The American Civil War had a profound and lasting impact on the United States, its people and culture. As the war drew to a close in 1865, many of the veterans were looking for ways to maintain ties with their comrades with whom they had shared so much. The Grand Army of the Republic was one of many organizations which formed almost immediately. The fraternally-based group served as a social club, charity sponsor, patriotic organization, and political lobby. The G.A.R. also prepared the path, politically, for later organizations (such as the American Legion) which would serve future veterans.
The Grand Army of the Republic was founded in Decatur, Illinois on April 6, 1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson. The goals of the new organization included the promotion of fraternal feelings among veterans, the aid of needy and disabled comrades, the support of veterans’ widows and children, the facilitation of veteran service benefits, and allegiance to the government. Within six months there were 157 posts in Illinois. By mid-1867, there was a post in every Northern state and in many former Confederate states with large Union veteran populations. The G.A.R. was organized on the national, state, regional, and local levels in a military fashion. The basic unit of the G.A.R. was the post. Posts were formed in communities across America, with 10 veterans considered the minimum for starting a new post. Each post would elect a Post Commander, Vice Commander, Quartermaster, and Adjutant, and each officer had a specific badge of rank. The individual posts held monthly meetings and collected dues from their members. The posts were chartered by the Department (the organization at the state level) which oversaw its geographic area. The posts in a county or region could also form regional associations, made up of a handful of posts in their area. The departments were chartered by the National Organization. 
Membership
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 G.A.R. later expanded the date to include all who had served through January 1, 1866. Individual members belonged to the community-level organization which was called a Post. Posts made up the state-level organization called the Department. Most posts also had a name honoring a deceased military person, although no two posts within a state could have the same name. Posts elected both their members and officers. Department officers were elected by delegates from the posts who attended the department’s annual encampments.
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 G.A.R. later expanded the date to include all who had served through January 1, 1866. Individual members belonged to the community-level organization which was called a Post. Posts made up the state-level organization called the Department. Most posts also had a name honoring a deceased military person, although no two posts within a state could have the same name. Posts elected both their members and officers. Department officers were elected by delegates from the posts who attended the department’s annual encampments.
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