The La Crosse Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post No. 38 was founded in on July 15, 1882, ("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) and named after fallen commander Wilson Colwell. Colwell, a La Crosse Civil War captain, led Company 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, and Indiana.
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.
