Post Civil War: Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)

The Civil War had ended. The surviving Union military personnel had returned home. Some healthy, many injured or otherwise disabled. It was a time for mourning the loss of many fellow military members. Coming home was difficult as the soldier or sailor had changed and so had their family, neighbors, and employers. What was missing and what was needed to still support each other? Various organizations were formed including the GAR.

The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was formed for several reasons. I have always believed that camaraderie was one of the main reasons it began. Then there were the reasons to help support families of those who perished or were injured maimed in the war. Burials were provided with all the pageantry due to those who give their lives for the country. It grew into a major political force for many years.

The GAR was organized at the state level and individual posts gradually formed in places around the state. Larger cities generally had multiple posts. Many posts were named in honor of important battles, to commemorate fellow comrades or officers.

The GAR originated in Decatur, Illinois in 1866. The last GAR member died on 2 August 1956 in Duluth, Minnesota. He was Albert Woolson who was born in New York but later moved to Minnesota as a child and served in the war from Minnesota. Thus, the GAR came to its last day.

In a future blog post, I will cover more about Woolson, the records created by the posts and where to find those that still exist. Hint: there are many. Two Minnesota links for more information and a link to extensive information and records are below.

• https://www.mnopedia.org/group/grand-army-republic-minnesota

•https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Minnesota,Grand_Army_of_the_Republic_Membership_Records-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records

• Check Cyndi’s List for multiple pages of links to general GAR and specific states. https://www.cyndislist.com/societies/fraternal/gar/?page=1

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