USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Ritual of the Grand Army of the Republic adopted by the National Encampment at Cincinnati, Ohio, May 13, 1869 > Part 1
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Go 973.7406 G76ri Grand Army of the Republic. Ritual of the Grand Army of the Republic .. .
11282 RITUAL?
OF THE
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
ADOPTED BY
THE NATIONAL ENCAMPMENT
AT
CINCINNATI, OHIO, MAY 13, 1869.
OFFICIAL.
NOTICE: This material may be protected by capyignt kom. (U.S. Code Title 17)
WASHINGTON: HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 1869.
PLAN OF ENCAMPMENT.
S. M.
Adj.
C.
Q. M. Q. M. Sgt.
O. D.
S.
Sentinel. C
Altar.
J. V. C.
(Right flank.)
(Left flunk.)
Chap.
Sentinel.
O. G.
S. V. C.
Inner Sent. D
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne; IN 46801-2270
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V E46 ... ; . A 2
TO POST COMMANDERS.
The Rituals allowed to each Post will be under the charge of the Post Commander ouly, and they shall be held responsible for the safe-keeping of the same.
Torrance Family. 9.
When the Post has been called to order, the Officer of the Day will be called to deliver the Rituals to the proper officers; and before the Post has been duly declared closed, he will colleet the Rituals and deliver the same to the Commander, who will see that every one has been returned. Should any officer or comrade who has been entrusted with the Ritual allow the same to go out of his possession into the hands of any per- son not duly authorized to receive the same, it shall be suffi cient cause for dishonorable discharge.
By order of 20 April 1932. Official: WMr. T. COLLINS, Adjutant General.
JOHN A. LOGAN, Commander-in-Chief.
ACC.
ABBREVIATIONS.
C .- Commander. S. V. C .- Senior Vice Commander. J. V. C .- Junior Vice Commander. Adjt .- Adjutant. Q. M .- Quartermaster. 0. D .- Officer of the Day. 0. G .- Officer of the Guard. 1st Sen .- First Sentinel. 2d Sen .- Second Sentinel.
RULES.
I. All comrades entering Post after opening ceremonies will advance to near the altar, and salute the Commander before being seated ; and all Post Commanders and other high officers, or past officers, visiting the Post will be invited to seats on the right of the Commander, one pace to the rear.
II. Visiting comrades will be announced by the Officer of the Gnard, standing with them near the altar.
III. Comrades, when addressed or addressing, and when retiring, will first salute the Commander, as upou entering, and will not retire during the ceremonies, or while the Commander is engaged in speaking or putting a question.
IV. The Junior Vice Commander will see that the above rules are complied with.
V. All comrades will be required to make proper responses, and to observe suitable solemnity during the ceremonies. Music, vocal or instrumenta!, may be introduced as a part of the cere- monies, according to the will of the comrades.
VI. Officers of Posts will provide themselves with swords, belts, sashes, and gloves.
VII. One rap of the gavel calls to order and seats the com- rades ; three raps calls up the Post.
VIII. The Officer of the Day will see that officers are in their proper places, and if any are absent will provide substitutes before opening.
IX. The Officer of the Guard will detail guards nuder dirce- tion of the Officer of the Day, and guards for outposts may be permanently detailed nuder direction of the Commander.
X. Posts will always be opened on second grade, and, with such variations as follow, may be closed either in the first, see- ond, or third grade.
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GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
RITUAL.
OPENING-SECOND GRADE.
{At the time appointed for opening the Post, the Commander assumes his proper position and gives one rap.j
C. This is a regular assembly of - Post, No .- , De- partment of - -, Grand Army of the Republic. Officer of the Day, [ O. D. rises, faces the C., and salutes,] is this Post duly organized by officers in their proper places ?
0. D. Commander, the Post is so organized.
C. You will inquire of the Officer of the Guard if the approaches to the Post are properly gnarded.
0. D. Officer of the Guard, [O. G. rises and salutes O. D.,] are the approaches to this Post properly guarded ?
0. G. The approaches are properly guarded by two comrades of this Post, properly armed, who are instructed to observe all who approach, and allow none to enter without the countersign, and to permit none to pass or repass during the ceremonies of opening, closing, or muster-in.
0. D. Commander, the approaches are properly guarded.
C. Are all present members of the Grand Army of the Republic ? [ The Officer of the Day, with the Officer of the Guard, will make the grand rounds, and will carefully observe all present; und if he is in doubt in regard to any person, he will apply the proper test, and after he is satisfied of the qualification of all pres- ent, he will turn to the Commander and say :]
0. D. Commander, all present are members of the Grand Army of the Republic. [ Members of the first grade will be allowed to be present except when proposals, election, or advancement to the second grade are to be considered, when they will be requiredl to retire.]
C. Comrades, once more we have convened for the transac- tion of such business as may properly come before this Post. We meet upon the basis of fraterual equality, and here may brotherly love ever abide; here may charity ever be aeknowl- edged as the chief corner-stone of our institution, and all our hearts unite as oue in sustaining the great objects of our asso- ciation. The Chaplain will now invoke the Divine blessing. PARADE, REST!
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GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
PRAYER AT . OPENING.
[Any other form may be substituted. ]
. Chap. Almighty Father! we, Thy children, most humbly bow before Thee in recognition of Thy character as onr Preserver, Guide and Protector. We thank Thee that in all the dangers mpon land and sea through which we have passed, Thon didst mercifully preserve ns; in all our marching by day and by night, Thon didst guide ns; and by Thine own right arm Thon didst protect us; and Thon didst protect our national integrity and unity. We thank Thee that when we were suffering from wounds or sickness, Thou didst pnt around ns the healing arın, and that we were permitted to return to our homes, and can now participate in the government of a nation we have helped to save as instruments in Thy hands. Bless our country; bless and protect the President of the United States, and all in anthority under him. Wilt Thon bless our institution; be graciously near to all onr comrades, and to all those who are. designated as officers of this Post, and those who hold official positions in the Department and national branches of our asso- ciation. Be graciously near to all widows and orphans of our fallen comrades. In all distresses, comfort them. In all pov- erty, supply their wants, and give us willing hearts to assist them as their cireminstances require.
We remember how nobly our comrades suffered death, that their blood might seal the unity of our country. May we forever cherish their memories in our hearts, and never forget the dear ones they have left to our care and protection. Bless us in our present assemblage; forgive all that we do contrary to Thy teachings; keep our names on the roll of Thy servants; admit ns at last, through Jesus Christ our Lord, into the Heavenly Rest ; and thy name shall receive all the praise forever.
[ Response by all : ] AMEN.
C. I declare - Post No. - opened in due form. · [ One rap.] CLOSING-SECOND GRADE.
C. Adjutant, [Adj. rises and salutes,] is there any further business upon your table ?
Adj. There is nothing, Commander.
C. Quartermaster, [Q. M. rises and salutes,] is there any fur- ther business upon your table ?
Q. M. There is nothing, Commander.
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GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
C. There being no further business to come before this Post, we will proceed to close. Officer of the Day, you will direct the Officer of the Guard to notify the gnards at the outpost that Post No. - is now to close.
0. D. Officer of the Guard, yon will immediately execute the orders of the Commander given in your hearing. [O. G. goes to the door and communicates the order to the inside and outside sentinels.]
O. G. Officer of the Day, the orders of the Commander are communicated to the guards at the outpost.
O. D. Commander, the ontposts are notified that - Post No. - is now to close.
[Three raps.]
C. Junior Vice Commander, what is the first great virtue of our Grand Army which unites our hearts as one, and which every comrade should cherish ?
J. V. C. The virtue of Fraternity.
* C. Senior Vice Commander, what is the second great virtne of our Grand Army which all comrades are solemnly bound to promote ?
* S. V. C. The Christian virtue of Charity.
C. Comrades, may we always keep in mind these high and sacred objects of the Grand Army of the Republic; may Frater- nity of feeling ever bind us together in one common brotherhood, tand may we practice the noble virtue of Charity, especially towards those whom our dead comrades have left to our care and protection.
Right and left face ! Break ranks ! MARCH !
MUSTER-IN-FIRST GRADE.
[Iu the proper order of business, as by rule ]
[ The officers are at their posts and entire silence prevails. One rap at the door. The sentinel opens the door sufficiently to aseer- tuin the cause, and closes the door.]
I. S. Officer of the Guard, strangers at the outpost!
O. G. Officer of the Day, the gnard reports strangers at the outpost.
0. D. Commander, the Officer of the Guard reports strang- ers at the ontpost.
C. Officer of the Day, direct the Officer of the Guard to ascertain their object.
* Omit if recruits are present.
t If recruits are present, omit the words from " brotherhood" to end of paragraph.
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GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
O. D. Officer of the Gnard, the Commander dircets that you visit the ontpost and investigate.
[O. G. retires and soon returns.]
O. G. Officer of the Day, I find at the outpost (A B, C D, and E F,) who desire to enlist in the Grand Army of the Republic.
O. D. Commander, the Officer of the Guard reports that the strangers desire to enlist in the Grand Army of the Republic.
C. Adjutant, have these persons offered themselves in writ- ing as Reernits?
Adj. Commander, they have.
C. Were they recommended by any comrades of this Post? Adj. Commander, Comrades (G HI and I J) have recom- mended them as suitable for Reernits.
C. Officer of the Day, you will take these papers, repair to the ontpost, make the necessary examination, and, if they are found qualified, prepare them for mnster-in.
[0. D. and O. G., at the altar, salute and retire, both sentinels on post and one at the door presenting arms as they retire.
AT OUTPOST.
[ The Recruits are blinded and stand in line. O. D. puts to each. separately the following questions, carefully comparing answers with rouchers in hand : ]
O. D. 1. A. B., [calling full name] were you regularly mis- tered into and honorably discharged from the service of the United States during the war of the rebellion ? for if the roucher shows the fact of present serricc, he may add :] And are you now in the service of the United States?
2. In what regiment, or on what ship or staff, did you serve ?
3. What was the length of your service ?
4. When discharged ?
5. Canse of discharge?
6. Where do yon now reside ?
7. What is your present age ?
[Slight variations, as to dates, between answers and rouchers need not be noted, but variations of a serious character will be reported to the Post Commander, and his direction, or the action of the Post, taken.]
O. D. (to recruits being cramined :) A B, C D, [repeating cach name,] your application to be received as Reernits into Post No. -- , Department of -, Grand Army of the Republic, has been duly considered, your record properly
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GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
examined, and no objection having been made, you will be received as Reernits, and we are prepared to mnster yon into the Grand Army of the Republic. That you may understand the step you are taking, we declare to yon that the great objeet of the grade upon which you are about to enter is the frater- nity of those who have served in the war of the rebellion. Should you as a Reernit prove true and faithful, you will find further advancement, new responsibilities and obligations We shall ask you now, previous to your full muster-in, to assume a solemn obligation, the performance of which will not interfere with your duty to your God, to your country, to your neigh- bor, or yourself. With this assurance, are you ready to pro- ceed to be mustered in ? [ Each Recruit answers : ] YES.
0. D. You severally, understanding the objects of the Grand Army of the Republic, and annoneing your readiness to proceed to be mustered in, will wait here, under charge of the Officer of the Guard, until report is made to the Commander and his orders are received.
[O. D. returns to the Post, and O. G. places Recruits at the inner door, in order of entrance, and will obtain detail of comrades suf- ficient in number to assign one to conducting cach Recruit.]
O. D., [ut altar.] Commander, I have performed the duty as you directed, and I find at the ontpost (A B, C D, and E F,) whom, upon proper examination with the vouchers, I find to be duly qualified for muster-in.
C. Does the for each] Recruit understand the nature of the obligation he will be required to assume, and is he willing to take it solemnly upon himself?
0. D. The nature of the obligation has been explained and he has declared his readiness to assume it.
C. The Recruits at the outposts may be admitted and will be received npon the common bond of fraternity.
Let the assembly be sounded [or, in absence of drum or bugle, three raps.]
[O. D. proceeds to inner door and yires one rap, answered by one rap from O. G. The door is then opened by the inside sentinel.]
0. D. Officer of the Guard, it is the order of the Com- mander of this Post that the Recruits now desiring to enlist into the Grand Army of the Republic be received nyon the com- mon bond of fraternity.
[If music is provided, some suitable selection may now be sung. After which, the procession, headed by the Officer of the Day, with the
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GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Officer of the Guard at right or left of, and conducting the first Recruit, enters the Post and mores to the centre of the right flank, and is there challenged by the sentinel.]
Sen. Halt! Who comes there ? [ One rap.]
0. D. Friends with the countersign.
Sen. Advance one, with the countersign. [ Sentinel receives countersign at " arms port," and ausicers :]
Sen. Pass, friends. [ Sentinel immediately facing outward at "carry arms."]
O. D. Forward !
[ The second sentinel challenges in the same manner as the Officer of the Day reaches the front of the Commander, in passing to left flauk. As the Officer of the Day approaches the Senior Vice Com: mander, that officer says : ]
S. V. C. Halt! Officer of the Day, whom have yon there ?
O. D. Good men and trne, who, having served faithfully in the army [or navy] of the Republic during the dark days of the rebellion, now seek to perpetuate the glorious memories of that struggle by nniting with us, their late comrades in arms, as Reernits in the Grand Army of the Republic, upon that com- mon bond of fraternity which binds us together as comrades and brothers.
S. T. C. Their objeet is a worthy one. The Grand Army of the Republic seeks to unite all good and true soldiers of the Republic who, having stood together through the bloody period of war, are now willing to nnite upon a basis of perfect equality to secure for all Recruits of the Grand Army that full fraternity of feeling and interest which none ean better feel than those who have together fonght upon many a bloody field. Officer of the Day, have these Recruits been properly examined and found worthy ?
O. D. They have been properly examined and found worthy. S. V. C. You will conduct them to the Commander of this Post, to be disposed of as. he shall direet.
{ Column mores to near headquarters of Commander.]
C. Halt! Officer of the Day, whom have you there ?
0. D. Commander, these are Recruits found waiting enlist- ment at the outpost.
C. Have they been properly examined and are they deemed worthy to be received as Recruits in the Grand Army of the Republic?
0. D. They have been examined and have given satisfactory
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GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
evidence that they are worthy to be enrolled as Recruits in onr Grand Army.
C., (to each in succession.) In what corps have you served? [Answer.]
C., (to each in succession.) In what campaigns? [Answer.]
C. Have they properly passed the line of sentinels and been approved by the Senior Vice Commander?
O. D. They have passed the sentinels on duty, and are con- dneted to your headquarters by order of that officer.
C. Recruits of the Grand Army of the Republic, we wel- come you to the threshold of our institution; but it will be necessary for you to take upon yourselves a solemn obligation, which, as you have been informed at the outposts, will not inter- fere with your duty to your God, to your country, to your neigh- ' bor or yourself. With this reassurance, are you still willing to procced ?
[Each Recruit answers: I AM. The Recruits are placed at the ultur, kneeling upon both knees, left hand of cach resting on Bible and crossed swords, the right hand grasping that of a comrade. Being in this position, O. D. pusses to rear of the altar and salutes the Commander.]
0. D. The Recruits are in proper position at the altar.
[ Three raps. Chaplain, escorted by J. V. C., kneels at the altar. J. V. C. takes position standing at right of altar, facing it. S. V. C. takes position opposite O. G., at right of guard, fronting the Commander.
PRAYER.
[Any other prayer may be offered at option. ]
Chap. O God, Thou art our God! Thon art good, and Thy merey is over all. We luunbly thank Thee that Thy mercy and goodness have been extended over Thy servants kneeling at this altar; that in the day of battle Thou didst preserve them; that Thou didst shield them from the fatal bullet; that Thon didst preserve them from fatal sickness. Still keep them under Thy care and protection. May they enter upon their duties here with sincere desire and intention to be true and faithful to their obligation, and may they walk in the spirit of true fraternal love to all comrades here; and, finally, may they so live that, when the duties of life are over, they shall find ready entrance into that enemupment above where Thou, O God! art the Supreme Commander. We pray Thee to accept this petition
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GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
for these comrades kneeling at this altar, and for all associated with ns in this great fraternity of comrades. And unto Thy great name, through our Lord Jesus Christ, be ascribed all the praise forever.
[All respond : AMEN. Chaplain rises and is escorted to his place hy .J. V. C. After the obligation, Commander steps to the front of the altar.]
C. You will severally pronounce your names and repeat after me the obligation :
I, (A. B.,) in the presence of Almighty God and these com- rades of the Grand Army of the Republic, do solemnly promise that I will at all times keep sacred the secrets of the Grand Army of the Republic ; and that I will never make known to any person, not a Recruit in good standing, any pass-word, sign, or grip established and used by the Grand Army of the Republic. I also promise that I will yield obedience to the Rules and Regulations of the Grand Army, of the Depart- ment, and of this Post, so far as they shall be made known to me. I also promise that I will regard every member .of the Grand Army of the Republic as a brother, and will answer all signs and words by which he shall make himself known to me as such, on the basis of that fraternity which is the foundation of this grade of the Grand Army of the Republic. to which I amnow solemnly pledged. And I voluntarily assume this obligation as a Recruit, withont any equivocatien or mental reservation whatever; and am willing, should I knowingly vio- late the same, to be posted as a perjurer, and treated as a traitor to this my solemn obligation to my comrades. [During recital of last sentence of obligation, guards are mored forward and take position of'" ready" as firing party.] So help me, God, and keep me true to this my obligation.
[During recital of last sentence, guard take position of "aim," and, upon completion of sentence, the C. steps quickly aside and to his station ; bandages are quickly remored.]
[Response hy all : ] BEHOLD THE PROPER DOOM OF THE PER- JURED TRAITOR!
[One rap. Guard shoulder arms ; officers resume their stations; guard is marched ont, and Recruits arise and stand in rear of altar.]
C. Comrades, these forms have a meaning. Upon the recom- mendation of a friend, and upon the record of your service in the eanse of your country, yon sought admission as a Recruit to
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GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
this command. Upon that recounnendation and reeord you were admitted within our outpost. That you were blinded, was significaut of the fact that you were yet ignorant of the secrets of this Grand Army. Let it remind you also of the dark nights when you groped your way in front of the enemy's lines; and, still more. of those dark days in the history of the war, when, though many faltered, the soldiers of our country stood bravely waiting for the light which was to come. At the door of the Post you were taught to give one rap, intending to sig- nify to you that this is only the first step of your entrance into the Grand Army, and also reminding you that, as a Recruit, you are received here upon the single principle of fraternity, upon which the edifice of the Grand Army of the Republic is erected. Upon fraternity of feeling and interest, begun in the past and still strong, rests our comradeship. He who negleets to cultivate the feeling of fraternity, he who proves by his con- duct as a Reernit that he has no fellowship in common with those whose association he seeks, will thereby satisfy the com- rades here that he is unworthy of that further advancement which would open to him the other great principles upon which our organization rests. In approaching the headquarters of the Post, you met the challenge of seutinels and officers. They remind you of the scenes through which yon passed during your service in the war, and that as you were then protected on all hands by faithful sentinels, so we protect ourselves by these faithful guardians upon our flanks and outposts.
When you were placed at the altar a comrade grasped yon by the hand and held it firmly while you took the obligation. It was symbolic of that fraternity which is the first principle of the Grand Army of the Republic, and to which you in common with all your comrades are solemnly pledged.
A prayer was offered in your behalf at the altar, reminding you that, as we relied on the blessings of Almighty God to give us vietory over our enemies, we should in all the duties of life seek the blessing of our Heavenly Commander. It is also designed to teach yon a reliance upon Almighty God in your first step as a Recruit that you may be true and faithful to your obligation and duties as such, and thus deserve the promotion which may in the future be awarded you.
After taking upon yourself the obligation required you beheld before you the representation of a tiring party, teaching you that should you prove false to the obligation you have volun-
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GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
tarily assumed you would justly deserve the penalty that you had invoked upon yourself of being treated as a perjured traitor.
Comrades, it gives me pleasure to welcome yon as Recruits in this Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. We extend to yon the hand of fraternal love and welcome. Our fraternity here, irrespective of former rank, is due to our conviction that every soldier who did his anty in the position assigned him deserved well of his country.
The countersign and grip of Recruits will now be communi- cated to you by our Officer of the Day, [assisted, if necessary, by the Officer of the Gnord,] and after signing your names to the list of Recruits, at the desk of the Adjutant, you will take your seats in the Post.
[The ceremony will be performed with solemnity, and great care will be taken to administer the obligation in a slow and solemn manner, the Post prrserring strict silence. No one will be allowed to enter or to leave the Post during this or any other ceremony.]
[ Closing follows, unless business is to be transacted regarding proposals, de., to second grade ; if so, sce " Closing-Second Grade."]
ADVANCEMENT OF RECRUITS-SECOND GRADE.
[Opening as in Ritual. ]
[All business except that pertaining to adrancement being trans- acted in the second grade, it will be necessary, when proceedings in the proposal or election to the second grade are to be had, for the following to be said : ]
C. Comrades, this Post of the Grand Army of the Republic will now open in the second grade. Officer of the Day, are all present Soldiers of the Grand Army ?
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