Colgrove-Woodruff Camp No. 22
Battle Creek, Michigan

LADIES OF THE G.A.R.
(Formerly Known as "LOYAL LADIES' LEAGUE)
      The movement of patriotic women, "Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic," which was first inaugurated at Portland, Me., in 1869, spread rapidly throughout the country. The ladies of New Jersey were second to none in their enthusiastic support of it. A number of societies or leagues were soon formed throughout the State, which were, however, not perfectly uniform in their rules and management. To secure a more thorough co-operation in the work for which they were destined, a request was issued in general orders by Commander Charles Houten, Department of New Jersey, asking all the ladies to send representatives to Trenton, with a view of forming a State organization. The delegates met at Trenton, N.J., December 15, 1881, and after some debate an organization was perfected under the title, "Loyal Ladies' League, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of New Jersey." The new Order adopted a charter, badge, and rules, and began its work with eight subordinate leagues, Mrs. Carrie N. Burgee, of Vineland, N.J., being elected its president.

ELIGIBILITY TO MEMBERSHIP
      Only such were admitted to membership as were of good moral character, and who were related as mother, wife, sister, or (laughter to an honorably discharged soldier, sailor, or marine, who served in the late Rebellion.

OBJECTS OF THE ORDER
      The objects of the "Loyal Ladies' League," as set forth in these rules, were as follows: "To unite with loyalty — love for each other; to practice the precepts of true fraternity of feeling toward all sisters of our Order, thus emulating the spirit which unites our fathers, husbands, and brothers; to honor the memory of those fallen; to perpetuate and keep forever sacred 'Memorial Day'; to assist the 'Grand Army of the Republic' in its high and holy mission; aid, encourage, and sympathize with them in their noble work of charity; to extend needful aid to members in sickness and distress; to aid sick soldiers, sailors, and marines; to do all in our power to alleviate suffering."
      In July, 1883, Mrs. S. D. Hugg and Mrs. Laura McNeir were sent as delegates from New Jersey to Denver, Colorado, to meet with the delegates from the Ladies' Auxiliary Societies in the different States, who were called together by a request issued by Paul Van Der Voort, Commander-in-Chief of the National Encampment of the G.A.R., with a view of forming a National organization to better carry out the objects for which they were organized. At this convention the delegates from New Jersey were opposed to making all loyal women eligible to membership, and on the adoption of that rule by a majority of the delegates present, they declined to become a part of the " Woman's Relief Corps," as they thought that the membership should be restricted to the immediate relatives of Veterans. In this view they were supported by their State Convention, and New Jersey remained an independent department.
      On November 18, 1886, delegates from the various Leagues in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kansas, California, Ohio, Delaware, and West Virginia met in convention at Chicago, Ill., for the purpose of effecting a National organization. After some discussion and a few slight changes in the rules, a union was effected with an organization in Illinois, known as "Ladies of the G.A.R." This name was adopted by the Convention for the National Order, and Mrs. Laura McNeir, of Camden, N.J., was elected as its National President. The membership at the present time is about thirty-five thousand, who have, by their activity and fidelity to the purpose of their Order, done much to aid and support the Grand Army of the Republic.
      The organization formed, as it is, by the immediate relatives of the Veterans, is united by the strongest kind of bonds. Those ties of comradeship which were formed and strengthened by mutual privation and suffering on the field and in the camp, amidst hunger, thirst, and disease in Southern swamps, Confederate prisons, and which are such a marked feature, many of the C0111- rades of the G.A.R. bore to be communicated to their mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters, who, by the fireside, and in the hospital, did their part so bravely in the great struggle, sharing their mutual joys and woe: these ties binding them together have made them, as it were, one great family having a common cause and a common interest.