The Green County Historical Society has among its military collection tin plates and cups used by members of the W.W. Patton Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Post 90 at their meetings held in Brodhead.
The veterans brought their own lunches, but the utensils and drinks were provided by the Post. The Brodhead Post was chartered on June 4, 1883, and served as an organization assisting Civil War veterans.
The Post was named for a Brodhead soldier who was a color sergeant of the 36th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
This Regiment was formed in Madison, mustered into service on March 23, 1864 and mustered out of service on July 12, 1865. Sergeant Wesley Patton fell in the carnage of Cold Harbor in central Virginia on June 5, 1864; he was just 21.
The Battle of Cold Harbor is remembered as one of the bloodiest and most lopsided battles in the war. General Grant's Union troops suffered 13,000 casualties while General Lee's Southern troops suffered 2,500 casualties.
The G.A.R., as a national organization, was founded in 1868 by Union veterans from Illinois. The organization wielded considerable political clout during the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century.
It was successful in promoting pension legislation and was instrumental in the creation of Soldiers Homes for wounded comrades. The G.A.R. also established the traditional observance of Memorial Day, which began in 1868 as "Decoration Day".
The veterans brought their own lunches, but the utensils and drinks were provided by the Post. The Brodhead Post was chartered on June 4, 1883, and served as an organization assisting Civil War veterans.
The Post was named for a Brodhead soldier who was a color sergeant of the 36th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
This Regiment was formed in Madison, mustered into service on March 23, 1864 and mustered out of service on July 12, 1865. Sergeant Wesley Patton fell in the carnage of Cold Harbor in central Virginia on June 5, 1864; he was just 21.
The Battle of Cold Harbor is remembered as one of the bloodiest and most lopsided battles in the war. General Grant's Union troops suffered 13,000 casualties while General Lee's Southern troops suffered 2,500 casualties.
The G.A.R., as a national organization, was founded in 1868 by Union veterans from Illinois. The organization wielded considerable political clout during the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century.
It was successful in promoting pension legislation and was instrumental in the creation of Soldiers Homes for wounded comrades. The G.A.R. also established the traditional observance of Memorial Day, which began in 1868 as "Decoration Day".