Grand Army of the Republic First Pattern Membership Badge
Desirable first style G.A.R. membership badge used from 1869-1876, sometimes referred to as the Medal of Honor style with the eagle pin with upturned wings. The medal measures 3” high and is in very good condition. The words “Patented Dec. 28, 1869” are stamped on the back of the star. The badge comes with an original envelope with directions by Adjutant General E.B. Stillings regarding the proper wear and care of the badge. A fine addition to a display of Civil War veterans’ memorabilia.
The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, Union Navy, and the Marines who served in the American Civil War. It was founded in 1866 in Springfield, Illinois, and grew to include hundreds of "posts" (local community units) across the nation (predominantly in the North, but also a few in the South and West). It was dissolved in 1956 at the death of its last member, Albert Woolson (1850–1956) of Duluth, Minnesota. Linking men through their experience of the war, the G.A.R. became among the first organized advocacy groups in American politics, supporting voting rights for black veterans, promoting patriotic education, helping to make Memorial Day a national holiday, lobbying the United States Congress to establish regular veterans' pensions, and supporting Republican political candidates. Its peak membership, at 410,000, was in 1890, a high point of various Civil War commemorative and monument dedication ceremonies.
Comes housed in a 8 x 14 inch display case with black velvet backing and descriptive card.
Inventory Number: VET 260 / SOLD