Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06
MASSACHUSETTS.
Originated in an Assemblage at q
Comrades Funeral.

After the close of the war Of the rebel.
lion, and the volunteers had been dis.
charged from the army and navy Of the
United States, a feeling began to exist with
great majority Of them relative to the
formation of an organization for the pur-
pose of keeping alive that fraternal feeling
which they had formed during those days
of trial and danger.
Various organizations were formed by the
veterans of Massachusetts for this purpose,
but the first was formed In the city Of
Fitchburg, in May, 1865, and was known az
the Fftchburg Circle of Massachusetts Vet
Grams. This organization was the out
growth of conference held at the funeral
of a comrade who had died in that city IN
destitute circumstances. Other circles were
formed. and In December, 1865, a grand
lodge was organized. Under this the Fitch
burg Circle took a charter dated January
2, 1866. Taylor Union, No. 1, Army and
Navy Veterans" the name of Taylor being
chosen in honor of the first soldier killed in
the war of the rebellion of those who had
enlisted from Fitchburg.
Generals B. F. Butler, N. P. Banks and
Chas Devens, jr., Maj. A. S. Cushman,
Chaplain A. H Quint and other soldiers
from this state represented a political as
ISOLATION known as the Soldiers and Sail
ors Union" of Massachusetts in the con-
vention held in Pittsburg, Pa, September
"a. 1866 While in that city General Devens,
there initiated in the Grand Army of tho
Republic by Maj. o. M. Wilson of Indiana.
1t was then agreed General Devens should
act as provisional commander and each OF
the comrades named was provided with
constitutions and rituals and authorized to
organize posts.
While returning from Pittsburg to his
home in New Bedford Major Cushman met
Comrade David b. Coleman to whom he
communicated his earnest desire to secure
In New Bedford the organization of the
first Grand Army post in Massachusetts.
This was agreed upon, and Immediately
upon their arrival in New Bedford they
commenced to secure names to an applica-
ton for charter, and meeting was held
on September %, 1866, when 1t was de>
cided to form a post, and Maj. Austin 8,
Cushman was chosen post commander.
The application and charter fee were fora
warded through General Devens, and later
q charter was received for the post from.
Springfield, ILL.,, under the title VIM. Logan
Rodman Post, No. i, New Bedford, Dis
trict of Bristol. Department Of Massachu.
setts This charter was signed by General
Hurlburt, commander-in-chief, and B. F.
Stephenson, adjutant general, and was
dated October 4. 1865. the date of the ap-
plication.
This was the first post chartered in Mass
sachusetts. and also the first one in the
New England states, and the post has
maintained its organization from that time.
Soon after the formation Of Post No. 1.
Comrade David B. Coleman organized Post /
No. Of Nantucket. but this post did not long
maintain its organization and the number
Of the post was assigned to the post IN
South Boston, February 20, 1850.
Other posts were soon organized as foI.,
lows: Post No Of Taunton, January 10,
1861; Post No. Of Melrose. February 10.
1867; Post No. 8 Of Lynn, February "a,
1867; Post No. 9 Of Holliston. March 81
1867; Post No. Z Of Boston, March IL, 1857:
Post No. Of Middeboro'. March IS. 1857:
Post No. 10 of Worcester April 49, 1867. =,
After the organization Of Post No. 10 Of
Worcester q convention was called to meet;
in New Bedford for the purpose Of forming
department organisation. This meetings
proved a success, and the Department OF
Massachusetts,. Grand Army Of the Repubs
lie. was organized May z, 1857. and Maj.
chosen as its first department commander.
Since that time the department has grown
to a strength Of a. 261 men In 1902. but now,
diminished to 17,e4s men. enrolled In tw~lvS.
posts