MACDONALD, MARGARET.   PAPERS RELATED TO THE WILSON COLWELL #38 GAR POST OF LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN, 1865-1989 (BULK 1890-1939). &nsp; 1.8 cubic feet (4 archives boxes, and one card file box)

Abstract

Information gathered by Margaret ("Peggy") MacDonald primarily about members of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Wilson Colwell Post No. 38, La Crosse, Wisconsin, and a few members belonging to the John Flynn Post No. 77 of the North Side of La Crosse.

Also some history of Civil War regiments having connections to La Crosse veterans.

The Colwell Post was formed in July 1882 and the last member died in Sept. 1939.

Acc. No. 1997/5
Donated by Margaret (Peggy) MacDonald via Ruth MacDonald, Oct. 1996
Processed by Jaime Dechant, May 1997; register prepared by Anita Taylor Doering

History

The La Crosse Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post No. 38 was founded in on July 15, 1882, and named after fallen commander Wilson Colwell. Colwell, a La Crosse Civil War captain, led the Co. B of the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry, also known as the Light Guards and later the Iron Brigade, from the organization of the group in 1861 until his death at the Battle of South Mountain, Virginia, in September of 1862.

The GAR met in a room in the La Crosse County Courthouse until the last member, John Hart, died on September 10, 1939. The GAR organized the annual Memorial Day parade and activities until 1919 and participated until the very end. To be eligible to join, prospective members had to have served for the Union in the Civil War but did not have to serve solely for a Wisconsin regiment. Many members served in the regiments of other states, such as New Hampshire, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and the like.

La Crosse's role in the Civil War is well documented in published sources, but the GAR's activities are not. Ms. MacDonald included excerpts in her notes from the GAR post minute book, but the whereabouts of this volume (volumes?) are unknown.

¹"Greatest Memorial Day is Last to be Handled by Veterans of Grand Army after 40 Years Service," La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, June 1, 1919, p. 2.

Scope and Content

Margaret "Peggy" MacDonald recorded information about the GAR veterans on 3" x 5" notecards and also typed up sheets which she kept in binders. She labelled each binder as a volume and there were four volumes in total, plus four metal notecard boxes.

The original order has been maintained, but the material has been photocopied onto acid neutral paper and organized into archival containers. The beginning folders include general information on regiments and the Wilson Colwell GAR post no. 38, the project Ms. MacDonald undertook, followed by the biographical information which is arranged alphabetically.

The project that Ms. MacDonald envisioned was never fully completed, so the Archives made a second set of the materials in the hope that someone else would someday again take up the project. The Archives staff searched the veteran names and added obituaries where possible to enhance the collection for genealogical researchers.