The National Tribune

Founders of the Grand Army of the Republic.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I see that there is some discussion as to the origin of the idea of the G. A. R. organization. Will you let me tell what I know? I was personally acquainted with the Rev. Wm. J. Rutledge, of Illinois, before and after the war of the rebellion. In talking with him only a few years before his death, he told me these facts, as near as I can recall them. I asked him to write them down, which he promised to do, but, like some other modest men, I suppose, he deferred till too late. His statement was as follows:

"As the army was on one of its marches in the South, near the close of the war, Dr. Stephenson and I were riding along conversing about various things, when this thought came into my mind, and I said: 'Doctor, when this war is over there should be some organization among the soldiers of this army to perpetuate the friendships formed in these marches, battles and campaigns.'

"That is a fact, Chaplain,' said Dr. Stephenson; 'let us mind it when we get home.'

The war closed, and by a good Providence, both of these men returned home, Rev. Rutledge to his busy itinerant life in the Methodist ministry, and Dr. Stephenson to his practice of medicine in his native town. Dr. Rutledge was so busy with his Church work, and, being a modest man, he said but little about it. Dr. Stephenson, being active and more accustomed to such organizations, moved forward in the work of organization. This is, as I think, the true history of the origin. If Rev. Rutledge were living today, or Dr. Stephenson, I think the matter would be settled by either of those men.

"They builded wiser than they knew" when they laid the foundations of the G. A. R. Let us, their comrades, keep in perfect repair the structure they so fortunately and patriotically built.—T. H. HAGERTY,

Past Chaplain-in-Chief, St. Louis, Mo.