, of Chicago, and Private Fred. H. Hall, of Chicago ; Sentinel, Lieutenant B. F. Hawkes. The Springfield Convention. 63 The following constituted the Committee on Resolutions : Colonel John J. Jones, Major-General S. A. Hurlbut, General N. T. Frohock, Brigadier-General Hiram F. Sickles, Captain George Puterbaugh, Adjutant Daniel W. Munn, Colonel A. C. Matthews, Colonel George P. Smith, Captain Hill, General I. N. Haynie, Captain Isaac Clemens and Dr. George T. Allen. Major-General Hurlbut reported the following resolutions from the committee, which were adopted : " Resolved. That we, the Soldiers of the Grand Army of the Republic, recog- nizing the power of the principles of association, do hereby pledge ourselves, each to the other, to render all material aid and assistance in supplying the wants of the widow and the fatherless, and in furnishing employment to the poor, and to those wounded and disabled in the service of our common country. " Resolved. That as we have stood by the Government at the peril of our lives in war, so will we make it ever our care that no known enemy of our country shall wield power in the Republic, but the same arms which defended its sanctuary against open violence, will protect it unflinchingly against all secret machinations, and never lay down our weapons until peace based on the principles of universal lib- erty shall be assured. " Resolved. That treason consummated in rebellion is a crime of the most ma- lignant nature, and that every possible guarantee should be demanded by all branches of the Government against the rash admission to place and power of those who were active participants in rebellion, and thereby forfeited the rights of American citizens; and that we, the soldiers of the nation who fought for supremacy of the national authority, have a right to demand that the safety of the Republic should be held paramount to all other considerations by the Executive and Congress." Letters were read from Governor Fletcher, of Missouri, and Governor Oglesby, of Illinois. Governor Fletcher said : " I most heartily approve of the ob- jects of your organization, and can assure you that it is worthy of the highest regard and most enthusiastic support of American soldiers." Governor Oglesby said : " Every feeling of my heart and every purpose of my will is to promote the interests and happiness of the soldier. He is the friend of his country — he is my friend, and under all circumstances and at every hazard, I am his. You will always find me, as you have found me, energetically laboring for the success and promotion of the welfare of the soldiers of our country." Permanent officers of the Department of Illinois were elected as follows : CA Grand Army of the Kepublic. Major-General John M, Palmer, Department Commander ; Major-General John Cook, Assistant Department Commander ; General Jules C. Webber, Adjutant-General ; Colonel John M. Snyder, Quartermaster-General ; Captain John A. Lightfoot, As- sistant Adjutant-General. Council of Administration — General John McArthur, General T, F. Mather and General I. C. Pugh. Major Stephenson was aggrieved at the failure of the Conven- tion to elect him Department Commander, but the members felt that the interests of the organization would be much better ad- vanced under the leadership of some popular soldier, who had been through the war in active field service. The committee decided on General John M. Palmer, who was then in the service, but was soon expected home, and who, it was believed, would cheerfully accept the honor of an election. It was arranged that Chaplain Rutledge, as Major Stephen- son's most intimate friend and adviser, should second the nomina- tion of General Palmer, and in so doing give full credit to Major Stephenson for his services as the organizer of the Order. This duty Chaplain Rutledge ably discharged, and Major Stephenson, deeply moved by the references to their associations in the past, and recognizing the porsonally kindly feelings of the members towards himself, stated that Chaplain Rutledge was the first to suggest the idea of this organization and had aided and encour- aged its successful consummation. The following preamble and resolution, offered by Surgeon H. W. Davis, of Paris, Illinois, was unanimously adopted : " Whereas, we, the members of the Graud Ariu}- of the Kej)ul)lic', recognize in Major Stephenson, of Springfield, Illinois, the head and front of the organization, be it therefore resolved, that for the energy, loyaltJ^ and perseverance manifested in org-anizing the Grand Army of the Republic, he is entitled to the gratitude of all brave men, and tiiat we, the soldiers, hereby tender him our thanks, and pledge him our friendship at all times and under all circumstances." General John Cook, Assistant Department Commander, in the absence of General Palmer, assumed command of the Department, and on July 11^, 18(50, announced in General Orders No. 1 the fol- lowing Staff: General Jules C. AVebber, Adjutant-General; Colonel John M. Snyder, Quartermaster-General; Cajatain John A. Light- foot, Assistant Adjutant-General. The work of estal^lishing Posts was now entered into with more system and more success as to numbers of Posts organized, The Spbingfield Convention. 65 General John M. Palmer. but a General Order, issued by General Palmer, in April, 1867, referred to the fact that many Districts and Posts had made no returns since their organization. General John M. Pal- mer, Department Com- mander, was born in Ken- t u c k y , September 13, 1817. His parents set- tled in Madison county, Illinois, in 1831. He studied law, and was duly admitted to practice. In 1854 he was elected to the State Senate as a Demo- crat, but in 1856, on the organization of the Re- publican Pai*ty, he affili- ated with it, and in 1860 canrassed the State for the election of Mr. Lin- coln. In 1861 he organized the 14tli Regiment, Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry ; was promoted to Brigadier-General United States Yolanteers, December 20, 1861, and Major-General, Novem- ber 29th, 1862. He commanded a Division in the 4tli Army Corps, and also of the 14th Corps, and afterwards commanded this and the 21st Corps. He rendered most valuable service during the whole period of the war. On June 27, 1865, he was assigned to the command of the Department of Kentucky, Avith headquar- ters at Louisville. At the time of his election as Department Commander he was on duty at Raleigh, North Carolina. He re- signed from the army September 1, 1866. He was Governor of Illinois, 1869 to 1873. General John Cook, Assistant Department Commander, had the honor of placing in the Jfield the first regiment from Illinois — the 7th Infantry. At Fort Donelson, Colonel Cook commanded the 3d Brigade of General C. F. Smith's Division. He was pro- moted Brigadier-General March 21st, 1862, and at the time of the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic was in command of the Military District of Springfield, and, with members of his Staff, took an active interest in the formation of the Order. The early records of the Department are not now to be 5. 66 Grand Army of the Republic. found, and it seems impossible to obtain a full and correct roster of Posts established in 1866-1867. No report was made to the National Encampment which met in Philadelphia in January, 1868. But in 1869, General Thomas O. Osborn, who had succeeded General Palmer as Department Commander, re- ported the existence of about 340 Posts. In April, 1867, Adjutant- General Webber, Quartermas- ter-General Snyder, and Assist- ant Adjutant-General Lightfoot resigned their positions on the Department Staff, and Colonel Daniel Grass, of Springfield, Avas appointed Assistant Adjutant-General. The later record of the Department will be found under the head of Illinois. General John Cook. The election of a Department Commander by the Springfield Convention relieved Major Stephenson of any further responsi- bility for the Avork of organization in Illinois, and he turned his attention to other States, acting as Commander-in-Chief, without other authority than that first assumed, as the organizer of the Grand Army of the Republic. General Webber and Colonel Snyder gave their attention more particularly to the Department of Illinois, and the principal labor elsewhere devolved upon Adjutant-General Robert M. W^oods, Avho visited Columbus, Ohio, St. Louis, Missouri, and other points, to arrange for the organization of Departments, having previously gone to Madison, Wisconsin, for the same purpose. Colonel Snyder organized the Department of Minnesota. Tlie limits of authority for forming Posts liad not been es- pecially defined, and Posts, and Department officers, and members, organized Posts Avherever the opportunity Avas presented, in many cases Avithout even reporting such action to Headquarters, Avhich necessarily occasioned confusion in the assignment of Posts to tlieir proper numerical positions, already complicated by the numbering in Districts. Comrades Fred. I. Dean, J. A. Kuyken- The Springfield Convention. 67 dall ami P. H. Conkliug were detailed as clerks at Headquarters, and so served after Major Steplieuson became Adjutant-General. Adjutant-General R. M. AVoods advanced the funds necessary for expenses at Headquarters, and financial assistance was also given by otlier comrades. The Department of Indiana supplied Major Stephenson with blank charters, rituals and regulations. In October, 1866, Departments had been formed in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota, and Posts in Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Massachu- setts, New York and Pennsylvania. The Constitution, amended at Springfield, prescribed that each Department should have but two representatives in the National Organization, but it was manifestly impracticable to then organize upon that basis, and the General Orders (Chapter V), convening a National Convention at Indianapolis, November 20, called for representation from Posts and by District and Department Oflicers. CHAPTER V. The National Encampment OF THE GEAND AEMY OF THE REPUBLIC. first session, Indianapolis, Novembeii 20, 1866. Tlie lirst National Convention was lield in pursuance of the following : Headquarters Grand Army op the Republic, } Springfield, Illinois, October 31st, 1866. \ General Orders No. 18. A National Convention of the Grand Army of tlie Republic is liereb}' ordered to convene at Indianapolis, Indiana, at 10 o'clock, on Tuesday, the twentieth day of No veml)er next, for tiie purpose of perfecting the National organization, and the trans- action of such other business as maj^ come before the Convention. The ratio of representation shall be as follows: Each Post shall be entitled to one representative, and when the membership exceeds one hundred, to one additional rep- resentative, and in the same ratio for every additional one hundred or fractional part thereof. All Department and District Officers, ex officio, shall be members of said Conven- tion. All honorably discharged soldiers and sailore, and those now serving in the Army, desirous of l)ecoming members of the Grand Army of the Republic, are respectfully invited to attend the Convention. All comrades are requested to wear the "blue," with corps badges, etc. B. F. STEPHENSON, Commander-in chief, Official : G. A. R., U. S. J. C. WEBBER, Adj't-Gen'l, Dep't Illinois. The meeting was held in Morrison's Opera House, Avhicli had been tastefully decorated for the occasion. The battle-Hags of Indiana rogiinents were displayed u])on the stage, and portraits of distinguislicd inilitavy chieftains and civilians were arranged on the balconi(»s and walls. Commander-in-chief 13. F. Stephenson calbnl the convention to [68] National Encampment at Indianapolis. 69 order. Colonel John M. Snyder was appointed Secretary, and General Jules C. AVebber, Illinois, and Major O. M. Wilson, Indi- ana, Assistant Secretaries. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. On Credentials — A, L. Clietlain, Illinois; W. H. McCoy, Ohio; L. Edwin Dudley, District of Columbia; Clayton McMichael, Pennsylvania ; John S. Cavender, Missouri ; T. B. Fairleigh, Ken- tucky ; J. B. McKean, New York ; T. J. Anderson, Kansas ; Eobt. F. Catterson, Arkansas ; J. F. Gwynne, Wisconsin ; A. P. Alexan- der, Iowa ; M. C. Garber, Indiana. On Permanent Organization — S. A. Hurlbut, Illinois ; H. T. Burge, Kentucky ; F. T. Ledergerber, Missouri ; Clayton McMi- chael, Pennsylvania ; Chas. G. Mayers, Wisconsin ; William Vau- dever, Iowa ; L. Edwin Dudley, District of Columbia ; August Willich, Ohio ; M. C. Garber, Indiana. Constitution and By-Laws — H. K. Milward, Kentucky ; E. G. Feltus, Pennsylvania ; John G. Kelley, Pennsylvania ; E. F. Schneider, Ohio ; Chester Harding, Missouri ; T. O. Osborn, Illi- nois ; Lemuel D. Price, Iowa ; Charles Cruft, Indiana ; Eichard Lester, Wisconsin. The Committee on Credentials reported representatives pres- ent as follows : District of Columbia, 1; Illinois, 34 ; Indiana, 148; Iowa, 6 ; Kansas, 1 ; Kentucky, 3 ; Missouri, 9 ; New York, 1 ; Ohio, 15 ; Pennsylvania, 3 ; Wisconsin, ? ; total, 22^. The names of representatives marked present will be found in the appendix. The Committee on Permanent Organization reported the fol- lowing Officers for the Convention : President, John M. Palmer, Illinois. Yice-Presidents — Thos. C. Fletcher, Missouri ; Eobt. S. Foster, Indiana ; William O. Eyan, Iowa ; Eobt. F. Catterson, Ar- kansas ; J. B. McKean, New York ; John G. Kelley, Pennsylvania ; J. K. Proudfit, Wisconsin ; B. F. Stephenson, Illinois ; T. B. Fair- leigh, Kentucky ; August Willich, Ohio. Secretary, L. Edwin Dudley, District of Colum.bia. Assistant Secretaries — Daniel Macauley, Indiana ; Clayton McMichael, Pennsylvania ; F. T. Led- ergerber, Missouri ; Chas. G. Mayers, Wisconsin ; F. M. Thomp- son, Illinois. Chaplain, Eev. John H. Lozier, Indiana, General Palmer was then escorted to the chair, and made an able address on the objects of the Grand Army of the Eepublic. Additional committees were appointed as follows : 70 Grand Army of the Republic. AVoHK AND EiTUAL — J. L. "NVilsoii, Indiana ; F. T. Ledergerber^ Missouri ; B. F. Stephenson, Illinois ; Clayton McMichael, Penn- sylvania ; AVm, Vandever, Iowa ; H, K. Mihvard, Kentucky; Clias. G. Mayers, Wisconsin ; J. L. Greene, Ohio. Resolutions — lohn McNeil, Missouri ; Charles Case, Indiana ; R. G. Feltus, Pennsylvania ; A. P. Alexander, Iowa ; J. K. Proud- fit, Wisconsin ; A. L. Chetlain, Illinois ; T. B. Fairleigh, Ken- tucky; T. T. Taylor, Ohio. The committees on Constitution and on Work and Ritual after- wards presented reports recommending sundry amendments to tlie Constitution and the Ritual. The title of the Constitution was changed to " Rules and Regulations." Representation in National Encampments was fixed on the basis of one representative at large from each Department, and one representative for each one thou- sand members therein. The Grand (afterwards Department) Com- mander, Senior and Junior Yice-Grand Commanders were consti- tuted ex officio members. District organizations were retained, but Avithout representation in Department Encampments, Depart- ment Encampments were to be composed of one delegate for every 25 members of the several Posts therein. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED. We, the representatives of the Soldiers and Sailors of the military and naval serv- ice of the United States, during the late war against traitors, re-affirining our devotion to these States, the Constitution and the laws of our coinitry, and our abhorrence of trea.son and oppression; Resolve* First, Tlial the Grand Army of the Republic is organized to maintain in civil life those great principles for which it stood in arms under the national flag; that it stands pledged to crush out active treason, to advance and support loyalty, to secure sound constitutional liberty to all mvw, and to vindicate everywhere, and at all times, the full and complete rights of every loyal American citizen, against all combinations of force or fraud that may attempt to deny or deprive them of such rights. Second, That we pledge all the power and influence which, as individuals or as an association, we can legitimately yield, in the most especial manner to those gallant men who stocjd fast by the coimlry in the hour of its agony, in tiie Rebellious States; and will), through all manner of losses and i.ijuries, persecutions by force and persecu- tions under color of law, maintained their integrjty and vindicated their loyally; and we solemidy declare tliat no jyower that we can use shall be neglected until they are thorouglily and completely protected in the active exercise of every right of American freemen, through the entire country over which our Hag floats. Third, Tliat Congress, in justice and not in charity, should pass a law equalizing in a just manner, the bounties of all Union Soldiers and Sailors. Fourth, That we now, as heretofore, pledge ourselves to use our best endeavors to ])rocure appropriiite Sf;ite and national legislation for the education and maintenance of tlic orphans and widows of our deceased comrades, and maimed brethren, and to National Encampment at Indianapolis. 71 enforce a speedy adjustment and payment of all lawful claims against the Govern- ment due soldiers and sailors and their friends. Fifth, That in our opinion no man is worthy to be a free citizen of a free country who is not willing to bear arms in its defense, and we therefore suggest to Congress the passage of a law making it the inexorable duty of every citizen to defend his country in time of need, in person and not by substitute. Sixth, That as a matter of justice and right, and because the sacrifices made and dangers encountered by the Union soldiers and sailors who served in the late war for the preservation of the country, cannot ever be fully repaid, we respectfull}- ask that those in authority bestow upon needy and worthy soldiers and .sailors such positions of honor and profit as they may be competent to fill; and while we seek nothing for ourselves, or those of our comrades who are able to maintain themselves, we do earn- estly recommend this request to the consideration of those in authority. And we especially ask the attention of President Johnson to " his policy " heretofore declared on (his .subject. The "Veteran Brotherhood" of Kansas, and the "Soldiers and Sailors Union " of New York, were invited by resolntion to join the Grand Army of the Republic. The following were elected officers of the National Encamp- ment : Commander-in-Chief, S. A. Hurlbut, Illinois ; Senior Vice- Commander-in-Chief, J. B. McKean, New York ; Junior Vice- Commander-in-Chief, R. S. Foster, Indiana ; Adjutant-General, B. F. Stephenson, Illinois ; Quartermaster-General, August Wil- LiCH, Ohio ; Surgeon-General, D, C. McNeil, Iowa ; Chaplain, William A. Pile, Missouri ; Council of Administration — J. K. Proudfit, Wisconsin ; William Vandever, Iowa ; T. O. Osborn, Illinois ; T. C. Fletcher, Missouri ; T. T. Taylor, Ohio ; H. K. MiLWARD, Kentucky ; F. J. Bramhall, New Y'"ork ; Nathan Kim- ball, Indiana ; Clayton McMichael, Pennsylvania. A public meeting was held in the evening, presided over by General Palmer. The War Governor of Indiana, Oliver P. Mor- ton, was enthusiastically received, the audience rising and greet- ing him with hearty cheers. Governor Morton expressed the great pleasure he felt in ex- tending, on behalf of the State of Indiana, a welcome to the members of the Grand Army of the Republic. He said the army had saved the nation, and the result cff the struggle had shown it to be the grandest army of any nation in the world, a citizen army which understood well the cause for which they drew their swords. " The country is now in a transition period, more truly so than at any other time. We are in the midst of a 72 Grand Army of the Kepublic. revolutiou, not outside of the constitution, but such as occur within constitutions." Referring again to the services of the sol- diers, he said : " The gratitude of the Government is due to the men who saved it, and that gratitude, he believed, would grow stronger and stronger as years increase. The crippled and maimed soldiers will be nourished and protected, and the apo- thegm that ' republics are ungrateful ' proven false in the case of America, which will take care of those to whom it owes its nation- al existence." General Palmer feelingly replied to the remarks of Governor Morton, and said that every soldier had learned to know and re- spect him as their friend, and a hopeful believer in the suc- cess of the Republic even in the darkest hours. He said that Governor Morton would be ever gratefully remembered by the people for his services during the war. Addresses were made by General Hurlbut, General August AVillich, and General H. D. Washburn. The officers elected at Indianapolis were all representative sol- diers, whose names and influence at a period free from the all-per- vading political excitement, would certainly have secured the fullest confidence of the veterans of the country and assured suc- cess from the first. General Stephen A. Hurlbut, Commander-in-Chief, was born in Charleston, South Carolina, November 29, 1815. He studied law in the office of Judge James L. Pettigru, in Charleston, and entered into practice in that city. He enlisted as a Sergeant with a volunteer company in the Florida War, and before the term ex- pired was assigned to staff duty as Lieutenant. In 1847 he re- moved to Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois, and immediately se- cured a lucrative law practice. He was a leading member of the Illinois convention in 1847, and presidential elector on the Whig ticket in 1848. He served in the State Legislature in 18r)9-18f)l, and again in 1807. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he commanded a local militia company at Belvidere, and was at Springfield when the first call was made for troops. He telegrai)h(^d his company, asking them to enlist, and they responded almost to a man, becoming Company B, ir)th Illinois Infantry. Early in 18(51 he had visited Charleston u])()n a special mission at tlu^ request of President-elect Abraham Lincoln. His old preceptor, Judge Pettigru, strongly opposed the secession 9 '^^Miy'^- Group of National Officers, 1866. National Encampment at Indianapolis. 78 of his State, and during the whole period of the Rebellion was un- wavering in his devotion to the Union. On May 27, 1861, Captain Hurlbut was commissioned by the President Brigadier-General United States Volunteers, and was first placed on duty in Missouri, where his vigorous measures in holding the community responsible for wrecking railroad trains, and his order freeing the slaves within his command, gave ofiense to less earnest defenders of the Union. He was afterwards placed in command of the 4th Division, Army of the Tennessee, and was the first to debark at Pittsburg landing. In the battle of Shiloh Hurlbut's Division held the key-point of the battle-field against great odds, repulsing the enemy's frequent attacks, until, Avhen flanked, he was compelled to retire, doing so in good order and maintaining his division and brigade organizations intact. For bravery and skill at Shiloh he was promoted Major-Gen- eral. After the evacuation of Corinth he was placed in command of the 16th Army Corps, and had command at Memphis, Tennes- see. He was in command of the Department of the Gulf in 1864— 1865, succeeding General Banks, and was mustered-out of service June 20, 1865. He resumed practice at Belvidere until 1869, when he was appointed by President Grant Minister of the United States at Bogota, United States of Columbia. He returned home in 1872, was elected to Congress, and was re-elected in 1876. He was ap- pointed by President Garfield Envoy Extraordinary to the Repub- lic of Peru. He died of paralysis of the heart in Chili, March 27, 1882. His body was brought to his home at Belvidere, Illinois, for interment. Colonel James B. McKean, Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, was born in Hoosic, Rensselaer county. New York, August 5, 1821. During his infancy his parents removed to and settled upon the battle-field of Saratoga. When he was twenty-three years of age he was elected Colonel of the 144th Regiment, New York State Militia, and so served for a number of years. He studied law, was admitted to practice in 1849, and thereafter followed his pro- fession at Saratoga Springs. In 1858 he was elected Representa- tive in Congress for the loth District, New Y''ork State, and was re-elected in 1860, and served until after the battle of Bull Run, when he returned to his home, and issued to his constituents a stirring and patriotic appeal, following that by offering his own services in any way he could be most useful. The 77th New York 74 Grand Army of the TIepublic. Volunteer Regiment was at once formed, and he was tendered anJ accepted command, leaving Avith his regiment for the front in No- vember, 1S()1. He remained in command until July 2H, 1863, when he was compelled to resign by reason of long-continued suffering from malaria contracted in the service, and from which he never fully recovered. Wliile in the field he participated with his com- mand in several battles and skirmishes, notably that of Mechanics- ville, when the regiment made a dashing and successful charge. In 18()5, being still in ill health, he was sent by President Lincoln to Spanish America on a mission relating to the ratification of a treaty with the Government of Honduras, and afterwards Mr. Seward, Secretary of State, tendered him the position of Consul to San Domingo, which he declined. In 1870 President Grant ap- pointed him Chief Justice of Utah, in which office he served five years, after which he practiced his profession in Salt Lake City until his decease, January 5, 1879. He was buried in Salt Lake City, and his wife, Kate Hay McKean, survived him but nineteen days. A leading newspaper in Salt Lake City said of him, in an- nouncing his decease : " Friends and enemies alike remember him as the courtly and cultured gentleman, the pure patriot, the blameless citizen, the sincere and unaffected Christian. He was ever calm, heroic, and self-sustained, kindly in his nature, uni- versal in his sympathies, and above the follies of common human- ity. His connection with the Grand Army of the. Republic is stated in the account of the Department of New York. Robert S. Foster, Junior Yice-Commander-in-Chief, entered the service as Captain, Company A, lltli Indiana Zouaves. On July 3, 1861, he was commissioned Major of the 13tli Indiana, and was engaged in the battle of Rich Mountain, West Virginia, and commanded his regiment as Lieutenant-Colonel in the battle of AViuchester. He commanded a Division during the siege of Suf- folk, was promoted Brigadier-General, June, 1863, and was then actively engaged in Virginia. He commanded a Brigade during tlu' siege of Forts Wagner and Sumter, South Carolina. On being transferred to Virginia he was for a time Cliief of Staff', lOtli Army Cor})s, Army of the James, and again of the 24tli Corps. He had also command of a Divisio)i in the lOtli Corps, and during the ])ursuit of Lee's army commanded the 1st Division, 24th Army Corps, which, on the morning of April 1), was placed across the Lynchburg road and met and repulsed Gordon and Field's Divis- National Encampment at Indianapolis. 75 ions of Longstreet's Corps, wliicli had broken through the lines of the cavalry. General Foster was on duty on the Military Commission for the trial of the Conspirators charged with the assassination of President Lincoln. Brevetted Major-General March 13, 1865 ; re- signed from the service September, 1865. Has since been in busi- ness in Indianapolis. Was Provisional Commander, Department of Indiana, Grand Army of the Republic, 1866, and Department Commander, 1868. General August Willich, Quartermaster-General, was born in Eastern Prussia, and received a thorough military education. He came to the United States in 1853, and for a time worked as a car- penter in Eastern New York. He entered the service as a pri- vate in the 9th Ohio, but his military training brought him quick promotion, first as Adjutant and then Major. He was then trans- ferred to Indiana, and commissioned Colonel 32d Indiana Volun- teers. Was promoted to be Brigadier-General, July 17, 1862, for conspicuous gallantry in leading a brilliant charge at Pittsburgh Landing. It is claimed that he gave the orders for the storming of Mission Ridge on finding that his men could not remain in the positions assigned them. He was brevetted Major-General, October 21, 1865, and mustered-out January 15, 1866. He com- manded a brigade in 2d Division, 14th Army Corps, the 3d Divis- ion,. 4th Army Corps, and 2d Division, 20th Army Corps, At Resaca he was badly wounded in the s-houlder, which prevented further service in the field. His record was remarkably brilliant. He is now deceased. Major D. C. McNeil, Surgeon-General, was born in Spring- field, Illinois, January 16, 1825. He served in the Mexican War. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he was Captain of an independ- ent company at De Witt, Iowa, and was afterwards appointed Captain 1st United States Lancers. Was appointed Assistant Surgeon, 15th Iowa, August 19, 1862, and resigned in May, 1863. In February, 1865, he was appointed Assistant Surgeon, 2d United States Volunteer Infantry, and afterward Surgeon ; mustered-out November 6, 1865. Is now at Osceola, Missouri. General William A. Pile, elected Chaplain, entered the service in 1861 as Chaplain 1st Missouri Infantry. Was afterwards ap- 76 Grand Ar^iy of the Hepublic. pointed Colonel 53d Missouri Volunteers. Brigadier-General, from December 20, 18(53, and Brevet Major-General, April 9, 1865, Mustered-out August 24, 1865. After the war lie was elected Member of Congress from the First District, Missouri. Was ap- pointed bv President Grant Minister to Venezuela, and after a few years of servica resigned to engage in business. He is now living in California. CHAPTER VI. ADMINISTRATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF S. A. HURLBUT.- SECOND ANNUAL SESSION, PHILADELPHIA, JANUARY 15, 1868. Headquarters were retained at Springfield, under the charge of Adjutant-General Stephenson. General Hurlbut, engrossed in his own affairs, was unable to devote the time required for personal supervision or direction of the work at Headquarters during this, probably the most critical period in the history of the Grand Army of the Republic, and though Adjutant-General Stephenson was thoroughly devoted to the Order, it was evident that he greatly lacked in the requisites for the methodical conduct of office business. Applications for advice, instructions, and requisitions for sup- plies, were not promptly attended to, and the work of organiza- tion was thus greatly retarded. The larger Departments found it necessary to print Rituals, Rules and other supplies for their Posts. The failure to convene the National Encampment during the year gave occasion for considerable criticism, and a number of leading comrades felt it necessary to strongly advise the Com- mander-in-chief of the evil consequences of such delay. A conference of influential members was held in Philadelphia to consider this matter, and the consent of Senior Vice-Command- er-in-chief McKean was obtained to a proposition that he should himself convene the Encampment if another appeal to Headquar- ters should pass unheeded. The necessity for such action was, however, averted by the issue of the following : General Orders ) Headquarters Grand Army of the Republic, No, 46. ) Adjutant-General's Office, Springfield, Illinois, December 2, 1867. It is hereby ordered that the annual meeting of the Grand Army of the Republic be held in the city of Philadelphia on the 15th day of January, 1868. The attention of Department Commanders is very respectfully called to Section One, Article Sixteen, Rules and Regulations of the Order, and they are hereby re- quired to call a meeting of their respective Departments, if not already done, prior [?7] 78 Grand Army ok the Republic. to said meetiug, iu order that they may elect their delegates in accordance with said Article, and be fully represented, as business of importance will be presented to the meeting. By order of STEPIIEX A.'HUHLBUT. Commander-in-Chief. B. F. STEPHENSON, Adjutant-General. The meeting was held iu the Assembly Buildings, southwest corner Tenth and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia. Commander- in-chief Hurlbut presided. COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS. Joshua T. Owen, Pennsylvania ; James G. Blunt, Kansas ; Henry B. Banning, Ohio ; Geo. W. Palmer, New York ; and Eobt. W. Smith, Illinois. DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTED. Connecticut, 6 ; Delaware, 4 ; Illinois, 3G ; Indiana, 22 ; Iowa, 6 ; Kansas, 2 ; Maine, 6 ; Massachusetts, 4 ; Maryland, 5 ; Michi- gan, 2 ; Minnesota, 5 ; Missouri, 7 ; New Hampshire, 3 ; New York, 14 ; New Jersey, 5 ; Ohio, 34 ; Pennsylvania, 8 ; Potomac, 5 ; Bhode Island, 5 ; Tennessee, 3 ; Wisconsin, 4. Total, 21 Depart- ments and 186 Representatives. The report of the Committee on Credentials was referred back with instructions — 1st, on motion of Comrade Moorehouse, of Kansas, to omit the military titles of comrades ; and, 2d, on mo- tion of Comrade D. E. Sickles, New York, to receive the names of " ex officio members." It is not shown what names, if any were added to the amended report. Adjutant-General Stephenson presented the following : REPORT OF THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL, G. A. R., U. S.* Headquakters Guand Army of the REruuLic, ) Adjutant General's Office, >- Springfield, Ills , Jan. 10. 1868. ) To the Comrades of the Grand Arm)/ of the Republic, thronyh their representatives in National Convention assembled, greetin(j : The Adjutant General, in presenting this the first oflicial report of the rise and progress of the glorious Order now represented in National Couventiou, approaches • The MSS of this report was not among the papers turned over. The above extract was copied from the tiles of the " Ohio Republic " by Adjutant-General Chip- ext man.— Altuok Administration of S. A. Hurlbut. 79 the subject with extreme ditHdence, feeling himself, as he does, unable to do the subject the justice it deserves. Early in the spring of 1866 a few patriots, deeply feeling the importance of organ- izing a grand association of the gallant Union soldiers and sailors of the late terrible rebellion, for the purpose of fostering fraternal relations, and keeping alive the zeal of patriotism and devotion to our country, and above all for the purpose of mutual support and assistance in clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and furnishing employmcLit to destitute, sick and wounded comrades, and caring for the widows and orphans of our gallant dead, formed their plans, and publicly calling on all in- terested, on the 12th day of July, 1866, met in Convention in the Representatives Hall in the State capitol at Springfield, Ills., and then, and there, formed the nucleus of the grand organization here represented in Convention, and which, from that humble origin now extends an influence of great power throughout nearly every State and Territory in our country. Your present Adjutant-General was honored by the appointment as Provisional Commander in-Chief. With but crude materials at his command ( mere local influ- ence, and but little pecuniary means) aided by a few noble workers, he succeeded in a few months in establishing Provisional Departments in several States and Terri- tories, and placing them in good working order. The Boys in Blue saw the impor- tance of the Organization, and as they flew to arms when Sumter fell, so did they soon fill up our ranks. But the material was crude, our ranks but as raw recruits, and the importance of a more thorough organization was keenly felt. So the first National Convention was called to convene in the city of Indianapolis, Ind., on the 20th day of iSTovember, 1866, and then and there the Grand Army of the Republic received its first official recognition. The officers for the current year were elected, a Council of Administration appointed, a Constitution and Regulations adopted, and the noble ship, with its precious freight of charity and fraternal love, with the stars and stripes nailed to the mast, was launched upon the great sea of human events, and right nobly has the gallant bark done duty since that time; though she has passed through . many bitter engagements with her ancient enemies, the traitor ship and crew, and even assailed by those who should have been her friends, her flag is still there! ********** From information derived from numerous letters received daily at my oflice from every part of our land, I am highly gratified in stating my belief that our organiza- tion is rapidly gaining in strength and importance, and through its instrumentality thousands of starving widows and orphans have been fed and clothed, while other thousands of our poor, helpless, crippled comrades have been placed in positions where they could earn their own bread, who, but for our instrumentality, would be left to seek their support from the cold hand of charity, and the Union soldier disdains to beg. I would also state that all the documents, files of correspondence, books, &c., remaining in my office, will be held subject to the requisition of my sue- In conclusion, I would offer my hearty congratulations for the unprecedented suc- cess of our Organization, so dear to the heart of every patriot soldier, and earnestly trust that the deliberations of this body may prove harmonious, and such action ma- tured as will better develop the power and influence of our Order for good through- out our land. Fraternally, B. F. STEPHENSON, Adjt Geul G. A. R., U. S. 80 Grand Army of the Eepublic. FINANCES. The financial statement sliowed receipts, $352 ; disbursements, $1,637.50 ; deficiency, $1,285.56. The receipts were from the fol- lowing Departments : Louisiana, $130 ; Pennsylvania, $70 ; Kan- sas, $50 ; Ohio, $20 ; Missouri, $17 ; New Jersey, $13 ; Michigan, $10 ; Minnesota, $10 ; Nebraska, $10 ; West Virginia, $10 ; Massa- chusetts, $8 ; Wisconsin, $4. Expenditures were : For printing, $539.65 ; clerk-hire, $638.66 ; office rent and expenses, $459.25. The report of such meagre receipts was a surprise to the mem- bers of the Encampment. It proved that something was radically wrong in the system of taxation, or else in the method, or lack of method, of collecting. It was evident that the work of organiza- tion had been hampered by jDOverty of means, and that a remedy must be promptly ajDplied. The delinquent Departments represented over 1,400 Posts. The Committee on Finance, Comrade Nathan Kimball, Indiana, Chairman, recommended the immediate assessment of one dollar upon each Post to liquidate the indebtedness. The result of this assessment, as shown in the report for the following year was the collection of but $302, the following De- partments only, paying their assessments : California, $6 ; Con- necticut, $18; Maine, $12; Maryland, $11; Massachusetts, $43; Michigan, $29 ; New Hampshire, $1 ; New York, $55 ; Pennsylva- nia, $99 ; Potomac, $3 ; Rhode Island, $10 ; Tennessee, $5 ; Wis- consin, $10. Comrade J. T. Owen, of Philadelphia, then personally ad- vanced to Major Stephenson $500 in cash, and paid bills for print- ing Rituals, etc., amounting to nearly $1,400. Three years time was required to repay the money so advanced. During the session of the Encampment a communication was received from the National Council, Union League of America, a secret political association, inviting a conference " for the jsurpose of pecuring co-operative action between the Grand Army and the Union Leagiie of America." The invitation was referred to a committee consisting of C. E. Lippincott, Illinois ; J. B. McKean, New York ; Nathan Kimball, Indiana ; Jno. F. Hartranft, Pennsylvania, and Jas. Shaw, Rhode Island. The committee, after consideration, decided that no ac- tion should be taken on the proposition. Administration of S. A. Hurlbut. 81 RULES AND REGULATIONS AND RITUAL. The names of members appointed on tliese committees are not recorded, but the reports were made by General Theo. B. Gates, New York, as Chairman of the Committee on Eules, and bj Major A. S. Cushman, Massachusetts, Chairman of Committee on Ritual. District organizations were abolished. A proposition to change the terms of the Declaration of Princij)les which would show the Order to be non-partisan, gave rise to a heated discus- sion which threatened to lead to a disruption ; one side claiming that the organization should be avowedly political in its objects, the other, while as desirous of upholding " the rights of the de- fenders of their country by all moral, social and political means in our control," took the ground that partisanship had j)ractically destroyed the Order in the West, and would have the same effect elsewhere, and that the organization could not be maintained while there was any ground for the popular belief that it was a secret political society. The amendment " that this association does not design to make nominations for office or to use its influ- ence as a secret organization for partisan purposes," was finally carried. The Article prohibiting the introduction of any partisan questions was incorporated in the Rules at the next session. Comrades A. S. Cushman, Massachusetts, and T. Wentworth Higginson, Rhode Island, as a sub-committee, presented a revised Ritual, which was adopted by the Encampment without change. RESOLUTIONS. Comrade N. P. Chipman, Chairman, presented the following from the Committee on Resolutions, which were adopted : Whereas, we believe the loyal people of this country bear the citizen soldiery iu grateful remembrauce, aud heartily accord to them all honor for their heroic sacri- fices to save the nation, and wherever the question of merit is equally balanced would prefer to see honorably discharged soldiers and sailors promoted to places of trust and profit; and, Whereas, by the experience of the past two years we are painfully admonished that public officials, and those possessing the power to appoint to and remove from office, almost wholly ignore service in the late army and navy against rebellion as a qualification for office, and sometimes treat such service as a positive disqualification: Therefore, be it Resolved, That we most earnestly recommend this subject to Congress as deserv- ing speedy action. Resolred, That we regard it the duty of Congress to provide, by some regulation of the civil offices, so that honorable service as a soldier or sailor of the country may constitute a qualification for appointment, aud that iu the several Departments of the 6 82 Grand Army op the Eepublic. Government a definite and equitable number from this class of citizens be chosen from the list of applicants, if shown to possess the requisite skill and fitness. Jtcfi-ilved, That Congress be requested to so frame the law as to protect our com- rades now in civil employment of the Government from being discriminated against by those having the authority to remove them in any future reduction of the number in such civil employment. Resolved, That this resolution be engrossed, and a copy thereof certified and sent to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with the request that they be laid before that honorable body as the sense of the citizen soldiery of the country, and with the urgent petition that Senators and Representa- tives give this matter their early and earnest attention. Comrade E. Y. Goldsboroiigli, of Maryland, presented the fol- lowing preamble and resolutions, which were adoj^ted : Whereas, arrangements are being perfected by State legislation and otherwise to inter in the Antietam National Cemetery the remains of those rebels who were killed in the vicinity of said cemetery; and, Whereas, we feel that respect to our fallen comrades requires us to oppose any such movement, and to protect their ashes from insult: Therefore, be it Resohed, by the Grand Army of the Republic, in convention assembled, That we demand from Congress such legislation as will forever prevent the burial, in any of the national cemeteries, of any person other than the deceased soldiers and sailors of the Republic, for whom they were intended, by placing said cemeteries under the control of the general Government, or by such other mode as to them shall seem best to accomplish the object herein sought. Resolred, That copies of this preamble and resolutions be forwarded to the Presi- dent of the Senate of the United States and the Speaker of the House of Representa tives for the immediate action of said bodies. Resolutions were adopted thanking General J. P. C. Shanks, Indiana, for the introduction of a bill in Congress to furnish dis- aliled soldiers and sailors requiring them, artificial limbs at the expense of the United States ; to the Common Council of Phila- delphia for the use of their chamber in Independence Hall for the closing meetings of the Encampment ; and heartily commending tlie proposition to erect a National Monument at Springfield to the memory of the martyred President, Abraham Lincoln. The Union Le.^oue of Philadelphia extended a courteous invi- tation to the Encampment to visit the League House. The secre- tary, George H. Boker, in forwarding the invitation, said : " The freedom of our house is offered to your members individually, at all times, during the sessions of your useful and patriotic conven- tion in this city." The thanks of tlie Encampment were tendered the Union League for tlieir hospitality. Administration of 8. A. Hurlbut. 83 ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following were elected officers : Commander-in-Chief, John A. Logan, Illinois ; Senior Vice-Commander-in-Cliief, Joshna T. Owen, Pennsylvania ; Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Jos. E. Hawley, Connecticut ; Adjutant-General, N. P. Chipman, Potomac ; Inspector-General, Edward Jardine, New Jersey ; Quartermaster- General, T. C. Campbell, Ohio ; Surgeon-General, Dr. John Bell, Iowa ; Chaplain-General, Eev. A. H. Quint, Massachusetts. COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. Connecticut, E. W. Whitaker ; Illinois, Julius C. White ; Indi- ana, Chas. Cruft ; Iowa, Thos. I. Sanders ; Kansas, Jno. A. Mar- tin ; Louisiana, H. C, Warmouth ; Maryland, A. W. Denison ; Maine, M. T. AVentworth ; Massachusetts, A. S. Cushman ; Michi- gan, William Phelps ; Minnesota, J. A. Ege ; Missouri, T. C. Fletcher ; New Hampshire, T>. J. Yaughn ; New Jersey, G. Cum- mings ; NeAV York, Theo. B. Gates ; Ohio, H. B. Banning ; Penn- sylvania, Jno. F. Hartranft ; Potomac, N. P. Chipman ; Rhode Island, James Shaw, Jr. ; Tennessee, H. D. Grant ; Wisconsin, J. K. Proudfit. CHAPTER yil. AD:\IIXISTIIATI0N of commander-in-chief JOHN A. LOGAN— THllU) ANNUAL SESSION, CINCINNATI, MAY 12, 1869— MEETING (JF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION, PHILADEL- PHIA, OCTOBER 1, 1868, AND SPECIAL SESSION, NATIONAL EN- CAMPMENT, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 27, 1869. General Logan was not present at tlie Philadelphia Encamp- ment -when elected Commander-in-Chief. He established his headquarters in Washington, and appointed W. T. Collins Assist- ant Adjutant-General. The Adjutant-General, N. P. Chipman, Quartermaster-General, T. C. Campbell, and Inspector-General, Edward Jardine, had been elected at Philadelphia. General John Alexander Logan was born near Murphysboro', Jackson County, Illinois, February 9, 1826. He volunteered for service in the war with Mexico, was commissioned Lieutenant in the 1st Illinois Regiment, and afterwards Adjutant. After the close of that war he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1851. He was a member of the Illinois Legislature in 1852, '53 and '54, and in 1856 was one of the Presidential Electors on the Democratic ticket. He was elected to the 36th Congress, and re-elected in 1860. He attended the sjjecial session of Congress called by President Lincoln, July 4, 1861, and was so serving on the eve of the battle of Bull-Run, when, actuated by a patriotic impulse, he left his seat and served as a private with the 2d Michigan Yolunteers in that battle. The defeat of our army only stimulated his patriotic ardor, and he returned to his constituents, noted for their adher- ence to their jiartisan convictions, and by his earnest appeals Avrought a radical change in their opinions. He at once com- menced recruiting the 31st Illinois Volunteer Regiment, was com- missioned Colonel August 10, 1861, and a few weeks later led his regiment in a brilliant charge at Belmont. He commanded liis regiment at Fort Henry and Avas wounded at Donelsou. After liis recovery he reported for duty to Gen- eral Grant at Pittsburg Landing, and on March 5, 1862, was [84] Administration of John A. Logan. 85 made Brigadier-General of Volunteers. In the May following he gained additional laurels by his skillful work in the siege of Corinth, and after the occupation of the town his brigade guarded the rail communications with Jackson, Tennessee. He was made a Major-General November 29, 1862, in recognition of his skill and bravery during Grant's campaign along the Mississij^pi. He took a conspicuous part in the battle of Port Gibson, and that of Raymond on May 12, helped to drive the rebels out of Jackson two days later, and was in the battle of Champion Hill. He commanded the center in the siege of Yicksburg, and his column first entered the city after the surrender, July 4, 1863. He was appointed Military Governor of the city, and was presented with a gold medal, the badge of the Seventeenth Army Corps. During that year he visited the North and made several eloquent Union speeches. The following winter he Avas stationed at Huntsville, Alabama, having succeeded General Sherman as Commander of the Fifteenth Army Corps. Early in the summer of 1864 the Division of the Mississij^pi was preparing for " Sherman's march to the sea." General Logan led the Army of the Tennessee on the right of the march, and was successively engaged in the battle of Resaca, in the repulse of Hardee's forces at Dallas, at Kenesaw Mountain, and in the battle of Atlanta where General McPherson fell. General Logan at once took command, and his men fought with such desperate fury that 8,000 confed- erate dead were left on the field. General Logan also took part in the battle at Ezra Church. In fact, he particijDated in every battle of that historic campaign ending in the fall of Atlanta. After this, at the special request of Mr. Lincoln, he made num- erous speeches in the Western States. He joined his command again at Savannah, and marched with Sherman through the Carolinas, and after Johnston's surrender, to Washington. He was appointed to succeed General Howard in the command of the Army of the Tennessee, on May 23, 1865. General Logan was mustered-out of service late in 1865, and in that year President Johnson offered him the position of Minis- ter to Mexico, which he declined. The Republicans of Illinois elected him to represent the State at large in Congress by over 60,000 majority. He was one of the managers on the part of the House in the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson in the spring of 1867. He was returned to the House of Representatives in 1868 and 1870, but in 1871 he was elected to the Senate to succeed 8(5 Grand Army of the Kepublic. Senator Yates. His term expired in 1877, when David Da^vxa svas cliosen to succeed him. Tlie Republicans in the Illinois J legisla- ture then had only two majority on joint ballot, and three of the Republicans voted with the Democrats for Mr. Davis. Two years later he was elected to succeed United States Senator Oglesby. He introduced and supported many bills concerning pensions and rewards to soldiers, and showed a deep and practical interest in army matters in general. In 1884 he was the candidate of the Republican party for Vice-President. General Logan was married in 1855 to Miss Mary Cunning- ham, of Shawneetown, Illinois. Mrs. Logan is a woman of great force of character and intellectual endowments, and took as deep an interest in his political work as she did during the war in his military career, and by her presence, with the General, at a large number of military reunions, she became a great favorite of the old soldiers. General Logan was an eloquent and convincing speaker. His oration at the tomb of General Grant, at Riverside, was a magnif- icent tribute to the brother soldier, whose confidence he fully possessed. He died in AVashington, December ''IG, 1886. At the Metro- politan Church in Washington, of which General Logan was a member, a Memorial Tablet has been erected, bearing the inscrip- tion : " To the deathless memory of Maj.-Gen. Johu Alexander Logau. Six years in the House of Representatives ; three times elected to the Senate of the United States ; 40 years in official life. Great statesman of the mighty West ; commander of the Army of the Tennessee, and foremost Volunteer General of the Republic he loved so well. Victorious in arms; illustrious in council; esteemed wortliy the highest honors of his country. Noblest tyj^e of American manhood, generous, frank, brave; incorruptible patriot, honorable citizen, faithful friend, devoted husband, beloved parent, sincere Christian. "I lmnil)ly trust in God. If this is the end, I am ready.'" General Logan served three terms as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. At the time of his death he was a member of General U. S. Grant Post No. 28, Chicago. General Joshua T. Owen, Senior Yice-Coramander-in-Chief, was born, Marcli '2*.», LS'21, in AVal(>s. In LSMO his father settled in Baltimore, Avhere young Owen learned printing, but afterwards graduated from Jefferson College, Pliiladeli)hia. In 1847 the Administration of John A. Logan. 87 family removed to Philadelphia, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He took an active interest in poli- tics, was elected, as a Democrat, member of Common Council in 1856, and of the State Legislature in 1858. On the morning fol- lowing the firing on Fort Sumter General Owen enlisted as a Private in the First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry, but was soon chosen Colonel 24th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. At the termination of the three months service he organized the 69th Pennsylvania Volunteers, composed mainly of men of Irish birth and lineage. General Owen served actively as Regimental and as Brigade Commander, and received honorable mention from his Division, Corps and Army Commanders ; was promoted Brig- adier-General for conspicuous gallantry at Glendale. In 1866 General Owen was President of the Philadelphia Council, " Boys in Blue," and as their candidate for Recorder of Deeds received the nomination and was elected. He was a charter member of Post 2, Philadelphia. He died at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, November 7, 1887. General Joseph R. Hawley, Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, was born in North Carolina, October 31, 1826. His parents were Connecticut people, and in 1837 moved to Farmington, Connecticut. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1847, then studied law and taught school. Returned to Connecticut in 1849, and comj)leted his law studies, locating in Hartford. He was a delegate to the Free-Soil Convention at Pittsburgh in 1852, and in 1856 was a member of the National Republican Convention in Philadelphia. In 1857 he became one of the proprietors of the Hartford Press, afterwards merged in the Hartford Courant. He was the first man to enlist in Connecticut, and went out as Captain, Company A, 1st Connecticut Volunteers, in the three months service. Was afterwards commissioned Lieutenant-Col- onel 7th Connecticut Volunteers, and succeeded Colonel Terry on the latter's promotion as Brigadier-General. He was promoted Brigadier-General, U. S. V., September 17, 1864, and brevetted Major-General, to date September 28, 1865. He was in service during the war with the 10th and 24th Corps, during the latter part of his service as Chief of Staff to Major General Terry. Mustered-out in January, 1866. He was elected Governor of Connecticut in 1866 ; Member of Congress in 1872, re-elected in 1874 and again in 1878, He 88 Grand Army of the Republic. entered the U. S. Senate March -Ith, 18()1, was re-elected iu 1887, and is now so serving (1888), He was President of the Centennial Commission in 1873, and for three years devoted his time and talents to making the Inter- national Exposition a grand success. General Norton P. Chipman, Adjutant-General, was horn in Milford Centre, Ohio, March 7th, 1831. He removed to Washing- ton, Iowa, in 1815, where later he practiced law. He entered the army as a Private, and Avas promoted to ha Second Lieutenant of the 2d Iowa Infantry, the first three years regiment from that State. Promoted to Adjutant and Major of his regiment. Was severely wounded at Fort Donelson. Appointed Colonel and Aid- de-Camp in the regular army, and served as Chief of Staff to General Curtis. AVas detailed by President Lincoln on several dangerous and important missions. He served as Judge-Advocate of several military courts, and at the trial of Wirz, the Anderson- ville prison keeper, charged with cruelty to prisoners of war. At the close of the war he was brevetted Brigadier-General. He was Secretary of the Territorial Government of the District of Columbia at its organization, and was the Delegate to Congress from that District in the 42d and 43d Congress. He moved to California in 1875, and is now interested in man- ufacturing enterprises at Red Bluff, California. T. C. Campbell, Quartermaster-General, was born in Roches- ter, New York, April 27th, 1845, and enlisted, on his sixteenth birthday, in the three months service. He was afterwards com- missioned Captain in the 103d New York Volunteers, and Avas mustered-out in 1865. He joined the Grand Army of the Republic in 1866, and was Commander of his Post when but 21 years of age. In May, 1867, one year before the issue of General Logan's Memorial Day order, he recommended to his Post that the Posts of Cincinnati parade as a body to Spring-Grove Cemetery to decorate the graves of their dead coinrades. He was admitted to the bar in 1870, and Avas city Prosecuting Attorney from 1871 to 1875. General EmvAUi) Jaudine, Inspector-General. See portrait and Sketch, Chapter XIII. Group of National Officees, 1868. Administration of John A. Logan. 89 Rev. A. H. Quint, D. D., Cliaplain-in-Chief, served from Juue 20, 1861, to May 25, 1864, as Chaplain 2d Massachusetts Volim- teer Infantry. Dr. John Bell. Dr. John Bell, Surgeon- General, served as Assistant Surgeon, and afterwards Sur- geon, 9th Iowa Cavalry, and was mustered-out at the close of the war. He ranked high in his profession, and one noted ojjeration made by him was that of cutting into a man's stomach and removing a piece of lead that had been accidentally swal- lowed. Dr. Bell died in Dallas, Tex., February 5, 1888, and his body was taken to his former home at Wapello, Iowa, and there buried. When Headquarters were established correspondence was at once opened with the Departments, and with veterans, in States and Territories then without any Grand Army organization. Permanent and Provisional Departments were rapidly organized. Twenty-one general orders were issued during the year, several announcing decisions upon points of Grand Army law. In Gen- eral Orders No. 1, January 21, 1868, the objects of the organization were fully recited, Avith a view to reaching the general public through the press, and General Logan added for the members of the Order : " All those characteristics which made you good soldiers in war must follow you into the Grand Army of the Re- public, to distinguish you there as they did in the camp and on the battlefield. Every comrade should properly estimate his own influence in carrying out the high aims of our Order, and none can be excused from a proper discharge of his duty under the false impression that his voice or his hand is not needed. You never could have put down the rebellion except by individual efforts united, and you cannot now secure the results you seek on any other principle." 90 Grand Army of the Republic. memorial day, Early in May, 1868, Adjutant-General Chipmau received a let- ter from some comrade then living, as lie remembers, in Cincin- nati, in which the writer referred to the fact that he had served as a private soldier in the Union Army ; that in his native country, Germany, it was the custom of the people to assemble in the spring-time and scatter flowers upon the graves of the dead. He suggested that the Grand Army of the Republic inaugurate such an observance in memory of the Union dead. General Chipman thought the suggestion most opportune, and at once made a rough draft of a General Order covering this subject, and laid it, with the letter referred to, before General Logan. General Logan warmly approved the Order, himself adding several paragraphs. The date selected, May 30, was with the idea of using one of the spring months because of their poetical asso- ciations, and also to make it late in the last spring month, that it might be possible to find flowers in the New England and extreme Northern States. The Order reads as follows : Headquarters Grand Army of the Republic, ) Washington, D. C, May 5, 1868. f General Orders, } No. 11. f I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit. We are organized, comrades, as our Regulations tell us. for the purpose, among other things, " of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, .sailors and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than b}' cherishing ten- derly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes'? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourn- ers. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the co.st of a free and undivided republic. If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other liearts cold in the .solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us. Administration of John A. Logan. 91 Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and gar- land the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old tlag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us, a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude — the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan. II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compli- ance therewith. III. Department Commanders will use every effort to make this Order effective. By command of JOHN A. LOGAN, Coinmanderin-Chief. N. P. CHIPMAN, Adjuta lit- General. There were many who at first doubted the wisdom of institut- ing such an observance. It was claimed that it would unneces- sarily keep alive memories of the war, and foster animosities that should be buried in oblivion. Other objections were made to the expense, and that the money for music and flowers could be more wisely sjjent on the living. The Grand Army has answered this latter by increasing its benefactions year by year, and no good citizen has at any time had reason to observe any force in the first objection. It is a matter of great regret that the name of the comrade who first called the attention of General Chipman to this subject cannot now be recalled. During the war there had been many instances of the decora- tion of soldiers' graves, and earlier than the date of this Order a *' Decoration Day " had been generally observed by ex-Confeder- ates in the Southern States. General John B. Murray, then a resident of Waterloo, New York, on Sunday, May 27tli, 1866, marshalled a number of ex-sol- diers in that village who decorated the graves of their dead com- rades amid appropriate ceremonies?. GeDeral Murray claimed during his life that he had spoken of this to General Logan at one of the Army re-unions. It is also stated that Posts in Cincinnati, upon the suggestion of T. C. Campbell, afterwards Quartermaster- General, paraded in 1867 for the purpose of decorating the graves of their dead comrades. General Chipman, however, distinctly remembers the incident as already related, which directly resulted in the issue of the Gen- eral Orders instituting a Memorial Day. 92 Grand Ahmy of the EEruBLic. Adjiitant-Geueral Chipman in his report referred to Memorial Day as follows : Probably no oue act ia your administration has done more to cement the brother- hood of our Order, and to remove any prejudice that might remain in the minds of the public against it. than the inauguration of the practice of an annual commemora- tion to the memory of our departed comrades, The day set apart last year was ob- serva'd iu all Departments, and by almost all the Posts, and with the most gratifying results. If this feature alone was the result of the organization, I think the estab- lishment of a national memorial day a sufficient reward to our comrades for all they have done, and this alone would be motive sufficient to perpetuate our Order. No other society was in a position to originate the observance, and probably no other would have done so. Now, it is an established national ceremonial day. The Con- gress of the United States unanimously passed the resolution, introduced by your.>elf , providing for the publication, in book form, of the proceedings had throughout the United States on the 30th of May, 1868, and it is believed that Congress will provide for the future annual publication of the reports of the>e commemorative observ- ances. The order directing the ceremonies to be held this year has been issued, and there is every evidence that they will be more impo,sing than heretofore. The press throughout the land commend the movement in the highest terms, and the heartiest CO operation is given our comrades on the part of citizens generally. Memorial Day is now a legal holiday in the following States : Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont and Ohio. There has been an impression that, under General Logan, the Grand Army of the Republic was used to further the political ends of himself and of his party. This impression is erroneous, for the political work of the Grand Army of the Republic had spent its force and produced the results previously referred to be- fore his election as Commander-in-Chief. General Logan was op- posed to any partisan action by Posts, and so placed himself on record in his official addresses to the Order. One matter that occurred after General Logan's election as Coiimiauder-in-chief, that by some may be assumed as having a political bias, should be here recorded. President Johnson, in August, 1867, had requested the resignation of Secretary Stanton. Mr. Stanton refused to resign, and General Grant was appointed Secretary of War, ad interim. General Grant so served until Jan- uary 13, 18(58, when the Senate refused to concur in the removal of Mr. Stanton, and General Grant at once left the War Office and Mr. Stanton Un>k possession. On February 21st, an order was issued by the President dismissing Secretary Stanton from office, Administration of John A. Logan. 93 and appointing Adjutant-General Lorenzo Thomas, Secretary, cid interim, but Mr. Stanton refused to acknowledge the legality of the order. Mrs. Logan has described what followed in an article in the National Tribune : Mr. Stanton refused to surrender the office, and ordered Gen. Thomas to return to his desk and duties in the Adjutant-General's office. Mr. Stanton's courage and coolness at this critical moment meant much to this country; but to stand single handed and alone and thwart the unknown schemes of this mendacious President was more than he felt he could do. Neither did the patriotic men of the Nation intend he should. For some time the movemeui;s of the President had been watched most critically by men who had decided that he should not betray the party and the country. Gen. Logan was then Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. He lost no time in seeking Secretary Stanton, and assured him that that organization was prepared for the emergency, explaining to him that at that moment a great many of these men were quietly patrolling the city of Washington, ready at a moment's notice to take up the arms they had so recently laid aside, if need be, to protect the Government and maintain its supremacy, and that he would be sustained. Mr. Stanton remained night and day in the Department, expecting an attempt would be made to remove him by force, and aware that the moment he should leave his office Thomas would take possession. He had his meals served in his office, and at night couches were placed there also, and Secretary Stanton and General Logan slept there till the trouble was settled. Gen. Logan attended upon his duties in the House of Representatives during the day— met his staff of the Grand Army of the Republic in his rooms at Willard s Hotel at nightfall. They carried out his orders as to the posting of sentinels, and being ready at a signal to assemble at the War Department, .should a forcible ejectment of the war-tried Secretary be attempted Few persons here to-day know of the part then played by the Grand Army of the Republic, with Gen. Logan at tlieir head, or of the salutary effect it had at that time. By some means Mr. Johnson was advised of what w^as being done, and that Gen. Logan stayed with Stanton in the War Department at night. He spoke to Gen. Logan about the matter. Gen. Logan assured him that, had he tried the execution of his plans to take forcible possession of the War Department and control of the Army, for the furtherance and perpetuation of his power, he would have found that the volunteer soldiery were ready to respond to the call of their country, and to protect the loyal people of the unreconstructed States. General Chipman, in referring to this incident many years after, said : " Of course this was outside the ' Eegulations,' but none of us supposed for a moment we were not engaged in the performance of a high and important trust ; and most cer- tainly if President Johnson had attempted to forcibly eject Mr. Stanton by military power, the members of our Posts, without ex- ception, at that time, would have rallied to Mr. Stanton's support and would have laid down their lives in his defence. My old comrades of the District of Columbia did not all know what was meant by having arms and ammunition issued to them, but they 9-4 (tKANI) AltMV OF THE REPUBLIC. will doubtless remember the fact." " One uiglit," said General Chipmau, "when I was on guard, and several prominent persons were spending the early evening with the Secretary, a parcel was brought in l)y a messenger which proved to be a box of very fine cigars. In the box was the donor's card, and on the back was written the following : " If thou, O sleepless son of Mars, Can'st cheer thy vigils with cigars, I send thee these, and thus invoke, That all thy troubles end in smoke." NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ADMINISTKATION. The National Council of Administration met on October 1, 1868, in the quarters of Post No. 1, Philadelphia, pursuant to General Orders No. 17, dated September 4. Comrade James Shaw, Jr., presided in the absence of the Commander-in-chief, and of the Senior and Junior Vice-Com- manders-in-Chief. The Council made a change in the Badge of the organization, to which further reference is made under a sjDecial chapter. They appointed a committee " to revise the Ritual and the Rules and Regulations, to consider the subject of Degree's, and to recommend a Uniform, to report at the next meeting of the National Encampment." James SliaAv, Jr., Louis Wagner, Pennsylvania ; Rev. A. H. Quint, Massachusetts ; O. M. Wilson, Indiana ; T. AV. Higgiuson, Rhode Island ; Thomas L. Young, Ohio ; F. AV. Sparling, Ten- nessee, constituted this committee. Suggestions were invited from comrades generall}', " to aid the committee in making our Ritual and our Rules and Regulations worthy of our organization." The committee held a meeting in New York city, and organized by electing comrade Shaw, Chairman, and AA^. A\^ Douglas, of Rhode Island, who had been added to the Committee, was chosen Secretary. A large number of plans and suggestions, of- fered in pursuance of the published request, were considered. The general plan was formulated. Comrades Shaw and Douglas taking especial charge of the Rules, and Chaplain Quint of the liitual. The result of the work of this committee is recorded in the re])ort following of the Cincinnati Encampment. Page 98. Administration of John A. Logan. 95 THIRD annual SESSION. The third annual meeting of the National Encampment was held in Cincinnati May 12, 1869. General W. H. Baldwin, on behalf of the Committee of Ar- rangements, made an eloquent address in welcoming the represen- tatives of the Grand Army to Cincinnati. An appropriate re- sponse was made by Adjutant-General Chipman. Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan presided. In his address, referring to the disbandment of the armies, he said : In classic days both republican and imperial Rome had been shaken to its centre by disbanded soldiery, while in Greece and Spain the mountain fastnesses had been filled with desperadoes from such bodies, whose subsistence was wrung from passing travellers or peaceful haciendas. Even our neighboring Republic of Mexico had furnished examples of the danger to mankind of forcing bodies of soldiers from their avocation to the quiet scenes of ordinary life. But neither Rome, Greece, Spain nor Mexico was ever tried by such an ordeal as ours. Their disbanded armies were, in comparison with ours, almost as nothing. In fact, there is not in human history a case cited, except ours, in which a million of soldiers were, in a day, removed from belligerent to peaceful life. Probably there is no government on earth except our own that would have dared to try the experiment. I am confident there is no other in which such trial would be safe. No outbreak, no revolution, no disaster of any magnitude has followed the segre- gation of these million warriors. They sought their homes with joyful hearts and tuneful voices. There were no tears of mourning over the cast-off trappings and habiliments of strife. The hand grown cunning in the use of arms applied itself to the ax, the hammer, the loom and spade. Battle shouts had given place to exultations over victory, and these, in turn, were followed by the songs of joy, of love and peace, that sanctify that place of heaven called home. Very much of this sublime result is due, doubtless, to the form of government under which we live. Much is attributable to the educational influences among which we were reared, and much, very much, to the organization known as the "Grand Army of the Republic." This Order originated in a desire for mutual protection, aid and education. We never feared that the toils and sufferings of our soldiery would be forgotten, or fail to be appreciated by the mass of our countrymen, but we did fear that high officials might at times be prompted by their selfishness to disregard or neglect us. Politically, our object is not to mingle in the strifes of parties, but by our strength and numbers to be able to exact from all a recognition of our rights with others. "We desire, further, by this organization, to commemorate the gallantry and suffer- ings of our comrades, give aid to bereaved families, cultivate fraternal sympathy among ourselves, find employment for the idle, and generally, by our acts and pre- cepts, to give the world a practical example of unselfish, manly co-operation. Thus far our efforts have proved successful. The report of the Adjutant-General will present fully the history and progress of our Order, and more than sustain our highest hopes of the future. The burden of many crosses has been lifted from many hearts. Famishing souls and bodies have been fed. Manly excellence has been devel- 9() (rRAND Army of the Kepublic. oped and cultivated, while public, social and domestic life amotn? our comrades has been puritied and blessed through our humane endeavors. I congratulate you that our Order flourishes now as it never has done before, and that peace, tranquility and industry are comparatively universal among ourselves and throughout our national domain. Let us foster and cherish this benevolent Order, so useful in the past, so beneficent in the present, and giving such promi.se for the future. Let us unite in vigorous efforts to extend and perpetuate its power. While in the flush and strength of manhood we may not fully grasp and realize the fact that man's true interest lies in doing good; but when the golden bowl of life is breaking, when our faces become carved in storied hieroglyphics by the stylus and pantagraph of age, each act of kindness done, each word of kindness .spoken, will, by natural compensating law, return like the dove of Ararat to the soul from which it was sent, anil bearing with it branches of unfading green from the Post 'bevoud the river." REPORTS OF STAFF OFFICERS. The report of Adjutant-General Chipman opened with a brief reference to the formation of the Grand Army, followed by a thor- ough revieAv of the condition of the Departments, numbering 37, with about 2,500 Posts. The Adjutant-General made no estimate of the membership on account of the meagre and unsatisfactory returns of several large Departments. Owing to the delinquency of the large Departments in the West, the receipt of moneys had been but -^1,262.87, while the out- lay for part payment of old debts, and for the large amount of supplies required, amounted to $3,004.83, leaving a deficiency of 81,741.96. There was still due Comrade Stephenson, a balance of $785.56, and to Comrade J. T. Owen, of Philadelphia, $1,040 for cash ad- vanced to meet jDrevious indebtedness. The DejDartments of Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Min- nesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin were cred- ited with payment of dues for the term ending June 30, 1868, and California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, New Hamjishire, New Jersey, Potomac, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee, in addition to the Departments above reported, for the term ending December 31, 1868. "Tlie arcidves of the org.unzation transmitted to me by the late Adjutant-General comprised one General Order Hook, one Special Order Book, one Roster of Depart- meiil^, inci)ni])l('te. a Letter Hook containing a few copies of letters received in No- vember and December, 1866, and .January, 1867. No files of letters, no books con- taining copies of letters sent from Headquarters, no books showing the dates of Administration of John A. LoriAN, 97 organization of Departments, when charters were issued, and to wliom and by what authority— in short, nothing in this respect which would have been interesting and which were, indeed, almost indispensable to me in our re-organization, except the books I have mentioned, could be found. ' ' By these very meagre data I was compelled at first to be guided. You will, from this, perceive something of the labor devolved upon Headquarters in opening up a correspondence with the various Departments, and collecting information as to their origin and condition. In some instances months elapsed before it was possible to ascertain who were the officers of certain Departments known to have an existence, and of course during this time neither Regulations nor Rituals could be distributed. In some instances Departments were established from these Headquarters, and Pro- visional Commanders appointed, when afterwards it was ascertained that Depart- ments had already been organized in those localities, and Provisional Commanders appointed by your predecessor, but of which no record was to be found among the papers transmitted to me. "The National Encampment convened at Philadelphia was therefore an era in the history of our Order. It resulted in the establishment of Headquarters at the National Capital, which, to a certain extent, not only nationalized the Order, but gave great facility of communication, and for the first time enabled a correspondence to be opened with the leading members of the organization, and with the various Depart- ments and commands throughout the United States. I at once procured and opened books and records, such as seemed to be necessary to the permanent preservation of important facts and information connected with the Order. " I was unable to obtain any official report of the transactions of the organization prior to the meeting of the Convention at Indianapolis; and what I have given in other portions of this report with regard to the matter, as I have intimated, are matters of tradition, rather than official information. " The books and records which came into my hands furnish no evidence of there having been reciprocal relations kept up between Posts and Departments and National Headquarters. Indeed, it would appear that Posts and Departments must have organ- ized largely upon their own responsibility, and many of them appear not to have made any report to Headquarters during the administration of General Hurlbut. It is greatly to be regretted that amid all this rapid growth of the Order and the en- thusiasm with which it seems to have spread, that there should appear nowhere any recoi'd of its progress." The following were appointed a Committee on Credentials: J. Warren Keifer, Ohio ; G. G. Miner, Tennessee ; S. A. Duncan, Po- tomac ; K A. Bacliia, New York ; Solon T. Carter, NeAV Hamp- shire. The Committee reported as entitled to representation : Cali- fornia, 3 ; Colorado, 2 ; Kentucky, 2 ; Maine, 5 ; Maryland, 2 ; Massachusetts, 8 ; Michigan, 2 ; Minnesota, 2 ; New Hampshire, 2 ; New Jersey, 2 ; New York, 7 ; Ohio, 10 ; Pennsylvania, 8 ; Po- tomac, 2 ; Rhode Island, 2 ; South Carolina, 2 ; Tennessee, 2 ; Wis- consin, 2. 7 98 Grand Army of the Kepublic. Illinois, ludiaua, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri were reported not entitled to representation. After hearing explanations from the Representatives of these Departments, it was decided to admit to the privileges of the En- campment the following : Illinois, 8 ; Indiana, 3 ; Iowa, 1 ; Kan- sas, 1 ; Missouri, 1 ; making a total of 79 Representatives from 23 Departments present, in addition to the National Officers and Council of Administration.* COMMITTEES APPOINTED. On Resolutions — Thomas S. Allen, Wisconsin ; A. AY. Denison, Maryland ; H. G. Armstrong, Ohio ; H. K. Milward, Kentucky ; R. King Scott, South Carolina. On Finance — Thomas O. Osborn, Illinois ; "William Ward, New Jersey ; W. H. Baldwin, Ohio ; James Turnock, Indiana ; A. L. Pearson, Pennsylvania. CO-OPERATIVE LIFE INSURANCE. Comrade E. F. M. Faehtz, Potomac, presented a scheme of Co-operative Life Insurance, which was referred to a special com- mittee consisting of Comrades Faehtz, G. F. Potter, New York ; O. C. Boshyshell, Pennsylvania ; Jas. Shaw, Jr., Rhode Island ; Jas. W. Denny, Massachusetts. This committee had charge of the subject for two or three years, when it w^as finally permitted to drop. THE RULES AND REGULATIONS. The important work before the Encampment was the consid- eration of a Revised Ritual, and an entire change in the Riiles and Regulations as reported by the special committee of which Com- rade Jas. Shaw, Jr., was Chairman. The form of the Rules and Regulations was changed into Chapters and Articles as at present. THE GRADE SYSTEM. Article Y, Chapter 11, provided for a system of Degrees in three Gnules of raeml)ership : first, the Grade of Recruit ; second, the Grade of Soldier ; third, the Grade of Veteran. * The names of meml)er3 of Ihc Council of Adniiuistralion present are not ^.^iven in the minutes. Administration op John A. Logan. 90 General James Shaw, Jr. Eecruits could be advanced to the grade of Soldier only after two months of service, upon application and a recommendation in writing by two members of the second grade. An election re- quired a two-thirds vote at a subsequent meeting. Advancement to the third or Veteran grade required the same form as for the second, excepting that the applicant must have been a member of the second grade at least six months. A ritual, signs, grips, and passwords were provided for each grade. Post meetings were to be held as of the second grade, and recruits in the first grade could be present at such meet- ings, except during business pertaining to the proposal or advancement of recruits to the second grade. Eecruits were not eligible to office, or privi- leged to act, speak or vote. Soldiers of the second grade were entitled to transact all the business of the Post, except that pertaining to advancement to the third grade. Veterans of the third grade only were eligible to National or Department Offices, or to membership in the National or Depart- ment Encampments, or to offices filled by apiDointment of the Commander-in-Chief or Department Commanders, and to the offices of Post Commander, Vice-Commanders, Adjutant, Quarter- master, Surgeon, Chaplai?!, Officer of the Day, or Officer of the Guard. The resolutions putting into operation this system of Grades, briefly stated, were, first : declaring eligible to the third grade all present and past officers and members of the National Encamp- ment, and of the several Department Encampments, and all pre- sent and past officers of Posts, and all who had been members of the Grand Army of the Republic for eight months, provided that their dues were fully paid and that they took the several obliga- tions of these grades prior to September 1. All other members in good standing were to constitute the Second grade, provided or- 100 Grand Army of the Republic. tliey should he free from dues and take the obligations of the first and second grades prior to September 1. This practically legislated out of the Grand Army of the Re- public all who should refuse or neglect to take the new obliga- tions. In considering the disajjpointing results of this new de- parture, it must be remembered that the Order was then in a condition of great depression, and that some change seemed abso- lutely necessary to maintain the membership and stimulate re- cruiting. Other societies had different systems of Degrees, and it was believed that the introduction of some such system was essential to the Grand Army. The chief labor now fell on officers of Posts and Departments in inducing members to take the new obligations and thus estab- lish their membership. This met with earnest and decided oppo- sition. Members claimed that they were already in full member- ship in the Grand Army, and could not be so legislated out. Many Post Commanders refused to make any effort to have their Posts accept the system, preferring to allow them to disband. The time fixed for dropping those who so refused was extended from time to time, with little difference in the result, for hundreds of Posts and thousands of members disappeared from the rolls of the Grand Army. Of those who remained there was a large number who deemed the radical changes a grave error of judg- ment. The expense alone was a serious item, for all the books had to be changed, and it required considerable clerical ability to make out reports. Having been mustered into the United States service upon a simple obligation, members now strongly objected to such com- plicated manceuvers as were required in passing from one grade to another in the Grand Army, and recruits, full of enthusiasm when they joined, were disgusted at having to wait two months V)efore having a vote. After two years of trial the system was entirely abolished. Previous to the adoption of the grades it had been claimed that 240,000 members were enrolled. Less than 20,000 remained when the system was abolished. This apparently heavy loss, however, cannot be charged to this act. The claim which had been made for such a large membership ill LS(J()-'G7, was not sustained by any reports sent to headquarters, and Adjutant-General Chipman was careful not to hazard even an estimate of the raem})ership, because, after mouths of effort on Administration of John A. Logan. 101 his part, Departments claiming an aggregate of over 1,300 Posts had made no returns. Under the new system each Post had to be accounted for, and payment of dues made on members actually reported. This secured substantially correct reports. Under the old system estimates or claims of membership cost Dej)art- ments nothing. The Committee on Resolutions reported the following ; Whereas, the organization known as the Grand Army of the Republic is founded upon the glorious and world-wide embracing principles of fraternity, charity, and loyalty to our flag and country ; and Whereas, its success in the past is the best guarantee of its future prosperity; and Whereas, the welfare of our living comrades, and that of the orphans and widows of the honored dead, and the maintenance of oiu* sacred principles, demand renewed efforts in its behalf; therefore, by the National Encampment, through the represen- tatives here assembled, be it Resolved, That the destiny of the Grand Army of the Republic is not fulfilled, until it shall embrace within its protective folds every one of the million of honor- ably discharged soldiers of the several arms of the service during the late war of the rebellion; until the families of those requiring assistance are beyond the reach of want, and their children properly educated and cared for by the country ; and until the last faithful veteran soldier has surrendered without dishonor to the Great Con- queror of all mankind, and has been released from his bonds, and mustered into a grander army above. Resolved, That it is through this organization alone that the bonds of fraternal feeling can be successfully sustained and strengthened, and the electric currents of sympathy and brotherly affection, boru of common toil and danger, be evolved and hastened in their courses through the thousand hearts scattered over the wide expanse of our ever growing empire. Resolved, That that charity which speaks through kind actions and benevolent deeds and sacrificing efforts for those associated with us shall ever be one of our car- dinal principles, and carefully exemplified in our practice. Resolved, That we shall cling to the principles and practices of loyalty to flag and country, with the same pertinacity and energy with which we sustained it in the field; and that no foe, foreign or domestic, shall ever find us backward iu rushing to the rescue of the Government we have saved, by whatever danger it may be assailed ; that our hearts still beat time to the " music of the Union," and will ever be found vibrating in harmony with the pulsations of the national life. Resolved, That whatsoever suspicion of political nature may have heretofore at- tached to the Grand Army of the Republic as to its being a political organization, that we hereby declare it above and independent of all partisan feeling and action, and actuated only by a determination to sustain to the fullest extent the principles so clearly defined in the rules and regulations adopted by the National Encampment, and embracing only the patriotic duties enjoined by charity, fraternity and loyalty to flag and country, including a just condemnation of that fell spirit of rebellion, which would have destroyed not only the country, but rooted liberty itself out of the land. Resolved, That in the name of our comrades scattered throughout this broad land, we desire to express our gratitude to the citizens and legislators of those States which have established homes and schools for the maintenance and education of the 102 CrEAND AllMY OF THE IIePUBLIC. orphans of our decease 1 brethren, and that we invoke the blessings of Heaven upon them. And that we earnestly urge upon the citizens and legislators of those Stiites where no such jirovision has been made, to take immediate steps to fulfill the obliga- tions imposed upon them by the casualties of the late war, and to redeem their pledges made to the brave volunteers, to care for their families during their absence, and in case of their death, by establishing homes for both orphans and widows, so far.as their necessities may demand. Ih'xoUrd, That the pledges and recommendations made by conventions and legis- lative bodies to give preference to soldiers (otlier things being equal) for appointment to civil avocations and Government positions, whereby our disabled comrades might serve both the country and themselves at the same time, and be enabled to earn an honest a id honorable livelihood, are daily impressed upon our minds by the fact that their claims for labor and position are, in many portions of our country, almost en- tirel}' ignored, and that, in the name of our crippled comrades, we re-;pectfully ask the honorable redemption of those pledges. Resolved, That the thanks of this Encampment are hereby tendered to the Com- mander in-Chief , and the Adjutant-General and his assistants, for their self-sacrific- ing and efficient labors during the past year, in the organization and building up of our Order. Jiesolred, That the soldiers, citizens, and authorities of the beautiful city of Cin- cinnati are hereby requested to receive our hearty thanks for the facilities furnished us, and the interest manifested in our behalf, and that their kindness and good-fel- lowship will hereafter be cherished among our fondest recollections. liefiolci'd. That the thanks of this convention be returned to the Commander of the Department, to the Posts of Cincinnati, Cincinnati authorities, railroads, and citizens of the city, for the cordial reception extended to the members of the National Encampment. The resolutions Avere uuanimously adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows : Co)itiiinmler-in- Chief, John A. Logan (re-elected). Senior Vice- Commander-in-Chief, Lucius Fairchild, Wisconsin. Junior Vice- Commander-in-Chief, Joseph R. Hawley, Connec- ticiit. Surgeon- Genend, S. B. Wylie Mitchell, Pennsylvania. Ch'ipJain-in-Chief Rev. A. H. QuiNT, D. D., Massachusetts. Council of Administrafion^Ciil, J. F. Miller; Del., Frank No- len ; 111., R. M. Hough ; Tnd., W. AV. Dudley ; Iowa, Joseph B. Lci.iko ; Ken., AVm. Boden ; Md., Andrew W. Denison ; Mass., J. Waldo Denny ; Mich., Oliver L. Si)alding ; Minn., Frank E. Dag- gett ; Mo., G. Harry Stone ; N. H., S. T. Carter ; N. J., James F. Rusling ; N. Y., R. A. Bachia ; Me., George L. Beale ; Oliio, Harry G. Armstrong; Penn., O. C. Bosl>yshell ; Potomac, Samuel A. Duncan ; R. I., James Shaw, Jr. ; S. C, R. King Scott ; Tenn., G. Administration of John A. Logan. 103 G. Minor ; Texas, E. J. Davis ; Vt., George J. Staunard ; AV. Ya., Charles J. Wickersliam ; Wis., George P. Goodwin. Under the new Rules the Adjutant-General, Quartermaster- General, Inspector-General, and Judge-Advocate-General, the lat- ter a new office, were to be appointed by the Commander-in- Chief. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE NATION^M. ENCAMPMENT. NEW YOFiK, OCTOBER 27, 1869. A special meeting of the National Encampment was held in NeAv York city, Wednesday, October 27, 1869, in the Lodge room over Booth's Theatre. The business requiring this special session, as stated in the call, was to consider : 1. The extension of time for muster-in grades beyond the lirst day of September to old comrades. 3. To adopt or reject the report of the committee appointed to look into the practicability of connecting a life insurance plan with the Grand Army of the Re- public . 3. To adopt a badge, commission and certificate of membership for the organiza- tion. 4. To consider several other subjects of importance which will be brought before the Encampment. The Encampment, after full consideration, adopted resolutions substantially as follows : 1. That all members of the Order then in good standing should be entitled to the third grade. 2. The adoption of a new membership badge. (See the chapter on Badges.) 3. The reference to a committee, consisting of the Commander- in-Chief and Senior and Junior Yice-Commanders-in-Chief, of the project of co-operative life insurance, with power to procure a charter from Congress should they deem it advisable. A communication was presented by Comrade James Shaw, Jr., of Rhode Island, which was heartily endorsed by the Encampment, suggesting that comrades should be detailed in each Post to pre- pare and read papers giving " personal reminiscences of the war," to contain such facts as came under the personal observation of the writer ; that a report be made of all such papers, giving the lOJ: Gkaxd Akmy of the Republic. subject, date, aud uanie of writer of each paper, so that a complete index could be made for reference at National Headquarters. This subject was referred to in General Orders No. 6, dated November 4, 1869, as follows : It is earuestly recommeuded that every Post of our orgauizatioti should at once adopt and euter into the plau submitted by comrade Shaw for collecting "personal remiuiscenses of the war." Truthfully it has been said, that we have, as the bequest of this vast war, materi- als for a literature richer, more copious and more varied than the annals of any nation ever furnished its sons and daughters. It will not be the least or the meanest influence of our fellowship if it helps to inspire the fellowship of letters to put in undyiug forms the memorial of eventful deeds in which we have borne a part. The fair record of the lives and deeds of our comrades in arms is one thing we have at heart— one of the dear and inspiring pm-poses of our organization ; and if other men prove themselves indifferent about the creation and preservation of such just and enduring memorials of the country's defenders, we who knew and shared the costly experience must see to it that the grave be not allowed to seal up from human eye and thought such patriotic consistency and heroic deeds. The Encampment received from Mr. Norman Wiard a line satirical jDainting in oil, by W. H. Davis, of Port Jefiferson, Long Island, entitled " Done gone Secesh." It was suggested that it should be copied and sold to raise funds for relief purposes. In presenting this picture to General Logan, for the Grand Army of the Eepublic, Mr. Wiard said : Soon after I received it from the artist, W. H. Davis, of Port Jefferson, L. I., I brought it to Washington to exhibit it to Mr. Lincoln, thinking its grim humor might enliven his careworn spirit if it was presented at the appropriate time, and I had the satisfaction to notice that the great man took great interest in it. He saw speaking points in it not before discovered, and took new hope from it, saying it was prophetic. In 1864 the war had not ended, and the President seemed so much to enjoy it. that I soon took occasion, in the presence of a mutual friend, to ask him to accept it as a present for the decoration of his private otlice, after he had ceased to be President. He said " No ;" and added, " let me keep it here a while— it seems like a friend; and after the war is over, and secession is buried indeed, give it to some soldier who, in your opinion, has done most to put down the rebellion." At the first ending of the war I saw no dilliculty whatever in deciding which particular soldier should have the picture. I only waited for a favorable opportunity to present it. I "hesitated and was lost;" and from that time to the present I have become more and more undecided as to the soldier, until it has lately occurred to me to present it to the Grand Army of the Republic as a body, as the appropriate and proper thing to do. Their soldierly qualities are undoubted; their patriotism, skill, and bravery overcame and buried secession. I desire you, sir, to accept "I)one(ione" on behalf of the organization which you command, and should be gratiiied to learn that it is to be preserved at "Head- quarters " as long as the organization continues. xiDMINISTRATION OF JOHN A. LOGAN. 105 I further desire to suggest that the picture might be duplicated by photography or chromo-lithography, and copies presented by subscription from outside friends to each Post under your command. If properly managed, this plan might be made the means of raising a fund for the benefit of the widows and orphans of those soldiers who do not belong to your command, but who would have been in your ranks if they had lived If I could promote such an enterprise by any personal exertion, I shall be most happy to do so. The thanks of the Encampment were cordially tendered to Mr. Wiard, and a committee, consisting of Comrades N. P. Chipman, S. A. Duncan, and Chris. C. Cox, was appointed to consider whether some plan could be devised to use the painting in aid of the charity fund of the Order. CHAPTER VIII. ADMINISTRATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN A. LOGAN (SECOND TERM) -FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION, WASHINGTON, MAY 11, 1870. General Chipman, by pressure of professional business, felt it necessary that lie should resign his position as Adjutant-Gen- eral. He had so thoroughly devoted himself to bringing order out of confusion, and so well succeeded in placing the work of Na- tional Headquarters on a thorough business basis that his retire- ment at this time was a matter of general regret. He, however, consented to serve as Judge-Advocate-General, and the decisions rendered during his term evince that same careful attention to details which made his administration of the Adjutant-General's office so valuable to the Grand Army of the Republic. He was succeeded by W. T. Collins, of Minnesota, who had efficiently served the previous term as Assistant Adjutant-Gen- eral. Adjutant-General Collins had been in service during the war as Sergeant 2d United States Sharpshooters. He was badly wounded at Rappahannock Station, Virginia, August 22, 1862, resulting in the loss of a leg above the knee. He became a mem- ber of John A. Rawlins Post No. 1, Washington, D. C, October 12, 1866, and was afterwards a charter member of Farragut Post No. 4. Colonel F. A. Starring was appointed Inspector-General, Colo- nel Timothy Lubey Quartermaster-General, and Colonel R. J. Hinton Assistant Inspector-General. General Lucius Fairchild had been elected Senior Vice-Com- mander-in-Chief (biography Chapter XXV), and General Jos. R. Hawley re-elected Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief. Colonel Samuel B. Wylie Mitchell, Surgeon-General, was born in Philadelphia, August 16, 1828. Entered the service as Surgeon [106J Administhation of John A. Logan. 107 Dr. S. B. W. Mitchell. 18tli Pennsylvania Volun- teers, April 24, 1861, three months service ; Surgeon 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, August 17, 1861, to January 24, 1865. Brevettecl Lieutenant-Colonel U. S. v., March 13, 1865, "for gallant conduct and meritori- ous services." Was one of the founders of the " Military Or- der of the Loyal Legion," and Secretary and Eecorder until his death, August 16, 1879. Charter member and first Commander of the present Post 2, Philadelphia, and, act- ing as senior officer, char- tered the present Posts 5, 6, 7, 8, Philadelphia. (See Department of Pennsylvania.) Member of Department Council of Adminis- tration, 1867 ; Medical Director of the Department, 1868 and 1869. Colonel Timothy Lubey, Quartermaster - General, en- listed in May, 1861, as Sec- ond Lieutenant, Company B, 15th New York Engineers, was promoted First Lieuten- ant November, 1861, Captain in April, 1863, and was mus- tered-out as Major, July 2, 1865. He was brevetted Col- onel for gallant and meritori- ous services, by the Governor of the State of New York. He joined the G. A. E. October 19, 1866, as a charter member of Post No. 1, De- partment of the Potomac, and left it to become a charter member of Post No. 3, in which he served three terms as Commander. On the surrender of the charter of Post No. 3, he was transferred to Post No. 2, in which Colonel T. Lubey. 108 Grand Army of the Republic. he served two terms as Commander. Was Assistant Adjutant- General on the Staff of L. Edwin Dudley, Commander Provisional Department of the Potomac ; Member of Council of Administra- tion during the term of N. P. Chipman ; again Assistant Adju- tant-General under Commander Samuel A. Duncan ; succeeding him as Department Commander, which position he held three terms. He was appointed Quartermaster-General for the ensuing term. He died in AVashington, December 12, 1877. F. A. Starring, Inspector- General, Major 46th Illinois Infantry, September 10, 1861. Transferred, January 30, 1862, as Major 2d Illinois Light Artillery. Commissioned Colonel 72d Illinois Infantry (Chicago Board of Trade Regiment), August 21, 1862. Brevetted Brigadier-General February 22, 1866. This reg- iment was in active service from September, 1862, until their muster-out in August, 1865, principally with the Army of the Tennessee. Af- ter the pursuit of Hood's Army from Nashville, they were ordered to New Orleans, and thence to Mobile with the 16th Army Corps. Colonel Starring, as Inspector-General, designed the Grand Army membership badge. Circular No. One, dated Washington, D. C, March 1st, 1870, announced the appointment of Assistant Inspectors-General and Department Inspectors-General, and gave instructions for a thor- ough insjDection of Posts as to their general management, busi- ness, records, work of the Order, etc. Inspectors were to report such suggestions and recommendations as were deemed for the best interests, preservation and organization of the Grand Army of tlie Republic. Colonel F. A. Starring. Administration of John A. Logan. 109 FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION. The National Encampment assembled in Washington, D. C, May 11, 1870, Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan, presiding. Officers present : Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan ; Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief L. Fairchild ; Chaplain-in-Chief A. H. Quint ; Adjutant-General W. T. Collins ; Inspector-General F. A. Starring ; Quartermaster-General T. Lubey ; Judge- Advo- cate-General N. P. Chipman ; Assistant Adjutant-General Hanson E. Weaver. Council of Administration — J. F. Miller, California ; Frank No- len, Delaware ; R. M. Hough, Hlinois ; A. W. Denison, Maryland ; G. Harry Stone, Missouri ; S. T. Carter, New Hampshire ; Jas. F. Rusling, New Jersey ; Geo. L. Beal, Maine ; O. C. Bosbyshell, Pennsylvania; S. A. Duncan, Potomac; Jas. Shaw, Jr., Rhode Island ; Geo. J. Stannard, Vermont ; E. W. Whitaker, Connec- ticut. Committee on Credentials — The Adjutant-General ; J. L. Bates, Massachusetts ; AV. J. Winter, Ohio ; H. A. Barnum, New York ; W. F. Morse, Minnesota. DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTED. Arkansas, 1 ; California, 1 ; Connecticut, 3 ; Delaware, 1 ; Illi- nois, 3 ; Kentucky, 1 ; Maine, 4 ; Maryland, 4 ; Massachusetts, 1 ; Michigan, 1 ; Minnesota, 1 ; New Hampshire, 1 ; New Jersey, 3 ; New Mexico, 1 ; New York, 9 ; Ohio, 4 ; Pennsylvania, 8 ; Poto- mac, 4 ; Texas, 1. Total, 19 Departments, 52 RejDresentatives. Not represented : Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Mis- souri, Montana, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin. Delinquent for reports : Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Ne- braska, Tennessee, West Virginia. The representatives present from Indiana (1) and Iowa (1) Avere extended the privileges of the Encampment. Commander-in-Chief Logan in his address said : We meet to-day, not as relics of a disastrous war, marred and scarred by the en- ginery of battle, to beg for alms ; not as burdens upon the hands of public charity, but as the survivors of a glorious and successful struggle on behalf of liberty and independence for all men. We meet in the strength and integrity of our manhood, to take counsel together in aid of measures to promote brotherly love, universal be- 110 Grand Army of the Republic. nevolence, stability, aud order; we meet to renew our vows of fealty to each other and maukind; we meet as the representatives of the loyal American soldiery, whose organic law is unblemished by any invidious distinctions. We realize that to no particular race or sect belongs the glory of our victories, but that in the Union Army were found comrades of every clime aud creed, who came as in the days of '76, to offer themselves to do and die, if need be, that liberty might live and bless their posterity with an equal share in her blessings. No self-constituted victor can say, "Behold me, the conqueror," but each can claim the honor of answering to his country's roll call when danger Avas nigh ; nnd in this they have performed the hero's deeds aud deserve the hero's reward. The objects of our organization seem not to be fully \mder.stood by a portion of our fellow citizens. You will, therefore, excuse me if I give a brief sketch of the purposes of the Grand Army for the information of those who may be prejudiced against us as a secret order : The Grand Army of the Republic is not a political organization destined to serve the ends of any political party, as is evident in this, that all political parties are represented in its membership. As men and patriots, many of us mingle in na- tional and local affairs, but in doing so, do not take with us any benefits or provisions of our Order ; our only political creed being the love of our country and its hallowed institutions. "We have but three objects obligator}' upon us as members of this Order, namely : To promote the love and i)ractice of fraternity, liberal distributions of charity, and unequivocal loj-alty. The founders of the Order were actuated by the. fact that when the war ended we had on this continent a million aud a half of lighting men, a greater part of whom were our own comrades, good and true, who were in no haste to lose .«ight of every trace of the associations of a soldier's life, and let "old ac- quaintance be forgot." They were flushed with such victories as no soldiers ever were before ; hence they needed some resort where they might meet together in social reunion and interchange experiences and opinions, and thereby keep alive the vivid scenes of war, interspersed with incidents full of interest to them, and needed some- thing to check the impulsive, whose very spirit aud lire made them such good sol- diers. Hence it was conceived that good might spring from these reunions, and that, with certain rules and regulations, they might promote pleasure and security to the independent, aud material aid to the dependent, and organize the survivors of the war into an Order that would be perpetual in its existence, and so successful in its good work as to shed additional luster upon its members. He recommended tliat the observance of Memorial Day be formally ciijoined by tlie Rules and Regulations. "Ours was the first and only organization to institute an animal commomoraticm to the departed heroes of the war; and to us, by common consent, appears to be com- mitted the mournful and pleasing duty of jierpctuating it." He recommended that the Membership Badge, as adopted at the K})Ocial meeting in NeAV York, be now finally established as the Radge of the Order l)y amendment to the Rules and Regula- tions. 1 Administkation of John A. Logan. Ill In closing lie said : It should be the aim of the Grand Army to bring within its fold every honorably- discharged soldier and sailor, and by the constant exercise of the virtues we profess exert an influence second only to the church of Christ. Exalting the hopes and as- pirations of our own members, we thereby help to give a proper tone to public senti- ment, and crush out all opposition to civilization, loyalty, and Christianity, as well as hold our organization above the criticism of the most fastidious, who, beholding our "good works," will rise up "and call us blessed." We sliall need no appeal to call forth the support of all good citizens, who will gladly sustain our lectures and other means of siipport to our family of sufferers, in whose interest we have solicited public patronage, with liberal responses already. The tree of liberty, watered and trained by the influences of the Grand Army, will send forth no disloyal shoots to dishonor our flag; but every branch, as it takes up its burden of life, will have that vital principle of loyalty so engrafted that treason can never destroy it. And when the encampments that know us now "shall know us no more forever" the feeling of fraternal regard we have nourished will shed its silent tear over our graves; the charity we have promoted will throw its mantle over our shortcomings, and the spirit cf loyalty we have cultivated will still rally round the flag we loved, to perpetuate our memories. The thanks of the Encampment were tendered General Logan for his eloquent and instructive address, and he was requested to furnish a copy for publication. EEPORTS OF STAFF OFFICERS. Adjutant-General W. T. Collins reviewed the work of the year required in establishing the system of grades. The delay in making the necessary changes rendered it impossible to furnish anything like a correct report of the membership of the organi- zation, as only three Departments, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Potomac, had given the exact membership borne on the rolls of the Posts. He referred to the financial difficulties met by Headquarters through the heavy expenses incurred in the radical changes in the Kules, Eitual, and forms and books for all Reports. Inspector-General P. H. Starring, in his report, also referred to the work involved in the adoption of the Grade system, and stated that there was a general desire for some modification of the requirements of the Regulations and Ritual on that subject. His report also contained a description of the new Member- ship Badge, which is referred to in the chapter on Badges. Quartermaster-General Lubey reported : Receipts from all sources during the year, $7,890.66 ; expenditures, $6,997 ; leaving a 112 Grand Army of the Republic. cash balance of §893.(36. $2,000 of the previous indebtedness had been paid, leaving the National Encampment in debt to Comrades Owen and Chipman about $2,500. In accordance with the instruc- tions from the National Encampment held in New York city, Oc- tober 27, 1809, a contract had been made for the manufacture of badges at $1.25 each. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. On Resolutions — Comrades Ben: Perley Poore, Massachusetts ; Logan H. Roots, Arkansas ; R. M. Apgar, California ; H. H. Heath, New Mexico ; Joshua T. Owen, Pennsylvania. Rules, Regulations and Ritual — A. H. Quint, Massachusetts ; Jas. Shaw, Jr., Rhode Island; H. A. Barnum, New York; G. W. Collier, Ohio ; R. B. Beath, Pennsylvania ; AV. T. Clark, Texas ; Judge- Advocate-General N. P. Chipman. The Encampment took a recess for the j)^irpose of paying their respects to President Grant at the Executive mansion, after which they returned to the hall and partook of a bountiful collation prepared by the Comrades of the Department of the Potomac. RESOLUTIONS. Comrade Ben: Perley Poore (Massachusetts), Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, presented the following, Avhich were unanimously adopted : The Grand Army of the Republic, in National Encampment assembled in the city of Washington, congi-atulates every comrade on the successful extension of the triple bond of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty which now so fraternally unites those wlio rallied beneath the Stars and Stripes when tlie life of the nation was assailed, jind presents tlie following matters as entitled to the indorsement of the Order. 1. Rcsoltcd, As soldiers of the Union Army for tlie suppression of the late rebel- lion, we recognize no character more exalted, as a soldier and patriot, than the late Major General George H. Thomas, and that it is with luifeigned sorrow that we, his recent comrades in arms, find ourselves called upon to mourn his demise, and that in liis imsullied character, his pre-eminent r.'Mlities as a commander, and his untarnished patriotism, he has, together with his great services against the enemies of his country and of the Union, left a rich legacy to the world, and a life worthy the emulation of mankind. 2. lieHolred, That the nieinory of tho.sc who died that the nation iinght live should he k(!pt green in the hearts of the people of the United States ])y the .sacred observ- ance of the :3()th of May as a day dedicated to the decoration of their graves; and we trust tiiat the general Govcrninciit will iiol fail to exerci.se, under the Wii' power. Administration of John A. Logan. 113 its sovereignty over such of those hallowed resting placrs of our departed comrades as are in that section of country whicli they bravely aided in conquering, and not aslv the permission of the conquered, that the soil thus consecrated may be the nation's forever. 3. Resolved, That all Departments and Posts of the Grand Army, and all com- rades in their Individual capacities, use their utmost endeavors to promptly secure legislative action in their respective States, in aid of the establishment and maintenance of homes and schools for the support and education of the orphans of Union soldiers and marines, without distinction of birthplace or of race, who were killed or who died in consequence of wounds received, or disease contracted, while in the service of the United States. 4. Resoh'cd, That while we recognize the equality of all soldiers who were mus- tered in, we respectfully suggest to the officers of the National Asylum for Disabled Soldiers, no liberally endowed by Congress, the propriety of promoting the comfort of the colored veterans entitled to a home, by establishing a branch asylum at the South for their occupation. 5. Resolved, That we earnestly request Congress to consider the pi'opriety and justice of passing an act donating suitable tracts of the public lands to those soldiers, sailors, and marines who honorably served in the Army or Navy of the natii)n during the late war for the suppression of the rebellion, in ;.ccordance with the precedents established in former wars. 6. Resolved, That the thanks of the Grand Army are due, and are hereby tendered, to the comrades of the Department of the Potomac for the accommodations provided for, and tlie hospitalities extended to the National Encampment at its present session, and that a copy of this resolution, duly signed by the national officers, be presented to that Department. RULES AND REGULATIONS. Comrade Quint, chairman, reported several amendments to the Rules and Regulations, the more important changes being the adoption of Article 14th, Chapter V, establishing Memorial Day ; and providing for the election of officers of Posts annually instead of semi-annually. The time for mustering old members in the new grades was extended for one year. Post Commanders were given discretion to abbreviate the ceremonies for advancement of members in the grades. The Commander-in-Chief was author- ized to remit reports and dues of Departments accruing prior to July 1st, 1869. Comrades Quint, Chaplain-in-Chief elect Collier, and Jas. Shaw, Jr., were appointed a committee to prepare Installation Services and a Burial Service. AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS. Past Senior Yice-Commander-in-Chief J. T. Owen, Senior Yice-Commander-in-Chief Fairchild, and Junior Vice-Commander- 11-4 Grand Army of the Republic. iu-Chief Wagner were appointed a committee to consider the subject of auxiliary organizations of the wives and daughters of comrades and the widows and orphans of deceased soldiers. Votes of thanks were passed to Adjutant-General Collins for his services, and to Inspector-General F. A. Starring for the very handsome badge of the Order he had designed. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following were elected : Commander-in-Chief, John A. Logan, re-elected. Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Lucius Fairchild, re-elected. Junior Yice-Commander-in-Chief, Louis AYagner, Pennsyl- vania. Surgeon-General, Samuel A. Green, Massachusetts. Chaplain-in-Chief, Geo. W. Collier, Ohio. Council of xldministration — Arkansas, Logan H. Roots ; Cali- for-nia, James Coey ; Colorado, F. J. Bancroft ; Connecticut, E. W. Whitaker ; Delaware, Frank Nolen ; Florida, C. M. Hamilton ; Georgia, W. Krzyzanowski ; Illinois, T. O. Osborn ; Kentucky, Wm. Bowden ; Maine, Geo. L. Beal ; Maryland, E. Y. Goldsbor- ougli ; Massachusetts, A. H. Quint ; Michigan, O. L. Spalding ; Minnesota, Henry A. Castle ; Missouri, G. Harry Stone ; Missis- sippi, J. Tarbell ; Montana, W. S. Scribner ; New Hampshire, D. J. Yaughn ; New Jersey, J. F. Rusliug ; New Mexico, H. H. Heath ; New York, A. P. Ketchum ; North Carolina, Allen Ruth- erford ; Ohio, Jas. A. Lantz ; Oregon, C. P. Crandall ; Pennsyl- vania, A. Wilson Norris ; Potomac, E. F. M. Faehtz ; Rhode Island, Jas, Shaw, Jr. ; South Carolina, C. J. Stolbrand ; Texas, AY. T. Clark ; Yermont, Geo. J. Stannard ; Virginia, P. A. Davis ; AYis- consin, Geo. B. Goodwin. Commander-in-Chief Logan Avas then installed, and said : I can express in no filling -words the deep sense of ;::ratitulc I fe;l at this mani- festation of your confidence in and friendship lor me. If would be allectation to v.ithiiold from you my sincere tlianks. The eomrade who would not appreeiate the oflice you have conferred upon me, so exalted in itself and an honor to its incumbent, would be unworthy to hold it. I can only promise 1o serve you faithfully, and see to it that no trust you have reposed in me shall be abused. Let Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty be our watchwords, and we need not fear that we will deserve and attain success. CHAPTER IX. ADMINISTRATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF JOHN A. LOGAN (THIRD TERM)— FIFTH ANNUAL SESSION, BOSTON, MAY 10, 1871. All the members of the staff were re-appointed and so an- nounced in General Orders dated Washington, May 17, 1870, viz.: Adjutant-General, W. T. Collins ; Quartermaster-General, Tim- othy Lubey ; Judge-Advocate-General, N. P. Chipman ; Inspector- General, F. A. Starring ; Assistant Adjutant-General, Hanson E. Weaver, who was afterwards succeeded by C. C. Eoyce. In General Orders, issued subsequently, attention was called to a request of General M. C. Meigs, Quartermaster-General U. S. A., for a full record of all deceased Union soldiers and sailors interred in the civil cemeteries throughout the United States. Posts were urged to appoint committees to prepare such records. General Louis Wagner succeeded General Hawley as Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, by election at Washington. For Biog- raphy and Portrait see Chapter XIX. Dr. Samuel A. Green, Surgeon-General, was Assis- tant Surgeon 1st Massachu- setts Volunteers, May 25, 1861. Promoted Surgeon 24th Massachusetts, September 2, 1861, and served until Novem- ber 2, 1864. He was Acting Staff Surgeon in Richmond from April 9, 1865, until July 9, 1865. Joined Post 15, Bos- ton, March 18, 1868 ; was Post Surgeon 1869 ; Medical Director Department of Mass- achusetts 1869 - 1870 ; re- elected Surgeon-General in Dr. S. a. Green. [115] 11(5 Grand Army of the Republic. ^Vm^ 1871 ami 1872 ; uow a member of Post No. 115, Grotou, Massa- chusetts. Rev. George "NY. Collier, Cbaplain-iu-Chief, was boru iu Le Roy, Ohio, August 29, 1825, and entered the Ministr}^ of the Methodist Church in 1850 ; was appointed Chaplain in 1861, and served four years, mainly with the Army of AYest Yirginia ; joined the Grand Army of the Republic in Tole- do, in 1867, and with the en- couragement of the Depart- ment of Ohio, G. A. R., under- took, and carried through with great success, the work of es- tablishing a State Home for Soldiers' Orphans at Xenia. President Hayes appointed him Chaplain, U. S. A., June 23, 1879, and he is now assigned to duty at Fort Totten, Dakota. FIFTH ANNUAL SESSION, The Fifth Annual Session of the National Encampment was held in John A. Andrew Post Hall, Boston, May 10, 1871, Com- mander-in-Chief John A. Logan presiding. COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS. H. A. Barnum, New York ; A. B. Underwood, Massachusetts ; A. R. Calhoun, Pennsylvania ; W. AY. Henry, Yermont ; J. AYarren Keifer, Ohio. Rev. G. W. Collier. OFFICERS PRESENT. Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan. Senior Yice-Commander-in-Chief Lucius Fairchild. Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief Louis Wagner. Adjutant-General W. T. Collins. Quartermaster-General T. Lubey. Administration of John A. Logan. 117 Judge-Advocate-General N. P. Cliipman. Council of Administration — California, James Coey ; Connec- ticut, E. W. Whitaker; Maine, Geo. L. Beal ; Maryland, E. Y. Goldsborougli ; Massachusetts, A. H. Quint ; New Hampshire, D. J. Vaughn ; New York, A. P. Ketchum ; Pennsylvania, A. Wilson Norris ; Rhode Island, James Shaw, Jr. ; Vermont, Geo. J. Stannard. DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTED. Maine, 5 ; New Hampshire, 2 ; Vermont, 4 ; Massachusetts, 14 ; Rhode Island, 4 ; Connecticut, 3 ; New York, 9 ; New Jersey, 2 ; Pennsylvania, 7 ; Delaware, 1 ; Maryland, 3 ; Potomac, 4 ; Virginia, 1 ; Ohio, 2 ; Kentucky, 1 ; Illinois, 2 ; California, 4. Total De- partments, 17 ; Representatives, 68. Commander-in-Chief Logan, in his address, said : Another circuit of the seasons brings again the time of tlie annual meeting of the Representatives of the Grand Army of the Republic. And while earth, seemingly thankful that the bright rays of the vernal sun have warmed her from her wintry sleep, gives forth from her bosom the green blades and gaudy flowers in grateful re- sponse, so we should also feel deeply impressed with a spirit of gratitude to the Great Creator and Ruler of the Universe, for the preservation of the lives of so many of the members of our Order, and the prosperity of our organization. We, when looking over the past twelve months, and beholding the harmony which has prevailed through- out the Order, and the prosperity wliich has attended it, should give forth in grateful response to the Guardian Hand, which has protected and preserved us, the warmest thanks of our hearts, and should feel, if possible, still more disposed to exhibit, by practice to their fullest extent, the characteristic virtues of our creed— Fraternity, Charity And. Loyalty ; Fraternity to our comrades. Charity to our fellow men, and Loyalty to our country. We have assembled here to-day, not as an organization for the purpose of promot- ing and fostering selfish ends and personal aims, but as the survivors of a mighty, but glorious and successful contest in behalf of liberty and union — not as a baud combined for the purpose of planning and plotting for the benefit of a few, or a restricted class, but in behalf of personal freedom, true independence and national honor. We meet in the strength and consciousness of our manhood, with a full knowl- edge of our freedom and liberty, but with hearts true and loyal to our country and its laws. We meet to renew our vows to the great principles of our Order — vows of friend- ship and fealty to each other, which shall continue to link us together in fraternal bonds ; vows of that universal charity, which embraces in its grasp mankind wherever found; vows of devotion and constancy to that Government which we have fought to maintain, and which we believe to be the best that man in his wisdom has devised, where the great principles for which we contend can be best developed and carried out. We meet, also, as the representatives of the great host of loyal American 118 Grand Army of the Republic. soldiers, who stood as the bulwark of safety to the uation, when its life was in jeoi);i''(ly. In the hour of |K'ril we asked not for race or sect, but for soldiers, willing to do battle bravely and fearlessly in defense of our Union. Today we meet, not as the representatives of a race or sect, but of those soldiers who came in answer to their country's call. He briefly referred to efforts that had beeu made to bring the Order into disrepute by charging it with political bias, and said that the best proof that the Grand Army of the Republic was not a political organization was shown in the fact that all political parties are represented in its membership. As citizens we take part freely in national affairs, each following out his own indi- vidual preference and political inclination, untramraeled by any requirements of the Order. The predominance of any political party or bias among the members of any particular locality is, so far as the Order is concerned purely accidental. So far as devotion to our national unity, and to the great principles of universal freedom and benevolence, makes lis political, thus far we are political, and no farther. The succL'S-f 111 close of the war sent back into civil life more than a million of soldiers, many of whom for years had dwelt in the tented field with armor on, and who, as comrades in the privations and hardships of the soldier's life, could not easilj' forget its associations. The natural yearning of the soldier's heart, for an occasional re-union with his comrades, suggested the idea of the Order to its founders. It was, therefore, the natural outgrowth of the times and circumstances, and not wholly an original idea conceived in any one mind. With a desire to keep alive these associa- tions, and by interchange of experience and opinions, to keep fresh before the mind the vivid scenes of the war, and incidents of the soldier's life in camp, was the or- ganization of the Grand Army of the; Republic conceived, and carried into eflfect. In urging the members to renewed exertions on behalf of the Grand Army of the Repul)lic he said : We must remember that great ends are accomplished, not by spasmodic and fitful exertions, but by steady, systematic and persevering movements. This w^as the spirit that nerved us during the fiery ordeal of the late war, and crowned our arms with victory. Let u.s, then, strictly conform to our Rules and Regulations, and, systematic as an a.-my when marching to the field of battle, let us, like good and faithful soldiers, I'.reas forward in the great work of promoting and extending the cardinal virtues of our creed -Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty; and the tree of liberty, fostered by the genial influence of the Grand Army of the Republic, will send forth its inspira tion to the utmost extremity of our beloved country, until every heart shall again be warmed by the vilal principles of loyalty, and every remnant of treason be driven from our land. Such is our mission, and such our bright anticipations, and if true to our faith and active in our elTorls, when wc have met together for the last lime, and have sounded our last reveille, other tongues and oilier voices will bless the name and work of the Grand Army of the Republic. I Administration of John A. Logan. 119 REPORTS OF STAFF OFFICERS. Adjutant-General Collins briefly presented the facts connected with work under the Grade system, and recommended that the Grades be now abolished. He reported briefly as to the condition of each Department, but, as for the previous year, he could not give even an approxi- mate estimate of the membership. Quartermaster-General T. Lubey reported, receipts, including previous balance, $6,449.91 ; expenditures, §6,377.17 ; cash balance, $72.74. The exj^enditures included a payment of $1,413.34 of the in- debtedness to comrades for advances, leaving now but a small balance due Comrade J. T. Owen. He reported that the price for the manufacture of badges had been reduced to 95 cents. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. Rules, Regulation, and Ritual — C. B. Fox, Massachusetts; James Shaw, Jr., Rhode Island ; John C. Robinson, New York ; R. B. Beatli, Pennsylvania ; James O'Brien, California ; George L. Beal, Maine ; William Ward, New Jersey. Resolutions — Henry S. Briggs, Massachusetts ; Geo. J. Stan- nard, Vermont ; James T. Smith, Potomac ; H. J. Reeder, Penn- sylvania. Comrade Cogswell presented, from the Department of Massa- chusetts, a substitute for the Grade Ritual. INVITATIONS. General H. W. Benham, United States Engineers, invited the members to visit the fortifications in the harbor, placing the En- gineer Steamer " Tourist " at their disposal for this purpose. The invitation was accepted, and the thanks of the Encampment voted to General Benham for his courtesy. Comrade Cogswell, Commander of the Department of Massa- chusetts, presented, in the name of that Department, an invitation to a banquet in Faneuil Hall, which was accepted with hearty thanks. 120 Grand Army of the Republic. Duriug the session tlie following telegram was received : Universal Peace Convention, in Session in Cooper Institute. New York, May lOlh. 1871 : to National Encampment, Grand Army of the Republic : We congratulate you on a peaceful Eacinipment. As Veterans can you not add your protest against war, that there may never more be another war Encamp- ment. To this, upon the suggestion of Comrade Wagner, the follow- ing reply was telegraphed : Your congratulations reciprocated. The Grand Army of the Rei^ublic is deter- mined to have peace, even if it has to fight for it. RULES, REGULATIONS, AND RITUAL. The report of the Committee on Rules, Regulations, and Ritual was presented by Comrade Fox, chairman. Tliej recommended that the Rules and Regulations be amended by striking out all reference to Grades, and the amendment was adopted. Comrade Fox then presented a revised Ritaal to replace the Grade ritual, which was adopted. Sundry other amendments to the Rules were presented and acted uj)on. RESOLUTIONS. The Committee on Resolutions, Comrade H. S. Briggs, chair- man, reported the following, which were duly adopted : The Grand Army of the Kejniblic, assembled in National Encampment, at Boston, congratulates all comrades upon tlie rapidlj^ increasing power and strength of the Order, and commends lo them the action taken at this Session, as being calculated to promote the cardinal principles of tliis Association. 1st. liesohed, That the Grand Army of tlie Kcpulilic is in no sense whatever a political or partizan organization ; and any comrade wiio endeavors to use the Order as a political engine, for tlie pur])ose of gratifying any .selfish i)olilical ambition, is recreant to his duty to iiis comrades. 2d. RcKohed. That it is the duty of each and every comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic to urge and do all in his power to promote such legislation, both from tlie several State and National Legislative bodies, as will .secure ample provision for the supi)ort and education of the children of tlio.se soldiers, .sailors and marines, wlio were killed or died of disease contracted while in the service of the United States, l)atlling for tlie integrity of the Union ; and to ])rocure such legislation as .shall be n(fce.ssary for the care, protection and preservation of the graves of our dead com rades, in th'.' di.Ter; nt National Cemeteries. Administration of John A. Logan. 121 8d. Resolved, That the thanks of the soldiers represented in this Organization are due to the Representatives of the people, in the National House of Rej)resentatives, for their action in relation to the Equalization of Bounties, and the Amendment of the Homestead Laws; and that this Encampment earnestly urges upon Congress the enactment of the provision repeatedly passed with so much unanimity by the popular branch of the National Encampment. 4tli. Resolved, That the thanks of the Grand Army of the Republic are due and are hereby tendered to the comrades of the Department of Massachusetts, for the hospitalities extended to the National Encampment, at its present session, and that a copy of this resolution, duly certified by the National Officers, be presented to that Department. The committee also considered the preamble and resolutions relative to Bounties, presented by Rodman Post No. 12, of the Department of Rhode Island : Resolved, That this Encampment earnestly recommend that the provision of the Bounty Law be extended to soldiers, sailors and marines, discharged by reason of disease contiacted in the service. Adopted. The following additional resolutions were jDi'^sented and adopted : Resolved, That the thanks of the Grand Army of the Republic, through its Na- tional Encampment, are due, and are hereby warmly tendered our Commander in- Chief , Comrade John A. Logan, for the great intertst he has ever exhibited in the welfare of the Organization, and for the faithful, zealous and efficient jjerformance of his official duties. Resolved, That the Adjutant-General be and he is hereby directed to have these resolutions engrossed, fi'amed and presented to Comrade Logan. Resolved, That the sincere thanks of this Encampment are due and hereby ten- dered to Lucius Fairchild, Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief , and the other retiring officers of the Encampment, for their loyalty and fidelity to the interests of the Order, and for their faithful performance of the duties of their several offices. Resolved, That the Grand Army of the Republic, through its National Encamp- ment, extends to the Department op Massachusetts its warmest thanks for the fraternal reception and welcome of its representatives; and those who have shared the bountiful hospitalities of the citizens of Boston, will evethold in precious remem- brance this vi.sit to the grand old Bay State — chief among the sisterhood of States which we are pledged to defend and protect. Resolved, That the thanks of this Encampment of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic are hereby tendered to Comrade Wm. T. Collins. Adjutant-General, Comrade Timothy Lubey, Quartermaster-General, and Comrade J. O. P. Burnside, Acting Inspector General, for the faithful and efficient performance of the duties of their respective offices during the past year. 122 Grand Army of the Republic. election of officers. The following officers were elected : Comm;iii(ler-iii-Chief, Ambrose E. Burnsicle, Rhode Island. Senior Vice-Cominander-in-Chief, Louis Wagner, Pennsylvania. Junior Yice-Commander-in-Chief, James Coey, California. Surgeon-General, Dr. Samuel A. Green, Massachusetts, re- elected. Chaplain-in-Chief, Rev. Wm. Earnshaw, Ohio. Council of Administration — Wm. E. McArthur, California ; H. Clay Trumbull, Connecticut ; Frank Nolen, Delaware ; R. M. Hough, Illinois ; C. C. Adams, Kentucky ; Geo. L. Beal, Maine ; E. T. Daneker, Maryland ; A. B. R. Sprague, Massachusetts ; James E. Larken, New Hampshire ; William Ward, New Jersey ; A. P. Ketchum, New York ; Jas. S. Clemmer, Ohio ; Frank Reeder, Penn- sylvania ; Jas. T. Smith, Potomac ; Horatio Rogers, Rhode Island ; Geo. J. Stannard, Vermont ; Jos. E. Wilson, Virginia ; Thos. S. Allen, Wisconsin. General Burnside was introduced as Commander-in-Chief, by General Logan, and he briefly thanked the comrades for the honor conferred, and assured them that he would be glad to serve the Grand Army of the Republic. .v/'\- L '^^(/lylyL^y'^cC(_ CHAPTER X. ADMINISTRATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF A. E. BURNSIDE- SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION, CLEVELAND, MAY 8, 1872. General Burnside established Headquarters at his office, No. 61 Liberty Street, New York city, and announced the following appointments on his staff: Adjutant-General, William Cutting, New York. Quartermaster-General, Cornelius G. Attwood, Massachusetts. Inspector-General, Robert B. Beath, PeunsyUania. Judge-Advocate-General, William W. Douglas, Rhode Island. Assistant Adjutant-General, Roswell Miller, New York. General Cutting was unable to devote any time to the duties of Adjutant-General and was later succeeded by Assistant Adjutant- General Roswell Miller. General Ambrose Everts Burnside, Commander-in-Chief, was born in Union County, Indiana, May 24, 1824, and at the age of 17, was apprenticed to a tailor in Centreville, Wayne County, Indiana. In 1843 he received an appointment as a Cadet at West Point, being graduated July 1, 1847, and was assigned to the Second Artillery. He resigned from the service in 1852, and established a factory at Bristol, Rhode Island, for the manufacture of breach- loading rifles invented by himself. In 1852 he was appointed Major-General of the Rhode Island Militia, but resigned a year later. In 1860 he accepted the position of Treasurer, Illinois Central K. R., with an office in New York city. On April 15, 1861, he was tendered the command of the First Rhode Island Volunteers, accepted immediately, and that night went to Provi- dence and assumed command, and with his regiment reached Washington April 26. Colonel Burnside commanded a brigade with ability and gallantry in the first battle of Bull Run. He was appointed Brigadier- General, U. S. V., August 6, 1861, and was ordered to organize a "coast division" for service in [123] 124 Gkand Army of the Republic. North Carolina. For the success achieved at Roanoke Island, he was commissioned Major-General U. S. Y, On Angust 26, 1862, General Bnruside was ordered with a portion of his command to the Army of the Potomac, where his troops, with others, were or- ganized as the Ninth Army Corps, and he was appointed its commander. On November 5, 1882, General Burnside was placed in com- mand of the Army of the Potomac, relie^ iug General McClellau. He commanded that Army until after the battle of Fredericks- burg. In March, 1863, he was placed in command of the Department of Ohio, Headquarters at Cincinnati. In August he moved his command to Knoxville, Avhere, in November, he was besieged by General Longstreet. General Burnside's long and persistent de- fense of that place, until relieved by the forces iinder General Sherman, won for him the approval of his superiors, and the approbation of his countrymen. He was again assigned to the Ninth Army Corps, which was to be recruited for special service, but it was ordered to the Army of the Potomac, and he so commanded it until August 18, 1864, Avhen he was relieved, and was not thereafter in active service. In April, 1866, he was elected Governor of Rhode Island by a large majority, and was re-elected in 1867, and for a third term in 1868, when he positively declined to serve longer, as his business enterprises then required all of his time. In January, 1875, General Burnside was elected United States Senator from Rhode Island, and was re-elected June 8, 1880. He died, quite suddenly, at his home, " Edgehill," Bristol, Rhode Island, on the 13th of SejDtember, 1881. The Governor of the State, in making official announcement of his death, said : " His eminent services to the state and to the country, his noble traits of character, and the universal esteem in which he was held, combine to make the loss a public calamity." A costly equestrian statue has been erected in memory of Gen- eral Burnside in Providence. General Louis AVagner, Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief. See Chapter XIX, for ])i()graphical sketcli and portrait. General James Coey, Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, was born in New York city, in 1841, and enlisted at Oswego, New Administration of A. E. Burnside. 125 York, August 12, 1862, as First Lieutenant, Company E, 147tli Regiment, N. Y. S. Yols. Promoted to Captain and Major, and brevetted Lieuten- ant-Colonel for conspicuous gallantry in the battles of the Wilderness, and Laurel Hill, Yirginia, and as Colonel for meritorious services dur- ing the war. Was wounded in the Wilderness, and again at Dabney's Mills. Mustered- out June 7, 1865. After the war he went to California and became a char- ter member of Starr King Post No. 1, in 1867, and served as Assistant Adjutant-General of the Provisional Department, and Department Commander, 1868 and 1869. General James Coey. Dr. Samuel A. Green, re-elected Surgeon-General. See Chap- ter IX, for biographical sketch and portrait. Eoswell Miller, Adjutant- General, is a native of Penn- sylvania ; enlisted in the 3d New York Light Artillery, at Auburn, New York, Au- gust 14, 1862 ; promoted to be Corporal, Sergeant, First Sergeant, Second Lieutenant and First Lieutenant ; mus- tered-out of service at Rich- mond, Yirginia, June 23, 1865, and brevetted Captain. Was a member of Phil Kearny Post No. 8, New York, in 1871. When Gen- eral Burnside Avas elected Commander-in-Chief he ap- Captain Roswell Miller. ]2(; Grand Army of the Republic. pointetl General AVilliam Cutting Adjutant-General, and Captain Miller Assistant Adjutant-General ; but as General Cutting was unable to attend to the duties of tlie office, he was succeeded by Captain Miller. The abolition of the Grade system recjuired an entire change in the form of reports and of all books of record in Posts, Departments and National Headcpiarters, entailing a great deal of labor upon the Adjutant-General. Captain Miller devoted himself energetically, systematically and successfully to the work of re-organizing his department, giving his services for two years, without compensation, as did all the staff officers under Com- mander-in-Chief Burnside. As a mark of appreciation of his valuable services at that time, the National Encampment caused him to be presented with a fine gold watch. He is now President of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Eailroad. Cornelius Gilbert Att- wood, Quartermaster-Gener- al, was born in Bangor, Maine, October 20, 1836 ; entered the service April 22, 1861, as Sec- ond Lieutenant, 3d Battalion Eifles, Mass. Yols.; commis- sioned Captain 25tli Massa- chusetts, October 12, 1861; Major, October 29, 1862, and was honorably discharged for disability from wounds and disease, August 16, 1861 ; bre- vetted Lieutenant - Colonel, March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services dur- ing the war ; Brigadier-Gen- eral and inspector-General, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, January 12, 1876. Mustered into Post No. 10, Worcester, Massachusetts, July, 1867 ; charter member and Commander of Post No. 15, Boston, 1867-1868 ; Assistant Inspector-General, 1869 ; Commander Post No. 113, 1871-1872 ; Re-appointed Quartermaster-General, 1872, and was appointed Adjutant-General by Commander-in-Chief Devens, 1873. For his services as Quartermaster-General, he was Geneual (! Administeation of a. E. Burnside. 127 voted, by the National Encampment at New Haven, a handsome gold watch suitably inscribed. Under his administration the previously incurred indebtedness was paid, and a large balance of cash paid over to his successor. Comrade Attwood died suddenly, of apoplexy, at his residence in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, January 19, 1888. W. W. Douglas, Judge- Advocate-General, enlisted in the 5th Regiment, B, I. Vols. Was afterwards trans- ferred to Artillery. Was mustered as Second Lieuten- ant, December, 1861 ; First Lieiitenant June 7, 1862 ; Captain, February 14, 1863 ; mustered-out on expiration of term, December 20, 1864. Joined Prescott Post No. 1, Providence, May 10, 1867 ; charter member Post No. 12, March 12, 1868; Com- mander, July 1, 1869, to De- cember, 1870. In 1868-69 was Secretary of the committee to revise the Eules and Regulations and Ritual. Was re-appointed Judge-Advocate- General by Commander-in-Chiefs Devens, Burnside and Hartranft, serving in all six years. In 1877 he compiled the decisions and opinions approved by the National Encampment, and made a com- plete digest of Grand Army laws to that date. Comrade Douglas is practicing law in Providence, Rhode Island. Captain W. AV. Douglas. Robert B. Beath, Inspector-General, biographical sketch. See Chapter XXII, for In September, 1871, Commander-in-Chief Burnside was called to Europe on business, and the command devolved upon Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief Wagner, whose first order was a call for the relief of comrades in Chicago, made destitute by the great fire in that month. In December it was ascertained that the secret work of the 128 Grand Army of the Republic. Order had been made public through tlie carelessness of some comrmle who had lost the cipher and key. Acting Commander- in-Chief AVagner at once changed the work and issued the new, in cipher only, to officers of the Inspection Bureau. General Burnside returned in January, 1872. On April 2, he ordered that Posts of the Grand Army display flags at half-mast on April 15, out of respect to the memory of Abraham Lincoln. In General Orders No. 20 he recommended in addition to strewdng the graves of the deceased soldiers and sailors with flowers, " that they be planted with flowers and shrubs, so that, when we are gone, the Seasons in their ceaseless rounds, may, in our stead, adorn the sleeping places of our Comrades." SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION. The Sixth Annual Session of the National Encampment was held in Cleveland, May 8, 1872 ; Commander-in-Chief A. E. Burn- side, presiding. COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS. Comrade Roswell Miller, Adjutant-General; A. P. Ketchum, New York ; James Davidson, Texas ; George A. Hanaford, Wis- consin ; Daniel Woodall, Delaware. OFFICERS PRESENT. Commander-in-Chief A. E. Burnside. Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief Loiiis Wagner. Chaplain-in-Cliief William Earnshaw. Adjutant-General Roswell Miller. Quartermaster-General Cornelius G. Attwood. Inspector-General Robert B. Beatli. Judge-Advocate-General William W. Douglas. Council of Administration : New Jersey, Jos. C. Lee ; New York, A. P. Ketchum ; Ohio, J. Warren Keifer ; Pennsylvania, W. W. Brown ; Potomac, Jas. T. Smith ; Rhode Island, Horatio Rogers. DEI' AUTM ENTS REl'U KS ENTED. ^ Delaware, 1 ; Illinois, 1 ; Iowa, 1 ; Kansas, 1 ; Kentucky, 2 ; Maryland, 4 ; Massachusetts, 14 ; Minnesota, 2 ; New Hampshire, 2 ; Administeation of a. E. Burnside. 129 New Jersey, 5 ; New York, 9 ; Ohio, 5 ; Pennsylvania, 7 ; Khode Island, 5 ; Texas, 1 ; "Wisconsin, 2. Total, Departments, 16 ; Kep- resentatives, 62 ; total Officers and Representatives, 75. Commander-in-Chief Burnside, in his address, referred to the change of Headquarters from Washington to New York city, where his business was located, his selection of a staff, and the general instructions given them to curtail expenditures and reduce the cost of all supplies to Departments. He expressed his satisfaction with the attention given to the office while he was absent in Europe, by Senior Vice- Commander- in-Chief Wagner, " whose long identification with the Order, and whose executive ability and high integrity enabled him to do even more for the good of the Order than I could have done." In closing he said : " I congratulate the Encampment on the general healthy condition of the Order, and hope that the coming year may prove even more prosperous. Comrades, I am glad to meet you here to-day. We are assembled as representatives of an organization com- posed of men who survived the struggle which was made by the loyal people of our country, for the preservation of our national government. We do not assemble to consult with each other as to what is most conducive to our own personal interests, nor as to what is most conducive to the success of any political party. We are here as the representatives of a band of brothers, who served together on the field of battle, and stood shoulder to shoulder in opposition to the rebellion which was organized to ob- literate the fairest form of government that man ever devised. Whilst we should de- clare ourselves as loyal in the extreme, and utterly in opposition to any doctrine which would tend in the slightest degree to revive the heresy of secession, we .should declare our charity toward those of our late enemies in the field who have now re- cognized, or may hereafter recognize the great wrong they have done to our country. Charity is a christian virtue, but I am free to say to you here, that while I fully en- dorse the theory or practice, if you may call it so, of forgiving those who fought against us, and granting to them all the amnesty which the wisdom of our represen- tatives in Congress may deem right and proper, I find it even more difficult to forget and forgive the shortcomings of men in the North who had all the lights before them, and while our comrades were in the field, enduring all possible hardships, risking life, reputation and fortune — risked nothing, but sat in their .safe quarters at home, and either croaked about the inefliciency of our armies, or shivered with fear to such an extent as to make them ask for compromise — thus failing to show the courage and sagacity necessary to realize that a great God in Heaven would crown our efforts with success, if we only used our best endeavors to maintain the integrity of our nation. These men we necessarily hold in distrust, and they can never, for one moment, re- ceive our sympathy or friend.ship. A brave, open enemy may be respected, but a halting, false friend must always be despised. We should never cease to remember the great aid and encouragement that we received from the brave and loyal people of our country who did everything to sus- tain, support and encourage us whilst we were in the field. We should ever hold 9 180 Grand Army of the Republic. them in high esteem, and be ready to reciprocate the friendship and support they gave to us, without reference to, or thought of, party or creed. Think, my comrades, of your great anxiety, trial and suffering; think of the anxious days and nights passed by you in the field, when it would have been much easier for you to have declared for compromise or for a cessation of hostilities, had you failed to appreciate the necessity of maintaining our national integrity. Who of 3'ou, my comrades, to win back a lost limb, to regain licalth expended iu the public service, to have restored to you the brother or comrade left on the field of battle, or to recover the hopes and business prospects voluntarily left behind when you took up arms to defend the country, would give up the grand heritage that you have by your valor won — the union of States unbroken? Not one of you, I am sure. When our country called, you went to her assistance; when the great work was accomplished, you returned to your homes with readiness, yielding cheerfully all of- fices and emoluments, asking nothing for the future but the right to enter upon your old pursuits or to seek new ones as fancy might dictate. We are now citizens, and I maintain that, as a body, the soldiers of our country deserve to be recognized as intelligent, industrious and law abiding. Let us, my comrades, when we return to our homes, to our constituents, seek to impress upon them the necessity of continuing the course which has characterized the soldiers and sailors since the war, and never grow weary in the good work we have taken upon ourselves, of " Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty." It was voted that the address of the Commander-in-Chief be adopted and incorporated as part of the records, and published to the country as the voice of the National Encampment. REPORTS OP STAFF OFFICERS. Adjutant-General Roswell Miller stated that the condition of the several Departments would be fully shown in the rejjort of the Inspector-General. The work of re-organizing demoralized Departments had been pushed, and results were encouraging. At the beginning of the year the following Departments were found to be in a disordered and dormant state, making no reports to National Headquarters, and showing little signs of life : — Alabama, Arkansas, Colorjulo, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee — in all eighteen. Three Provisional Departments had been organized into per- manent Departments during the year : Virginia, July 27, 1871 ; Texas, Fe])ruary 12, 1872 ; Kansas, February 22, 1S72. The operation of the rule requiring Posts to drop comrades one year in arrears, had proved an efficient sanitary measure, but ]i;i(l rcilncfMl the nutubers of members by lopping off paper men. Administration of A. E. Buknside. 131 The radical changes in the Eitual went into effect at the beginning of the third quarter, 1871. It almost entirely stopjDed the growth in members during the remainder of the year — Departments and Posts being occupied in putting the new work into operation. The reports to the Adjutant-General showed, however, that gains had been large enough to compensate for losses. It was generally believed that both the changes above referred to, though produc- tive of temporary disorder and loss, had placed the Order on a better working basis than it occupied with the cumbersome method of ridding itself of dead wood, and the tedious process of bringing in new members. 30,000 copies of General Orders and circulars were issued during the year, and 46,000 copies of revised forms for reports. 10,000 copies of the Ritual and 5,700 copies of the Installation Service prepared by Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief Wagner, Inspector-General Beath and Department Commander Reeder of Pennsylvania, had been issued. The price of badges had been re- duced from $0.95 to $0.70, and 4,867 had been issued. The sum of $74,675.75 had been reported expended by Posts in charity, relieving 673 members and 2,161 persons not members. Quartermaster-General C. G. Attwood reported that after the payment of all expenses, mainly for printing, and charging off in- debtedness claimed, there remained a net balance of cash and prop- erty, $3,073.55. No money has been expended during the year for salaries of officers. Judge-Advocate-General Douglas reported the several opinions (26) rendered in cases presented during the year. Inspector-General Robert B. Beath gave in detail the standing of each Department, the result of the system of Post and Depart- ment inspections instituted. He recommended changes in the Rules and Regulations, to require only an Annual Inspection, and that Department Commanders be authorized to divide their com- mands into Inspection Districts, at their discretion, and appoint the necessary corps of Assistant Inspectors. Surgeon-General S. A. Green stated that the effort to secure a complete medical report had been unsuccessful, the only complete return received had been from the Department of New York. In- complete reports had been received from seven other Depart- ments. 132 Grand Akmy of the Republic. committees appointed. Eiiles, Regulations, and Ritual : — William C Bunts, Ohio ; Fred. H. Harris, New Jersey ; Henry B. Peirce, Massachusetts ; E. H. Rhodes, Rhode Island ; A. Wilson Norris, Pennsylvania. Reports of Officers : — H. R. Sibley, Massachusetts ; Frank Reeder, Pennsylvania ; Guy T. Gould, Illinois ; J. N. Coltrin, Iowa; W. H. Lawson, Kentucky. The case of Captain Ben. C. Card, Quartermaster U. S. A., who had persistently refused to employ members of the Grand Army of the Rejjublic in his Department, and had boasted that he would not do so, was referred to a committee consisting of Com- rades Goble, New Jersey, Davidson, Texas, and Denison, Maryland, who reported the following, which, after a thorough discussion, was adopted. Your Committee having under consideration the recommendation of the Depart ment of Texas, in relation to the action of Assistant-Quartermaster B. C. Card, of the United States Army, stationed at San Antonio, in the Slate of Texas, tind that the said Card, in his official capacity, has refused to employ any person in his Department belonging to this organization, solely because they were members of the same, and has employed late rebel soldiers and sympathizers in their stead, thereby placing himself in direct antagonism to an organization that has for its objects the highest and holiest of purposes, and ostracising from employment those brave men who jeopardized their lives that their country might live, and i)reventing their participation in the benelits of a Government that their valor saved. Therefore, be it resolved, that tlie Commander of this Encampment appoint a com- mittee of three whose duty it shall be to lay these facts before the President of the United States. The following was unanimously adopted : Whereas, It has been brought to the knowledge of tliis Association that tiie present wording of the act of Congress in relation to national cemeteries, denies the privileges of burial in them to such volunteers as are from day to day passing away: and Whereas, There is an amendment to the above mentioned act now before the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, which will put a stop to this disgraceful con- dition of things by opening the national cemeteries to all the volunteer soldiers and sailors of the late war, and give them the privilege of sleeping by the side of their comrades in arms: therefore, Roiiilted, That we, as representatives of the Grand Army of the Republic, do ask, and urge upon, the Congress of the United States, to take speedy and favorable action on this amendment. hVnolird, That a certified copy of these resolutions be sent to the respective chairmen of the Committees on Military Affairs in the United States Senate and House of Rc'.resentatives, and be given to the press for publication. Administration of A. E. Burnside. 133 GENERAL LEGISLATION. Comrades R. B. Beatli, Pennsylvania ; C. D. MacDougal, NewYork ; Richard H. Lee, New Jersey ; W. S. Jenkins, Kansas, and C R, Brayton, Rhode Island, were appointed a committee to consider and report upon a communication presented by Comrade Beath, suggesting action in securing needed legislation from Congress. The committee afterward reported as follows : The Committee to whom was referred the suggestion in reference to legislation in the interests of ex soldiers and sailors, offered by comrade Beath, with other reso- lutions on the same subject referred to them, beg leave to report, that they have given these important matters such consideration as their limited time allovped. They recommend a careful examination of the statistics in the printed pamphlet submitted to the National Encampment. They express their belief that the action of Congress in allowing soldiers and sailors, desirous of settling on public lands, the benelit of their term of service in the Army or Navy, has disposed of the question of bounty lands. They offer the following: 1st. That the proposed equalization of bounties under House Bill No. 574, pre- sented by General Stoughton of Michigan, merits our heartiest approval as being just and equitable in all its provisions, and we recommend its immediate passage by Congress. 2d. We heartily approve the propositions for an increase of pensions as suggested, namely, the increase to the permanently disabled under the 1st and 2d provisions of General Chipman's bill, to $1,000 per annum; an increase to $30 per month for all who have lost a leg or au arm, and an increase to all others of 20 per cent. 3d. That the time for making application for pensions which would entitle the applicant to receive the back pension from date of discharge, should be extended to May 1, 1873. 4th. In reference to Soldiers' Orphans and Training Schools, the Committee offer the following: Resolved, That all Comrades of the Grand Army, and .soldiers and sailors, residing in States that have thus far neglected to provide for the education and care of the orphan children of our deceased comrades, are earnestly urged to at once commence a movement for the immediate establishment of Homes in such States. Resolved, That we commend to all States the project of establishing Industrial Schools in connection with the present system of Homes, where these children may be specially trained to trades and occiipations, until they have attained their majority, and are enabled to care properly and fully for themselves. 5th. Resolved, That we respectfully apply to Congress for such immediate legis- lation as will permit the burial in our national cemeteries, of all ex-U. S. soldiers and sailors that may die, upon application being made by their friends. 6th. Resolved, That the Commander in-Chief be authorized to appoint a Com- mittee of Five, to whom the matter of increase of pensions and establishment of Orphan Homes shall be referred, with full power to act. In accordance with the last resolution. Comrades Louis Wag- ner, Robert B, Beath, Fred. H. Harris, New Jersey, H. B. Peirce, 134 Gra^-d Army of the Republic. Massachusetts, and O. C, Bosbyshell, Pennsylvania, -were ap- pointed a Committee on Legislation, to present the resolutions to Congress. Memorial Day. Comrade Earnshaw read to the Encampment a letter from Comrade E. H. Rhodes, commanding Department of Rhode Island, copies of which had been mailed to all the clergymen of that State, earnestly requesting them to preach, on the Sunday pre- ceding Memorial Day, a sermon commemorative of our fallen com- rades, and the cause for which they laid down their lives. Comrade Earnshaw strongly endorsed the idea as one that should be generally adopted, and it Avas resolved that a request to that effect be given to the press for publication. Attention to this suggestion was invited, by General Burnside, in General Orders, for Memorial Day. Comrade Wagner, from the committee appointed to draft Rules of Order for the National Encampment, reported a series of Rules of Order and an Order of Business, which were adopted. rules, regulations, and ritual. The Committee on Rules and Regulations reported a number of amendments. The principal changes adojDted were, 1st. — Con- stituting Past Commanders-in-Chief and Vice-Commanders-in- Chief, in good standing, members of the National Encampment ; 2d.— Constituting Past Department Commanders, in good standing, members of their respective Department Encampments. By a unanimous vote a committee was appointed to prepare and present a suitable testimonial to Comrade Roswell Miller, Adjutant-General, for the efficient and valuable services gratui- tously rendered during the year. Comrades Peirce, Massachusetts, Norris, Pennsylvania, and Barnum, New York, were appointed such committee. They after- wards carried out their instructions by presenting Comrade Miller, in the name of the National Encampment, with a handsome gold watch. The following was adopted unanimously : Resolved, That the thanks of this Encampment be, and are hereby tendered to tlie Inspector-General, H. B. Beath; the Quartermaster-General. C. G. Attwood; the Judge-Advocate-General, W. W. Douglas; and the Surgeon-General, Samuel A. Administration of A. E. Burnside. 135 Green, for the very able manner in which they have discharged the duties of their several offices. Comrades McMiirdy, Colorado, J. A. Reynolds, New York, and Horatio Rogers, Rhode Island, were appointed a committee to re- turn the thanks of the Encampment to Mr. and Mrs. Amasa Stone, for the courteous and handsome reception, given the National En- campment, Tuesday evening, at their residence The following was unanimously adopted : Resolved, That our thanks are due to the members of Posts 23 and 69, G. A. R , and to the warm-hearted people of the beautiful city of Cleveland, for the gen- erous hospitality extended to us, as representatives of the Grand Army of the Republic ; also to the various railroad and steamboat lines, whose courtesy we have experienced. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected : Commander-in-Chief, A. E. Burnside, re-elected. Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, Louis Wagner, re-elected. Junior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, J. Warren Keifer, Ohio. Surgeon-General, Dr. Samuel A. Graen, Massachusetts, re- elected for third term. Chaplain-in-Chief, Rev. William Earnshaw, re-elected. COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. California, James Coey ; Colorado, J. H. McMurdy ; Connec- ticut, H. Clay Trumbull ; Delaware, S. A. Macallister ; Illinois, Solomon Ruttsr ; Iowa, Richard Middleton ; Kansas, A. D. Nie- mann ; Kentucky, G. W. Northup ; Maine, George L. Beal ; Mary- land, A. W. Denison ; Massachusetts, Wm. Cogswell ; Minnesota, James George ; Mississippi, J. C. Tucker ; New Hampshire, S. C. Griffin ; New Mexico, S. B. Wheelock ; New Jersey, Frederick H. Harris ; New York, A. P. Ketchum ; Ohio, C. A. Vaughan ; Penn- sylvania, W. W. Brown ; Potomac, James T. Smith ; Rhode Island, C. R. Brayton ; Texas, James Davidson ; Virginia, J. M. Thacher ; Wisconsin, George A. Hanaford. CHAPTER XL ADMINISTRATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF A. E. BURN&IDE (SECOND TERM)— SEVENTH ANNUAL SESSION, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, MAY 14, 1873. Headquarters was retained in New York city, with tlie same staff officers, uutil Inspector-General Beatb resigned that position, having been elected Commander of the Department of Pennsyl- vania. He was succeeded by Milan B, Goodrich, then a member of Crocker Post No. 45, Au- burn, N. Y., but in business in New York city. Captain Goodrich had enlisted as a Private in April, 1861, in 19th N. Y. Vols., and served active- ly during the war, being pro- moted Corporal, Sergeant- Major, Second Lieutenant, and First Lieutenant, and was brevetted Captain for gallant and meritorious ser /ices. He served during the closing months of the war in respon- sible staff positions. He died in 1876, in New York city. Captain M. B. Goodrich. Joseph Warren Keifer, Junior Yice-Commander-in-Chief, was born in Bethel township, Clark county, Ohio, January 30, 1836 ; studied law and was admitted to the bar January 12, 1858. Enlisted, April 19, 1861 ; commissioned Major of the 3d Ohio Infantry, April 27, 1861 ; Lieutenant-Colonel February 12, 1862 ; Colonel of the llOth Ohio Vol. Inf., September 30, 1862 ; was severely wounded in the "Wilderness," May 5, 1864. After having served in campaigns in the field in West Virginia, Ken- [186J Administration of A. E. Burnside. 137 tucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, lie was bre- vetted Brigadier - General, November 30, 1864, " for gal- lant and meritorious services in the battles of Opequan, Fisliers' Hill, and Cedar Creek, Virginia ; " brevetted Major-General " for gallant and distinguished services during the campaign ending in the surrender of the In- surgent Army under General K E. Lee," July 1, 1865. Mustered - out of service, June 27, 1865, having been four times wounded; resumed the practice of law at Springfield, Ohio, 1865 ; was a member of the Ohio Staie Senate in 1868-69 ; Commander of the Department of Ohio, G. A. R., 1868-70 ; Trustee of Ohio Soldiers' -and Sailors' Orphans Home from its organization, April 16, 1870, to March 5, 1878 ; was Representative from Ohio in the 45th, 46th and 47tli Congresses, and was elected Speaker of the latter body, Decem- ber 5, 1881. He resides in Springfield, Ohio. General J. Warren Keifek. SEVENTH ANNUAL SESSION. The National Encampment met in the Hall of the House of Representatives, New Haven, Connecticut, May 14, 1873 ; Com- mander-in-Chief A. E. Burnside, presiding. COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS. Adjutant-General Roswell Miller, Comrades C. R. Brayton, ■Rhode Island, Daniel Woodall, Delaware, and A. P. Ketchum, New York. OFFICERS PRESEN: Commander-in-Chief A. E. Burnside. Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief Louis Wagner. Surgeon-General Samuel A. Green. Adjutant-General Roswell Miller. 138 Grand Army of the Eepublic. Quartermaster-General Cornelius G. Attwood. Inspector-General M. B. Goodrich. Judge-Advocate-General William AV. Douglas. COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. G. L. Beal, Maine ; C. K Brayton, Rhode Island ; M. T. Dwyer, New Jersey ; J. H. Goulding, Vermont ; ^\. Cogswell, Massachusetts ; H. Clay Trumbull, Connecticut ; A. P. Ketchum, New York ; C. S. Greene, Pennsylvania ; John McArthur, Con- necticut. DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTED. Connecticut, 5 ; Delaware, 2 ; Illinois, 2 ; Kentucky, 1 ; Maine, 3 ; Massachusetts, 4 ; New Hampshire, 3 ; New Jersey, 3 ; New York, 7 ; Ohio, 2 ; Pennsylvania, 3 ; Potomac, 3 ; Rhode Island, 4 ; Texas, 1 ; Vermont, 4 ; AA'iscousin, 1. Total, 16 Departments, 48 Representatives. Commander-in-Chief Burnside briefly addressed the Encamp- ment, reported the Order prospering, and expressed his gratifica- tion that -during an exciting political campaign it had been de- monstrated that the Grand Army was entirely free from any par- tisan tendencies. He announced that he could not under any cir- cumstances again serve as Commander-in-Chief. He said the offi- cers of his staff had performed their duties in the most intelligent and faithful manner, and without compensation. REPORTS OF STAFF OFFICERS. Adjutant-General Roswell Miller reported : The aggregate membership of the Departments remain about the same as at last Report. The following statement shows the changes reported, as compared with the same quarters of the previous year : 1881.— 3 quarters. 1872.— 3 quarters. Gain— By Muster . , . 6.201 3,716 From Suspended . 2.217 1,894 Total Gain . . . 8,418 5,610 Loss— By Death ... 287 196 " Discharge . . 263 178 " Suspension . . 7,786 4,957 " Dismissal . . 52 28 Total Loss . , . 8,388 5,350 Administration of A. E. Burnside. 139 The following Departments have reported regularly: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island. New York, New Jersey, Penn- sylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Wisconsin, California, Potomac, Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, Louisiana, — twenty- three (23) in number. The average number of Departments reporting in 1870, was 16; in 1871, 20; in 1872, 23. The following Departments were reported as " disorganized and dormant" at the beginning of the year 1871: Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Michigan, Ne- braska, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Georgia, Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, New Mexico, Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana and West Virginia. Of these the following showed no signs of life: Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina, West Virginia, Michigan, and Indiana. The results of the two years' work is briefly this: Departments disorganized and non-reporting at the beginning of the year 1871, .since reorganized and now regularly reporting: Illinois, Mississippi, New Mexico, Louisiana. (5) Departments discontinued: North Carolina, West Virginia and South Carolina. (8) Departments organized but non-reporting: Colorado, Kansas, Iowa. (3) Departments remaining disorganized: Indiana, Tennessee, Michigan, Nebraska, Missouri, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama. (8) Provisional Departments permanently organized: Virginia, Texas, and Kansas. (3) Charity.— The reports cover three quarters of 1873. and show $48,222.23 expended, 932 members relieved, and 1,430 persons, not members, relieved. The reports are incomplete, and do not show the entire work. Quartermaster-General Cornelius G. Attwood reported cash and assets on hand, $4,126,83, and continued : " When, two years since, the present staif officers assumed their positions, and it was ascertained that National Headquarters was completely bankrupt, your instruc- tions were given to limit expenses to the lowest pos.sible figure, and endeavor, by careful management, to pay off whatever indebtedness was bequeathed, and, if possible, show a surplus at the end of the term of service. To this end the expenses of the Headquarters have been confined to rent in New York, necessary travelling expenses, postage, telegrams and other minor items; all of the National officers having given their time and labor without charge to the Order." Inspector-General M. B. Goodrich presented a complete report of the Inspections of Departments, and appended a statement of Soldiers' and Sailors' Homes, and Soldiers' Orphans Schools in the different States. Judge-Advocate-General W. W. Douglas, presented the opinions given in eighteen cases submitted during the year. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. On Report of Commander-in-Chief : — W. G. Veazey, Vermont; A. S. Perham, Maine ; C. Morris, Ohio ; C. Parker, Texas ; Chas. Burrows, New Jersey. 140 Grand Army of tiie Uepublic. On Reports of Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General : — H. R. Sibley, Massachusetts ; T. W. Cliallis, New Hampshire ; H. Hilliard, Illinois ; E. H. Rhodes, Rhode Island ; O. C. Boshy- shell, Pennsylvania. On Reports of Inspector-General, Judge-Advocate-General and other officers : — W. W. Brown, Pennsylvania ; J. R. Goble, New Jersey ; T. Lubey, Potomac ; J. H. Goulding, Vermont ; and Ed. Ferguson, Wisconsin. On Rules, Regulations, and Ritual : — S. P. Corliss, New York ; H. B. Peirce, Massachusetts ; A. W. Norris, Pennsylvania ; C. L. Russell, Ohio ; H. Clay Trumbull, Connecticut. REPORTS OP COMMITTEES. RULES, REGULATIONS, AND RITUAL. The Committee on Rules, Regulations, and Ritual recommended the adoption of the form of " Burial Service " presented by the Department of Massachusetts ; that the Rules and Regulations be changed : 1st. To constitute the Assistant Adjutant-General of each Department, a member of the National Encampment ; 2d. To provide for the appointment of a Chief Mustering Officer in De- partments. They reported adversely upon the propositions to abolish the rules as to secrecy ; To abolish the Medical Directors' depart- ment ; For the establishment of an auxiliary association for wives of members, to be known as the " Clara Barton " Degree. The report of the Committee was adopted. OFFICIAL BADGES. The subject of badges for Officers and Past Officers was re- ferred to a special committee consisting of A. B. Underwood, Massachusetts, Chas. Burrows, New Jersey, and C. A. Wells, New York, who reported in favor of a badge to be worn by officers, when on duty, or on occasions of ceremony. The Committee suggested that if the Encampment decided that the l)adge sliould be worn by Past Officers, the official badge proper for their positions should be placed beneath the eagle of the raembf^rship badge. The amendment providing for a badge for officers was adopted, and the proposition for badges for Past Officers was rejected. Administration op A. E. Buenside. 141 RESOLUTIONS. Kesolutions pledging tlie co-operation of the Grand Army of the Republic in aid of the International Exhibition, to be held in Philadelphia, July 4, 1876, commemorative of the One-hundredth Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America '■> and also directing the Commander-in-Chief to arrange for the decoration of soldiers graves in the national cemeteries at Mari- etta and Andersonville, were adopted. RESOLUTIONS OP THANKS. Resolutions were adopted thanking the comrades of Admiral Foote Post, who had served as guards during the Encampment ; also to Admiral Foote Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of New Haven, for their generous hospitality, and " to the citizens of the city of New Haven, for the kindness they have manifested toward the soldiers and sailors who are visiting the beautiful ' City of Elms,' and that the Adjutant-General be requested to publish this in the New Haven papers." The following was adopted by a rising vote. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to procure, and in the name of the Grand Army of the Republic, present to Comrade Ambrose E. Burnside, a testimonial expressive of the high regard and esteem entertained for him by the comrades of the Grand Army, and for the faithful and able manner in which he has, for the past two years, discharged the duties of Commander in-Chief, — his whole administration reflecting credit upon the organization, and illustrating, most con- spicuously, our principles of Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. Comrades Beath, of Pennsylvania, Corliss of New York, and ■Peirce of Massachusetts, were appointed the committee. See Chapter following. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted : Resolved, That the members of this National Encampment gratefully recognize the loDg and faithful service of Senior Vice-Commander in-Chief Louis Wagner, of Pennsylvania ; for a considerable period acting Commander-in-Chief. His devo- tion to the interests of the Grand Army of the Republic; his efl3cient administration of the affairs of the high positions he has filled ; his admirable impartiality, prompt- ness and vigor in dispatching the business of this Encampment, when called to pre- side therein. — have constantly won our hearty commendation, and in recognition of our esteem, we liereby tender to Comrade Wagner the cordial thanlis of this Encampment. Resolved, That the Adjutant-General cause a suitable testimonial to be prepared and presented to Comrade Wagner. 1'42 Grand ArxMY of the Hepublic. In accordance with the above a handsome gold badge, com- bining the badges of the Grand Army of tlie Republic and the First and Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac, was duly presented to Comrade AVagner. The following was unanimously adopted : Resoli'f'd, That the thanks of the National Encampment, Grand Army of the Republic, are due, and are hereby tendered, to Comrade Roswell Miller, for the faithful and intelliirent manner in which he has perfonned the arduous and respon- sible duties of his oflice. Resolved, That our thanks are due, and are hereby tendered, to the Inspector Gen- eral, Comrade 31. B. Goodrich, the Judge- Advocate General, Comrade W. W. Douglas, the Quartermaster General, Comrade C. G. Attwood, the Surgeon-Gen- eral, Comrade Samltel A. Green, the Chaplain in Chief, Comrade Wm. Earnshaw, and the Council of Administration, for the able manner in which they have attended to their duties. The Committee on the Report of the Quartermaster-General presented the following : In view of the fact that Comrade Attwood's books and accounts present so satis- factory a result, and inasmuch as he has given his services to the Grand Army of the Republic gratuitously, the committee beg leave to offer the following resolution: Resolved, That the thanks of the National Encampment are due, and are hereby tendered, to Comrade Cornt:lius G. Attwood, for his able supervision of the finances of our Order, and that a committee of three be appointed to procure a proper testimonial to be presented to Comrade Attwood, expressive of the respect and esteem with which he is held by the comrades of this Order. The report was adopted, and Comrades H. R, Sibley, of Mass- achusetts, O. C. Bosbyshell, of Pennsylvania, and T. AV. Challis, of New Hampshire, were appointed the committee to procure a testimonial for the Quartermaster-General. The committee afterwards procured and presented to Comrade Attwood, on behalf of the National Encampment, a beautiful gold watch, suitably inscribed. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected : Commander-in-Chief, Chas. Devens, Jr., Massachusetts. Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, John R. Goble, New Jersey. Junior Vice-Commander-iu-Chief, Edward Ferguson, Wis- consin. Surgeon-General, Dr. Hans Powell, New York. Chaplain-in-Chief, Rev. Augustus Woodbury, Rhode Island. Administration of A. E. Burnside, 143 COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. California, James Coey ; Connecticut, H. Clay Trumbull ; Ill- inois, John McArtliur ; Kentucky, G. W, Northup ; Maine, Geo. L. Beal ; Massachusetts, Wm. Cogswell ; Minnesota, James George ; New Hampshire, Wm. P. Moses ; New Jersey, Richard H. Lee ; New York, H. A. Barnum ; Ohio, C. L. Russell ; Penn- sylvania, Robert L. Orr ; Potomac, T. Lubey ; Rhode Island, Ir- win Metcalf ; Texas, S. B. Grafton ; Vermont, J. H. Goulding ; Virginia, J. M. Thacher ; Wisconsin, Geo. A. Hanaford. The members of the Encampment in the evening attended a Concert and Reception, arranged in their honor by Admiral Foote Post No 17, of New Haven. CHAPTER XII. ADMIXISTKATION OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF CilAELES DEVENS, Jk. —EIGHTH ANNUAL SESSION, HARRISBURG, MAY 13, 1874. Commander-in-Chief Devens established Headquarters in Boston, and appointed the following staflf : Adjutant-General, C. G. Attwood, Massachusetts. Quartermaster-General, A. B. E. Sprague, Massachusetts. Inspector-General, A. Wilson Norris, Pennsylvania. Judge-Advocate-General, AV. W. Douglas, Ehode Island. Henry B. Peirce was appointed Aid-de-Camp, and detailed for duty at Headquarters. General Chas. Devens, Jr., Commander-in-Chief, was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, April 4, 1820. He enlisted April 19, 1861, in the 3d Battalion, Massachusetts PiiHes, and was com- missioned Major ; appointed Colonel, 15th Mass. Yols., July, 1861 ; promoted Brigadier-General, April 15, 1862, and brevetted Major- General, to date April 3, 1865, General Devens served with the Armies of the Potomac and of the James, commanded 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, in May, 1862 ; the 3d Division, 6th Army Corps, in December, 1862 ; 1st Division, 6th Army Corps, April, 1863 ; 1st Division, 18th Army Corps, October 29, 1864 ; 3d Division, 24tli Army Corps, December, 1864 ; and temporarily commanded that Corj)s in January, 1865. During his service he was three times wounded. General Devens has held a number of responsible civil posi- tions ; was Attorney-General of the United States during the administration of President Hayes. Dr. John II. Goble, Senior Yice-Commander-in-Chief, was born in Warwick, Orange county, New York, June 7, 1837. En- listed August 12, 1861, in Company F, 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, and served part of the time on important detail duty as courier and scout, was mustered-out at Calhoun, Georgia, October 31, 1864. After formal iiinst of the law ; in July, 1884, Avas appointed, by President Arthur, United States Pension Agent at Philadelphia, and was removed by President Cleveland, in 1885 ; elected Auditor-General of Penn- sylvania, in 1886, for a term of three years, by over 47,000 major- ity. AY as a member of Post 19, Philadelphia. Resigned as Inspector-General in February, 1874, by reason of his election as Department Commander of Pennsylvania. Died, at his home in Philadelphia, May 21, 1888. Administbation of CHAliLEs Devens, Jr. 147 EIGHTH ANNUAL SESSION. The National Eucampment assembled in Harrisburg, PeuusjI- vania, May 13, 1874. Commander-in-Chief Chas. Devens, Jr., presiding. COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS. Adjutant-General H. R. Sibley ; W. W. Brown, Pennsylvania ; R. H. Lee, New Jersey ; G. L. Beal, Maine ; T. Lubey, Potomac. OFFICERS PRESENT. Commander-in-Chief Chas. Devens, Jr. Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief John R. Goble. Surgeon-General Hans Powell. Chaplain-in-Chief Augustus Woodbury. Adjutant-General H. R. Sibley. Inspector-General W. W. Brown. Judge-Advocate-General W. W. Douglas. COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION. Geo. L. Beal, Maine ; R. H. Lee, New Jersey ; Robt. L. Orr, Pennsylvania ; T. Lubey, Potomac ; E. Metcalf, Rhode Island ; G. A. Hanaford, Wisconsin. DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTED. Alabama, 1 ; Connecticut, 4 ; Illinois, 4 ; Kansas, 1 ; Maine, 1 ; Massachusetts, 11 ; New York, 4 ; New Jersey, 4 ; New Hamp- shire, 2 ; Ohio, 2 ; Pennsylvania, 7 ; Potomac, 5 ; Rhode Island, 2 ; Vermont, 2 ; Virginia, 1. Departments, 15 ; Department Offi- cers and Representatives, 51. Commander-in-Chief Devens briefly addressed the Encamp- ment. He said ; * * * * " The objects of our Association are such as should comraeud themselves, not only to all those who have fought under the flag of the Union, but to all good citizens. How far we shall succeed in accomplishing those objects depends in no small degree upon our own prudence, zeal and energy. Attempts have been made to secure the influence of the Grand Army of the Kepub- lic in matters purely political, and all such were in violation of the whole spirit of our Order. Let us, as individuals, express and maintain freely our own opinions upon politics, and all the details of politics, but let it be understood that our organization has no sys- 148 Grand Army of the Republic. tern of politics except that irreat and g-raud system in which all true men are agreed, whether citizens or soldiers — those principles of devotion, to the death if need be, for Liberty and the Laws, for the Constitution and the Union, Avhich we once preached with our rifles in our hands and our country's flag above our heads, amid the smoke and fire of an hundred battle-fields. Let it be known that by these principles alone we are united, that this society does not exist for any personal ends or selfish purposes, and that it is not to be used by any man or any set of men. Agreeable and delightful as are the social characteristics of our association, it has higher aims than these. To guard and cherish the memory of those of our comrades who have passed away; to teach the inestimable value of the services of those who— unused to the trade of arms — did not hesitate, when the hour of trial came, to leave the plow in the furrow' and the hammer on the anvil, and commit themselves to the shock of battle, appealing to the Grod of battles for the justice of their cause, is with us a most sacred duty. And this, not alone that the dead may be honored, but that the living may be encountged to imitate their example, and that the strong spirit of nationality and loyalty to the Government Avhich bore us up so bravely through four years of unexampled trial, may be fostered and strengthened, and that we ourselves may be consecrated anew to the cause for which so many have suffered. The motto which our Order bears, of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty, is the brief summary of its principles. Let us endeavor, that all we may do shall tend to the strengthening and brightening of that chain of friendship which should unite all those who have offered their lives in a great and holy cause, to the forwarding of those charities of which the distressed and broken, or those whom they have left behind them, are so much in need, and to the old spirit of loj'alty and devotion to our common country.' The committee appointed by tlie seventh National Encamp- ment to procure a testimonial for Comrade A. E. Burnside, Past Commander-in-Chief, had requested Commander-in-Chief Devens to make the presentation address. The testimonial read as follows : Headquauteks Grand Akmy of the Republic, Boston, Mass., May 17, 1873. In accordance with the imanimous vote of the National Encampment, Grand Array of the Republic, at New Haven, Conn., May 15, 1873, this testimonial is j)rcsenled to Comkade AMBltOSE E. BUKN^IDE, as a mark of the high esteem entertained for him as a comrade, and in ai)preciation of his able, faithful and zealous administration, for two years, of the resiionsil)le duties of Commandeuin-Chief; illustrating as a man and an officer, the cardinal principles of our Order— Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty. CHAS. DEVENS, Jr., [seal.] Gomnumder -in-Chief. HENRY \\. SIBLEY, Adjutant General. The testimonial was Leautifully engrossed and elegantly framed, a photograph of Comrade Burnside forming a part of the , <^AM^r 1 r ^ Group of National Officers, 1873. Administration of Charles Devens, Jr. 149 ornamentation. Commander-in-Cliief Devens spoke substantially as follows : Al the last National Encampment a committee was appointed (consisting of Com- rades Beatli, Corliss and Peirce) to prepare a testimonial for our late Commander in- Chief, which should in some degree express the regard and respect felt for him by the members of this organization. This duty they have performed by causing to be en grossed and framed this expression of our esteem, which is now before you, and they have requested me, on their behalf and that of the last National Encampment, in your presence, to present the same; and their request I now proceed to fulfill. Comrade Burnside,— in parting with you most reluctantly, and at your own request, as the Commander-in Chief of their organization, the comrades of the Grand Army desire to express to you, by this testimonial, their love for you as a comrade, their respect and esteem for you as a man, their appreciation of the eminent services it has been your good fortune to render to the Republic. They have known you as one who, called to a high position in the army, has felt always that the life, comf ortr and happi- ness of every man under his command was dear to kim as his own ; who, alike in the hours of victory, or disaster and defeat, thought far more of the welfare of others than of himself; whose influence was always high, ennobling and inspiring to those around him; and who was always, in deeds and not in words only, truly a comrade. Accepting its highest position at a time when, by accidental circumstances, the treasury of the National Encampment had become embarrassed, you have rescued it from these troubles and placed it upon a firmer footing than ever before. The Order is based upon the principles of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty ; its success must de- pend solely upon how well it, as an organization, and its members as individuals, act up to them. Believing that you have nobly exemplified them in your lif e,^ both as a soldier and a citizen, they ask respectfully your acceptance of this testimonial. THE RESPONSE. In response, Comrade Burnside said that he had no words with which to express his appreciation of the motive which prompted the comrades to this exhibition of their good will ; that the testimonial would ever have a place among his dearest treas- ures ; that he considered the Grand Army superior to any of the other organizations which have grown out of the war, and that, in his opinion, it would outlive them all. REPORTS OF STAFF OFFICERS. Adjutant-General H. R. Sibley referred to the severe loss sus- tained by the Order in the destruction of the books of record, files of reports, letters and other property, containing much inter- esting material, relative to the history of the Order, by fire, on the previous Memorial Day, May 30, 1873. I'O Grand Army of the Eepublic. "Comrade Henry B. Peihce, Aid-de-Camp to the Commander-in Chief, was de- tailed for duty iit Ileadcjuarters. In him are combiueel <^reat experience in, and gen- uine love for, the (