Research: Military: Grand Army of the Republic

Grand Army of the Republic records, 1865-1949.

Description of Records

The New York State Archives' collection pertains only to GAR posts in New York State. It is comprised of a variety of materials generated from 1880 to 1948 that document the activities and functions of the agency that established these policies and procedures governing over 600 local posts that existed in many communities across New York State. In particular, these records are concerned with the disbandment of posts from the 1920's to 1940's. These records are organized into 14 series which are described below. See Access to the Records for information relating to copying and viewing the records.

1. Administrative Record Books
2. Administrative Correspondence Files
3. Members-at-large Files
4. Post Disbandment Files
5. Regimental History Survey Files
6. Rosters of Posts
7. Post Charters
8. Post Charter Applications
9. Reports of Officers, Delegates and Alternates
10. Reports to the Assistant Adjutant General
11. Post Descriptive Books
12. Post Record Books
13. Encampment Files
14. Photographs

1. Administrative Record Books. A series of bound volumes concerning the business and financial operations of the state headquarters. Included are minutes of the Administrative Council, accounts of dues receipts from posts; records of annual state encampment, record of post disbandments, and register of Civil War veterans residing in New York State. Also included, special materials on Gettysburg Reunion Club, and other special Civil War veteran's organizations.
2. Administrative Correspondence Files. Correspondence between the different posts and with the Adjutant General. This is general correspondence arranged by years; beginning in 1925 and ending in 1941. These include pension requests for widows and children, questions about post finances, requests for information on soldier histories. Requests by companies and hotels to do business with the G.A.R., or to house their next encampment, and general requests for a wide variety of information from post members re: pensions; where to buy uniforms and so forth.
3. Members-at-large Files are comprised of correspondence between the Adjutant General and members from posts that have been disbanded, but wish to remain active in the organization under the special members-at-large status. Arranged chronologically, 1927-1932.
4. Post Disbandment Files contains correspondence between post commanders and the assistant Adjutant General, which concern the surrendering of posts because of low enrollment, or in many cases because of the death of most of the members. These are arranged according to post number, and dates of disbandment.
5. Regimental History Survey Files includes personal recollections and memoirs written by former soldiers relating to the history of the regiment in which they served during the Civil War. There are also historical survey forms, ca. 1898 which were sent to all the posts by the New York State Historian Hugh Hastings, that sought information concerning the campaigns, battles, skirmishes, in which a particular regiment participated. These are arranged according to regiment, and include Cavalry; Light Artillery, Heavy Artillery; Marine Artillery; Light Battery; Infantry; Engineer; and State Militia.
6. Rosters of Posts consists of alphabetical listing by name of GAR Post in New York State, December 31, 1881; and listing of posts arranged by county.
7. Post Charters were granted by the State of New York and  officially recognized the organization of a post. They include date of issue, names of all the members of the post, and the location of the post.
8. Post Charter Applications include materials submitted to the state by prospective posts seeking official recognition. They are filed in numerical order by post number, and they list the members and location of veterans applying for membership.
9. Reports of Officers, Delegates and Alternates consist of reports submitted annually by the post commanders, that summarized organizational, financial, and membership activities of each post. Reports are arranged numerically by post for each year date from 1922 to 1942.
10. Reports to the Assistant Adjutant General contain copies of reports submitted by the state office to the national office summarizing the activities of posts in New York as a whole. Compiled annually, 1912-1939.
11. Post Descriptive Books are arranged numerically by post number and contain vital information about each member; name; age; birthplace; current residence; occupation; date of entry into service; rank, company; regiment; final discharge date; length of service; cause of discharge; and date of entrance into the GAR.
12. Post Record Books were compiled by various posts and include minutes from meetings; ledgers, and registers of death and burial places of members; and other organizational matters.
13. Encampment Files document the annual camp and drill exercises of the GAR, 1917-1945. Programs, printed circulars, and orders comprise the bulk of these files. Also listed is the 1945 national encampment; reports on the state of surviving posts from 1941, and a 1920 Civil War Veterans pension list for New York arranged by country.
14. Photographs contains views of officers, soldiers, drills, and camp scenes. Many of the portraits are named, but there are no post numbers.