Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-08-28
RISE OF THE GRAND ARMY.
Origin and Growth of the Organiza-
ton - The Work of Its
Founder.
Non-Partizanship Principle of the
Order-qhe First Post Formed
in 1866-SOme Interest
ing Figures.


The great gathering of Grand Arm,
veterans which Boston recently witnessed
invites attention to the origin. growth and
purposes of the order. It is now abou,
| twenty-folr years since DR.. B. F. Stephen.
son, of Springfield, Ill.,, formulated the
| plans for this organization. Starting with
membership drawn from the few who
We're privileged to wear heir country
uniform in perilous days, the order has ex-
banded into marvellous dimensions. and.
to quote the words of an enthusiast. is to.
day the grandest association of soldiers
and sailors ever formed for the exemplif-
cation of fraternity, charity and LOYALTY. =
That II has made some mistakes in its
early, and even later, history, its friends
will not deny; but there is now a determi-
nation that its work shall carry on without
distinction of party or creed, rank OF
color There is a standing rule which
says that no officer or comrade shall in any
mai ner use the organization for partisan
purposes, and no discussion of partisan
questions shall be permitted at any meet
ings, nor shall any nominations for politi-
cal office be made.
The Rev. W, J. Rutledge, who is also
associated with the rise of the Grand
Army, was tent mate and bosom friend
of DR.. Stephenson in the Fourth Illinois
Cavalry which formed part of Sherman s
expedition to Meridian in February 1864.
While upon this campaign he'suggested to
Dr. Stephenson that the soldiers so closely
allied in the fellowship of suffering would
when mustered out of the service natural
ly desire some form Of association that
would preserve the friendship and the
memories of their past dangers. They
agreed to work out a project having this
end in view, and soon after the close of
their army service met in Springfield, ILL.,.
and arranged ritual. A little later.
April S, 1866, with the assistance of Cap
tain John S. Phelps, the first G. A. K.
post was organized at Decatur, Ill. The
charter read as follows:
To All Whom 1t May Concern, Greet
ing:
Know We that the commander Of the
department of Illinois, reposing special
trust and confidence in the patriotism and
fidelity of M. F. Banan, G. r Steele,
George H. Cunning, |. C. Pugh, J. H
Male, J. t. Bishop, G. Belbsame, J. M
Routh, R. F. Sibley, l. NJ Celtrin, Joseph
Prior, and A. Toland, does by the author
lty In him vested, empower and constitute
them charter members Of an encampment
of the Grand Army of the Republic, to be
known as post of Decatur, District OF
Macon, Department of Illinois, and they
are hereby constituted as said post, and
authorized to make bylaws for the govern
ment of said post, and to do and perform
all acts necessary to conduct and carry on
said organization in accordance with the
constitution (adopted later of the GRAND
Army of the Republic.
Dated at Springfield, ILL.,, April 8, 1866
B. +. STEPHENSON,
Commander Of the Department.
Later constitution was adopted at De
partment headquarters, the post at Decatur
receiving copy May Is, followed by the
ritual. The plan of organization provid
ed for posts, districts and departments
the national head to be known as the
Grand Army of the Republic. The OBJ
Jects to be accomplished are set forth as
! follows:
l. To preserve and strengthen those
kind and fraternal feelings which bind to
gether the soldiers, sailors and marines
who united to suppress the late rebellion
and to perpetuate the memory and history
Of the dead.
2. To assist such former comrades il
arms as need help and protection, and t.
extend needful aid to the widows and or
phans of those who have fallen.
3. To maintain true allegiance to thu
! United States of America, based upon {
paramount respect for and fidelity to the
national constitution and laws, and to dis
countenance whatever tends to weaker
| loyalty, incites to instruction, treason OF
rebellion, or in any manner impairs thu
efficiency and permanency of our free in
stitutions: and to encourage the spread O.
universal liberty, equal rights and justice
to all men.
The first national convention was held
at indianapolis, Nov. 20, 1866. for thu
uIpose of perfecting organization. Eacl
post was entitled to one representative
and when the membership exceeded 100 t.
one additional representative. The pro
visional commanderin-ch Dr. Stephen
son, called the meeting to order, and look
ed for a nomination from the convention
but in this he was grievously disappoint
ed, for the mantle fell upon Gen. Stephe1
A. Hurlbut, of Illinois. The office O
adjutant- general alone was given to tai
man who had striven so hard and we'll t.
bring into being an association which wa
to make its influence felt throughout {
continent. After years of unrequieteC
toll. disabled and discouraged, says tn,
Chronicle, ''Dr. Stephenson died at Rocl
Creek. Menard county, ILL.,, Aug. 80, 1871
In 1882 his remains were removed t.
Petersburg and buried In the soldiers plo
Of Rose Hill Cemetery, on the Banks O
the Sangamon river.
General John A Logan who succeeded
General Hulbut as commander n-chief
served three terms. He was followed b.
A. E. Burnside, Charles Devens, Jr., JOIN
T. Hartoanft John c. Robinson, William
Earrshaw Leuis Wagner, George S. Mer
rill, Paul Van Der Wort, Robert B. Beath
John S. Kountz. S. S. Burdett, Luciu
Fairchild, John P Rhea, William War
ner and Russell A. A ger, the present in
combent.
The twentv-third annual session of thu
Grand Army of the Republic was held IL
Milwaukee. Wis, commencing Aug. %
1889. Communicating Chef Warner pre-
siding. As showing the wonderful growth
of the order during It's comparatively brie
existence. it may be stated that forty-tw(
departments (6S11 posts were represented
by 64l department officers. They came
from every state and territory in thu
Union. From reports it is seen that thu
totnl amount expended by the Crane
Army for charity from July /. 1871 to Jul!
l, 1889, amounted to s1,935, 1854. o
that sum 1927, 1856 was expended during
the last named year. The net assets O
cash, bonds and other property in thu
hands of the quartermaster-gen
was So, 1894. 80, in addition to SO,
132. "a received for the Grant memoria