GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC

Photo courtesy of Sterling Historical Society

Members of Major J. A. Pratt G.A.R. Post 59, assembled outside the Red Brick Schoolhouse for a group photo.

1st Row W. S. Walker * Edward W. Toombs * George Carter * Warren Burpee * Peter Lynds * Ezra Sawyer Stephen Peters Charles Wilder Edward Winn *

2nd Row Albert Newhall George Bairdson Ebenozer Bartlett James Burpee Pierson T.K. Burpee * Capt. G.W. Rockwood Edward N. Taylor * J. Warren Kendall Thomas L. Gerry Sam Osgood Jr. Jim Wicks A. H. Melfind

*Identified as member of Co K, 53rd Massachusetts Volunteers. In 1862, Co. K used the building as their headquarters. Co K was formed by men from Sterling, Lancaster, Boylston, and New Braintree. The 53rd was mustered out in Fitchburg, Sept. 2, 1863 after serving in, "The Army of the Gulf", seeing action primarily in and around Louisiana.

The G.A.R. Post 59, (Grand Army of the Republic) a Civil War veterans organization, also met at the brick school house. The south room served as their headquarters from 1868, when sterling voters gave them the use of the building. Existing Sterling G.A.R. records shows member, W. S. Walker, who was Post Commander several times, last reporting in 1919.

The G.A.R. was the first veterans' organization to fight for veterans' rights using the political system on state and national levels, while creating the organizational ground work for the multitude of veterans' organizations to follow in the 20th century.

The G.A.R. had been calling for veterans pensions since the 1880's, and established in Massachusetts a "Veterans Rights Union and Employment Bureau" as well as establishing relief funds for "aid and comfort to destitute comrades and families of deceased comrades".

In addition to their many good works, the G.A.R. was responsible for the opening of a soldier's home on July 25, 1882.

The date of the photograph (above) can be established as no later than 1894, using G.A.R. annual encampment records (state conventions) listing Edward N. Taylor, the first from the group to pass on, as deceased, Oct.1884 at age 80.

The members of Sterling's G.A.R. Post 59, proudly display, what could be their Medals of Honor, or "The Grand Army of the Republic medal" both being very similar in shape and appearance. Visual identification from the photo is inconclusive.

More than 3400 MOH have been awarded since the first medal, instituted by congress in 1862 for privates and non- commissioned officers, who "shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other soldier like qualities". The MOH remained the sole military decoration for over 40 years.

After the civil war, many individual veterans and veteran groups applied for, and received the MOH, it was the only medal available at the time. Additionally, many imitations of the medal were worn.

In 1896 the medal was redesigned for the army and new rules established for awarding the medal, which now included officers as recipients.

One must keep in mind, participating in battle with a fighting regiment during the American Civil War, was to enter Dante's pit via the jaws of hell. Men stood shoulder to shoulder, many times with their friends and neighbors from the same towns, in battle line formation advancing through artillery canister, or rifle fire, in the open, unprotected, and relying on chance, luck, each other, and the powers from above, for their survival. Regards for personal safety was minimal at best.

The tactics of the time required great individual courage for the soldiers advancing under fire. Color bearers advancing during battle, often sacrificing life and limb for the flag they carried was not uncommon on both sides. Each man so engaged, a hero to his country.

Today the eligibility criteria has changed SIGNIFICANTLY for awarding the MOH, as have the battle tactics of modern warfare.

See comparative photos of medals:

G.A.R. Medal 1886	G.A.R. Medal 1881 Encampment Boston	MOH - Navy Civil War	MOH - Army Civil War

Photo courtesy of Sterling Historical Society

Members of G.A.R Post 59 on horseback, likely taken while leading an early Sterling Memorial Day Parade, marching West down Maple St. towards Main St.

The first Memorial Day, previously known as "Decoration Day", was declared by proclamation of General J. H. Logan of the G.A.R. on 5 May, 1868 issuing general order # 11 that, "The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the 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, hamlet churchyard 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."

In 1949 the G.A.R. had its final encampment. The last member passed on in1956 and the G.A.R. faded into history, having played their part in securing rights and benefits for the Civil War Veteran, as well as pointing the way for many future veteran's organizations and associations of the modern era.

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