The Grand Army of the Republuc started in 1866, following the Civil War. As those original civil war veterans of the G.A.R were passing away, by the late 1930's and early 1940's, the Sons of those civil war veterans took up the charge, to continue and honor their fathers, uncles and others family members, as the new Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, began to carry on those vary same traditions.
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is a Civil War descendants group for those who have ancestors who served (honorably) during the American Civil War (1861-1865).
the CHAPLAIN PHILOS G. COOK Camp # 223
Our camp is named after Philos Goodrich Cook, Chaplain of the 94th NY Volunteers, which men from Western and Central NY made up this regiment.
The Chaplain PG Cook Camp emerged from the former GAR camps, which then the Sons of Union Veterans, during the 1950-1960's the Champlain PG Cook Camp # 223 began.
In the 1990's through efforts of a few camp members and first New Camp Commander at that time, (Rodgney Parker) resurrected the Chaplain PG Cook Camp. It was through Brothe rParker's efforts that we still exist today.
Our Chaplain PG Cook camp #223, is one of two Sons of Union Veteran camps in Erie County, and the only one in the City of Buffalo, NY.
EVENTS
We get together several time a year for a few events and our annual year end camp meeting, in our general Buffalo area.
FEBRUARY
PRESEDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE
In February each year, Our Chaplain PG Cook camp takes part in the annual observance of the longest running observance of President Abraham Lincoln birthday observance in the entire United States (and the world). Buffalo get to take credit for the longest continual observance since the 1880's.
We celebrate the presidents birthday the Sunday closest to his birthday, at the Buffalo History Museum in Buffalo, NY
Our camp takes part in laying a wreath, and giving honors to the president on his birthday obserance.
MAY
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERANCE
Decoration Day started in Waterloo, NY - following the Civil War in the late 1860's.
On Memorial Day Sunday (the day before Memorial Day Monday, Federal holiday observance), Our Chaplain PG Cook Camp # 223, coordinates and put on a Memorial service at the GAR plot, Section 14 at Buffalo's historic Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Generally we start @ 1 pm on Sunday afternoon, as we gather with several civil war reenactors, and our sisters in the Daughters of Union Veterans, Charlotte Mulligan Tent # 110 from Buffalo, in Honoring the Civil War dead .
The GAR Plot, was dedicated bby the Grand Army of the Republic, in the late 1880's, as the GAR Memorial complete with a Union Soldier Sentinal watches over the honored dead, of approximately 500 Civil War veterans.
DO YOU HAVE ANY CIVIL WAR ANCESTORS
If you are a male, over 18 years old and have a direct ancestry to a Union soldier who served during the Civil War (1861-1865); you may quialify to be am member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW).
If you are inrterested in joining the SUVCW, our Chaplain Philo G Cook Camp # 223 would be happy to have you.
Besides our annual events, we try to attend other events and activities throughout WNY, when possible.
We are often asked to attend area events and activities, such as:
Cemetery Memorials, Wreath Lying, Reenactments, Recruiting both (Erie County Fair), Memorials, talks, SUVCW Encampments, and much more.
If you need help in varifying your ancestry - let us know
You can apply online at the National SUVCW Site at - SUVCW.org
For more information - pleas efeel free to contact me at - SteveCSA2@msn.com
DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS
of the CIVIL WAR
Our sister organization is the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
If you are a female and had a Civil War ancestor who served during the Civil War, you may quailify to be a member of the Daughters of Union Veterans.
There chapters are called "Tents". Our closest Tent, is right here in Erie County.
CHARLOTTE MULLIGAN TENT # 110
There Tent was chartered June 7, 2025.
The Charlotte Mulligan Tent # 110 are the newest tent in NY State.
The Tent is named for one of Buffalo's most well-known 19th century advocates for reform and education. After losing two older brothers in the Civil War, Charlotte decided she would never marry, and would instead devote herself to the care of men in need.
She founded a shelter on Washington Street, where she started the Guard of Honor, awarding men privileges if they went to school, found a job, and participated in healthy social and cultural activities.
She took great care of the residents and even purchased a cemetery lot and memorial in Forest Lawn Cemetery for the Guard. Charlotte was also a founding member of the Twentieth Century Club for women, two musical groups, and a writers group.
Charlotte Mulligan was the first female journalist in Buffalo and was the music critic for the Buffalo Courier for 20 years.