Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-05-19
The Grand Army Badge.

Army of the Republic was organized
in the year 1856. DR.. 3. F. Stephen
SCH and the Rev. w. ]. Rutledge
were the moving spirits in the mat
ter. Both had been members of TIE
14th Illinois infantry, Stephenson sur
geon, and Rutledge chaplain. The
two soldiers We're terminates and
bosom friends. While their regiment
was on the march they rode side by
side, and whiled away the long hours
in conversation upon subjects of in
terest to both. When they were on
Sherman's Meridian expedition in
February, 1864, they got to talking
about the probability of some sort of
organization of war veterans after the
close of the war, and they agreed that
II their lives were spared, they would
undertake to bring about some such
organization.
The two men came home well and
happy after the union was saved and
soon began to correspond concerning
this matter about which they had
talked so Iauch on the march. Omit
ting many details, it may be said in
brief that these two, with few other
veterans, prepared on appropriate
ritual and took the obligation that
made them the first members OF the
Grand Army of the republic. The
first G. A R. post was organized at
Decatur, Illinois. on the 9Th Of April,
1866. 1t was on the 18th day OF June,
&c, when the department of Wiscon-
sin was organized, here In Madison,
with General James X. Proudft as de
partment commander. His home is
now in Kansas City. Kansas, and he is
the oldest living department com
mander.
Two days after the organization of
the department. June g., 1866, orr To-
cal G. A. r. post was organized, and
its present charter is dated June 10,
1866.
The Badge.
Every society must have its official
badge, and our was adopted in 1866
but since then some changes have
been made in it's FORM On the first
of October, 1868, the national council
of administration decreed that an
eagle should be added TO the top of
the badge, and that a circular piece
of metal should be suspended from 1t,
on which should be placed the in
sigma of rank, much the same as we
now have it on the miniature rank
strap used in connection with the
badge.
Contracts were ma lie for the manu-.
facture of these badges. plated with
silver or gold or solid. at prices rang
ing from forty cents to S25 each; but
the manufacturer having failed and
there being serious objections to such
variety of materials and prices. led
Adjutant General Chapman to recon-
mend the reference of the matter to
committee who should consult ex.
perts and design another badge This
action resulted in the adoption. at the
national encampment of October -.
1863, of the badge which was. by Cir.
cular No. ?, February Is, 1870. des-
cri6ed as follows:
The badge is of bronze. made from
cannon captured in different decisive
battles during the late rebellion. and
design to the two hundred medals of
honor authorized by act of congress to
be given to soldiers and sailors most
distinguished for meritorious and gal
liant conduct during the late war
The Diverse.
In the center of the badge is the
figure of the Goddess of Liberty. rep
| resenting Loyalty: and two children
! receiving benediction and assurance
of protection from III comrades, rep
resenting Charity. On each side OF
the group is the national flag and
eagle, representing Freedom. and the
! axe, or bundle of rods, or fascus, rep,
/ resenting union. In each point OF the
star is the insignia of the various arms
of the service. viz, the bugle for in
| fantry. cross cannon for artillery,
/ cross muskets for the marine. cross
/ swords for cavalry and the anehoi Tor
/ sailors Over the central group are
/ the words. Grand Army of the Re
/ public" and under The words md
/ figures. -Veteran-1S6G. com.
memoratine the commencement AND
! the close OF the rebellion. and also the
date of organization Of the order.
The Reverse Side.
Represen 5 a branch OF laurel--the
crowa and rev ard OF the brave-in
each point of the star. The national
cal in the center, surrounded by the
/ twenty-four recognized corps badges
numerically arranged, each Oh Sey-
stone and all linked together. showing
( hey are united. and win guard and
protect the shield OF the nation.
I Around the center is a circle OF sGars,
( representing the states OF the union
ana the departments composing the
grad army Of the republic.
The ciasr.
i Is composed OF the figure 81 an
eagle. with the cross cannon and am
munjtion representing defence; the
7 eagle with drawn sword lowering over
and always ready to protect from in
suit or dishonor. the national rag.
which Is also the ribbon Of the or-
I der.
The eagle On the grand army badge