Unearthing History: A Civil War Veteran’s Legacy Found in a Demolished Wall
By Kelley Barrett, Vegas Ancestor Hunter
The June monthly membership meeting featured guest speaker Christine Cohen, who presented “Grand Army of the Republic – Researching Your Union Civil War Veterans.” Cohen’s talk shed light on the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), a fraternal organization composed of honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Union Navy, and Marines, and United States Colored Troops. Active from 1866 to 1956, the G.A.R. reached its peak in 1890 with over 400,000 members.
Beyond its historical significance, the G.A.R. left behind an incredible array of records that include details about veterans' service, personal biographies, photographs, birth and death information, occupations, and residences. Cohen offered valuable tips for locating and researching these rich sources of genealogical data. Yet, even with all her insights, one unexpected discovery over the summer still managed to surprise.
In August, a visit to the Tenino Depot Museum in Tenino, Washington uncovered an extraordinary artifact. Nestled within a sandstone train depot adjacent to a picturesque public pool in a converted 1800s sandstone quarry, the museum houses a variety of historical records including obituaries, photographs, cemetery registers, and vertical files. After sharing three ancestral surnames—Churchill, McClellan, and Wherrett—a search through the archives led to an unexpected and emotional find.
As she thought about the relevant items that might be on hand, museum curator Jessica Reeves-Rush recalled an item on display that had been recovered during the demolition of a house once owned by Thomas J. McClellan, a Civil War veteran and G.A.R. member. The item had been found within a wall by a worker and later donated to the museum. Secured behind glass, it turned out to be a reunion identification tag from the 1913 Gettysburg Reunion, a 50th anniversary commemoration of the infamous battle.
Certificate of Eligibility to Attend Gettysburg Reunion, 1913 (back), issued to Thos. J. McClellan. Tenino Depot Museum, Tenino, Washington. Photograph by Kelley Barrett, taken August 29, 2025.
Produced by G.A.R. and issued only to veterans who had actually participated in the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, the tag served as evidence of Thomas J. McClellan’s role in that pivotal conflict and guaranteed his admittance into the reunion. Similar to the wrist bands of today, the tag was to be carried on his person for the entirety of the event. The tag's pristine condition raised questions about whether it had ever been utilized. Did McClellan attend the reunion or was the tag simply a memento he acquired but never used?
Certificate of Eligibility to Attend Gettysburg Reunion, 1913 (front), issued to Thos. J. McClellan. Tenino Depot Museum, Tenino, Washington. Photograph by Kelley Barrett, taken August 29, 2025.
The 1913 Gettysburg Reunion, often referred to as the “Grand Reunion,” was a monumental event. Approximately 54,000 Union and Confederate veterans converged to honor the 50th anniversary of the three-day battle and the more than 51,000 lives that were lost. Funded primarily by the State of Pennsylvania at a cost of more than 10 million dollars in today’s currency, the four-day event featured speeches, including one from President Woodrow Wilson, and emotional moments such as veterans from both sides shaking hands near the site of Pickett’s Charge—a powerful image captured in a now-iconic photograph housed at the Library of Congress.
Library of Congress, “Union and Confederate Veterans Shaking Hands at Reunion to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg,” 1913, photograph, Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C., https://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/ppmsca.56469/: accessed 22 September 2025.
Further digging uncovered a June 27, 1913 article from The Washington Standard confirming that McClellan was aboard a train with fellow attendees bound for Pennsylvania, making his attendance at the event highly likely. However, many veterans who arrived early experienced hardship—summer heat, scarce supplies, and physical frailty took a toll. Some returned home early, and a few tragically passed away during the event.
“Veterans Start East,” The Washington Standard (Olympia, Wash.), 27 June 1913, p. 4, cols. 3–4.
This article documents local Civil War veterans, including Thomas J. McClellan, departing for the 50th anniversary reunion at Gettysburg.
While the full extent of McClellan’s experience at Gettysburg remains uncertain, more records may yet provide answers. Thanks to guidance from Christine Cohen, researchers now know where to look. The GAR Records Project is an excellent starting point, listing state-by-state post locations, record repositories, and descriptions of available documents.
In McClellan’s case, his local G.A.R. post— the George H. Thomas Post in Olympia, Washington—has its records preserved in the Special Collections of the Washington State Library. Though the library closed to the public in July 2025 due to a loss of funding, access is still possible by appointment, and staff remain dedicated to assisting researchers.
Conclusion: History Hidden in Plain Sight
The discovery of Thomas J. McClellan’s reunion tag is more than just a compelling family story—it’s a powerful reminder that significant pieces of our ancestors’ lives can be found in the most unlikely places. Tucked away in a wall, forgotten in an attic, or buried in local archives, these artifacts have the potential to breathe life into names on a family tree. This particular find illustrates how genealogy is not just about documents and dates, but about uncovering the deeply personal stories that connect us to those who came before. With curiosity, persistence, and a bit of luck, history often reveals itself—sometimes when least expected.