Colgrove-Woodruff Camp No. 22
Battle Creek, Michigan

UNION VETERAN LEGION
      As originally organized in Pittsburgh, Pa., in March, 1884, membership in the "Union Veteran Legion" was restricted to "officers, soldiers, and marines of the Union Army, Navy, or Marine Corps during the War of the Rebellion, who volunteered, prior to July 1, 1863, for a term of three years, and were honorably discharged for any cause, after a continuous service of two years, or were at any time discharged by reason of wounds received in the line of duty; but no drafted person, nor substitute, nor any one who has at any time borne arms against the United States is eligible."
      The clause relative to eligibility to membership was changed at the annual meeting held at Youngstown, Ohio, February 22, 1888, and those, also, were made eligible to membership who volunteered for a term of two years, prior to July 22, 1861, and served their full term of enrollment, unless discharged for wounds received in the line of duty.
      The Order has a National Encampment, also Local Organizations, or Encampments, with the following officers: Colonel-Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel, Major, Officer of the Day, Adjutant, Quartermaster, Chaplain, Officer of the Guard, Surgeon, Sergeant-Major, Quartermaster-Sergeant, Color-Bearer, Sentinel, and Drummer, or Bugler.
      The executive authority is conferred upon the National officers, there being no Department organizations, as in the Grand Army.
      The first National Encampment was held at Pittsburgh, Pa., February 18, 1887, when George B. Chalmers, of Pittsburgh, was chosen its first National Commander.
      The objects of the "Union Veteran Legion" are: "First, the cultivation of true devotion to the American Government and institutions; second, the moral, social, and intellectual improvement of its members and their relief, and the relief of their widows and orphans, in sickness and distress; third, the preservation of friendly relations among those who fought for the safety of the American Union; fourth, by the personal example and influence of its members to perpetuate the three great principles of 'Fraternity, Charity, and Patriotism,' and to promote the interests of humanity; fifth, all things being equal, to give preference to its members in all business relations, and to assist them, as far as possible, in all honorable ways."