The Jan. 4th Civil War Interactive alerted me to a Jan. 3rd article in the Murfreesboro (Tn) Post titled "Grand Army of the Republic connected to Stones River" by Mike West. The Battle of Stones River is located by the town.
At one time, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was one of the more powerful organizations in the country. It was made up of former soldiers in the Union Armies during the Civil War.
It was established by Dr. Benjamin F. Stephensen of Decatur, Illinois, on April 6, 1866. It was a fraternal organization, but operated with military traditions as well. At the state level, it was divided into Departments with local organization called Posts.
From 1868-1908, no Republican was nominated for president without the GAR endorsement. In 1868, General Order #11, May 30 was designated as a memorial day for Union veterans and called Decoration Day, but now called Memorial Day.
They were also very active in soldier pensions and retirement homes which became Old Soldiers Homes in the late 19th Century which have since evolved into the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Lots More to Come. --B-R'er
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