Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Membership Badge, 1883-1886

The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was a Civil War Union veterans' organization formed in 1866. Local G.A.R. posts sprang up in small towns and big cities, where members came together for camaraderie. G.A.R. members also sponsored Civil War monuments, and pledged to assist needy veterans and their families. By 1890--at its peak--over 400,000 Civil War veterans were G.A.R. members.