Guide to the Grand Army of the Republic Eagle Post No.​ 52 Records,​ 1886-​1944

Overview of the Collection

Repository:               
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
P.O.  Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702 – 4004
(715) 836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/

Reference Code: USGZE UHC285

Accession Number: 06-125

Collection Number: University Historical Collection 285

Creators: Grand Army of the Republic. Eagle Post No. 52 (Eau Claire, Wis.)

Title: Grand Army of the Republic. Eagle Post No. 52 (Eau Claire, Wis.) Records

Dates: 1886-1944, bulk 1920-1944

Quantity: 1.2 linear feet (3 archives boxes, and one oversize folder)

Location of Collection: A10/2h, Drawer 26

Languages: Collection materials are in English.

Summary: Membership records and encampment journals and programs of the Eau Claire chapter of the nation’s largest Civil War veterans’ organization.

Historical Note

The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was the largest Civil War veteran organization.  Founded in 1866, the GAR was open veterans of all ranks who had served in the Union Army.  The GAR was both a political and fraternal organization, active in lobbying for veterans’ pension, promoting goodwill among veterans, and assisting disabled veterans.  It reached its peak membership in 1890, counting 409,000 members nationwide.

The GAR was organized into departments at the state level, and posts at the local level.  The Wisconsin Department reached its highest membership in 1899, with 164 posts and nearly 14,000 members.  The Eau Claire post was founded on November 8, 1882 with 23 members.  It counted 438 members among its ranks between 1882 and 1926.  

Content Description

The richest sources of documentation in these records are the membership records.  They provide directory and biographical information about each member, including details of Civil War military service.  Membership applications include applications of both accepted and denied members.  Some members submitted detailed autobiographies for retention in the Eagle Post’s archives.  The encampment journals and programs provide information about the annual meetings held by the GAR Wisconsin Department. Photographs, ephemera, and fragmentary correspondence and reports round out the collection.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Donated to the Special Collections & Archives, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire prior to March 2006.

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright not owned by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Preferred Citation: Grand Army of the Republic. Eagle Post No. 52 (Eau Claire, Wis.) Records, 1886-1944. UHC 285. Special Collections & Archives.  McIntyre Library.  University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Eau Claire, WI.

Processing Note: Processed by Colleen McFarland and Jolene Arnold in May 2006

Arrangement: Flat arrangement; alphabetical order

Subjects

Corporate Names: Grand Army of the Republic. Eagle Post No. 52 (Eau Claire, Wis.) -- Archives

Subject Terms: United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865—Veterans – Wisconsin

Detailed List of Contents

Container 

Contents 

Dates  

Box/Folder 2/1

Adjuster’s Reports

1886-1889

Box/Folder 2/2

Encampment Journals

1892, 1894

Box/Folder 2/3

Encampment Journals

1922, 1929

Box/Folder 2/4

Encampment Journals

1943-1944

Box/Folder 2/5

Encampment Programs

1926, 1929,1930, 1932

Box/Folder 2/6

Encampment Programs

1933, 1934, 1937, 1940

Box 1

Membership Applications

undated

Box/Folder 3/1-6

Members’ Autobiographies

1908?

Box/Folder 3/7-8

Membership Cards

undated

Box/Folder 3/9

Membership Rosters

1897, 1912, 1925, 1926

Box/Folder 3/10-11

Miscellaneous

1909-1943

Box/Folder 3/12

Photograph

undated

Box/Folder 3/13

Photographs

1934, 1943, undated

Oversize folder

Photograph

1923