From the Feb. 6, 2012, Redwood Falls (Mont) Gazette "Civil War vets helped out too, by GAR" by Troy Krause.
GAR here referring to the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization of Union veterans formed in Decatur, Illinois, in 1866.
The post in Redwood County was named for Captain John Marsh, a Union soldier who died at redwood Ferry during the Dakota conflict. There were 34 members when it started with each paying $1 to get it going. These men marched in all parades.
The GAR was the model for today's veterans organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The organization had district, state and national conventions and were involved in erecting monuments.
The Women's Relief Corps was established as an auxiliary organization. One of their goals was to erect statues in municipal cemeteries.
The GAR officially disbanded in 1956 when the last veteran died.
Quite an Organization. --Old Secesh
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