Colgrove-Woodruff Camp No. 22
Battle Creek, Michigan

WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS
      To the State of Maine belongs the honor of having within its boundaries the first organization of ladies who have always so nobly seconded the efforts of the G.A.R. in the discharge of the principles and duties of that body, to co-operate with them as a G.A.R. Post.
      As early as 1869, the "Bosworth Relief Corps" was formed in Portland, Maine, for the purpose of aiding the "Bosworth Post," of that city, to relieve the unfortunate and needy comrades and their families. So well did they acquit themselves in their destined work, and so successfully did they adminster to the wants of the needy and suffering that in a short time it became evident that their co-operation was a necessity, and corps after corps was organized in every direction; but it was not until ten years later that a State organization was formed. In April, 1879, the first State organization was perfected at Fitchburg, Mass., under the title of "Woman's Relief Corps," as advocated by the ladies of Massachusetts.

ELIGIBILITY TO MEMBERSHIP
      The membership did not rest upon kinship to Veterans, but the assistance and sympathy of all loyal women were asked, and the only requirements for admission as a member were loyalty and the observance of the principles of the Order.

OBJECTS OF THE ORDER
      The objects of the "Woman's Relief Corps are: "First, to especially aid and assist the Grand Army of the Republic and to perpetuate the memory of their heroic dead; second, to assist such Union Veterans as need our help and protection, and to extend needful aid to their widows and orphans, to find them homes and employment, and assure them of sympathy and friends ; third, to cherish and emulate the deeds of our army nurses, and of all loyal women who rendered loving service to their country in her hour of peril; fourth, to inculcate lessons of patriotism and love of country among our children and in the communities in which we live; fifth, to maintain true allegiance to the United States of America; sixth, to discountenance whatever tends to weaken loyalty, and to encourage the spread of universal liberty and equal rights to all men."
      Notwithstanding their valuable services, nothing substantial was done by the G.A.R. to encourage the growth of these Societies, nor were they accorded the official recognition they merited until 1881, when Chaplain-in-Chief Rev. Joseph F. Lovering urged upon the National Encampment the necessity of their being given their due recognition and support. A resolution was then adopted approving the work of the "Woman's Relief Corps," and they were also authorized to add to their title "Auxiliary to the G.A.R."
      It soon became evident that a National organization and the uniformity of rules governing them would strengthen the "Woman's Relief Corps" and increase their usefulness. Accordingly, in 1883, Commander-in-Chief Paul Van Der Voort invited representatives from all existing Ladies' Auxiliaries to meet at Denver, Colorado, at the time the National 'Encampment of the G.A.R. met there, to arrange for a union of all the Societies. This invitation was accepted, and a large delegation met at Denver, July 25, 1883, and Mrs. E. F. Barker, President of the "Woman's Relief Corps" of Massachusetts, was appointed President, and Mrs. Kate B. Sherwood, of "Forsyth Post Relief Corps" of Toledo, Ohio, was appointed Secretary. Owing to some difference of opinion regarding eligibility to membership, the delegation from New Jersey declined to unite with the "Woman's Relief Corps," and maintained their organization under the title "Loyal Ladies' League," later known as "Ladies of the G.A.R."
      The plan of organization of the "Woman's Relief Corps" was very similar to that of the G.A.R. The National organization was called the "National Convention, Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic;" the State organizations were called departments, and the local associations were termed corps.
      The record of the successful organization of the "Woman's Relief Corps" was received with great satisfaction by the National Encampment of the G.A.R., and the following resolution was adopted in order to be transmitted: "Resolved, That we cordially hail the organization of the Woman's Relief Corps,' and extend our greeting to them. We return our warmest thanks to the loyal women of the land for their earnest work, support, and encouragement, and bid them Godspeed in their patriotic work."
      How rapidly this organization has spread may be judged from the fact that, at the present time, there are upward of two thousand Posts in the United States, with a membership of about one hundred thousand, who contribute annually more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). This is a representation of their strength in figures, but who can measure the value of their kindly sympathy, their visits at the bedsides of suffering Veterans, their tender care for the widows and orphans, their loving work in the many channels of usefulness which their tact has found them. It is, indeed, as priceless as the patriotic devotion which actuated them to devote their time and money to the cause they love so well, and the "Woman's Relief Corps" will ever stand as a living monument of the love of American women for the cause of truth and justice: American women, true daughters of their brave ancestors, who fought and suffered for liberty in the days of " '76."