Featured in this lot is the "History of the Grand Army of the Republic" by Robert B. Beath, 1889, Bryan, Taylor & Co. publishers. This is a written history of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' fraternal organization for the Union armed forces of the U.S. Civil War. Union veteran Beath served as its Commander-in-Chief from 1883 to 1884, meticulously documented the establishment, expansion, and structural regulations of the nation's premier Civil War veterans' society. Robert Burns Beath (1839-1914) was uniquely qualified to write the definitive history of the organization. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War, losing his right leg at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm. After the war, he dedicated himself to veteran advocacy and became a foundational leader within the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). The GAR grew into a massive lobbying force that successfully secured veteran pensions, preserved historic battlefields, established soldiers' homes, and institutionalized Memorial Day. Five U.S. presidents—Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Harrison, and McKinley—were members. : Because membership was strictly limited to honorably discharged Union veterans of the Civil War, the organization naturally dissolved in 1956 upon the death of its last surviving member, Albert Woolson. Book has original Civil War newspaper articles attached to endpapers, possibly by original owner whose name is written on title page. The brown morocco leather bound gold gilt stamped hardcover is in preserved overall condition, gold gilt bright, scuffing and separation noted. Intact pages exhibit age tanning and foxing, pages 375-378 and 663-666 are loose. Two engraved prints, "Decoration Day" and "Review of Union Armies at Washington, at the close of the war" were inserted presumably by original owner. Measures 6.75"W x 9.625"L x 2"D, weight is 4lb, 8oz.