Establishment of Local G.A.R. Posts
The "Grand Army of the Republic" (GAR) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union forces in the Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, and growing to include hundreds of posts across the nation, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member, Albert Woolson (1850–1956) of Duluth, Minnesota, died.
"In early 1866 the United States of America was waking to the reality of recovery from war, and this had been a much different war. In previous conflicts the care of the veteran warrior was the province of the family or the community. Soldiers then were friends, relatives and neighbors who went off to fight–until the next planting or harvest. It was a community adventure and their fighting unit had a community flavor.
By the end of the Civil War, units had become less homogeneous, men from different communities and even different states were forced together by the exigencies of battle where new friendships and lasting trust was forged. With the advances in the care and movement of the wounded, many who would have surely died in earlier wars returned home to be cared for by a community structure weary from a protracted war and now also faced with the needs of widows and orphans." -History of the Grand Army of the Republic
Men who had lived together, fought together, foraged together and survived, had developed an unique bond that could not be broken. As time went by the memories of the filthy and vile environment of camp life began to be remembered less harshly and eventually fondly. The horror and gore of battle lifted with the smoke and smell of burnt black powder and was replaced with the personal rain of tears for the departed comrades. With that as background, groups of men began joining together — first for camaraderie and then for political power. Emerging most powerful among the various organizations would be the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), which by 1890 would number 409,489 veterans of the “War of the Rebellion.” - History of the Grand Army of the Republic
In the early years of the G.A.R., Northampton was home to Post #44, but in the decades following, the GAR’s membership and influence shrank. The influence and membership of the organization rebounded locally and nationally in the 1880s, when a new post, Post 86 in Northampton was established. In 1885 the new post had members assigned as officers, a grand parade was held through town, and the soldiers and attendees gathered on Mr. Turner’s lot, where the library is today to hear a speech about the objectives and purpose of the GAR. At that point the post numbered 152 soldiers, with four members having died and three in the care of the National Soldiers home in Maine. Aid was to be given to any soldier regardless of membership. Cost of membership was $2 a year. They sought to raise money to care for soldiers in need as even of those few who received pensions, over half received less than $6 a month. To this end they organized fairs, concerts, plays, speeches and yearly memorial day celebrations in the area and raised money from local business and civic leaders to support the work of the local chapter. The Grand Army of the Republic rose to attain great political influence in the country and in Northampton. Three of the first four mayors of Northampton, and five Northampton Mayors overall have portraits our collection of cabinet card portraits of Northampton’s Post #86.
GRAND ARMY ELECTIONS
“The Grand Army of the Republic held their annual Election Friday Night. W. R. Bardwell of Florence was chosen commander…Commander Wm. C. Pomeroy, who has held the place since the post was reorganized, three years ago, gave a history of its doings. It started with 24 charter members., and now has 200, with uniforms, a beautiful lodge room, an elegant piano, a handsomely carpeted and furnished room for the ladies’ relief corps connected therewith, and a flourishing and uniformed order of the sons of veterans. It has a large fund for charity, and is a vigorous and successful organization.
This is the second organization of the kind in this city. One has lived, struggled, got into politics, and died. It was founded in 1868, was commanded by gen. Luke Lyman, now of Montreal, and later by Col. J.B. Parsons of this city. It was made too expensive, it dabbled in politics, the members did not attend, it was transferred to Florence, and finally was abandoned. Since it was revived three years ago, and commanded by Mr. Pomeroy it has flourished in every way. “
- from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, December 8, 1885.
"Then and Now! Or a Plea in Favor of the G.A.R. Fair" from the Broadsides Collection
One of the fundraising tools the Grand Army of the Republic used to procure funds for local chapters was the creation of local charity events including fairs, plays and concerts. Fairs could include indoor events where donated goods were sold to raise funds to assist wounded or destitute soldiers and their families. In this document the author is responding to received or perceived criticism of the local chapters decision to sell tickets to the event.
Recollections of Old Soldiers stirred up at the Installation of Officers
“The Grand Army is growing in favor with the old soldiers, and the 180th post in the state has just been started. The object of the posts is to help the poor soldiers, their widows and orphans. ..The Post now numbers 152, and four have been lost to death. Two soldiers from Northampton are in the soldiers home at Boston, which is sustained by and operated for Massachusetts men only. It has 112 occupants. Three are in the National soldiers home in Togus, Maine, from Northampton. It is calculated that there are more than 100 soldiers in town who do not belong to the post, but aid is given to any soldier whether he belongs or not. Most of those aided do not belong to the post. The cost of the post membership is only $2 annually, and $3 on first joining. Yet a great many feel too poor for even this small expense. The government pensions only those who can produce evidence of injuries or disabilities received in service and many who suffered and yet staid in the field have no hospital record to fall back on. It is said that there are numerous persons here deserving of aid, who under the pension laws cannot get it.”
- from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, January 6, 1885.
Solicitation received by Local G.A.R. chapter for Memorial Decoration. The creation of the Grand Army of the Republic organization led to a whole new market in badges, uniforms and other decorative items to be worn or used for Decoration day and Memorial day celebrations.
"The canvassing committee of the fair are meeting with good success. The following are some of the many donations received: A.L. Williston, $20; A. McCallum, two nice cloaks; A.E. Steele, $20.75 worth of pocket books and handbags; Belding Bros & Co,. $48 worth of silk goods, N.G. Hayes, an $8 valise; C.N. Gabb, a $5 pipe; T. Slattery, box of cigars; A.H. Stocker, a $10 seal skin cap; Florence Machine Co. sewing machine and oil stove; Ames Mfg. Co. of Chicopee, nice sword and belt with trimmings; G. Phelps, a $10 wheelbarrow. The post will welcome gifts of money or anything that can be turned into cash. The fair will be held at the city hall Jan. 19-26 and some entertainment will be given each evening. The proceeds of the affair will be donated to the relief of needy soldiers, and of their widows and orphans. People who have the idea that all soldiers receive pensions, need to be informed that they are awarded only to those in some way disabled, while fully half the pensioners do not receive over $6 a month. The relief fund of the post is expended in this city and vicinity, and so far all but $10 has been expended on families not represented in the post."
- from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Jan 6, 1885.
Image from a document from the planning of the 1870 G.A.R. charity ball. This letter details the order of dances and music for the Second Grand Annual Ball of G.A.R. Post 44. Includes a note from E. A. Ramsay, addressed to 'Friend Baldwin' requesting the latter to add his part of the program to the list.
On May 5, 1868, the organization of Union army veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette reported on the first observation of Decoration Day in Northampton in the June 2, 1868 edition:
"Decorating the Soldier's Graves -- The eceremony of decorating the graves of soldiers in our cemetery, last saturday, was appropriately observed. The weather was bad, rain fallign during the forenoon and at the hour of assembling; but not withstanding, a large number of people were out to participate in the exercises. the entire fire department in the center of town were out in uniform to do escort duty. There were two drum corps, one for the fire companies, and one for the Grand Army of soldiers, which, with the soldiers who do not belong to that association, numbered about a hundred. The procession started from the Town Hall at a quarter past two, having waited fifteen minutes for the Haydenville Band, which had been engaged to be here. The procession was well up into Bridge street before the band arrived. It appeared they were deceived as to the time, on account of the difference in the time at Haydenville, which is Canal railroad or New York time, and at Northampton, which is Conn. R.R. or Boston time, there being ten minutes difference. The Band having taken their position, the procession moved into the cemetery, where each soldier's grave was visited and a large wreath and other flowers were deposited on each resting place. The name of the soldier, with the name of his regiment and the time of his death, was announced by Col. Lyman before the flowers were deposited. After the graves were visited, the procession assembled around the rising ground in the center of the cemetery, where the literary exercises were held. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Leavitt, and a company of male singers sung the following stanzas, written for the occasion by Miss Sarah Thayer:--
Brought home from the battle, and saved from the billows,
To green fields of peace where no war tempest raves,
Our heroes lie still, while the dew-dropping willows,
Like fond weeping mourners, lean over their graves.
The lightning may flash, and the loud thunders rattle,
They heed not, they ehar not, they're free from all pain,
They sleep their last sleep, they have fought their last battle,
No sound can awake them to glory again."
Illustrations from a solicitation hoping to sell its wares to the local chapter of the G.A.R., in this case a uniform supplier. The sight of the men of the G.A.R. marching in Memorial Day celebrations in uniform and with badges would become a regular feature of local paardes and observances. In many instances, these uniforms were purchased by the men themselves and worn with pride at such events.
G.A.R. report of the Committee on Dedication November 6, 1868.
Report outlining a proposed promenade and ball to dedicate the G.A.R.'s new meeting hall. The report includes information and proposals concerning music, venue, and other considerations for the event. In the early days of the G.A.R. the meetings were held in various halls on Main Street. Memorial Hall was built in 1872 and, along with rooms in the Masonic Building, it was used for meetings and ceremonies in the later years of the G.A.R.