Grand Army of the Republic, George H. Thomas Post No. 17 collection
Collection
Identifier: L201
Scope and Contents
The collection contains mostly documents and volumes from the George H. Thomas Post No. 17 of the Grand Army of the Republic in Indianapolis, Indiana. These include meeting minutes and volumes, including ledgers and muster, account, dues, receipt, ritual, and ceremonial books, as well as correspondence, pamphlets, a metal plate, a souvenir of Decoration Day, and other organizational papers. Also included in the collection are photocopies of the meetings minutes from the Johnson Post No. 368 in Montpelier (1884-1894). The volumes (V127) range from 1880 to 1909 and undated.
There is also the organization certificate of the George H. Thomas Post of the Grand Army of the Republic in Indianapolis on April 3, 1880 (OBC019).
There is also the organization certificate of the George H. Thomas Post of the Grand Army of the Republic in Indianapolis on April 3, 1880 (OBC019).
Dates
- 1880-1933
Creator
- Grand Army of the Republic (U.S.) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Administrative History
The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was the largest and most influential organization of Union veterans of the U.S. Civil War. It was founded at Decatur, Illinois, in April 1866 by Dr. Benjamin F. Stephenson, formerly a surgeon of the 14th Illinois Infantry. Through most of their history, local posts were primarily fraternal organizations whose ritual and procedures had a military flavor. From the start, the Grand Army was an oath-bound society, dedicated to the principles of “fraternity, charity, and loyalty.” The George H. Thomas Post was the Indianapolis chapter of the G.A.R.
During the first couple of years, many local posts, notably in Indiana, were little more than radical Republican campaign clubs; but, in 1869, the national encampment (convention) adopted a regulation (never significantly altered) that forbade the use of the organization for partisan purposes. In 1949, six of the sixteen surviving veterans of the organization met in Indianapolis for the 83rd and last national encampment.
During the first couple of years, many local posts, notably in Indiana, were little more than radical Republican campaign clubs; but, in 1869, the national encampment (convention) adopted a regulation (never significantly altered) that forbade the use of the organization for partisan purposes. In 1949, six of the sixteen surviving veterans of the organization met in Indianapolis for the 83rd and last national encampment.
Extent
3.66 Cubic Feet (2 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize folder, 8 volumes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed in 1998 by Philip N. Williams and during January 2013 by Sarah Pfundstein. EAD finding aid created 2015/07/09 by Bethany Fiechter. EAD finding aid revised 2021/10/15 by Lauren Patton; 2024/07/19 by Brittany Kropf.
- Account books
- Certificates
- Correspondence
- Grand Army of the Republic (U.S.). Johnson Post No. 368
- Grand Army of the Republic. George H. Thomas Post No. 17 (Indianapolis, Ind.)
- Indianapolis (Ind.)
- Military veterans
- Minutes (Records)
- Montpelier (Ind.)
- Pamphlets
- Receipts (Acknowledgements)
- Souvenirs (Keepsakes)
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Veterans
- Veterans -- Indiana
- Veterans -- Societies, etc.
Creator
- Grand Army of the Republic (U.S.) (Organization)
- Title
- Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) George H. Thomas Post No. 17 collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
