The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-04-21
THE GLORIOUS G. A. Il.
Facts and Figures That Show the impo'-
lance of This Organization.

FaCth u Shh |
lance of This Organization.
As the ninth annual encampment OF
the department of the Montana Grand
Army of the Republic will be held In
Great Falls on the 10th and 18th OF May
the following information regarding the
organization will be Of interest to IRiB-
UNE readers:
During the rebellion the federal army
rolls contained the names OF 2,oVo,ooo
men, of whom more than 100000 were
under the age of 90 years. Before the
astars and bars we're finally lowered on
Appomattox 100000 we're buried in
southern graves and 100000 were NAMED
for life. The loss of life and limb in the
confederate army was approximately the
same.
Although twenty eight years have
elapsed since the last gun was fired
nearly 100000 Of the younger members
Of the federal army are yet alive. VI
these but few are under the age OF 80,
and all show the effects of the terrible
hardships endured by them during those
four long, bloody years.
The Grand Army Of the Republic
made up of theee men, was organized on
the 9Th day of April, 1866, at Decatur,
III. Surgeon B. F. Stephenson was the
first commander-in- chief of the organiza-
ton. .,
Up to 1877 the order had it's ups and
downs, and the membership h~uctuated.
Fror, 1871 to 1877 is was almost at a
standstill, comprising an average OF less
than $4,000 active members. In 1877 the
order began a steady and rapid growth
in numbers and prosperity. AT the
close of 1877 the active membership was
s7.l79, in 1873 it was 31,Ol6; in 1879, "A,
1852; in 1880, 6O,634; in 1881, 1886; in
1882, 134,7Ol; in 1883, 2l5.446; in 1854
273,I68; in 1855, 294, 7S8; in 1886, 323.57l;
in 1887, 355,9l6; in 1883, 372,960; in 1889
1917, 794; in 1890, 4O9,4S9; in 1891, 4O7.7 Sl
in 1892, 100000, and in 1893, ESTIMATED.
100000.
The losses by death alone amounts tc
10000 active members. The amCuntt
expended by comrades in charity for tht
relief of unfortunate comrades, soldiers
and sailors widows and orphans from
July 1911, 10 JuDeO ~, lOJl, dSSiCBotC'
$2;221, 7O4.25. For the last six months o
1891 the sum expended was nearl!
100000.
The original badge Of the G. A. r. wa
adopted in 1866, but has undergone
many changes, the last of which wa
made in 1886. The metal used In tn
manufacture of these badges is obtained
from captured cannon which were pur
chased direct from the government, an!
selected from guns stored at Governor
island, New York harbor.
The Grand Army is a strictly non
political organization. It's membership
is based entirely upon honorable mill
tary service in the Union armies durini
1868 1t has no apology for existing
and whatever secrecy there is about IT
organization is only such as surround
the most benign and powerful civil o.
ders of the day as d necessity for its pre-
.sction ard strength and to better 1t
cure it's charitable objects.
The "Blue and Gray" who, during tn
war faced each other on hundreds {
bloody fields. have long since shake
hands, and recognizing that all are allk
Americans, living on American soil, III
der one flag, are proud OF each othel
prowess, and are earnestly desirous {
promoting peace, harmony and goodwl
throughout all parts OF our commo
country, and to this the u. A. X,
pledged,