]> sons_of_vets Sons of Veterans, New York Division, Collection An inventory of the collection at Syracuse University MRC &su_name; &su_address; 6 Apr 2009 Michele Combs 6 Apr 2009 English Overview of the Collection &su_name; &su_address; Sons of Veterans, U.S.A. New York Division. Sons of Veterans, New York Division, Collection 1895-1896 9 letters (SC) Letters to Col. L. J. Macy in Pulaski, New York, in his capacity as head of the New York Division of the Sons of Veterans. Several are on the letterhead of the West Shore Railroad or the New York Central & Hudson River R.R. Co. 2673302 English Biographical History

In 1866, Union veterans of the Civil War formed a fraternal organization known as the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), with both social and political goals, and with the stated principles of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty. Because membership was open only to those who saw active service in the Union army, the GAR's lifespan was necessarily limited. During 1881 and 1882 the GAR formed the Sons of Veterans, U.S.A. to carry on its traditions; some of the earliest divisions were in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and New York (the New York Division was later renamed the New York Department).

In 1925 the Sons of Veterans changed their name to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, which is the name it uses at the present day. Membership in the organization is open to anyone who can demonstrate descent from a GAR member (interested parties who are not descendants are admitted as Associate Members). The SUVCW, along with the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War and three other organizations, comprise the five Allied Orders of the GAR.

 Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Sons of Veterans, New York Division, Collection consists of letters to Colonel L. J. Macy, commander of the New York Division, headquartered in Pulaski, New York. The letters originate from "Camps" in Tarrytown, Dover Plains, Dobbs Ferry, Newark, and other towns and cities, and discuss internal business including installation of officers, receipt of "new rituals," meeting activities, and so on.

 Arrangement of the Collection

Letters are arranged in chronological order.

 Related Material

&scrc_name; has numerous collections relating to the U.S. Civil War. Please refer to &subjindex; for a complete listing. Some Sons of Veterans material has also been cataloged; please search &summitref; with the subject heading "Sons of Veterans" for a complete listing.

 Subject and Genre Headings Civil War (U.S.) New York State Macy, L. J. Sons of Veterans, U.S.A. New York Division -- Archives. Fraternal organizations -- United States. Veterans -- Societies and clubs. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Societies and clubs. Correspondence. Letters (correspondence) Veterans. Access Restrictions

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

 Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

 Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Sons of Veterans, New York Division, Collection, &su_name;

Acquisition Information

Purchase (P08-648), 2009.

 Inventory Correspondence to Macy, L. J.1895-1896305