The origins of Memorial Day

The Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization comprised of Union veterans from the Civil War, was formed in 1866 to advocate for their interests and also promote voting rights for African-American veterans, lobbying for pensions and supporting the election of Republican political candidates.

The association grew to have posts across the North and West and was a predecessor of veterans’ organizations such as the American Legion, AMVETS and the VFW, that we see today.

The Civil War claimed the lives of 625,000 Americans fighting on both sides of the conflict, including approximately 235,000 members of the Union armed forces.

In the aftermath of what is still the bloodiest war in American history, veterans started networking and working to maintain connections with each other, including establishing organizations, such as the Grand Army of the Republic. The organization also included veterans of the U.S. Navy and Marines, despite its name.

GAR Commander-in-Chief, General John A. Logan, issued General Order No. 11 on May 5, 1868, to set aside May 30th as a day to remember and honor comrades who had died in the late war to end the rebellion.

It was first known as Declaration Day and eventually became known as Memorial Day.

The Grand Army of the Republic at its peak in 1890 had 410,000 members and dissolved in 1956, following the death of its final member.

General John A. Logan’s General Order 11 (Memorial Day Order)
I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from hishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation’s gratitude, the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of

JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

‍N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General

Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.

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