Colgrove-Woodruff Camp No. 22
Battle Creek, Michigan

THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE LOYAL LEGION OF THE UNITED STATES
      The "Loyal Legion" owes its origin to a meeting of Col. S. B Wylie Mitchell, Lt. Col. T. Ellwood Zell, and Capt. Peter D. Keyser, M.D., which was held on the day following the assassination of President Lincoln, when they met in Lt. Col. Zell's office in Philadelphia to arrange for a meeting of the ex-officers of the Army and Navy to adopt a set of resolutions relative to the death of the President.
      The advisability of forming a permanent organization was discussed, and they agreed to consider the matter, and take more definite action at a future meeting.
      On the 20^th of April, 1865, another meeting was held, at which it was decided to form a permanent organization, and they adjourned to meet in the hall of the Hibernia Fire Company. of Philadelphia, May 3, 1865.
      During the month of May a Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, which provided for the following officers: Commander, Senior and Junior Vice-Commanders, Recorder, Correspondent, Treasurer, Chancellor, Chaplain, and Council. The plan of organization provides for a National organization or Commandery-in-Chief, State Organizations or Grand Commanderies, Local or District Commanderies.
      The first Commander-in-Chief was Lt. Col. T. Ellwood Zell, who was succeeded by Maj. Gen. George Cadwalader, Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, Maj.-Gen. Rutherford B. Hayes, Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, and Rear-Admiral John J. Almy respectively.
      The memberships are divided into three classes: First, Commissioned Officers of the Army or Navy who were actively engaged in suppressing the Rebellion, or, the eldest male lineal descendants of such deceased officers, provided such descendants be twenty-one years of age or over; second, the eldest sons of living companions or members of the first class, provided they be twenty-one years of age or over; third, gentlemen in civil life, who were conspicuous for loyalty to the National Government during the Rebellion.
      The objects of the Association are: "To cherish the memories and associations of the war waged in defense of the unity and indivisibility of the Republic; to strengthen the ties of fraternal fellowship and sympathy, formed from the companionship in arms; to advance the best interests of the soldiers and sailors of the United States; to extend all possible relief to their widows and children; to foster the cultivation of military and naval science, and, in general, to maintain national honor, unity, and independence."
      The "Loyal Legion" has grown and prospered, and has now more than eleven thousand members on its rolls, with active Commanderies in nineteen States and the District of Columbia.
      The interests of the "Loyal Legion" and the Grand Army are nearly identical, and many Veterans have a membership in both organizations.