The National tribune., 1884-10-30
4 GAR. Memorial Record Book.

In our news column from Michigan was re-
Gently published report of a special ceremony
at circuit Post, Kalamazoo, of more than local
interest. Mrs b. T. circuit, widow of Col. Or
cult, the gallant soldier for whom the Post was
named, presented to the Post, on behalf of a
few citizens a Memorial Record Book. We
invite further attention to the incident, in
order to suggest that other posts, If they have
not already done SO, would take measures to
secure and preserve a record such as this book
Is adapted to perpetuate.
Who that has attended any of the recent SOL
dierS Reunions has failed to observe that the
gray heads are beginning 10 be in large ma
jority; that the little bands of veterans that
remain to represent the companies, and even
the regiments, are becoming every year more
and more meager, and on Decoration Day the
graves to be decorated are steadily increasing,
while the ranks OF the remaining comrades are
painfully thinned.
One of the avowed objects of the G. A. K. or
ganizatiOn is to preserve correct historic data
Little seems to have been done at most Posts
to carry out this intent. Some have taken the
lead IN erecting monuments which perpetuate
the memory of the sacrifice and heroism OF the
war in q general way. But almost nothing
has been undertaken to stimulate the writing
up of individual records. THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE has done more in this direction prob
ably than all the Posts together. Especially
Oh our page headed Fighting Them Over
have the interesting facts of individual yalor
been developed.
Kindred to this and in way that nothing
of historic importance may be lost the plan Of
Memorial Record Book is to cover the eKpe
rence of every soldier. 1t contemplates the
appointment of Post historian. 1t is self
evident that competent member must be Sc
selected, who shall not only have the care of
the record, but see that it is filled out as rap
idly as possible. A page is devoted to each
member, e-half to the record of his services
including an enumeration of battles and one
half to resolutions or any action of the Post
after his decease. By vote of the Post addi-
tional space in the appendix may be given to
the record of any comrade when desirable.
Each comrade puts his signature to the record
when made. The Adiutant of the Post certi-
fies to it, Also and especially to the resolutions
or other after-death records.
The book is to be kept at the Post room as
long as there is any organization. 1t then
goes to the Town or State Library, or to the
Congressional Library, as the Post may desig-
nate. By this means not only will valuable
and authentic record be made, and one of ines
timable Importance to the future historian, but
it will be put into such form and its care be so
provided for that it will be permanently pre-
served.
cheaper record might be made in some
ordinary blank book, as some comrades, in the
aooShtO va lhlHk uCtkCip diu uOt hhoWiHS VI
the Memorial Record Book, have suggested.
But with the handsome Autograph forms and
the directions for preparing and preserving
the record carefully printed, and all put in the
care of an officer elected for the purpose, the
object in view is far more likely to be success
fully attained.
Comrade Hill, who is the Commander of
Orcutt Post Kalamazoo, deserves the thanks
of the Grand Army for the skill and persever-
ing zeal he has shown in preparing the Memo
rial Record Book.
AS to the methods for procuring it, different
ways will suggest themselves to the members
OF the different Posts. At Kalamazoo the book
was paid for by few patriotic citizens, who
selected the widow of deceased soldier to pre-
sent it to the Post. At another Post one of the
comrades bought and presented it without
ceremony. In some places the WOman's Relief
Corps may lead Oft in the matter. There is
probably not one Post in the country but that
would, if attention should be directed to the
matter, desire such book nor one where, with
the assistance of few friendly citizens, it
would not be easy to raise the requisite funds.
Every comrade with whom we have conversed
heartily approves of the plan as both desirable
and practicable