Attica GAR Decoration Day parade c. 1900. In Wyoming County, 1,172 men enlisted in the Union Army; 291 died from wounds or illness.
The men from Attica served in many different regiments, the largest contingent belonging to the First NY Dragoons.
Image source: Attica Historical Society
"The first members of the [Attica] G.A. R. were mustered into the organization in August 20, 1881. New members were added
up through the early 1900's. The purposes of the organization included: fraternal, keeping alive the memory of the sacrifices of
so many fellow soldiers and to help veterans and their families who found themselves in need. There were 27 area men killed
during the war that were buried in unknown graves and the Post took special efforts to remember the names of these people.
They accomplished these ends by decorating the graves of departed veterans on Memorial days, often holding parades including
schoolchildren that marched to the local cemeteries.They often purchased headstones for departed veterans needing headstones
and helped their families. Services at the grave of veterans who just passed away were attended and often conducted by the
G.A.R. men. They also helped to foster a patriotic spirit that was so important during their own service. Membership in the
organization climbed to roughly 140 men and it reached its peak in about 1890 after which it declined..."
"...The membership...dwindled as more and more of the veterans passed away... By 1920 only a handful of members remained.
Probably the last meeting of the Post took placed on September 3, 1925 when one its five surviving members, Julius Baker
82 years old, was visited in the Bath Soldiers Home by Commander Elon P. Spink, along with Orange Garnder, Henry Radder,
and Henry Wicker..." [Elon Spink was the last member; he died in 1932 at age 90.]
From The "Historical Wyoming" quarterly, July 2006, "Attica Civil War Soldiers," by Roger Baetzold, Gail Baetzold, and
Arnold Sprague.
Special thanks to President Gail Shadbolt and historian Arnie Sprague of the Attica Historical Society for their
kind assistance.