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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 26, 1900)
Origin of the Grand Army of the Republic By Major General Joseph Wheeler. GlliaiN of the Qrnnd Army of the Republic was In the soldier's tent, the soldier's bivouac and in tho fraternal feelings which were created In tho hearts of soldiers as Uiey stood sido by sldo In lino of battle. This association established ties of friend ship stronger and more lasting than any othir which Is enjoyed by human beings. When Washington took leave of tho army which ho had commanded during tho seven years' war of the revolution a society was organized which has been perpetuated and called tho Society of tho Cincinnati. When peace was proclaimed after tho triumphant close of tho war of 1S12 a similar society wns organized, composed of tho veteians of our he. ond struggle with Great Britain, and again after the victories of our army In Mexico the olllcers, surrounding their com manding general, Scott, organized the socloty called the Aztec society, and the same character of feelings which Inspired the eieatlon of these societies was fresh in the hearts of the olllcers and soldiers of the nrmy which was disbanded In 1SG3 at the close of the great four-years' war. This feeling first manifested itself by tho olllcers and soldiers of the different regiments as they bade each other goodby and pledged to each other that they would arrange at a convenient time not fnr distant to again meet together and talk over the stirring events through which they had so recently passtd. These meetings were had and havo been continued to this time, nlmost nil of the leglments having held annual reunions from the date of the close of tho war to th.8 day. These regimental organizations or societies soon suggested the organization of nrmy corps societies, each corps forming a separate society of Its own. This was followed by the organization of societies of each army. Soolfty if (lie Army of the Tciiiivkmoo. I believe the first Boclety of this character was the Society of tho Army of tho Ten nessee, the preliminary meeting for its formation being held In the senate chamber of North Carolina on April 14, 18G3. Brevet Brigadier Genernl W. B. Woods, afterward United States circuit Judge, presided, and Major L. M. Dayton, who since became very prominent In tho nffalrs of the government, ncted as secretary. Major Generals Frank 1. Blair, Jr., John A. Logan and Andrew J. Smith and Brevet Major General Olles A. Smith and Brevet Brigadier General W. B. Woods wero appointed a committee to pro paro a plan of organization. General Blair reported tho plnn of organization at nn adjourned mooting held April 25. Tho mem bership of tho society was restricted to tho olllcers who had served with tho "Old Army of tho Tennessee." Tho objects were stated as follows: "To keep allvo and presorvo that kindly and cordial feeling which has boon ono of tho characteristics of this army during Its career In tho service nnd which has given It such hnrmony of action and contributed In no small degree to Its glorious achieve ments in our country's cause. Tho fnmo and glory of nil olllcers belonging to this nrmy who hnvo fallen, either on tho Held of battle or In tho lino of their duty, shall bo sacred trust to this society, which shall cause proper memorials of their services to bo collected nnd preserved, nnd thus transmit their names with honor to pos terity. Tho families of all such olllcers who shall bo In Indigent circumstances will havo n claim upon the generosity of tho socloty nnd will bo relieved by tho voluntary contributions of Its members whonovcr brought to their attention. In like manner tho suffering families of those officers who may hereafter bo stricken by dentil shall bo a trust In the hands of tho survivors." Theso genorous and noblo expressions enmo from tho hearts of soldiers fresh from scenes of camngo and battle. Mnjor Genernl John A. Itnwllns wns elected presi dent of tho society nnd ho remained Its president until his death, September C, 18G9, when ho wns succeeded by General William T. Sherman. Tho socloty has faithfully carried out Its purposes nnd prominent nmong tho work It has performed Is tho erection of magnificent equestrian statues to Major General Hawllns, Mnjor Genernl Mcl'hersou nnd General John A. Logan In tho city of Washington nnd In addition n memorial to General Mcl'herson nt his homo nt Clyde, O. Nm'lfly of Army of (li (.'iiiiilirrluiul. Tho Society of tho Army of tho Cumber laud wns organized February 1G, 18CS; Major Genernl George 11. Thomas wns elected nnd remained president until his death, April 28, 1870. Its purposes wero In all respects similar to those of tho Society of tho Army of tho Tennessee. Tho society has already erected equestrian statues to Major General Gcorgo II. Thomas and Presldont Garfield. Tho Society of tho Army of tho Potomac was organized In Now York City July 5, 1SG9. Its first president was Lloutennnt General Philip II. Sheridan. I had tho good fortuno to bo present ns nn Invited guest nt the thirty-first annual rounlon of this socloty held In tho city of Fredericksburg May 25, 1900. This wns tho first meeting of tho society upon southern soil and tho nddrcss of welcome wns made by Major St. Gcorgo It. Fltzhugh, who was n distinguished officer undor Oenoral Rob ert E. Leo. It was eloquent nnd patriotic In tho highest degreo nnd, whllo It wns npplauded by tho president, his cnblnot and tho members of tho socloty, It also received tho warm applnuso of tho thousands of ox confederates who Joined In tho hearty wel como of tho soldiers they hnd often faced upon sanguinary and historic flolds. Theso wero tho principal soclotlea of this character. Others havo been organ ized, including tho Socloty of tho Army of tho James, nftorward merged Into tho So cloty of tho Army of tho Potomac; the Socloty of Burnsido's Expedition nnd of tho Ninth Corps, tho Socloty of tho Array nnd Navy of tho Gulf, tho Socloty of tho Army of West Virginia, tho Cincinnati Socloty of ox-Army and Navy Officers nnd tho Pennsylvania Hescrvo nssoclntlou. The inllltnry order of tho Loyal Legion of tho United Stntes was tho first society formed by olllcers honorably discharged from tho service. It wns organized tho dny after tho nssnsslnatlon of President Lin coln. Tho success which attended tho vnrlous separate organizations brought Into promt nenco nnd gnvo renewed Impetus to tho plnn nlrendy Inaugurated for tho establish ment of ono grand association, tho mem bership of which should Include nil hon orably discharged soldlors of tho war of 1S61-C. Tho early conception of this organization Is largely duo to Major B. F. Stephonson and Chnplain W. J, Uutledgo, who, a year beforo tho closo of tho war, commenced laying plans for nn organiza tion of this character. Tho plnn proposod separate army posts of tho Grand Army, nnd on April C, 18GG, tho first post of tho Grand Army of tho Republic was organ ized nt Decatur, III. A constitution nnd rltunl wns ngreed labor and toll, so ns to bunollt tho descn- upon and n plan of organization adopted lug nnd worthy. Tho declaration of principles In tho eon- Section 2. Tho results which tiro designed Btltutlon, written by Adjutant General to be accomplished by IIiIh organization hit Robert M. Woods, nro of much historic as follows; Interest. 1 The preservation of Ilium- kind and Section 1. Tho soldlors of tho volunteer fraternal feelings which havo bound to nrmy of tho United Stntes, during tho re- gether, with tho strong cords of love and hellion of 1SG1-5, nctunted by tho Impulse infection, tho comrades tu arms of imui and convictions of patriotism and of eternal buttles, sieges and marches, right, nnd combined In tho strong bands ol 2. To make these ties available In work fellowship and unity by tho tolls, the results of kindness, of fnur ami dnngers nnd tho victories of a long nnd material aid to theso lit need of asHlHtauee vigorously waged war, tool thomsolvos ;l T' ""'o provision, where It It not ul- renuy none, lor tne support, euro and educa tion of soldieis' orphans and for the maliitenanco of tho widows of doceuml soldiers. I. For the protection mill assistance of disabled soldiers, whether disabled by wounds, sickness, old age or misfortune. d. For tho establishment mid defense ot the Into soldiery of tho United Stntes. morally, socially and politically, with u view to Inculcate u proper appreciation of their services to tho country, anil to a recogni tion of such services ami claims by the American people. The principal work of the llrst national convention held lu Indianapolis November 20, lSGti, was tho change of the title of the constitution to "Rules mid Regulations," the fixing of rcprcHontutlnn lu national euciimp uieutH on the basis of one rcprcscutnttvo-ai large for each 1,000 members. It ulso provided that depart inent encampments should bo computed of one delegate for every twenty-live members of tho several posts therein. The following resolution was also adopted: "That lu our opinion no man Is worthy to be n free citizen of u free country who Is not willing to bear anus In Its defense and we therefore suggest to congress the pan nage of a law milking It tho Inexorable duty of every citizen to defend his country In time of need in person nnd not by sub stitute." General Stephenson, the ndjulniit general, presented a very concise nnd Interesting account of the origin, purpose ami history ot the organization. General John A. Logan, ulthough uoi present, was elected commauder-ln-chlef to succeed General Murlhut and a long list of distinguished men havu since held this post of honor. The membership of the Grand Army of tho Republic has gradually Increased, reaching Ita maximum In 1800, when Its membership wns 409,189. From that time tho deuths havo exceeded tho lncrenao by new members, tho reported deaths during Mm Inut tiltin vn I'U fmi'liitr lifwm r.'t 717 A I called upon to declaro In doflnlto form ot the hist meeting In 189!) tho membership words nnd in dotormlned co-opornttvo Wns 0y 287.9S1. Tho amount expended for action, thoso principles and rulos which relief has sometimes reached ifllOO.OOO lu u should guldo tho earnest patriot, tho on- single year. lightened freeman and tho Christian citizen The npproaehlng encampment at Chicago, In his courso of action; nnd to agreo upon August 20 to .10, will probably bo one of thoso plnns nnd lnwa which should govorn tho largest nnd most Important lu the them In n uulted nnd systematic working history of tho organization. More than method, with which, In somo measure, Bhnll 10,000 Invitations have been Issued and re bo effected tho preservation 'of tho grand t piles which have been received give ussur rosults of tho wnr. tho frultB of tholrinncos of a most distinguished uttendanee. MAJOR GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER. Greatest Organization of Its Kind in the World By Major General Daniel E. Sickles. HE Grand Army ot tho Republic Is today tho greatest organization of Its kind In the world. With a mem bership of over 400,000, it repro- sonts tho best blood of n genorntlon that fought and suffered to mnko this country tho unit It Is today. The annual convoca tions held by this body nro much more than a meeting of old comrades for tho purposo of dwelling on tho long past camp and battlo experiences; they nro an Illustration to tho younger generation of the fortltudo nnd In domltnblo resolution that pervaded tho north nt the outbreak of tho rebellion. Tho spectacle of old men, men broken by tho hardships of war. the lame, tho halt, all marching In parade, when n carriage would sconi to be of Uttlo enough assistance, Is a feature of these convocations familiar to all. It Is not tho mero desire of appearing on parado that causes theso battered veterans to take part In tho mnrch, but It Is to show their love and respect for tho flag. They havo endured tho privations of camp life, they havo seen their comrades, oven their brothers, shot down at their sldo, they havo been wounded themselves, All this, and more, havo thoy dono In the past for tho old flag, and they havo lenrned to lovo It to the extent they have suffered. Their lighting days are over, but their patriotism Insts to the end. It Is for tho honor and glory of ling and country that they turn out. After n parade tho dally papers record numerous deaths of veterans caused by tho exhaustion nnd exposure of tho march. Long editorials nro written deploring tho condition that Impels these men to over exert themselves. Tho Grand Army of tho Republic needs no sympathy. Many of Its members have died from tho effects of tho parades In tho past, and more will do so In the future. It 1b to be expected. Mnny a mnn hns taken part In what ho know to bo his Inst march, and mnny moro havo en dured a greater effort than thnt required In tho pnst to stand under lire. It is right for them to do so, nnd It Is tho conviction of every mnn in tho organization that each should take his part at all hazards. If their end Is hastened thereby It Is unfortunate, but it Is tho death ot a soldier who has fallen while following his flag. Nothing MAJOR GENERAL DANIEL SICKLES, could bo grnndor. At whatever cost, the Giand Army of tho Republic will continue lu tho futuro to porform what It considers a sacred duty, Just so long ns there 1b a single platoon left ullvo to report for service. As into as 1875 I hnvo seen tho veterans of tho wnr of 1812 hold their ling-raisings at tho Battery and nt Fort Georgo. Old men of 85 or 90 conducted theso services nnd tho younger generation of today Is destined to seo thu Grand Army of tho Republic, reduced to a mere handful, val iantly following tho Hag with tho same resolution iib It, Is today. It has frequently been suggested that cities whoso guests the veterans nro should supply mentis of conveyance. This would bo cheerfully done but for tho nlmost unanimous protest of tho veterans them selves. At tho unveiling of Grant's tomb I eommnnded the Grand Army of the Re public division of the parade and endeav ored to provide means to lighten tho ex tremely long march. I was opposed on nil sides, but finally thought that by hiring a dozen steamboats nnd carrying them part of tho way by water, with a short march nt the end, thnt I had a plan they would consent to follow. But not thoy. Ono voternn voiced the opinion of the entire committee by tersely saying: "Gonerul, we nlwuys followed Grant on tho land and we nro not going to tnko to the water on this occasion of nil others." And with frequent Intervuls of rest they mado their long and arduous march. There should bo a strong representation of veternns nt tho Chicago convocation lu August. Wo nro alwnys enthusliiBtlcally reeolved In every olty In tho country, ox cept Now York. Wo nro tho guests of tho city at which our meetings nro hold and with this ono oxcoptlon thero Is no stint to our welcome Tho pooplo of Now York nro not less patriotic, but thoy aro so prooccupled In tholr rush for the dollar that thoy havo forgotten what thoso men have dono for them. In Philadelphia and Chicago our visit Is a signal for n gonornl holiday. Business Is suspended nnd pooplo como In by thousands from tho surround ing country. In Now York wo nro lost. Our convocations would not excite as much comment ns a decline of half a dozen points In the stock markot. Tho uctlon of the New York mllltln au thorities In relegating the veterans to the rear was n great wrong. Thoy should nl wuys bo tho central Ilguro in whntovor func tion they tuku part nnd tho state troops should net ns an escort. Tho veterans have earned their position nt thu right of lino, nnd thoy should always bo placed there It Is no discredit for tho statu militiaman to glvo tho po3t of honor to tho veteran. Whllo tho younger man has probably not fought for his country, thoro Is not tho slightest doubt but that ho stands ready to topeat thu heroic nets of 'Gil If this country but do munds It of him. Resting securo lu tho popular faith In his willingness nnd ability, let him net us uu ormimeiil to the men who have dono that which ho has not been culled upon to do. There Is no ninrked falling off lu the mem bership of our association. We nro contin ually recruiting from veterans who aro non mombors. This fnct of Itself shows tho vi tality of tho organization. Tho ovldont com radeship nnd bond of unity existing botwoon members ot tho order appeals strongly to tho votorun who sees his clrclo of old friends rapidly growing smallor, nnd ho eventually turns to tho Grand Army to seek tho com panionship ho so much desltcH, The camp fires of bin post bring him Into Intlmnto ns fcoclatlon with tho veterans of his own town, nnd tho nnnunl convocations broaden his nc qunlntunco nnd ronow friendships of years ago, Men who fought In the same regiment und have heard nothing of each other for years nro continually mooting each other. Somo of thoso meetings aro nlmost pathetic, particularly botwron tho older monibors, but tho convocation Is always a cuiiso for general rejoicing. If tho only end nttnlned wns tho satisfaction dotived by tho voterans, Its pur poso would bo a sulllclont reason for Its ex istence. Aside from this, however, Is the strong patriotism that Imbues tho entire or dor. It Is tho koynoto, tho very essence ot Its exlstenco, nnd It Is as strong ns In the dark days of tho robelllon. Tho time must como when wo will slowly fndo away. Thero will no longor bo nvnll able recruits to fill up the steadily thinning ranks, but Just ns long ns thoro Is n cor poral's guard loft tho Oriinil Army of the Ropubllc will bo found at Its post,