G. A. R.
GRAND ARMY of the REPUBLIC

Contributed 2 March 2001,
by Lee Freeman

"Local and Personal"
From the North Alabamian (Tuscumbia, Colbert County, AL), Friday, March 1, 1889, p. 3.

"A post of the G. A. R. has been organized in Florence, and is known as Phil [General Phillip] Sheridan Post No. 9." 

"Of a Personal Nature: A Panoramic View
of the Movements of the People"
From the Florence Times, Sat., Sept. 14, 1895, p. 3. 

"Mrs. S. P. Merrill of this city, who is a member of the Ladies' Relief Corps Auxiliary to the G. A. R., was specially invited by her post to attend the encampment in session this week at Louisville, and one of their magnificent badges for 1895 was sent to her". 

Grand Army Post.
From the Florence Herald, Friday, July 3, 1903, p. 1.

"The ex-Federal soldiers of Florence and vicinity met Tuesday evening and organized a Grand Army post, with fifteen charter members. Grand Commander R. H. Allison mustered in the veterans and installed the following officers : 
     A. G. Negley, commander; 
     A. E. Bresler, senior vice commander; 
     C. B. Eldred, junior vice commander; 
     W. M. Campbell, adjutant; 
     H. McDonald, Q. M.; 
     C. C. Chapin, Officer of the Day. 
The post will be known as the James S. Negley Post, No. 18. There are a number of applications already in for membership, and the post will probably number thirty, later on". 

Grand Army
From the Florence Times, Friday, July 3, 1903, p. 1. 

"The soldiers of Florence and vicinity who served in the Federal Army during the ? -'65, met on the 30th ultimo and organized a Grand Army ? Dept. . Commander R. H. Allison of Decatur came over and ? stered the old veterans in. [ The ] Post will be known as the [ James S. Negley ] Post No. 18. The following comrades were installed as [officers]: A. G. Negley, [ Commander ]. A. E. Bresler [ Senior Vice-Commander ] C. B. Eldred [ Junior Vice-Commander ] H. McDonald, Q. M. W. B. S. ? on, Chaplain George ? , Surgeon C. C. [ Chapin ] , Officer of the Day W. M. [ Campbell ], Adjutant The ? ent membership of this Post ? een, with several applications ? the table". 

"Short Local Items"
From the Florence Times, Friday, July 17, 1903, p. 1.

"The Negley Post of the G. A. R. attended the funeral of Col. Jno. F. Steele in a body Wednesday morning. It was a graceful compliment to a brave soldier". 

"Camp Fire"
From the Florence Times, Friday, April 21, 1905, p. 1. 

"Negley Post No. 18, G. A. R., will hold a camp fire at the court house on Monday, April 24th, at 8 p. m. The commander-in- chief and part of his personal staff will be present. A hearty and cordial invitation is extended to all old soldiers, both Federal and Confederate, and their families to be present. M. W. Campbell, Commander". 

"GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
DECORATE GRAVES OF COMRADES"
From the Florence Herald, Friday, June 5, 1905.

"The graves of the Federal soldiers who fell in battle and were buried in Lauderdale county were strewn with flowers and patriotic emblems by their comrades of Negley Post No. 18, G. A. R. on Tuesday, Memorial day. The ritualistic service of the G. A. R. was performed at the graves, after which the graves were decorated with floral emblems. Seven of the boys who wore the blue are laid beneath the sod in the Florence city cemetery and three others in different parts of the county".

"Negley Post Elects Officers" 
From the Florence Times, Jan. 15, 1906, p. 2.

"Negley Post G. A. R. No. 18 at its regular meeting, December 28, elected the following Post officers for the ensuing year : 
     Capt C. B. Eldred, Commander; 
     A. Keebaugh, Senior Vice Commander; 
     H. McDonald, Junior Vice Commander; 
     A. E. Bresler, Treasurer". 

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