The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War — a fraternal nonprofit organization that works to preserve the history of Union Civil War soldiers — announced it is forming a new chapter to serve 10 counties in Southwest Washington, according to a news release.
The chapter will be named the General John W. Sprague Camp No. 4. Named after Sprague, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Decatur in Alabama during the Civil War, and also was part of Sherman’s March to the Sea.
Following the war, he became a railroad executive and co-founded the City of Tacoma.
As for the chapter, anyone in Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties who is a male descendant of a Union soldier, sailor, marine or a revenue cutter service member is invited to become a charter member of the new chapter.
To get a membership application and for more information, contact Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War department commander Loran Bures at camp4organizer@suvpnw.org.
Final paperwork to establish the new chapter nationally will be filed this December, the release stated. Once the paperwork is submitted, no more charter members can be added.
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was established by the Grand Army of the Republic in 1881 as its male auxiliary and is the organization’s legal heir and representative according to the release.
To learn more about the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, visit https://www.suvpnw.org/.