Colgrove-Woodruff Camp No. 22
Battle Creek, Michigan

LADIES' AID SOCIETY
Auxiliary to the Sons of Veterans, U.S.A.
            The "Ladies' Aid Society" was organized in Philadelphia, Pa., A.D. 1883, but it was not until the 29^th day of August, 1884, at a meeting of the "Sons of Veterans" held in Philadelphia that it was duly recognized and practically acknowledged as an "Auxiliary to the Sons of Veterans, U.S.A."
      Prior to June 13, 1885, this Order consisted of but seven Societies, and was not known outside of Eastern Pennsylvania. In September, 1885, at an annual meeting held at Grand Rapids, Mich., the "Sons of Veterans" passed the following resolution:
      "Resolved, That all brothers of our Order be requested to encourage the movement to extend the Association of "Ladies' Aid Societies," in order that they might become situation and circumstances will admit of, and that the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Division, Division, and Camp Commanders, and all others interested aid in the establishment of Societies, and that in accordance with the request of the President, Miss Laura F. Martin, of Lancaster, Pa., they advance to her Order in the shape of a temporary loan such moderate amounts as her appeal indicates will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the case."
      The passing of this resolution is credited to Maj. A. P. Davis, of Pittsburgh, Pa., the founder of the "Sons of Veterans, U. S. A.," and to him the more perfect and thorough organization of the Order as it now stands is largely due.
      The rapid growth of the Order is clearly demonstrated by the fact that its first National Encampment was held at Akron, Ohio, September 7 to 9, 1887, just two years after the passing of the above resolution, and since that time the Order has been repeatedly indorsed by the National Encampments of the "Sons of Veterans" as their only authorized auxiliary. It now embraces about three hundred and fifty Societies, with thirteen States organized into permanent Divisions, and has a total membership of over eight thousand.

ELIGIBILITY TO MEMBERSHIP
This Order admits to membership: First, "mothers, wives, and sisters of deceased or honorably discharged soldiers, sailors, or marines who served in the Union Army or Navy during the Civil War of 1861-1865; second, female lineal descendants not less than sixteen years of age of soldiers, sailors, or marines; third, wives of Sons of Veterans."

PRINCIPLES OF THE ORDER.
Its principles are: First, "a firm belief and trust in Almighty God, and a realization that under His beneficent care and guidance the free institutions of our land — by the assistance and sacriflees of our soldiers — have been preserved, and the integrity and life of the nation maintained; second, true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America, and a respect for and a devotion and fidelity to its Constitution and laws, with a firm opposition to anything that may tend to weaken loyalty or in any manner impair the efficiency and permanency of our National union."

OBJECTS
The objects of the Order are: First, "to assist the 'Sons of Veterans' in keeping green the memories of our soldiers, and their sacrifices for the maintenance of the Union; second, to aid the members of the 'Grand Army of the Republic' in caring for their helpless and disabled veterans, to extend aid and protection to their widows and orphans, to perpetuate the memory and history of their heroic dead, and the proper observance of Memorial Day; third, to aid and assist the 'Sons of Veterans' in all their objects, both financially and otherwise; fourth, to aid and assist worthy and needy members of our Society; fifth, to inculcate true patriotism and love of country, not only among our membership, but all the people of our land, and to spread and sustain the doctrine of equal rights, universal liberty, and justice to all."
      The Order takes its name from a society organized in Philadelphia, Pa., the week following the fall of Fort Sumter in 1861, under the title of "Ladies' Aid Society." This Society was composed of about two hundred loyal ladies of that city, and was organized for the purpose, of providing nurses for the sick and wounded soldiers, and to care for suffering and bereaved soldiers' families. In short, as an organization to aid and encourage the Union soldiers in their struggle for the maintenance of the Union.
      As the Order of the " Sons of Veterans, U. S. A.," will likely continue as an organization for many years to come, owing to the fact that it was organized for the purpose of aiding and continuing the work begun, and thus far so faithfully carried out by the " Grand Army of the Republic," and, inasmuch as it has been demonstrated in the past that the "Woman's Relief Corps" and the "Ladies of the G.A.R.," both auxiliaries to the G.A.R., have been a source of great aid to that organization, it is reasonable to suppose that the "Ladies' Aid Society, Auxiliary to the Sons of Veterans," will continue to grow in favor until it becomes a mighty factor in carrying out the principles and objects of the "Sons of Veterans," upon which its structure is based and reared.