Grand Army of the Republic original pen, ink, and watercolor on paper membership certificate for the G. Swain Evans post of the GAR, by Cyrus Monroe Booth (1839 – 1915) of Company E, 27th New York Infantry Regiment. The watercolor drawing depicts the GAR star-shaped membership badge or medal and ribbon with a blank banner above, presumably for the member's name and the motto "Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty" below. Signed along the lower right margin "Pen work by comrade Cyrus M Booth, Westerlo, NY". Label en verso reads "The symbol of membership in the G. Swain Evans Post of the Grand Army of the Republic". Housed in a carved wood frame. 18 1/2" H x 14 1/2" W. Framed: 28 3/4" H x 22 1/2" W.

Note: A document entitled "Sacred to the Memory of Abraham Lincoln" and written by Booth was included in the New York State Historical Association's 1975 exhibition Outward Signs of Inner Beliefs: Symbols of American Patriotism and is listed in the exhibition catalog of the same name (Cooperstown, NY: New York State Historical Association, 1975), p. 76.

Biographical Note: The 27th New York Infantry Regiment, known as the "Union Regiment," was composed of three companies from Broome county, one company from each of the following counties: Westchester, Wayne, Monroe, Wyoming and Orleans, and two companies from Livingston. It was mustered into the U. S. service for a two years term at Elmira, NY on July 9 and 10, 1861. It was quartered at Franklin Square until July 17 and on that day advanced toward Manassas, VA where they participated in the battle of Bull Run, where 130 members were killed, wounded or missing. In September, it was ordered to Fort Lyon and there attached to Slocum's brigade, Franklin's division. On March 13, 1862, it became a part of the 2nd brigade, 1st division, 1st corps, Army of the Potomac, and in May the division was assigned to the 6th corps. The regiment then participated in the battle of West Point, the siege of Yorktown, and the Seven Days' battles, suffering heavy losses at Gaines' Mill and Malvern Hill. It was more fortunate at the second Bull Run, where it was present but not closely engaged.

The regiment then participated in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, established winter quarters at Belle Plain, shared the discomforts of the 'Mud March,' lost 19 members who were killed, wounded or went missing in the Chancellorsville campaign in May, 1863, and soon after returned to New York. It was mustered out at Elmira May 31, 1863, having lost during its term of service 74 members by death from wounds and 74 by accident, imprisonment or disease. (Adapted from The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States, 1861-65 [Madison, WI: Federal Publishing Company, 1908], Vol. II)

CONDITION: Paper with horizontal lines indicating that it was previously rolled. Light overall toning. Not examined out of the frame. Frame with minor scattered abrasions.