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. Veterans needed jobs, including a whole new group of
veterans--the colored soldier and his entire, newly freed, family. It was often
more than the fragile fabric of communities could bear.
State and federal
leaders from President Lincoln down had promised to care for "those who have
borne the burden, his widows and orphans," but they had little knowledge of how
to accomplish the task. There was also little political pressure to see that the
promises were kept.
But probably the most profound emotion was emptiness.
Men, who had lived together, fought together, foraged together and survived, had
developed a 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. Friendships forged in battle survived the
separation and the warriors missed the warmth of trusting companionship that had
asked only total and absolute commitment.
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 almost 500,000 veterans
of the "War of the Rebellion."
Founded in Decatur, Illinois on April 6,
1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson, membership was limited to honorably discharged
veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who
had served between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865. The community level
organization was called a "Post" and each was numbered consecutively within each
Department, usually representing a state or region. Most Posts also had a name
and the rules for naming Posts included the requirement that the honored person
be deceased and that no two Posts within the same Department could have the same
name. The Departments generally consisted of the Posts within a state and, at
the national level; the organization was operated by the elected
"Commander-in-Chief."
Post Commanders were elected as were the Junior and
Senior Vice Commanders and the members of Council. Each member was voted into
membership using the Masonic system of casting black or white balls (except that
more than one black ball was required to reject a candidate for membership).
When a candidate was rejected, that rejection was reported to the Department
which listed the rejection in general orders and those rejections were
maintained in a "Black Book" at each Post meeting place. The meeting rituals and
induction of members were similar to the Masonic rituals and have been handed
down to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
The official body of
the Department was the annual Encampment, which was presided over by the elected
Department Commander, Senior and Junior Vice Commanders and the Council.
Encampments were elaborate multi-day events which often included camping out,
formal dinners and memorial events. In later years the Department Encampments
were often held in conjunction with the Encampments of the Allied Orders,
including Camps of the Sons of Veterans Reserve, which at the time were
quasi-military in nature, often listed as a unit of the state militia or
National Guard.
National Encampments of the Grand Army of the Republic
were presided over by a Commander-in-Chief who was elected in political events
which rivaled national political party conventions. The Senior and Junior Vice
Commander-in-Chief as well as the National Council of Administration were also
elected.
The GAR founded soldiers' homes, was active in relief work and
in pension legislation. Five members were elected President of the United States
and, for a time, it was impossible to be nominated on the Republican ticket
without the endorsement of the GAR voting bloc.
In 1868,
Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan issued General Order No. 11 calling for all
Departments and Posts to set aside the 30th of May as a day for remembering the
sacrifices of fallen comrades, thereby beginning the celebration of Memorial
Day.
With membership limited strictly to "veterans of the late
unpleasantness," the GAR encouraged the formation of Allied Orders to aid them
in its various works. Numerous male organizations jousted for the backing of the
GAR and the political battles became quite severe until the GAR finally endorsed
the Sons of Veterans of the United States of America (later to become the Sons
of Union Veterans of the Civil War) as its heir. A similar, but less protracted,
battle took place between the Women’s' Relief Corps (WRC) and the Ladies of the
Grand Army of the Republic (LGAR) for the title "official auxiliary to the GAR."
That battle was won by the WRC, which is the only Allied Order open to women who
do not have a hereditary ancestor who would have been eligible for the GAR. But
in this case the LGAR retained its strength and was made one of the Allied
Orders.
Coming along a bit later, the Daughters of Union Veterans of the
Civil War, similar to the SUVCW but for women, also earned the designation as an
Allied Order of the GAR. Rounding out the list of Allied Orders is the Auxiliary
to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, which is open to women with
hereditary ties to a veteran or who is the spouse, sister or daughter of a
member of the SUVCW.
The final Encampment of the Grand Army of the
Republic was held in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1949 and the last member, Albert
Woolson died in 1956 at the age of 109 years.
The Organization of GAR Posts in Indiana
Upon organization, each local GAR post elected and
installed the following officers: Post Commander (P.C.), Senior Vice-Commander
(S.V.C.), Junior Vice-Commander (J.V.C.), Officer of the Day (O.D.), Officer of
the Guard (O.G.), Chaplain, Surgeon, Quartermaster (Q.M.), and Adjutant. Each
member of the post was voted into membership using the Masonic system of casting
black or white balls (except that more than one black ball was required to
reject a candidate for membership). When a candidate was rejected, that
rejection was reported to the Department which listed the rejection in general
orders and those rejections were maintained in a "Black Book" at each post
meeting place The Grand Army of the Republic rules and regulations
stated that each post was to keep the following records: Post By-Laws,
Descriptive Books, Journal of Proceedings, Order Book (recording orders and
circulars issued by the post commander), Letter Book, Endorsement and Memorandum
Book, and a Black Book recording rejected and dishonorably discharged members.
Upon its dissolution, each post was to turn over its
property, including books of record and post papers, to the Assistant
Quartermaster General of the Department of Indiana. Such records were then
subject to the disposition of the Department Encampment. No specific records
have survived of the actual transfer of the records to the Indiana State
Archives. However, the catalog cards produced shortly after the records were
transferred list the Adjutant General's Office as the parent agency from which
the records were transferred. Some of these Indiana GAR post records survive
today in the Indiana State Archives, but it is assumed that the majority of
these post records have been lost. Indiana GAR posts were numbered from 1 to 593, but
evidence indicates that when some GAR posts went out of existence, their numbers
were used again when a new post was formed. As a result, some GAR post numbers
were used for more than one post. The total number of GAR post that existed in
Indiana were 636. We the undersigned, Ex Soldiers and Sailors, who were honerably
discharged from the service of the United States of America and who served under
the Union flag during the rebellion, would most respectfully, ask that a Charter
be granted for the installment of a Post at San Jacinto, Jennings County,Indiana
Madison April 29, 1883
Yours Fraternally,
APPLICATION FOR CHARTER
D. C. Mitchell Post #166, San Jacinto (P.O. Dupont), Jennings
County, Indiana Charter granted April 23, 1883
Officers Elected and Installed
Christopher Hoffman P.C.
Ed. P. Mitchell S.V.C.
John E.Reed J.V.C.
Noah Wilson O.D.
James Rochat O.G.
Nelson Johnson Chaplain
(line drawn through name)
James Johnson Surgeon
George Wasson Q.M.
L. A. Hand Adj't
Christopher Hoffman Co. I? 35 Ind. Inftry.
George W.Reed Co. B 22 Ind. Inftry.
James Rochat Co. A 8th Ind. Cavalry
John E. Reed Co. A 8th Ind. Cavalry
Noah Wilson Co. B 79th Ind. Inftry.
Mathew H. Patton Co. G 40th Ind. Inftry.
E. P. Mitchell Co. C 8th Ind. Cavalry
George Wasson Co. E 11th Ohio Inftry.
Thomas E. Hall Co. ? 62nd Ind. Vol. Inftry.
L. A. Hand Co. ? 145th Ind. Vol. Inftry.
James E. Lawrence Co. G 3rd Ohio Vol. Inftry.
James Johnson Co. __ 13th Ind. Battery
Alexander Rochat Co. H 6th Ind. Vol. Inftry.
August Dannecker Co. B 4th Ohio Vol. Cavalry
Samuel A. Tatem Co. C 37th Ind. Vol. Inftry.
Nelson Johnson Co. K 83rd Ind. Vol.Inftry
Ben D. Hause Esq.
A.A.G. G.A.R
Commoder?
On
April 2 I mustered the above named comrades at Residence of C. Hoffman near San
Jacinto, with exception of No. 16. Nelson Johnson who was not able to be
present. Also installed Officers as appears by Endorsed list.
The place of meeting for the present, will be at place of muster.
Stated meetings and some Post details, not yet completed but to be finished
by then adjoined meeting Tuesday next. The Post Office address of this Post will
be Dupont, Jeff. Co. Ind. The membership appear to be an Ernest,
intelligent straight forward class of men.
I am confident will soon obtain for them a membership of not less than Thirty,
and that they will be able to keep at that figure. I was most favorably impressed with
the character of these comrades, as mustered and am satisfied will immediately apply
to the Post for membership. I think there can be a good Post worked up at Dupont,
and started some ground work upon that effort last night. Your last Postal was directed me
at Indianapolis but my son forwarded it to me.
Every Post will be attended to so soon as they notify me of a day.
Paul Hendricks
J.V.C. Dept. Ind.
Address
D. C. Mitchell Post
166
P. O. Box 18
Dupont
Jeff. Co. Indiana
APPLICATION FOR CHARTER
Baldwin Post
#340 Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana Charter Granted
April 29, 1884
Officers Elected and
Installed
A. G. Cotton P.C.
Wm. Cunliffe S.V.C.
F. M. James J.V.C.
Tho A. Pearce O.D.
Wm. Boggs O.G.
W. S. Almond Chaplain
J. W. Wagner Surgeon
Samuel L. Bolser Q.M.
Chas. E. Hall Adj't
We the undersigned, Ex Soldiers and Sailors, who were honerably
discharged from the service of the United States of America and who served under
the Union flag during the rebellion, would most respectfully, ask that a Charter
be granted for the installment of a Post at Vernon, Jennings County,
Indiana
A. G. Cotton
Co. H 6th Reg. Ind. Vol.
Samuel McIlroy
Co. K 12th Ind. Co. A 126 Pa & Co. D 132 Ind.
A. J.
Bill
Co. G 2nd Regt Ky Vol Inf
Thomas A.
Pearse 1st Regt of
Co. C 22 Ind Vol
Simmeon
Hartwell Co.
A 22 Ind VVI
S. L.
Bolser Co.
H 26 Ind Vol Inf
H. J.
Wagner
Co. A 12 Reg Ind Vol
Gasper
Henninger Co.
C 13 Ind Vol
R. W. Weatherington
Co. A 12 Reg Ind Inf
Irby S.
Wagner
Co. A 12 Ind Inf Vol
Jasper N.
Jordon
Co. H 26 Ind Inf Vol
Henry D.
May
Co. A 12 Ind Inf Vol
Timothy
Cronon
U.S.S Memphis, U.S.N.
Thomas C.
Batchelor Co. I 79 Ind. Vol.
Infty
Zachariah
Hartwell Co. __ 120
Ind Infty Vol
G. P.
Skinner Co.
C 13 Cav Vols
Geo. W.
Wells
Co. A 4 Ky Infty Vols
James H.
Meek
Co. C 37 Ind
John H.
Cox
Co. B 137 Ind. Vol.
Chas. E.
Hall
Co. G 145th Ind Vols
M.
Short
Co. E 52 Ind Vol
James L.
Grinstead Co. F 52
Ind Vol
Michael
Fetter
Co. K 12 Ind
F. M.
James
Co. H 27 Ind Co.___ 145 Ind
William
Boggs Co.
K 50 Ind Vol
William T.
Wilson
Co. F 37 Ind Vol
P. H.
Walker
Co. B 137 Ind Vol
Alonzo P.
Jones
Co. F 8 Ind Cav
William
Cunliffe
Co. H 27 Ind Vol
Willis
Thickston
Co. E 82 Ind Vol
W. S.
Almond
Co. G 137 Ind Vol
John
Muster Co.
H 27 Ind
Henry
T. Arnold
Co. B 76 Ind Vol
R. A.
Harper
Co. A 8th Pennsylvania
William
Vincent
Co. A 7th Ind
Harvey
Hartwell
Co. A 22 Ind
Nebraska, Ind. Sept. at, 1884
General J. R. ?
Dear Sir &
Comrade
We
want to organize a post at Nebraska Jennings County Ind please send
me the necessary papers for the
organization.
Hoping
to hear from you
soon.
I am
Respectfully
James
Tool
Nebraska
Ind
_________________________________________
APPLICATION FOR CHARTER
Paul
Grinstead Post No. 542 Nebraska, County
of Jennings, Indiana Dec. 29, 1888
Samuel Chaille of
Huckelberry Post #391, Butlerville, Ind. submitted this Application for
Charter
Officers Elected and Installed
M. C.
Gilbert
P.C.
Thomas F. Jackson
S.V.C.
Thomas
Starkey
J.V.C.
Johnson Shepherd
O.D.
John S. Davidson
O.G.
Nehimiah
Davis
Chaplain
______________
Surgeon
William A. Dougherty Q.M.
William
Colins
Adj't
We the undersigned, Ex Soldiers and Sailors, who were honerably
discharged from the service of the United States of America and who served under
the Union flag during the rebellion, would most respectfully, ask that a Charter
be granted for the installment of a Post at Nebraska, Jennings County,
Indiana
Nehimiah Davis age
65 Birthplace- Indiana Residence-Nebraska,
Ind. Occupation-Laborer Entry into service 1861,
Rank P, Co. _____ Reg't 2nd Ind. Bat. Final Discharge-
1865 Rank P Co. ____ Reg't 2nd Bat.
Length of Service 3 yrs.
M. C. Gilbert age
60 Birthplace-Ohio Residence-Jennings Co.
Ind. Occupation-Farmer Entry into service 1862,
Rank P, Co. I, Reg't 93 Ind.
Final Discharge- 1865, Rank
Sergt, Co. I, Reg't 93 Ind Length of Service 2 y 11 m
Wm
R. Dougherty age 42 Birthplace-Indiana
Residence-Nebraska, Ind. Occupation-Farmer Entry into service
1864, Rank P, Co. I, Reg't 136 Ind. Final Discharge- 1865, Rank P, Co. E, Reg't
156 Ind Length of Service 8 months
Thm's Starkey age
64 Birthplace-Virginia Residence-Nebraska Ind.
Occupation-Laborer Entry into service 1861, Rank P, Co. A.
Reg't 37th Ind. Final Discharge- 1865, Rank Segt. Co.
A. Reg't 37 Ind Length of Service 3 yrs 8
months
John S. Davidson age 52
Birthplace-Pennsylvania Residence-Nebraska Ind.
Occupation-Farmer Entry into service 1862, Rank P, Co. I,
Reg't 93 Ind. Final Discharge- 1865, Rank Segt. Co. I,
Reg't 93 Ind. Length of Service 3 yrs 3 months
Wm.
Collins age 43 Birthplace-Indiana
Residence-Nebraska Ind. Occupation-Farmer Entry into service
1862, Rank P, Co. I, Co. Reg't 93 Ind. Final Discharge-
1865, Rank P, Co. I, Reg't 93 Ind. Length of Service 3
yrs 3
J. H. Grinstead age 51
Birthplace-Indiana Residence-Nebraska Ind.
Occupation-Merchant Entry into service 1862, Rank Corp. Co.
I, Reg't 93 Ind.
Final Discharge- 1865, Rank Corp. Co. I,
Reg't 93 Ind. Length of Service 3 yrs 3
Edward Runyon
age 43 Birthplace-Ohio Residence-Nebraska
Ind. Occupation-Carpenter Entry into service 1865, Rank
P, Co. I, Reg't 134 Ind.
Final Discharge- 1865, Rank P, Co. K, Reg't
148 Ind. Length of Service 11 mths
Thos F.
Jackson age 54
Birthplace-Indiana Residence-Nebraska Ind.
Occupation-Farmer Entry into service 1865, Rank P, Co. K, Reg't 82
Ind. Final Discharge- 1865, Rank P, Co. K, Reg't 82 Ind.
Length of Service 2 yrs 10 m
Amara Edwards age 48
Birthplace-Indiana Residence-Nebraska Ind.
Occupation-Farmer Entry into service 1865, Rank P, Co I, Reg't 93
Ind.
Final Discharge- 1865, Rank Corp, Co. I, Reg't 93 Ind.
Length of Service 3 yrs 3 m
Johnson Shepherd age
42 Birthplace-Indiana Residence-Nebraska Ind.
Occupation-Farmer Entry into service 1864, Rank P, Co. K, Reg't
120th Ind. Final Discharge- 1866, Rank P, Co. K, 120th Ind.
Length of Service 1 yr 11
mo
__________________________________________________
Letter below
mailed on letterhead from M'Keehan Post, No. 36, G.A.R
North Vernon,
Indiana
Listed on the letterhead are
Past Commanders
P.C.
McGannon,..... D. B. Reeder
Commander,...... J. C. Cope
S.V.
Commander,...... E. Langneck
J.V. Commander,......D. L.
Glenn
Adjt.........J. D. Hudson
Q.M........H. Knoll
Surgeon........Ed.
Gallagher
Chaplain......M. Robinson
O.D.......B. F.
Hargrove
O.G......J. H. Powlesson
Serg. Maj......Lucien Gray
Q.M.
Serg......John Zurrin
Oct. 14, 1884
Co. Ben A.
House A.A.G.
My Dear Sir
The
old soldiers at Butlerville desire to organize a Post at once. Please send
the necessary preliminary
blanks and information to the address below &
obligi?.
Fraternally
J. C. Cope
W. H.
Hutton
Buttlerville,
Jennings Co.
Indiana
APPLICATION FOR CHARTER
Huckleberry Post No. 391, Butlerville, Jennings County,
Indiana Charter Granted Oct. 29, 1884, Organized Nov.
22nd, 1884 by Jno. C. Hibbits. Charter surrendered June 1,
1918
Officers Elected and Installed
Wm. H.
Hutton
P.C.
Wm. A.
Vawter
S.V.C.
Jacob
S. Kuntz
J.V.C.
Walter W.
Denton
O.D.
Gideon M.
Trickey
O.G.
Saml. M.
Chaille Chaplain
Wm.
G.
Courtney
Surgeon
Wm. L.
Taylor
Q.M.
Wm. P.
McCanlon
Adj't
We the undersigned, Ex Soldiers and Sailors, who were honerably
discharged from the service of the United States of America and who served under
the Union flag during the rebellion, would most respectfully, ask that a Charter
be granted for the installment of a Post at Butlerville, Jennings County,
Indiana.
Michael Brindhammer Co. I, 93
Regt. Ind. Inf.
Job
Runyon
Co. I, 60 Regt. Ohio, Inf.
Wm. H.
Hutton
Co. I, 6 Regt. Ind. Inf.
D. L.
Hough
Co. I, 37 Regt. Ind. Inf.
Walter W.
Denton Co. K,
54 Regt. Ind. Inf.
Wm. A.
Vawter Co.
E, 82 Regt. Ind. Inf.
Wm. G.
Courtnay Co. K, 6
Regt. Ind. Inf.
Gideon M. Trickey
Co. G, 6 Regt. Ind. Inf.
Wm. S.
Taylor Co.
I, 27 Missouri, Inf.
Saml. M.
Chaille Co. K,
82 Regt. Ind. Inf.
Jacob L.
Galimore Co. G, 146 Regt.
Ind. Inf.
Wm P. McCanlon Co.
A, 120 Regt. Ind. Inf.
Wm.
McNew Co.
H, 146 Regt. Ind. Inf.
Joseph
Alexander Co H, 26
Regt. Ind. Inf.
George
Edwards Co. I,
93 Regt. Ind. Inf.
Joseph
Waldron Gunboat, A.
C. Tyler
John W.
Forsyth Co. I
or J, 93 Ind. Inf.
Jacob S.
Kuntz
Co. B, 12 Ohio, Cav.
William W.
Miles Co G, 146
Regt. Ind. Inf.
Jessie B.
Groves Co.
I, 6 Regt. Inf. Inf.
There is a name listed here with a line drawn
through it (Zacharias Price in the war of 1812) a note at the bottom of the
roster states *Service in the War of 1812 does not make him eligable to
membership in the Grand Army.
John C. McCammon
Co. A, 12 Ind. Inf.
B. H.
Ebbuns? Co.
A, 22 Ind. Inf.
James M.
Hand Co.
M, 7 Ind.
Cav.
_________________________________________________
APPLICATION FOR CHARTER
Kendrick
Post #441, Scipio, Jennings County, Indiana, Charter Organized Feb.
13th, 1886 by F. W. Verbarg M. D.
Officers Elected and
Installed
Isiah L. Green P.C.
David
Petree S.V.C.
Alexander H. Milk
J.V.C.
Patrick Ferry O.D.
William Brown
O.G.
James W. Mills Chaplain
James F.
Shepherd Surgeon
John F.
McConnell Q.M.
Eliab M. Thompson
Adj't
We the undersigned, Ex Soldiers and Sailors, who were honerably
discharged from the service of the United States of America and who served under
the Union flag during the rebellion, would most respectfully, ask that a Charter
be granted for the installment of a Post at Scipio, Jennings County,
Indiana.
William
Brown 93rd Regt. Co. C, Ind. Vol.
Inf.
Daniel Petree 93rd Regt.
Co. C, Ind. Vol. Inf.
Valentine Hartman 93rd
Regt. Co. E, Ind. Vol. Inf.
Isiah L.
Green 37th Regt. Co. C, Ind. Vol.
Inf.
Randolph Foist 13th Regt. Co. H, Ind.
Vol. Inf.
David Bannister 52nd Regt. Co. G, Ind. Vol.
Inf.
William Wallace 6th Regt. Co. D, Ind. Vol.
Inf.
Charles Kean 12th Regt. Co.
G, Ky. Vol. Inf.
Patrick
Ferry 78th Regt. Co. B,
Pa. Vol. Inf.
John Hughes
152nd Regt. Co. H, Ill. Vol. Inf.
William Howard
145th Regt. Co. H, Ind. Vol. Inf.
Eliab M.
Thompson 12th Regt. Band
John F.
McConnell 82nd Regt. Co. E, Ind. Vol.
Inf.
William Schuyler 48th Regt. Co. B, Ohio
Vol. Inf.
Alexander H. Mills 13th Regt. Co. D,
West Virginia, Inf.
Andrew H. Carr 58th
Regt. Co. G, Ind. Vol. Inf.
Alfred Bolton 12th
Regt. Co. D, Ind. Vol. Inf.
James W. Mills 9th
Regt. Co A, West Virginia, Inf.
David Yoder
12th Regt. Co A, Ind. Vol. Inf.
Robert Mowery
140th Regt. Co. D, Ind. Vol. Inf.
James F.
Shepherd 9th Regt. Co C, Ind. Vol. Inf.
George
Day 22nd Regt. Co. A, Ind. Vol. Inf.
Dave
McConnell 33rd Regt. Co. D, Ind. Vol Inf.
John
W. T. Poor 2nd Regt. Co C, West Virginia,
Inf.
William Day 7th Regt. Co. M, Ind.
Vol.
Inf.
_______________________________________________________
Letter
below mailed on Letterhead of M'Keehan Post No. 36 G.A.R,
Alex Shepherd, Commander
John S. Wells, Adjutant
John N.
Zurrin, Q.M.
North Vernon, Ind.. Nov. 15, 1886
Ajt. Gen. Ben D.
House
Dear Sir and Commrade
In compliance with
your order I mustered in the Post at Hardensburgh, Six Mile Post Office on
the eve. 13th Ins. The name of the Post was selected in honor of
George A. Hoppell. Please find inclosed roll at muster (those marked x
were mustered) and file of instalations of officers Elected.
Thirteen of Post No. 36 arrived at the place of Muster and proceeded
to Muster the Post after which I installed the officers
elected.
We had a grand time and much intrest manufactured,
Ive used a sciopticon, (a sciopticon was a type of lantern
used to project pictures) with much effect, and produced a decided
impression - This Post is composed of the best element in the
neighborhood and will mateially aid in advancing the Cause of the
G.A.R.
Yours in F. C. and L. W. S. Prather
APPLICATION FOR CHARTER
Geo. A.
Hopple, Post # 479, Six Mile, Jennings County, Indiana, Organized
Nov. 13, 1886 by W. S. Prather
Officers Elected and
Installed
Socrates Carver P.C.
John H.
Wohrer S.V.C.
Allen
Hartwell J.V.C.
Mitchell
Day O.D.
Joseph T.
George O.G.
J. T.
Green
Chaplain
Frank Doughty Surgeon
L. D.
Derringer Q.M.
John Van
Riper Adj't
We the undersigned, Ex Soldiers
and Sailors, who were honerably discharged from the service of the United States
of America and who served under the Union flag during the rebellion, would most
respectfully, ask that a Charter be granted for the installment of a Post
at Hardenburg, Jennings County, Indiana.
John Van
Riper x Co. E, 9th Reg. Kans. Vol.
John M.
Larabee Co. B, 82nd Ind. Vol.
Francis
Doughty x Co. H, 26th Ind. Vol.
W. S.
Brown Co. B,
82nd Ind. Vol.
Allen Hartwell x Co. A,
22nd Ind
Joseph F. George x Co. B, 82nd
Ind
Mitchell H. Day x Co. C, 37th Ind
Lewis
Justis Co. C, 37th Ind.
Jno H. Wohrer
x Co. B, 82nd Ind. Vol.
L. D. Darringer x Co.
B, 6th Ind. Vol.
Samuel Kitts x Co. B,
6th Ind. Vol.
S. G. Baker x Co. I, 3rd Iowa
Cav.
?ly W. Smith x Co. B, 82nd Ind. Vol.
Inft.
John S. Justis x Co. B, 82nd
Ind. Vol. Inft.
Socrates Carver x Co. C, 37th Regt.
Ind. Vol.
Silas B. Sutton x Co. K,
12th regt. Ind. Vol.
Silas W. Harding Co. H, 26th Ind.
Vol. Inft.
John M Woodson Co. B, 82nd Ind. Vols.
John T.
Green x Co. K, 14th Ills. Vol.
Inft.
Bolsar Kirsch Co. B, 82nd Reg. Ind. Vol.
J.
L. Ewan x Co I, 134th Reg. Ind.
Vol.
__________________________________________________
Queensville
Ind. July 12,
1891
Comrad
Robbins this We Return our Charter to you for Correcting the name of Comrad
Pleasant Wheldon was left out which we want on we send his description list here
with also the name Robert Sharp Should be Robert
Tharp.
Please give
this your imediate attention and Return to
us.
Yours in F.C. &
L.
Wm. L. Morgan
Com.
John Buchanan Adjutant
Changed Charter and returned by mail (not
registered) Aug. 21
APPLICATION FOR
CHARTER
Hagerman Tripp
Post No. 522, Queensville, Jennings County,
Indiana Charter Granted June 19, 1891 First
Muster July 7th, 1891 by George W. Schaffer
Remarks of Mustering
Officer - Went to Queensville on July 2nd and mustered Hagerman Tripp Post
G.A.R. mustering in 16 Charter Members. I was assisted in the work by
Comrads Prather, Shepherd, Longneck, McMahon and others of McKeehan Post.
All the members mustered was elegible by cand or otherwise the members holding
cards was 5 in no 11 new recruits after muster Election of officers and
Instalation and instructions in Ritual Wk a good supper was enjoyed by all - We
left the new Post in good hands and with some reason to believe they will
prosper. The nicest harmony prevailed thoughout and your humble sevant Done the
best he could and hopes that from the expression of satisfaction indulged in by
the new members that they was well pleased
Very Respectufully
Submitted
George W. Shaffer M.O.
Officers Elected
and Installed
Wm L Morgan
P.C.
Wm Scuyler
S.V.C.
Thos
French J.V.C.
Jas F
Shepherd
O.D.
Wm Phillips
O.G.
Nels C Aldrich Chaplain
H
Dean Surgeon
Absalom
Robbins Q.M.
John Buchanan
Adj't
We the undersigned, Ex Soldiers and Sailors, who were honerably
discharged from the service of the United States of America and who served under
the Union flag during the rebellion, would most respectfully, ask that a Charter
be granted for the installment of a Post at Queensville, Jennings County,
Indiana.
William L Morgan age 52
Birthplace-Indiana, Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into
Service-Dec 10, 61, Rank-Private, Co B, Reg't 52 Ind. Vol., Final Discharge-Sept
10, 1865, Rank-Private, Co G, 52 Ind. Vol., Length of Service 3yrs 10
mths Reason for Discharge-Service no longer required
George W
Byram age 50 or 53? Birthplace-Ind, Residence-Queensville,
Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-Dec 10, 1861, Rank-Private, Co I, Reg't 52
Inv. Vol., Final Discharge-Sept 10, 1865, Rank-Private, Co K, 52
Ind. Vol., Length of Service 3 yrs 10 mths Reason for
Discharge-Service no longer required
John T Byram age 45
Birthplace-Ind, Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into
Service-Jan 4, 1864, Rank-Private, Co I, Reg't 52 Ind. Vol., Final
Discharge-Sept 10, 1865, Rank-Private, Co K, Reg't 52 Ind. Vol., Length of
Service 1 yr ? mths Reason for Discharge-Service not
required
William Phillips age 66 Birthplace-Ind,
Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-Aug 1861,
Rank-Private, Co C, Reg't 34 Ind. Vol., Final Discharge-July 1865, Rank-Private,
Co C, Reg't 34 Ind. Vol., Length of Service 3 yrs 11 mths Reason for
Discharge-Service no longer required.
James F. Shepherd age
48 Birthplace-Ind, Residence-Queensville,
Occupation-Physician, Entry into Service-1862, Rank-Private, Co C, Reg't
9th Ind, Final Discharge-August 26, Rank-Private, Co C, Reg't 9th Ind.,
Length of Service 3 mths Reason for Discharge-Service not
required
Andrew J. Robbins age 51 Birthplace-Ind,
Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-Sept 2,
1862, Rank-Private, Co A, Reg't 22 Ind. Vol., Final Discharge-June 9, 1865,
Rank-Private, Co A, Reg't 22 Ind. Vol., Length of
Service 3 yrs Reason for Discharge-Service not
required
John Buchanan age 48 Birthplace-North Carolina,
Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-1862, Rank-Cope, Co
A, Reg't 9 Ind., Final Discharge-_____, Rank Cope, Co A, Reg't 9
Ind., Length of Service 3 mths, Reason for Discharge-Service not
required
Nelson C. Aldrich age 50 Birthplace-Ohio,
Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-1863, Rank-Private,
Co I, Reg't 2 Ohio,
Final Discharge-Aug. 23, 1865, Rank Private, Co I, Reg't
2nd Ohio, Length of Service 3 yrs, Reason for Discharge-expiration of
time
Thomas French age 59, Birthplace-Ind,
Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-Aug. 1862,
Rank-Private, Co E, 9 Ind. Inf., Final Discharge-______, Rank Private, Co.
E, 9 Ind. Inf., Length of Service 3 mths, Reason for Discharge-Service no
longer required
William Schuyler age 48, Birthplace-Ohio,
Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-1861,
Rank-Private, Co B, Reg't 48 Ohio, Final Discharge-1862, Rank-Private,
Co B, Reg't 48 Ohio, Length of Service 11 mths, Reason for
Discharge-Disibility
Hickman Dean age 49, Birthplace-Ind.,
Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-1864, Rank-Private,
Co A, Reg't 146 Ind., Final Discharge-?, Rank-Private, Co A, Reg't 146
Ind., Length of Service ___, Reason for Discharge-Expiration of
Term
Line through this name on list - Mahlon B. Hayes age
65, Birthplace-Ind., Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into
Service-August 1862, Rank-Private, Co I, Reg't 83rd Ind., Final
Discharge ?, Rank-Private, Co I, Reg't 83rd Ind., Length of Service 3
yrs 9 mths, Reason for Discharge-Services no longer needed
Absalom
Robbins age 59, Birthplace-Ind., Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer,
Entry into Service-Aug. 61, Rank Private, Co H, 37 Ind. Vol., Final
Discharge-1861, Rank Private, Co H, 37 Ind. Vol., Length of
Service-Jan 29, 1865, Reason for Discharge-Disibility
Line through
this name on list - Jerome Kelley age 52, Birthplace-Ind.,
Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-1861, Rank Private,
Co. B, Reg't 6 Ind. Vol., Final Discharge-1865, Rank Private, Co B Reg't 6 Ind.,
Length of Service-3 yrs, Reason for Discharge-Expiration of Term
Ephraim
Mendenhall age 59, Birthplace-Ind., Residence-Queensville,
Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-1862, Rank-Private, Co K, Reg't 13 Ind.
Inf., Final Discharge-1865, Rank-Private, Co K, Reg't 13 Ind. Inf. Length of
Service-3 yrs, Reason for Discharge-Expiration of Term
Robt Tharp
age 61, Birthplace-Ind., Residence-Scipio, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into
Service-1862, Rank Sarg, Co E, Reg't 9 Ind. Inf., Final Discharge-1862,
Rank-Sarg, Reg't 9 Ind. Inf. Length of Service-3 mths, Reason for
Discharge-Disabilities
John S. Sullivan age 45, Birthplace-Ind.,
Residence-Queensville, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-1862, Rank-Pri,
Co I, Reg't 6th Ind., Final Discharge-1865, Rank-Pri., Co I, Reg't 6th
Ind., Length of Service-3 yrs, Reason for Discharge-Exp. Service
Chas
Hammon age 50, Birthplace- Ind., Residence-Scipio,
Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-1865, Rank-Pvt, Co A, Reg't 146 Ind.,
Final Discharge-1865, Rank-Pri, Co A, Reg't 146 Ind., Length of Service-3
mths, Reason for Discharge-Exp. Service
Pleasant Weldon age 57,
Birthplace_____, Residence-Scipio, Occupation-Farmer, Entry into Service-?/?/62,
Rank-Pvt, Co B, Reg't 75 Ind. Vol., Final Discharge- 6/8/65, Rank Prvt, Co B,
Reg't 75 Ind. Length of Service____, Reason for
Discharge____
__________________________________________________________________
The Following Post gets rather confusing as the paperwork
starts in 1887 with letters asking for corrections on members names and then
there are letters from Harmon Dixon in 1891 requesting a change of address of
the Post from Commiskey to Paris. I am listing the names as corrected
on the list below. Also in the early letters it is named the Melvin Thomas Post,
in the later ones Melville Thomas Post but the number 515 remains the
same.
APPLICATION FOR
CHARTER
Melvin Thomas Post No. 515, Commiskey,
Jennings County, Indiana Charter Granted Aug. 12, 1887,
Organized Aug. 20, 1887 by John S. Wells - a handwritten note at the bottom
of the charter page states "Charter made Sept. 18, 1887"
Officers
Elected and Installed
Oliver Shepherd
P.C.
John M. Dixon S.V.C.
I. H.
Rowlland J.V.C.
John
Shamback O.D.
E. C.
Lake
O.G.
Geo.
Eddy
Chaplain
Ozias
Nellis
Surgeon
Enock Layton
Q.M.
T. H. Hudson
Adj't
We the undersigned, Ex Soldiers and Sailors, who were honerably
discharged from the service of the United States of America and who served under
the Union flag during the rebellion, would most respectfully, ask that a Charter
be granted for the installment of a Post at Commiskey, Jennings County,
Indiana.
Ozias
Nellis
2nd West Vir. Cav.
Elijah
Lake 133
Ohio National Guard Inft.
John W.
Rogers 120 Ind. Inf.
Joseph
Bennett 54 Ill. Vol.
Inf.
Oliver Shepherd 27 Ind. Vol.
Inf.
Isaac H. Rowland 50 Ind. Vol. Inf.
John
W. Dixon 12 Ind. Vol.
Inf.
Robert M. Walker 120 Ind. Vol.
Inf.
Robert S.
Dixon 120 Ind. Vol. Inf.
T. S.
Hudson
27 Ind. Vol. Inf. (a first name was added to
this entry by Harmon Dixon it looks like Tompson H.)
Preston W. Lett 145 Ind.
Vol. Inf.
George
Eddy 8
Ind. Cav.
George W. Riggs 29 Ind. Vol.
Inf.
William C. Calhoun 31 Ind. Inf.
John H.
Waggoner 67 Ind. Inf.
George W.
Dodd 117 Ind. Inf.
Harmon
Dixon 7 Ind.
Cav.
Mathew A. Wells 120 Ind. Inf.
John
Schumback 120 Ind. Inf.
John A.
Page
8 Ind. Cav.
Marion A. Shepherd 137 Ind Inf.
John H.
Trapp 120 Ind.
Inf.
Jeremiah Walker 25 Ind.
Inf.
Frank M. James 27 Ind.
Inf.
William T. McCaslin 137 Ind. Inf.
Enoch
Layton 27 Ind.
Inf.
Amos Cook Col 28
U.S. Inf. (Amos Cook - Company F, 28 Reg't U. S.
Colored Infantry - born Alabama)
John
Wilson
32 Ind.
Inf.
LETTERS
Lovett, Jennings Co., Indiana Aug. 11, 1887
J. N. Walker
Ast. Adjt Gen. G.A.R.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Dear Sir and Comrade
-
Please find application for Charter of the Grand Army of the Republic - and
money order for the same, ($10.00) The list will be revised at
the date of muster, which will be sent you at that time. We
would prefer to be mustered at as an early date that would be convenient to the
Department.
Comrade W. S. Prather, McKeehan Post No. 36, North Vernon,
Ind. mustered the Geo. Hopple Post at 6 Mile last year - and would suggest that
he be detailed to muster this
Post.
Very Respectfully in F. C. &
L.
John H.
Schamback
Lovett, Jennings Co.
Ind.
_____________________________________________
Indianapolis, Aug. 23, 1887
Dear Sir and
Comrade
Herewith enclosed I return to you
your application for Charter with Letter of Comdr J.S. Wells also MO $2.00
with the request that from this application you will have prepared a clean and
clear list of the Charter Members adding such as have been mustered since,
which you may wish to have as Charter Members. See that all names are
correctly and plainly written, for the purpose of copying them to the
Charter.
There is no further fee for the additional
Members.
Please keep all these papers together and
return to me with the list above asked for without
delay.
Yours in F. C. &
L.
J. N. Walker, A.A.
Genl.
___________________________________________
North Vernon, Ind. Aug. 22, 1887
J. N. Walker A.A.
General
Dear Sir
Melvin Thomas Post No.
515 G.A.R. at Commiskey was Mustered by Myself Aug. 20, the names added in
Pencil was men who had been enrolled on a list which had been lost there are
others who are in the same condition that was detained by death can they
yet be enrolled and Mustered as Charter
Members.
Yours in F. C. and
L.
John
S.
Wells
Comrade No. 36
P.S. Will enclose P.O. order for $2.00 for fee of
those added to list Return Receipt to Enoch Layton. Melvin
Thomas Post 515
Commiskey, Ind.
________________________________________
Headquarters
Melville Thomas
Post No 515 Dep. of Ind. G.A.R.
Paris Ind.
March 14, 1893
Comrad Irvin Robbins
Dear
Sir
We here with return our charter to have it
corrected the name of W. A. Malcomb with the slip pasted over left off
as he has always refused to be mustered in to our Post, and still
refuses please advise me of the cost of same and I will
remit
Yours in F. C. &
L.
Harmon
Dixon
Q.M.
_______________________________________
Headquarters Melville
Thomas
Post No 515 Dep. of Ind. G.A.R.
Paris Ind. May 15, 1893
R. M.
Smock A.A.G.
Dear Comrade
I herewith Enclose
one Dollar to pay for our Charter make out a new one and have the old officers
sign it with the original date leaving off the ones names we wanted
eraced.
Yours in F. C. &
L.
Harmon Dixon
Q.M.
_______________________________________
Paris Ind May 18,
1898
Comrade O.R. Weaver
Dear Sir
I
herewith return the list corrected and give the Given names where they were not
in full and chage the PO Commiskey to
Paris.
Yours in F. C. &
L.
Harmon
Dixon
The following named honorably discharged soldiers were mustered: Daniel Bacon, J.S. Ewan, P.C. McGannon, B.F. Hargrove, L.H. Hill, S. Weber, Henry Knoll, Ernest Langneck, W.H. Bious, W. H.
Prather, J.C. Moncrief, Hagerman Tripp, Alexander Shepherd, Richard Day, Thomas West, John S. Couchman, Samuel S. Wilder, G.H. Clutch, Henry Davis, Mark Robinson, F.W. Verbarg, Herman Foge, Charles Gautier, Michael M.
Stricker, C. Whitmore, James Marlett and C. E. Wood.
The Post was organized by electing
Charles O. Wood, Commander
P. C. McGannon, Senior Vice-Commander
G. H. Clutch, Junior Vice-Commander
W. S. Prather, Officer of the Day
F. W. Verbarg, Officer of the Guard
James S. Ewan, Surgeon
Charles Gautier, Quartermaster
Mark Robinson, Chaplain
The Commander appointed as his staff: Alexander Shepherd, Adjutant, and Lewis H. Hill, Sergeant-Major.
The Quartermaster appointed Henry Knoll Quartermaster-Sergeant.
The Post starts out with flattering prospects, confident of success. It is named McKEEHAN POST No. 36, in honor of Major Samuel McKeehan. Stated meetings are to be held on the first and third Tuesday evenings of
each month.
The organization is non-partisan, and no discussions of partisan questions allowed, nor political nominations for any office be made.
The sole object to be accomplished by the organization is to preserve the kind and fraternal feelings which bind together the soldiers who united to suppress the rebellion, to discountenance whatever tends to weaken loyalty,
and to encourage the spread of universal liberty, equal rights, and justice to all men.
You may use this material for your own personal research, however it may not be used for commercial publications without express written consent of the contributor, INGenWeb, and