Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Membership Badge with number (SOLD)

This is another nice piece being offered, it is a Civil War Veteran’s GAR Medal. The badge has a five-pointed star suspended from a flag; a facsimile of the Medal of Honor granted by Congress and is made of bronze (some were made from cannons captured at major engagements in the War). On the medal is ”Grand Army of the Republic / 1861 – VETERAN – 1866”. On the reverse of the eagle is “PAT. MAY 4, 1886 / JUNE 22, 1886”.

Also, on the rim of the medal is the number “R24483”. The purpose of this number was simply to verify that the badges were authentic and had been purchased from the Quartermaster General, rather than from an unauthorized source. One of the duties of Department Inspectors was to check badges to verify that they were issued by headquarters. A discovery of a fake badge during an inspection could result in the dishonorable discharge of the GAR Comrade who wore it. There is a picture of a veteran wearing one of these badges (see pictures).

The Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization for Union Civil War Veterans. It was established in 1866 and saw its' heyday in the very late 1800s. The group held annual national reunions and most states and departments held reunions and events at their level. The individual veterans would join a post and attend regular meetings. The group was involved in politics by lobbying Congress for Veteran benefits and supporting political candidates.

These badges were a symbol of the soldier’s service, and they were very proud to wear them. This one is in very nice condition and no doubt was a cherished piece of the veteran’s life.