Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)

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Reno Post - Kimball, South Dakota 

From old accounts we know “Irish” John Smith frequently visited Civil War veterans in Brule County, South Dakota.  John was a member of  his local GAR chapter in Kimball.   The Grand Army of the Republic was a powerful political and social organization in the late 19^th century.  The first chapter was founded in Decatur, Illinois, on April 6, 1866.  The community level organization was defined as a ‘Post’.  The Kimball group identified themselves as Reno Post No. 35.     

                                                   1886 Membership Medal 

Between 1868 and 1908 no Republican was nominated as President without GAR endorsement.  Being a lifelong Democrat, this might not have set well with old “Irish” John.  We have the GAR to thank for our national holiday, Memorial Day.  The GAR was active in pension legislation and creating retirement homes for soldiers.  One old Soldier’s Home was built in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and is still in use today. 

 The pictures above are well known to the “Irish” John Smith family.  They show the wound “Irish” John Smith received fighting Confederate troops at Champion Hill, Mississippi.  A mini ball entered John’s upper left shoulder and exited his back.  Family lore tells us his buddies covered him up and hid him along a hedgerow.  Union officers later found John in a Confederate field hospital.  His status in the hospital was listed as ‘Prisoner of War’.  Later, John was paroled and given back to the Union Army. His wound was so severe that he felt its effects even later in life. 

GAR Reno Post created its first muster roll on December 1883.  Active members at any time averaged around 28 members.  Irish John Smith mustered into this organization sometime in the second quarter of 1888, or about 4 to 5 years later.    In the  first quarter of 1888 membership rolls showed 22 veterans in ‘good standing’ with a gain of 5 members for the quarter.  Five new members were added due to transfer with a total gain of 9 members giving an aggregate total of 31 new members.  Three members were marked off the roll due to nonpayment of dues.  John was the fifth member to join Reno Post during the 2^nd quarter of 1888.  His membership number was ‘55’. 

MUSTER ROLL of Members of Reno Post, No. 35 located at Kimball County of Brule Department of Dakota.  Grand Army of the Republic, mustered or admitted by transfer DURING THE QUARTER ending the 30^th day of June 1888. 

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November 2008