GRAND ORDER OF THE LADIES OF THE GAR

NATIONAL ORDER OF THE LADIES OF THE GAR (GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC) With membership limited strictly to “veterans of the late unpleasantness,” the GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G. A. R.) encouraged the formation of Allied Orders to aid them in its various works. Numerous male organizations jousted for the backing of the GAR and the political battles became quite severe until the GAR finally endorsed the Sons of Veterans of the United States of America (later to become the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War) as its heir. A similar, but less protracted, battle took place between the Womens’ Relief Corps (WRC) and the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic (LGAR) for the title “official auxiliary to the GAR.” That battle was won by the WRC, which is the only Allied Order open to women who do not have an hereditary ancestor who would have been eligible for the GAR. But in this case the LGAR retained its strength and was made one of the Allied Orders.

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Source:

1. "A Brief History of the Grand Army of the Republic," Online: https://suvcw.org/brief-history-of-the-grand-army-of-the-republic