The first " post " of the order was formed in one of the Western States, in the year after the close of the war, but it was not till the year 18()7 that the idea was developed into a harmonious whole, with a regular system of military discipline, and the different units of " post," "department" and " national " headquarters. In its hierarchy, the familiar routine of military life was followed, as tar as [)ossible, with features common to secret social and benevolent societies, following the father of all such bodies -- Freemasonry.

At the beginning of the organization of the order there was a great deal more of this similarity than now prevails, the initiation being of a solemn character, calculated to try the nerves of the recruits ; the forms of Masonry being imitated by the institution of the successive degrees of "recruit," " soldier " and " veteran " -- so called. These degrees were abolished by the National Encampment, a few years after the first formation of the order, and the rules have been simplified in regard to initiations and other points of ritual, till the Grand Army of the Republic can hardly be said to be in any sense a " secret " society, any more than an army in the field, in which the countersign forpa.'^sing a sentry at night is the only thing not patent to all the world.

The objects of the order, set forth in the rules and regulations (Chap. 1, Art. 11) are as follows :