Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army Visits Seattle
General Paul Vandervoort receives a hero's welcome at Yesler's Hall as the G.A.R. sees a massive surge in membership.
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Gen. Paul Vandervoort, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, visited Seattle on Thursday evening. Stevens Post No. 1 prepared a fitting reception at Yesler's Hall, decorated with flags and banners. The Seattle Cornet Band escorted the General from the steamer to the hall, which was crowded with people. Dr. T. T. Minor introduced the Commander, who spoke for nearly an hour on his travels and the state of the order. He noted that the organization is non-partisan and welcomes every Union soldier of good character, stating that membership has nearly doubled under his administration to over 100,000 members. Following his address, local figures including Dr. T. T. Minor, Surgeon General Lane, and Colonel Haller offered remarks, and comrades lined up to shake hands before escorting the Commander back to his steamer for a return to Portland.
“The organization is completely non-partisan and its principles are so broad that every Union soldier who has an honorable record and who is a good citizen, is received into its ranks.”
The G.A.R. was a powerful civic force in late 19th-century Seattle, acting as a social safety net and political bloc for Union veterans. While the organizations themselves have faded into history, their legacy persists in local street names and the enduring importance of veterans' advocacy in the Pacific Northwest.
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