Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

Grand Army proved In whose mind did the
first idea Of collecting every element Of
the federal army, officers and men on the same
footing, into one solid organization originate?
This is point which has been much discussed
and over which much dispute has arisen. The
facts as recognized now give to Chaplain W. J..
Rutledge, then OF the fourteenth Illinois infan-
try. the credit Of the first inception OF the tre-
mendous project and to Major B. F. Stephenson
the honor OF practically developing the concep-
ton. From 1862 Chaplain Rutledge and DIR. Ste
phenson were members Of the same regiment,
tent mates and bosom companions. In 1854 their
regiment formed portion of Sherman's expe-
dition to Meridian and while upon this cam
paign the great central thought formed itself
in Chaplain Rutledge's mind that after the
mastering out the men who had fought and
suffered together would desire some means Of
preserving friendship and Of keeping alive the
memories of common trials and dangers
This idea he communicated to DIR. Stephen
son and together they discussed the tremend-
Gus possibilities OF such an organization in
which officers and men should stand on exactly
the same level and the word "comrade," with
all the associations which wen. with it, be tho
great chain which bound all together.
n
After the war the same object formed. the
subject matter for correspondence between
these two men up to March, 1866. when Chap
lain Rutledge met DR.. Stephenson in Spring
field. Ill, and went over proposed ritual for
the organization.
Previous to this date and as early as the win
ter Of 1886 DIR. Stephenson had shown notes
of a proposed ritual to several persons in
Springfield. Gradually the project emerged
from the nebulous state through the active
work of those whs had been interested. The
conferences at Springfield. which finally re-
suited in the final organization, were partici-
pated in, so far as known, by DIR. Stephenson,
Col. John VI. Snyder. DIR. James Hamilton,
Maj. Robert VI. Woods. Maj Robert Allen,
Chaplain William J. Rutledge. Col. Martin
Flood, Col. Daniel Grass. Col. Edward Prince,
Capt John S. Phelps, Capt John 4. Lightfoot,
Capt Is. +. Smith Brevet Maj. A. A. North
Capt Henry L. Howe and Lieut.. i. F. Hawkes..
Dr. Stephenson was especially aided in the
work of drawing up a ritual by Capt. John ).
Phelps. who had enlisted as a private in the
thlrty-second Illinois volunteers and had been
promoted for gallant conduct at Pittsburg
Landing
The ritual was finally prepared. and in order
to preserve due secrecy In its printing Capt.
Phelps carried the copy to Decatur, where it
was printed by the Decatur Tribune. the pro-
prIetors of which paper. |. W. Coltrin and Jo-
seph Prior. and all their employees had been in
the military service. During his stay in Deca-
tur Capt Phelps interested number OF ex-
soldiers in the plan. with the result that an
earnest determination was aroused among the
Decatur veterans to organize the first post I'M
der the new organization. DIR. J. W. Routh and
Capt. NJ +. kanan were energetic IN this work,
and in n short time signatures to applica-
ton for charter were obtained and DIR. Ste