Sarah Luria

The Grand Army of the Republic was a veteran's organization for Union Soldiers of the Civil War, or as they would have termed it, the "War of the Rebellion." The GAR was created in 1866 to help veterans and their families who were now dispersed across the country. It lobbied for the soldiers interests in Washington and helped them to find jobs; it created soldiers' homes, and helped establish cemeteries for those who had served in the War. By 1890 it had 409,489 members. It was a powerful force in helping to ensure that promises of the Government to Civil War veterans and their families were kept..

Most importantly for Lowell's poem, the GAR was dedicated to preserve the memory of the War. In 1868 it was successful in naming the 30th of May as a day of remembrance for the soldiers who died in the War. This is the Memorial Day we still celebrate today. In the decades following the War, the GAR sponsored "Encampments" where veterans could reunite and camp together and hold memorial rituals. The last of these events was held in 1949. The last member of the GAR to have died was Albert Woolson, who died in 1956. He was 109 years old.

The work of the GAR has now been passed onto the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and other related organizations.

Source of image and information: Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Web Site

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