||Annoucements|Purpose|Brief History|Organization|Objects|Eligibility|NJ Camps|Links||

Sign the Guestbook View the Guestbook

New Jersey Department Announcements

The National Encampment will be held in Utica, New York, from August 7-10.



Purpose of the SUVCW

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is dedicated to the perpetuation of the memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines who saved the Union during the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. The SUVCW does this by carrying on the rituals, traditions and services of the Grand Army of the Republic: the proper observance of Memorial Day, Allegiance to the Government of the United States of America, the teaching and encouragement of Patriotism and love of Country, the perpetuation of its Free Institutions and the preservation of the Constitution.

Through the Graves Registration Committee, the Sons of Union veterans seeks out and marks with a United States Military headstone, the graves of Union soldiers, Sailors, and Marines that are not so honored. Graves with headstones that are damaged, are replaced. Through the Departments and local Camps, we observe the care and upkeep of Civil War Monuments and Memorials, and bring any failure to do so to the attention of the proper authorities.

The Department and local Camps, along with other Veteran and Patriotic organizations, participate in ceremonies and parades honoring the men and women who have served in the United States Military, with special emphasis on those who have sacrificed their life or limbs in the service of their Country.

The SUVCW promotes the study and preservation of the history of the Union troops of 1861-1865, and assists members in the researching of their ancestors' participation in the war.



Brief History of the SUVCW

The SUVCW was a creation of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) which was formed in 1866. Realizing the inevitable demise of the Grand Army of the Republic because of its membership requirements, several members of the GAR attempted to form organizations of their sons to carry on their work. The Sons of Veterans of the United States of America was formed by Major A.P. Davis in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 12, 1861. This organization grew rapidly and in 1883 was recognized by the GAR as the sole organization of Sons of Union Veterans. By resolution of the 1883 National Encampment the GAR ordered all posts to disband all other organizations and break all ties with any organization of sons except the Sons of Union Veterans U.S.A. Camps were military in nature. In 1904, they elected to become a civilian patriotic education society. In 1925 the name was changed to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War to further identify their heritage. Prior to disbanding and before the death of its last member, the G.A.R. officially designated the SUVCW as legal heir to and representative of the Grand Army of the Republic. On August 20, 1954, the SUVCW was officiallt incorporated by an Act of Congress by the passage of Public Law 605 during the second session of the 83rd Congress.



Organization

The SUVCW is structured into three constituted bodies.

The first level is the CAMP which is the backbone of the Order as the Camps contain the membership and this is where the purposes of our organizations are carried out. Camps are located in the majority of the States

The second level is the DEPARTMENT. Each state that contains three or more Camps has a Department which is considered the middle management of the Order. All of the Camps within a state are attached to that state's Department which acts as a liason with the National Organization.

The third level is the NATIONAL ORGANIZATION which includes all national officers and the Council of Administration which serves as the Board of Directors.



Objects of the SUVCW


To perpetuate the Memory of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the men who saved the Union in 1861 to 1865;
To assist in every way practicable in the preservation and making available for research of documents and records pertaining to the Grand Army of the Republic and its members;
To cooperate in doing honor to all those who have patriotically served our country in any war;
To teach patriotism and the duties of citizenship, the true history of our country, and the love and honor of our flag;
To oppose every tendency or movement that would weaken loyalty to, or make for the destruction or impairment of, our Constitutional Union; and
To inculcate and broadly sustain the American principles of representative government, of equal rights and of impartial justice for all."



Eligibility Requirements


Membership in the SUVCW is open to all male descendants, whether through lineal or collateral line, not less than fourteen years of age, who are blood relatives of soldiers, sailors, Marines or members of the Revenue Cutter Service, who were regularly mustered and served honorably in, or who were honorably discharged from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Revenue Cutter Service of the United States of America, during the War of the Rebellion of 1861-65; and who have never been convicted of any infamous or heinous crime; or who have never voluntarily borne arms against the Government of the United States of America.

Any male between the ages of eight and thirteen, inclusive, who meets the qualifications cited above, may become a Junior Son. Junior Sons may participate in all Camp activities, but may not vote or hold office.

Any male who has attained the age of fourteen years and who is interested in and willing to support the work of the SUVCW, but is lacking connection to a veteran, may become an Associate. Being an Associate does not limit you opportunity to hold Camp office or vote in camp elections. Up to 1/3 of an individual Camp's members may be composed of Associates. Fellow Camp members will help you research your ancestry, to discover if you may have a Civil War Soldier, Sailor or Marine ancestor that will qualify you to become a Member.


Camps within the Department of New Jersey

General James A. Garfield Camp #4

Trenton area

About 20 members. For information, contact:
Charles Larkin
535 Walker Ave.
West Trenton, NJ 08573
(609) 882-6472

Major Peter Vredenberg Camp #6

Toms River area

About 15 members. Meets 4th Thursday of each month at the Toms River Community Center. For information, contact:
Adrien Tudor
668 Clifton Ave.
Toms River, NJ 08753

Colonel Louis R. Francine Camp #7

Hammonton Area

About 35 members. Meets at the Hammonton library, 2nd Saturday of January, May, and September. For information, contact:
David Hann
440 Clark Drive
Hammonton, NJ 08037
(609) 567-7532

Lyon Camp #10

Vineland area

About 20 members. Meets at the Vineland Historical Society. For information, contact:
Clarence Smithcors
342 Route 40
Elmer, NJ
(609) 358-0769

Stratton Camp

Southern area

In the process of forming. Contact:
Rich Mendoza
13 Brookstone Drive
Voorhees, NJ 08043
(609) 424-8754

Colonel Edward B. Fowler #14

Southern area

About 20 members. For information, contact:
Carl Coucg
144 Stave Mill Rd.
Bridgeton, NJ 08362
(609) 455-0194

Colonel Ellsworth Camp

Bridgeport area

About 10 members. For information, contact:
Patrick Spring
116 Main Street
Bridgeport, NJ 08014
(609) 467-2654

Abraham Lincoln Camp #100, The State Camp of New Jersey

All areas

About 110 members. Meets four times a year for luncheon, business meeting, and historical program. Meetings are held at the Coach & Four Restaurant in Hightstown at or near these dates: 3rd Sat. in Sept., 1st Sat. in Dec., 2nd Sat. in March (annual Lincoln dinner) and 3rd Sat. in April. For information, contact:
Dr. David Martin
147 Canterbury Ct.
Hightstown, NJ 08520
(609) 448-6355

For further information, contact:

David Hann, Commander
440 Clark Dr.
Hammonton, NJ 08037
(609) 567-7532

Barry Clark, Dept. Jr. Vice Commander and Membership Chairman
58 Milford Rd.
Hightstown, NJ 08520
(609) 448-2398

Dr. David Martin, Past Dept. Commander
147 Canterbury Ct.
Hightstown, NJ 08520
(609) 448-6355



Selected Links of Interest


The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War National Home Page
The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States Home Page
Women's Relief Corps
The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Auxiliary to the SUVCW
Maryland Department, SUVCWM
Pennsylvania Department, SUVCW
Ohio Department, SUVCW
The Confederate Network
The National Society, Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims
The Sons of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution
The Lineage Society Blue Book
The Sons of Confederate Veterans
Military Order of the Stars and Bars

E-Mail the Webmaster