Photo: Courtesy Wayne Sherman Collection

LINCOLN POST G.A.R.
Washington Hall, 35 Eddy Street San Francisco, Ca.

Men unite for objects social, 
Benevolent and fraternal, 
But none do I believe are on a par, 
Or have grander aims to bind them, 
And nobler deeds behind them 
Then the Patriotic Order of the G. A. R.

Lincoln Post, the pioneer 
Of this Western land the peer 
Of any of her sisters, we believe, 
Is composed of loyal brothers, 
Who respect the rights of others, 
And, when needy, their worldly wants relieve. 

All Grand Army people know 
That thirty-seven years ago 
To its efforts the movement was begun 
And the records bear me out, 
There is not the slightest doubt 
That the banner Post is Lincoln Number One. 

We have men in Lincoln Post, 
And it isn’t said to boast, 
Whose bravery and service in the field 
Can never be surpassed, 
As long as Time shall last, 
But they are modest and keep their lights concealed. 

When North and South were sundered,
The “California Hundred” 
Volunteered to represent the Coast; 
The survivors are but few, 
Of those brave men, and true, 
And nine are on the role of Lincoln Post.

Not the least, C. Mason Kinney, 
Who fought through old Virginy 
With Sheridan, who was himself a host. 
Names of Charter members-none 
But his, which stands alone 
On the first muster role of Lincoln Post. 

We hear but little noise
From the “California Boys” 
Boasting of their deeds of valor done, 
But history tells a story 
That covers them with glory, 
And we’re proud of them in Lincoln Number One.

And no feeble words of mine 
Can picture or define 
The effect upon humanity to-day, 
Had the Boys who wore the Blue 
And fought so brave and true, 
Surrendered and to those who wore the gray.

Statesman’s name was never written, 
Nor in any language spoken, 
Though History records a mighty host 
That freemen love so dear, 
For it stands without a peer, 
The patronymic of Lincoln Post. 

May that name we love so well 
And the gallant men who fell, 
To keep our glorious banner free from stain, 
Be examples to our sons 
Should they stand behind the guns 
To defend it from the enemy again. 

Forty years have passed away 
And we’re growing old and gray, 
For our country’s good we’re just as much alive 
As when we answered here 
As a union volunteer, 
In the troubled days of sixty-one and five. 

Soon the last salute will sound, 
And the long and narrow mound 
Will cover the last Grand Army comrade here. 
Then sons of worthy Sires 
Will renew our old camp-fires 
And perpetuate the name we love so dear.

Father Time is always reaping, 
Ever watchful, never sleeping, 
As he musters out our comrades one by one; 
‘Twas the same in Dixie’s land 
When came the stern command: 
Close up, boys! God’s will be done! 

And when taps shall beat for me, 
And they sound the reveille,
To arouse me at the dawning, I shall boast, 
Though my virtues are but few, 
That once I wore the blue 
And my name is on the role of Lincoln Post. 

Edwin Hazen Black
Home Made Verses; San Francisco, No. 120 Eddy Street; 1905

Lincoln Post #1 - Meetings every Thursday 8P.M