My interest in the Civil War
began in the early '70s
when my father and uncle
joined the N-SSA. I first
became interested in the
G.A.R. when I arrived at the
Bath VA and signed up for
the services I was entitled
to as a veteran. I
immediately noticed the
magnificent buildings and
manicured lawns. I began
asking questions about the
history of the Soldiers'
Home but nobody could
answer my questions.
I decided to do the
research myself and the
rest, as they say, is history.
began in the early '70s
when my father and uncle
joined the N-SSA. I first
became interested in the
G.A.R. when I arrived at the
Bath VA and signed up for
the services I was entitled
to as a veteran. I
immediately noticed the
magnificent buildings and
manicured lawns. I began
asking questions about the
history of the Soldiers'
Home but nobody could
answer my questions.
I decided to do the
research myself and the
rest, as they say, is history.
The truth shall
be told!!!
It's hard to believe the
attention this book is
getting!!! Since
publishing it I am now
booked for signings and
lectures well into next
year! People are amazed
that the Bath VA does
not do more to
perpetuate the history of
the Grand Army of the
Republic or the history of
the Bath Soldiers' Home.
be told!!!
It's hard to believe the
attention this book is
getting!!! Since
publishing it I am now
booked for signings and
lectures well into next
year! People are amazed
that the Bath VA does
not do more to
perpetuate the history of
the Grand Army of the
Republic or the history of
the Bath Soldiers' Home.
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The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was founded on April 6, 1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson, M.D. in
Decatur, Illinois. It was the largest organization of the Union's Civil War veterans and membership was limited to
honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had
served between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865. By 1890, membership would number 409,489 veterans. Five US
Presidents were also members of the GAR.
“Posts” were formed in communities and Posts within a state were referred to as a “Department.” In 1868,
Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan issued General Order No. 11 calling for all Departments and Posts to set aside
the 30th of May as “Decoration Day;” a day for remembering the sacrifices of fallen comrades. The name was
eventually changed to Memorial Day.
The GAR was active in pension legislation, relief work and establishing Old Soldiers’ Homes throughout the
country. This book, “FROM SOLDIERS’ HOME TO MEDICAL CENTER” by Robert Yott, tells the story of
how the Dept. of New York, GAR, established one such Home, the New York State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home at
Bath.
Decatur, Illinois. It was the largest organization of the Union's Civil War veterans and membership was limited to
honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had
served between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865. By 1890, membership would number 409,489 veterans. Five US
Presidents were also members of the GAR.
“Posts” were formed in communities and Posts within a state were referred to as a “Department.” In 1868,
Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan issued General Order No. 11 calling for all Departments and Posts to set aside
the 30th of May as “Decoration Day;” a day for remembering the sacrifices of fallen comrades. The name was
eventually changed to Memorial Day.
The GAR was active in pension legislation, relief work and establishing Old Soldiers’ Homes throughout the
country. This book, “FROM SOLDIERS’ HOME TO MEDICAL CENTER” by Robert Yott, tells the story of
how the Dept. of New York, GAR, established one such Home, the New York State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home at
Bath.