Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Grand Army of the Republic Montana Department records, 1881-1941
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Grand Army of the Republic. Department of Montana
- Title
- Grand Army of the Republic Montana Department records
- Dates
- 1881-1941 (inclusive)18811941
- Quantity
- 5 linear feet of shelf space
- Collection Number
- MC 205
- Summary
- This collection consists of records of the Montana Department of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and of the Woman's Relief Corps. Records include correspondence, financial records, organizational materials, rosters, minutes, and miscellany for locals in Anaconda, Butte, Boulder Valley, Columbia Falls, Deer Lodge, Fort Custer, Great Falls, Hamilton, Helena, and Missoula.
- Repository
-
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov - Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was the national organization of Union Army veterans of the Civil War. The first G.A.R. post in Montana was the John Buford Post, No. 15, Department of the Mountains, established at Fort Custer on August 20, 1881. In October 1883 the Department of Utah was organized, and Montana became part of this new department. On March 10, 1885, the Department of Montana was formed. Posts from the Department of the Mountains and the Department of Utah were re-numbered as posts within the Department of Montana. Montana eventually had 26 posts, although not all were active at the same time. The National Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in Denver, Colorado, on July 25, 1883. The Montana division, added on May 3, 1888, originally was under the jurisdiction of the Department of North Dakota, but after six corps were formed in Montana, making the state eligible for a department of its own, the Department of Montana was created on April 15, 1893. Starting with a membership of 215 in 1893, the Woman's Relief Corps Department of Montana, grew to 850 members in 1922. The organization's primary duty was to care for veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in Montana it was partially responsible for the passage, in 1895, of a bill to establish and maintain a solders' home at Columbia Falls. The Corps was also involved in relief work and fundraising of a general nature, raising money for famine and flood victims throughout the world.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection is arranged in four subgroups. The first subgroup contains Department of Montana records of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Woman's Relief Corps, and the Ladies of the G.A.R., including general correspondence (1893-1934, undated); outgoing correspondence (1885-1936), including general and special orders, and circulars; financial records (1887-1918); organizational materials (1903, 1933, undated); miscellany, including encampment programs and minutes, index to records of local posts, histories, membership information, and roster books, etc.; a scrapbook (1939-1965); and clippings (1920-1921, undated). A second subgroup contains the records of Local Posts, including John Buford Post #1, Fort Custer; Lincoln Post #2, Butte; Wadsworth Post #3, Helena; George H. Thomas Post #4, Deer Lodge; Custer Post #5, Soldiers' Home, Columbia Falls; William English Post #10, Bozeman; Frederick Winthrop Post #11, Missoula; James B. McPherson Post #13, Boulder Valley; George G. Meade Post #16, Anaconda; Sheridan Post #18, Great Falls; John C. Fremont Post #21, Hamilton; and George B. McClelland Post #24, Columbia Falls. Records included are correspondence, minutes, descriptive books of members, rosters, and ledgers. Not all posts include all these records. The third subgroup in the collection contains records of Woman's Relief Corps local posts including Wadsworth Post #1, Helena and Lincoln Post #6, Butte. Records include ledger books for Helena, and correspondence, minutes, and reports for Butte. The fourth subgroup consists of records of the Ladies of the G.A.R. local post at Butte, entitled the John F. Reynolds Circle #14. Records include correspondence, financial records, minutes, and reports.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Arranged by series and subgroup. Some material housed in Archives Map Case and Manuscript Volumes, see inventory below for more information.
Location of Collection
12:3-7Location of Collection
146:1-2 (volumes 1-3)Preservation Note
Fragile material copied on MF 429. See inventory below for specific items.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition Information available upon request
Separated Materials
Artifacts separated to Museum. See inventory below for more information.
Related Materials
See MF 429 for microfilmed copies of fragile material.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection
Department Of Montana Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
General Correspondence |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1 / 1 | Chronological (correspondents include Knights of
Labor, Anaconda; U.S. Bureau of Pensions; Woman's Relief Corps, Bozeman, Helena;
George H. Taylor; C.P.H. Bielenberg; Effie MacRae; Ladies of the Grand Army of the
Republic; U.S. General Land Office; Roy C. Minard; Samuel V. Stewart; Benton
Halstead) |
1893-1934, undated |
Outgoing Correspondence |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1 / 2 | Letterpress book (includes general orders, special
orders) |
1885-1889, 1896 |
| 1 / 3 | General orders, special orders, circulars |
1886-1923, 1936 |
| 1 / 4 | General orders, special orders, circulars: Woman's
Relief Corps and Ladies of the G.A.R. |
1896-1935 |
Financial Records |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1 / 5 | Cash book kept by Assistant Quartermaster General |
1887-1918 |
Organizational Records |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1 / 6 | Ladies of the G.A.R. bylaws; report from annual
convention of Woman's Relief Corps; minutes of meeting; history of Woman's Relief
Corps |
1903, 1933, undated |
Miscellany |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1 / 7 | Encampment programs and minutes |
1886-1947 |
| 1 / 8 | Index to records of posts |
undated |
| 1 / 9 | List of artifacts transferred to Museum |
|
| 1 / 10 | List of pensioners; membership reports; list of
department commanders |
1885-1936 |
| 1 / 11 | Memorial Day programs, salutes to the flag, pension
requirements, forms, etc. |
1886-1895, 1926, undated |
| 1 / 12 | Notes on and history of Dept. of Montana and local
posts |
undated |
| 1 / 13 | Pension authorizations, certificates of honorable
discharge, certificates of service, etc. |
1889-1905 |
| 2 / 1 | Register of delegates to encampments |
1894-1908 |
| Volume | ||
| Vol. 1 | Register of delegates to encampments |
1917-1923 |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2 / 2-3 | Roster books (include rosters of officers of Dept.
of Montana, local posts, past commanders, etc.) |
1887-1907 |
| 2 / 4 | Rosters of Dept. of Montana and Woman's Relief
Corps [scattered dates] |
1887-1921 |
| 2 / 5 | Transfers in from other states |
1887-1925 |
| 2 / 6 | United Veterans Council bylaws and constitution |
1933 |
Clippings |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2 / 7 | Miscellaneous (includes minutes of meetings,
obituaries, political commentary) |
1895-1930, undated |
| Volume | ||
| Vol. 2 | Scrapbook (compiled by Mrs. O.E. Selzer and Myra
Korlsund: includes news, obituaries, and mementos) |
1939-1965 |
Local Posts Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
Subject Files |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 2 / 8 | John Buford Post #1, Fort Custer: account ledger |
1885-1896, undated |
| 2 / 9 | John Buford Post #1, Fort Custer: minute book
[includes John Buford Post #15, Fort Custer, Dept. of the Mountains] |
1881-1892 |
| 2 / 10 | John Buford Post #1, Fort Custer: regulations,
bylaws, and rosters [includes John Buford Post #15, Fort Custer, Dept. of the
Mountains] |
1881-1892 |
| 2 / 11 | John Buford Post #1, Fort Custer: descriptive book
of members [includes John Buford Post #15, Fort Custer, Dept. of the Mountains]
[FRAGILE: Use MF 429] |
1881-1892 |
| 3 / 1 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: correspondence |
1887-1929, undated |
| 3 / 2 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: bills, statements etc. |
1886-1927 |
| 3 / 3 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: cash book |
1908-1920 |
| 3 / 4-6 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: ledgers |
1884-1935 |
| 3 / 7 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: minute book [includes
Lincoln Post #1, Butte, Dept. of Utah] |
1883-1894 |
| 4 / 1-5 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: minute books |
1895-1924 |
| 5 / 1 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: minute book |
1924-1936 |
| 5 / 2 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: items removed from minute
books |
1899-1931 |
| 5 / 3 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: minutes of meetings with
other patriotic organizations to found camp of Sons of Veterans |
1917 |
| 5 / 4 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: quarterly reports,
committee reports, etc. |
1894-1934 |
| 5 / 5 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: applications, memorials,
resolutions, registrations for headstones, admission requirements |
1888-1924 |
| 5 / 6-8 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: descriptive books of
members [FRAGILE: Use MF 429] |
1883-1914 |
| 5 / 9 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: programs, etc. |
1908-1933 |
| 5 / 10 | Lincoln Post #2, Butte: rosters [includes Lincoln
Woman's Relief Corps #6; Sons of Veterans Camp #5; John F. Reynolds Circle #14,
Ladies of the G.A.R.; Wilbur F. Sanders Circle #17, Ladie of the G.A.R.] |
1902-1932 |
| 5 / 11 | Wadsworth Post #3, Helena: correspondence |
1902, undated |
| 5 / 12 | Wadsworth Post #3, Helena: rules and regulations
and roster [includes Wadsworth Post #8, Helena, Dept. of Utah] |
1883-1896 |
| 5 / 13 | Wadsworth Post #3, Helena: roster |
1895 |
| Volume | ||
| Vol. 3 | Wadsworth Post #3, Helena: minutes |
1888-1892 |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 5 / 14 | Wadsworth Post #3, Helena: minutes |
1892-1897 |
| 6 / 1 | Wadsworth Post #3, Helena: minutes |
1903-1915 |
| 6 / 2-3 | Wadsworth Post #3, Helena: descriptive books of
members [includes Wadsworth Post #8, Helena, Dept. of Utah] [FRAGILE: Use MF 429] |
1883-1904 |
| 6 / 4 | Wadsworth Post #3, Helena: inventory |
undated |
| 6 / 5 | Wadsworth Post #3, Helena: rituals |
1921 |
| 6 / 6 | George H. Thomas Post #4, Deer Lodge: minute book
[includes George H. Thomas Post #9, Deer Lodge, Dept. of Utah] |
1884-1941 |
| 7 / 1 | George H. Thomas Post #4, Deer Lodge: descriptive
book of members [includes George H. Thomas Post #9, Deer Lodge, Dept. of Utah]
[FRAGILE: Use MF 429] |
1884-1991 |
| 7 / 2 | Custer Post #5, Columbia Falls: minute book |
1911-1930 |
| 7 / 3 | Custer Post #5, Columbia Falls: descriptive book of
members [includes Soldier's Home and George B. McClelland Post #24, Columbia Falls]
[FRAGILE: Use MF 429] |
1886-1924 |
| 7 / 4 | William English Post #10, Bozeman: program |
1886 |
| 7 / 5-7 | Frederick Winthrop Post #11, Missoula: minutes
[includes Robert C. Winthrop Post #11, Missoula] |
1884-1891, 1904-1934 |
| 7 / 8 | James B. McPherson Post #13, Boulder Valley: ledger
book |
1885-1892 |
| 7 / 9 | James B. McPherson Post #13, Boulder Valley:
descriptive book of members [FRAGILE: Use MF 429] |
1885-1895 |
| 8 / 1 | George G. Meade Post #16, Anaconda: ledger book |
1897-1920 |
| 8 / 2-3 | George G. Meade Post #16, Anaconda: minute books |
1899-1916 |
| 8 / 4 | George G. Meade Post #16, Anaconda: bylaws and
resolutions |
undated |
| 8 / 5 | George G. Meade Post #16, Anaconda: descriptive
books of members [FRAGILE: Use MF 429] |
1887-1907 |
| 8 / 6 | George G. Meade Post #16, Anaconda: post register |
1893-1915 |
| Oversize Folder | ||
| MC 199-215 | George G. Meade Post #16, Anaconda:
membership lists [OVERSIZE: See Archives Map Case folder MC 199-215] |
1893-1915 |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 8 / 7 | Sheridan Post #18, Great Falls: membership
applications |
undated |
| 8 / 8 | John C. Fremont Post #21, Hamilton: descriptive
book of members [FRAGILE: Use MF 429] |
1890-1898 |
Woman's Relief Corps Local Posts Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
Subject Files |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 9 / 1-2 | Wadsworth Post #1, Helena: ledger books |
1888-1913 |
| 9 / 3 | Lincoln Post #6, Butte: correspondence |
1898-1923, undated |
| 9 / 4 | Lincoln Post #6, Butte: minutes |
1899-1902, undated |
| 9 / 5 | Lincoln Post #6, Butte: quarterly reports,
treasurers' reports, election reports, etc. |
1900-1921 |
Ladies Of The G.A.R. Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
Membership Records |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 9 / 6 | Phil Sheridan Circle # 4: History |
1953 |
Subject Files |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 9 / 7 | John F. Reynolds Circle # 14, Butte: correspondence |
1916-1933 |
| 9 / 8 | John F. Reynolds Circle # 14, Butte: account books |
1931-1935 |
| 9 / 9 | John F. Reynolds Circle # 14, Butte: bills, bank
books, receipts, etc. |
1901-1933 |
| 9 / 10 | John F. Reynolds Circle # 14, Butte: minutes |
1916-1935, undated |
| 9 / 11 | John F. Reynolds Circle # 14, Butte: convention
reports, quarterly reports, committee reports |
1920-1939 |
Miscellany |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 9 / 12 | Phil Sheridan Circle # 4: Encampment brochure,
Certificate of Participation for Arline Childs, Star Spangled Banner lyrics |
1949, 1975 |
Clippings |
||
| Box/Folder | ||
| 9 / 13 | Phil Sheridan Circle # 4 |
1932-1962 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Veterans--societies, etc.--Montana
- Women--societies and clubs--Montana
Corporate Names
- Grand Army of the Republic. Department of Montana (creator)
Geographical Names
- Boulder (Mont.)--social life and customs
- United States--history--civil war, 1861-1865
Finding aid prepared by MHS staff
2004
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
