The Grand Army of The Republic (G.A.R.) was an organization for veterans of the Civil War that fought for the Union. It existed from 1866 to 1956, when it was dissolved due to the natural course of life. There was no requirement for veterans to join the organization, but many who had served chose to become members. Numerous direct ancestors and other relatives were eligible for G.A.R. This article focuses on two specific ancestors that were very active with G.A.R. To learn more about GAR click here (after reading the article of course).
Joseph Gazzan Klinefelter
(Thomson family line)
Civil War Service
Joseph served as a private in the Union Army during the Civil War. He served from August 27, 1862 to June 14, 1865 as an “artificer” in Company E of Knap’s Independent Battery of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which was a light artillery unit. Just a few weeks later on September 17, he was wounded and captured at the battle of Antietam, near Sharpsburgh, Maryland. He was taken to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. He was “paroled” from the prison likely as a part of a prisoner exchange.
In 1863, Joseph participated in battles at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Wauhatchie, Tennessee. In the latter battle, Joseph received a wound to his left arm, which resulted in him being hospitalized in Nashville. The following year Joseph’s unit participated in the many battles that ensued as part of Sherman’s March to Atlanta and the Sea. After that it was time for the Grand Review on May 24, 1865. The battery mustered out on June 14, 1865 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
After The War
After the war, Joseph joined J.B. McPherson Post #177 of the Grand Army of the Republic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He enjoyed visiting different G.A.R. encampments across the country. In 1899, Joseph and his wife Caroline attended a week-long national encampment and convention in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Inquirer provided extensive multi-page coverage of the event. Business of the organization included the election of offices, deciding on Chicago for the 1900 encampment, a vigorous discussion of military pensions, a discussion of allowing veterans of the Spanish American War join, various parades, and many meetings and reunions of specific units. Joseph most likely joined the meeting and parade of the ex-prisoners of war, along with the meeting of his unit.
The G.A.R. members enjoyed many other fun activities as well. In one day, nearly 1900 people visited City Hall and took the elevator ride up the tower. Meanwhile, others visited the Philadelphia Mint, Independence Hall, and the warships on the Delaware River. Atlantic City was also a fun destination, which the Pennsylvania Railroad advertised as an excursion for $1. The Philadelphia Inquirer also provided the G.A.R. members and their spouses with rides in in the most luxurious horseless carriages in the city. Joseph and Caroline were among the G.A.R. couples that opted to be chauffeured through the streets of Philadelphia in one of the $3600 carriages. (Were they made of gold?)
In 1905, on a trip to the National Encampment in Denver, Joseph took his wife and his granddaughter Blanche, whom he and Caroline had raised. It was on that trip that Blanche met Herbert Thomson, a farmer from Nebraska and her future husband, which most likely was the biggest way G.A.R. impacted Joseph’s life as she moved to Nebraska.
Over the following years, Joseph continued his membership in several societies, including G.A.R. and the Union Veteran Legion #1. For Memorial Day in 1910, details of the local G.A.R. visited the public schools and the school children collected plants to be planted on the graves of soldiers. On that day, Joseph visited Garfield School, a short distance from his home. The next year, as commander of the post, Joseph gave a Memorial Day address. It was later that year that he died while still holding the office of commander.
Willis Alexander Conner
(Pellett Family Line)
Civil War Service
Willis had multiple stints in the Union Army during the Civil War starting when he was only 14 years of age. On May 31, 1864, he enlisted in the 133rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry commanded by Colonel Thaddeus Phillips. The unit organized at Camp Butler with a 100 day commitment to the war effort. Willis served as a private in Company C , guarding prisoners of war. He was discharged, along with many other men, by Lt. Sumner at Springfield, Illinois on September 24, 1864. Willis also reported that measles had settled in his lungs during his service.
By February 15, 1865, Willis was back to the war effort when he enlisted in the 152nd Regiment, Illinois Infantry for one year. The unit organized at Camp Butler before moving into Tennessee. Their main role was to protect the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. Willis’ service, however, was cut short as the war ended. He mustered out of Company I on September 11th of that year at Memphis, Tennessee.
After The War
By 1868, Willis had moved to Kansas. When the 19th Kansas Volunteer Calvary was called into service to address issues in the west with “hostile Indians.” Colonel Crawford (namesake of Crawford County) who was the governor of Kansas, resigned and led the regiment. Willis signed up to serve the six month term on October 18, 1868 – only 8 days after a proclamation stating the need for a regiment had been made.
Between 1200 and 1500 men gathered at Topeka before the regiment set out to the southwest. Over the next six months they would venture into Indian Territory. It was a very difficult journey as the winter was very harsh and supplies were extremely limited. Many horses were also lost leaving the men to march through the cold and deep snow. During the time they faced no fierce fighting with the Native Americans. And, peace was achieved with some. The entire regiment mustered out at Fort Hays on April 18, 1869.
In 1887, Willis joined the W.H. Lytle Post #32 of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) at Fort Scott, Kansas. Although G.A.R. started shortly after the war, It didn’t really get started in Kansas until 1880. The post in Fort Scott mustered on December 12, 1881. Willis was the 317th patriot to apply and be accepted by the local organization. It appears that he served in an official role with the organization around 1900. In addition, in the 1890s, he was an assistant to the Grand Marshall for the Memorial Day Parade, which were elaborate events with multiple GAR units, the Kansas National Guard, various civic organizations, schools, and local officials participating. Ex-slaves and Native Americans also participated.
The W. H. Lytle Post recommended and actively supported the creation of a soldier’s home for veterans. Interestingly, Willis ended up spending the last months of his life at the Soldiers Home in Dodge City. It had been established in 1890 and is still in use today.
Afterward: The encampment in Philadelphia could be an entire article. It was fascinating with so much written about it.