Mary Campbell Camp #16
Auxillary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
MEET AUXILLARY CAMP #16
Principles & Purpose & History
Auxiliary Principles: A firm belief and trust in Almighty God and realization that under his beneficent care and guidance the free institutions of our land, by the assistance and sacrifice of our veterans, have been preserved and the integrity and life of the Nation maintained.
Auxiliary Purpose: We strive to assist the Sons of Union Veterans in keeping alive the memories of our ancestors and their sacrifices for the maintenance of the Union; to caring for helpless and disabled Veterans; to properly observe Memorial Day; to aid and assist worthy and needy members of our Auxiliary; to instill true patriotism and love of country; and to spread and sustain the doctrine of equal rights, universal liberty and justice to all. Our Auxiliary members, on national, state, and local levels participate in ceremonies and programs to commemorate events and honor leaders-and personalities of the Civil War period and events important to the history to the Grand Army of the Republic. Representatives of the National Organization attends wreath laying ceremonies at the impressive Lincoln Memorial on Lincoln's birthday, February 12th in Washington, DC; Lincoln Death Day ceremonies at Lincoln's Tomb, Springfield, Illinois on April 15th; Cathedral of the Pines, Ridge, New Hampshire. In November we travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for Remembrance weekend. We participate in the parade and wreath laying ceremony at the monument of Albert Woolson, the last surviving member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
History: The history of the Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans is closely associated with the Grand Army of the Republic which was founded in 1866 and the Allied Orders who were later formed to continue their work. Post 94 of the Grand Army, Philadelphia, in 1878 created a Cadet Corps which later became the Sons of Union Veterans. Similar units were organized throughout many neighboring States. In 1882, the first session of the Commandery-In-Chief, Sons of Veterans was held at Pittsburgh, Penn.
In later years, the name was changed to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. The need for an Auxiliary was soon recognized and through the efforts of Major A.P. Davis, the first Ladies Aid Society was organized at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1883 and in the following year was officially recognized as their Auxiliary. Ladies Aid Societies were formed in several States in rapid succession and in 1886 plans for a National Organization were formed, with the first National Encampment being held in Akron, Ohio, September 1887. At the National Encampment at Boston, Massachusetts in 1894, our name was changed to the Sons of Union Veterans Auxiliary, with it eventually becoming known as the Auxiliary to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.