There are not a lot of GAR chapters in this part of Texas, which was pretty overwhelmingly Confederate. In fact, a small Confederate Cemetery is just a few sections away from this dignified Texas red granite monument.
The monument was erected by the Women's Relief Corps and Parlmy Post Number 4. the Women's Relief Corps was the official women's auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. GAR membership was limited to male Union veterans of the Civil War. In modern times, WRC is the auxiliary for the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the successor organization to the GAR, formed in 1881 in recognition that GAR membership would inevitably decline as its members aged and died. The last GAR member died in 1956.
See here for more on the WRC and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War: (
visit link)
This red granite memorial stands in Sec 103 of Oakwood Cemetery, near the Trinity River.It reads as follows:
"ERECTED BY THE
WOMEN'S RELIEF
CORPS AND PARLMY
POST NO. 4
IN MEMORY OF THE
UNION SOLDIERS
OF THE CIVIL WAR
1861-1865
G. A. R."
Beneath the red granite monument, a bronze plaque in concrete has been placed with General Logan's Memorial day order of May 5, 1868. That plaque reads as follows:
[small plaque]
"Presented by the National Women's Relief Corps, June 27, 1927"
[Large plaque]
"General Order
No. 11
Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic
Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868
I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.
If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.
III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.
By command of:
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief.
N. P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant-General."