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Stephenson County Illinois G.A.R. |
G.A.R. Encampment May 23-25, 1910 Stephenson St. Freeport Illinois Contributed by Alice Horner The Grand Army of the Republic or GAR was formed in Decatur, Illinois shortly after the Civil War. by Benjamin F. Stephenson. It was the largest organization of Union veterans of the Civil War The organization promoted comradeship among veterans, worked to increase pensions and assist war widows and orphans, and maintained homes for old soldiers. In 1868, the commander in chief of the GAR and Civil War General John Alexander Logan inaugurated the observance of Memorial Day to honor fallen soldiers. [Read the full text of the General Order which created Memorial Day, courtesy of John A. Logan College] Membership in the staunchly Republican organization peaked at more than 409,000 in 1890. The last member died in 1955, and the GAR was discontinued in 1956. The women's Relief Corp was initiated through the GAR.
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The order of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized in Illinois early in the year 1866. To Dr. B. F. Stephenson of Springfield, Illinois, belongs the honor of suggesting the formation of this union of veteran soldiers, and of launching the organization into existence. The object of the organization was to afford assistance to disabled and unemployed soldiers.
Dr. Stephenson had been a surgeon in a volunteer regiment during the war, and was firmly convinced that an organization of the returned volunteers, for mutual benefit, was imperatively needed. A ritual was drafted under his supervision, and the first post of the new order was formed at Decatur. Others posts were soon mustered throughout Illinois and contiguous states, and the first department convention was held at Springfield, Illinois, July 12, 1866. Gen. John M. Palmer was there elected department commander. Oct. 31, 1866, Dr. Stephenson, as provisional commander-in-chief, sent out an order to all the posts then formed calling for the first national convention of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was held in Indianapolis on Nov. 20 following, and representatives were present from Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana, and the District of Columbia. Gen. S. A. Hurlburt was elected as commander-in-chief. Unfortunately, during the warmly contested political campaign of 1868, the idea that the Army was intended as a political organization gained currency, with the result of injuring the order greatly. A heavy decrease of membership followed. A rule was adopted prohibiting the use of the organization for any partisan purpose whatever, a rule which has ever since been strictly followed. The Grand Army of the Republic of today stands for all that is best in civic affairs.... Contributed by Karen Fyock - from the Freeport Daily Journal May 25, 1910 |
