Other local heritage groups

The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, formed in 1881, is the direct lineal descendant of the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternity of veterans of the Union Army formed in 1866.

The SUVCW is not alone in honoring those who fought in this nation's bloodiest conflict. The United Confederate Veterans formed in 1889 and as its ranks thinned the Sons of Confederate Veterans was formed in 1896 to continue to honor those who took up arms to defend their states. Similarly, the United Daughters of the Confederacy formed in 1894, motivated by the memories and emotions of the mothers, wives and sisters of the veterans in gray.

Of course, the SUVCW and the SCV do not agree on many aspects of their mutual histories, including the root causes of the War of the Rebellion/War Between the States/Civil War. However, leaders of the two organizations have cordial relationships and have in fact spoken at and been welcomed to national encampments of both groups. Many people are members of both organizations and as our nation becomes more diverse it has not been uncommon for people of all races, creeds, nationalities and creeds to find they have ancestors on either side of the picket lines of 1861-1865. Greater membership in our heritage organizations by qualified members, collateral members (as allowed by the SCV) and affilate members (people with no qualifying ancestry but a genuine interest) can only help our society in understanding the ramifications of that great conflict.

The SUVCW is one of five Allied Orders of the GAR. The other four Orders are: Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

The major local representatives of these fine organizations, compatriots of our own BG Joseph Bailey Camp No. 5 SUVCW, are the Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor Camp 1308 of the SCV and the Shreveport Chapter 237 of The United Daughters of the Confederacy.

One of the greatest sources of division over the Civil War for the U.S. public, but not members of the SUVCW and the SCV, is the display of Confederate flags, notable the St. Andrew's Cross of the Confederate Battle Flag. In 2000, the SUVCW membership passed a resolution stating its support of the display of Confederate flags other than as used by "hate groups." That resolution can be read here.