The Grand Army of the Republic

This GAR pin belonged to Frank Stewart (Co. C, 24th Michigan) who was a member of the John A. Logan Post #1.

In 1869, former members of the 24th Michigan formed a Regimental Association and held annual reunions. It appears that they held annual reunions on the anniversary of their first battle, Fredericksburg. I am still researching this topic. I hope to be able to create a separate page for the 24th's original Regimental Association soon.

In addition to the 24th Regimental Association, many of the soldiers of the eventually joined a national organization. At first there were several; the Soldier and Sailor Association was very popular in Michigan. The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), though is perhaps the best known. The organizations were politically based. The G.A.R. appealed to republicans, while the members of the Soldier and Sailor Association were democrats. As time passed, however the differences began to disappear and eventually the other groups died out leaving only the G. A. R.

Although founded shortly after the Civil War, the GAR nearly died out in the 1870's. There was a strong resurgence in the 1880's and by 1890, the GAR reached a peak membership of nearly 500,000. From that point, there was a gradual but steady decline in membership as the veterans aged and passed on. The last national encampment was held as recently as 1949!

For many veterans, the GAR was an important part of their life, particularly in their declining years. In the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries, the GAR was a very influential and political force. Any attempt to understand the lives of the veterans and the effect of the Civil War should consider the impact of the veterans organizations and particularly the GAR.

In many of the smaller communities the GAR, and the GAR hall was, for a time, a major social focal point, much as the American Legion and the VFW have been in the more recent past. It can be difficult to imagine just how important the GAR was.

The 24th Michigan was very unusual in that at least 4 posts were named for soldiers from its ranks. If you have any information about these posts, or know of another post named in honor of a 24th Michigan soldier please contact me.

A. W. Brindle Post #270 & #413, Wyandotte
John & Alfred Ryder Post # 404, Livonia
Eddy Post #231, Plymouth
Reuben Cory, Post #261, Wayne

The dedicatory speech for the Cory Post has been preserved and illustrates the emotional importance that the veterans attached to the GAR and the memories of their service.

One of the long-term, low priority goals for this site is to compile membership information for all of the 24th's veterans. The State Archives of Michigan contains much of the necessary information, but it will take quite an effort to extract it from the records. In the meantime, however, I will list whatever information I have.

24th Michigan G. A. R Membership

John A. Logan Post #1, Michigan Soldiers and Sailors Home, Grand Rapids 13 December 2000
Fairbanks Post # 17, Detroit 29 November 2000
Saginaw Post #38, Saginaw 29 November 2000
Eddy Post #231, Plymouth 13 December 2000
Detroit Post #384, Detroit 29 November 2000

Many other sites have excellent information on the GAR, its encampments and memorabilia. For more detailed information about the GAR, I refer you to the sites listed below.

Some information for this page is courtesy of Roger L. Heiple.