The Feb. 3, 2008, Grand Junction (CO) Sentinel had an article by Gary Harmon about the 12 unknown Civil War veterans buried in the Orchard Mesa Cemetery.
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) John A. Logan Post 21 in Grand Junction split in 1910, but merged again in 1921 to become Logan again.
In 1925, three headstones arrived for the 12 unknowns. As far as records, Books A and B have been lost and only Book C remains.
Grand Junction was founded in 1882, but as many as 300 veterans from both sides made it home. According to Gary Parrott of the SUVCW, Legion of the West Camp 7,(he is also head of the local SCV) there was also a Confederate group in early Grand Junction history.
They have determined that at least five veterans were buried soon after the town was settled and the headstones set most likely on Decoration Day, now called Memorial Day.
US Highway 50 also passes through town and is called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
It Would be Interesting to Know Why the GAR Split UP Back in 1910. --B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
