The National tribune., 1885-08-20
ORIGIN OF THE GAR
DIR. stephenson's Claim Disputed in Favor Of Can't.
COmnher.

10 THE EDITOR: / see the following matter
has been discussed at Portland, Me-, during the
Natlonal Encampment, and forward Won the
history OF the GAR. organization, or what led
to 1T, just as it was. This was published in the
Fillmore County Republican, from which clip.
capt Compiler IS resident of this County.
and is regarded as truthful man. / forward
this that the honor may fall where the honor
belongs, and not to detract anything from the
late Comrade Stephenson; but / think Can't.
Stephenson was a little in error in CLAIMING
the honor, as was stated at Portland.-V. A
JONES, First Lieut., 18th KY. Cav, Geneva.
Neb.
. among other questions discussed at the execu-
1--WE session OF the National Encampment was
whether late Comrade B. F. Stephenson Of
Springfield H., was really the first mover in the
organization of the Grand Army" The report savs.
1t is deemed but simple Justice 70 bis man,o-,-'
well as 10 his family and comrades to state that ali
authentic records confer upon him that very great
honor. We do not desire to lessen the honor due
10 the memory OF our late Comrade Stephenson
out living evidence rises to claim part at least
OF the great honor in having been one of the first
founders OF that good and loyal Organization
capt; Alexander Compiler, who had command Of
TO- " IOth Pa, was elected President of the first
meeting ever held by soldiers looking toward an
organization OF this kind. and from which grew
the present organization. Capt Compiler now re-
sizes In Fillmore County. and quote the follow
Ing facts dictated by him to the Republican, of Bed
fora Co, "a. while In that County attending q
meeting OF ex-prisOners of war; in last year The
writer, after having dwelt at some length in de-
scrloinS the Inherent prisons through which these
men had passed. says: From Charleston the bows
were taken to Columbia, S. c. While on the march
TO the camp at Columbia, Capt. II. s. Benner, OF
the IUIst, being Free Mason, obtained recognition
from two men who lived in that town. They fol-
lowed him to camp and secured an interview with
him- The next day they returned bringing with
them some provisions and pair of shoes The shoe.
being too small for him. he gave them to Can't
Compiler, who sold them for $50 and with the
money he bought an AK, paying for it the sum of
$50. With this two bloodhounds were killed
that were kept by the rebels near to the csmD
FROM the camp the prisoners were taken to
the asylum in Columbia, and while con-
fined here Capt. McKage and two other
prisoners composed the song "Sherman's March
to the Sea-" Information of the events that
We're taking place, of battles fought and won
by the Union armies. given the prisoners
by Miss Blount. of Columbia. While here Gen.
ceary made his appearance near the city, occupy
ing with his artillery the camp in which the pris
oners had been kept, and when the demand was
made for the surrender of the city the prisoners
were hastily taken to Charlotte and kept under
guard In a cottonfield. In this field was a maple
tree, and the ak that Capt. Compiler had purchased
and which he had managed to keep was used to
cut this tree down. When it fell Capt. Compiler
took seat on its trunk While sitting there one OF
the men proposed to form soldiers society. The
proposition met with general favor, and in order to
get all the men together the cry of " fresh fish"
was set up. In few minutes the entire BODY OF
prisoners had gathered and they proceeded at once
to organize. As Capt. Compiler was "a in the chair's
he was selected President of the meeting and
Mai. ID. W. Mullen, of Bedford, Pa, who was then
captain OF Co. G OF the lOlSt "a, was selected as
Secretary. A committee was appointed to prepare
constitution, which they in due time did, and
after 1t was read and adopted it signed by the
men. In the prison at this time there were men
from every State in the Union, except South Caro-
lima This meeting was held the latter part of Feb
ruary. 1865, and was the starting point for the
ganIzation known as the Grand Army of the Re-
public. Shortly after the war was over and the
soldiers had returned to their homes, Capt. Com
pher went to Blair County, and with Capt. McKage
and Capt. Huff a meeting of the Grand Army was
called and about 30 old soldiers from that County
became members. We ask that this history DO
placed beside that of COmrade Stephenson and let
the priority determine to whom the honor belongs