J.C. McCoy Post #1
The first Grand Army Of the Republic Post in Columbus, Ohio was named the
J. C. McCoy Post #1.
Named for General William T. Sherman's Aide-de-camp, James
Culbertson McCoy, it was organized January 25, 1881. At one time
the camp had over 2,500 members.
1883-- McCoy Post #1 officers were C. T. Clark, David Lansing,
Joseph Amos, J. C. Donaldson, and Moses H. Neil.
1888-- The National Grand Army of the Republic Encampment was held at Columbus,
Ohio. Approximately 100,000 GAR members attended and 50,000 to 70,000 of
them marched in the parade on Tuesday of the week-long event. At the head
of the parade, veterans carried 500 Ohio battle flags used in the Civil
War. The Department of Ohio GAR held the right of the line, comprising of
the first nine divisions of the total of eighteen. All were led by
Department Commander Joseph W. O'Neall. McCoy Post #1 was positioned on the
right of the first division.
J. C. McCoy
Post #1 was located at the Hall on the corner of Gay and High
Streets.
The Woman's
Soldiers Aid Society, auxiliary to the McCoy Post #1, meet at
Westminster
Church at
the corner of State and Sixth Streets.
J. M. Wells
Post #451 at the Hall on High Street opposite the Statehouse.
1889-- On April 24-26 the 23rd Annual Encampment of the Department of Ohio GAR was held. During this time the J. C. McCoy Post #1 has 761 members.
1890-- There are three GAR camps in Columbus, Ohio: #1, #451, #575.
1894-95-- McCoy Post #1 meets every Monday evening at 186 S.
Third. The Commander is Fred
Wheadon.
J. M. Wells Post #451 meets every Friday evening at Post
Hall.
Elias J. Beers Post #575 meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month at Whitehead Hall.
The GAR Drill Corps, the uniform company of veterans, assisted annually at both Camp Chase and the Union Cemetery by firing salutes.
1898-- At the Camp Chase service on June 4, Chaplin Winget of the G.A.R., offered prayer as a gun squad from the McCoy Drill Corps fired a salute over the graves. Flowers were then strewn by the loving hands of Union and Confederate veterans. John Grim was the Camp Commander.
1899-- "The Soldiers Farewell" was sung by the school children, followed by a tableau in which Blue and Gray clasped hands. At the conclusion of the services the J. C. McCoy Drill Corps fired a salute and the long roll was sounded by the GAR Veteran Drum Corps. The graves were decorated by the representatives of the two armies present, assisted by the Ladies of the Union Veterans League, and the Society of the Ex-Soldiers' and Sailors' Association. Not a grave was forgotten. On each were laid flowers from both the South and the North. John Grim was the Camp Commander.
1901-- McCoy Post members, former Confederate soldiers, and school children marched arm-in-arm to the speakers platform. John Grim was still the Camp Commander.
1902-- McCoy Post #1 records show 14 members deaths. Total
membership in all Franklin County GAR Posts was 781. J. C. McCoy
Post #1,
commanded by W. D. Heyl, had 347 members.
Wells Post #451 was established June 19, 1884. George Steele Post #575 was
established July 5, 1889. William H.
Knauss, member of J. C. McCoy Post #1 and past Camp Commander, was responsible
for the refurbishing of Camp Chase Cemetery.
1906-- McCoy Post #1 had 250 members.
1907-- McCoy Post #1 had 247 members. They met Monday evenings at Veterans Memorial and their commander was Simeon Chapman.
Interesting Note: Commander D. N. Osyor of McCoy Post #1 was said to have fired the last shot of the Civil War as a member of Co. F, 9th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
GAR Membership Badge
