Col. Jacob M. Campbell Camp #14
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Through this organization the declining days of the Union Veteran will be made pleasant, his record of service to his country preserved, his memory honored, patriotism promoted. ~Major Augustus P. Davis, December 1881
SONS OF UNION VETERANS of the CIVIL WAR
About SUVCW
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) is a fraternal organization dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of veteran heroes who fought and worked to save the Union in the American Civil War. Organized in 1881 and chartered by Congress in 1954, SUVCW is the legal heir and successor to the Grand Army of the Republic.
In 1866, Union Veterans of the Civil War organized into the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and became a social and political force that would control the destiny of the nation for more than six decades. Membership in the veterans’ organization was restricted to individuals who had served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Revenue Cutter Service during the Civil War, thereby limiting the life span of the GAR. The GAR existed until 1956.
In 1881 the GAR formed the Sons of Veterans of the United States of America (SV) to carry on its traditions and memory long after the GAR had ceased to exist. Membership was open to any man who could prove ancestry to a member of the GAR or to a veteran eligible for membership in the GAR. In later years, men who did not have the ancestry to qualify for hereditary membership, but who demonstrated a genuine interest in the Civil War and could subscribe to the purpose and objectives of the SUVCW, were admitted as Associates. This practice continues today.
Many GAR Posts sponsored Camps of the SV. In 1925 the SV name was changed to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), under which its federal charter was issued in 1954. The SUVCW is legally recognized as the heir to, and representative of, the GAR.
Today, the National Organization of the SUVCW, headed by an annually elected Commander-in-Chief, oversees the operation of 26 Departments, each consisting of one or more states, a Department-at-Large, a National Membership-at-Large, and over 200 community based camps. More than 6,360 men enjoy the benefits of membership in the only male organization dedicated to the principles of the GAR — Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty. It publishes “The BANNER” quarterly for its members. The SUVCW National Headquarters is located in the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The SUVCW is one of five Allied Orders of the GAR. The other four Orders are: Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, Woman’s Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
Courtesy of http://www.suvcw.org/?page_id=6
Grand Republic Army Building in Johnstown
Is located in Johnstown at Locust Street and Gazebo Place across from Central Park downtown. It was built as a clubhouse style gathering spot for Civil War veterans and the Grand Army of the Republic organization. The building was constructed in 1893 to replace an earlier building that was destroyed in the Johnstown Flood of 1889. The Grand Army of the Republic chapter, which once had more than 300 members. It features Romanesque details including three heavy round stone arches and carved stone sculpture representing military hardware including artillery, cannon, swords and bullets. The building has had a historical connection with the three major floods that occured in Johnstown. The most recent flood was 1977 which caused damage to the building's basement and first floor areas.
The Buliding has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of Interior and a plaque is located on the facade of the building.
A plaque on the building reads:
Central Park Law Building
Formerly
The Grand Army of the Republic Hall
Built in 1892 by Union Veterans of the Civil War
To replace an earlier structure
Destroyed in the Johnstown Flood of 1889
Has been placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
By the United States
Department of the Interior.
Address:132 Gazebo ParkJohnstown, PA USA15901
Year of construction: 1893
FUTURE OF SUVCW & G.A.R Building
Currently the camp #14 members are working on obtainging a 501c3 status which is non-profit group. The group will be applying for multipual grants to help further rehilbiltate the building and upper floors to increase tourism to the building and awarness of the building significants to the area and to the Civil War.
TBA
TBA
Momuments
PA Civil War Momument
Johnstown Civil War Momument
1861 - 1965
54th PENNA. VOL.
COL. J. M. CAMPBELL
LT. COL. J. P. LINTON
MAJOR ENOCH YUTZY
ADJT. W. HORACE ROSE
-COMMITTEE-
W. H. FREDERICK J. W. MOSTOLLER
WM. H. SANNER D. G. McCULLOUGH
J. K. SPANGLER
