Letter files, copying letter-book, and book of general records have been kept, which contain all-important correspondence for future reference; also statistics and records necessary to guide in conducting the work of this office, which will be placed in the hands of the incoming officer. The consolidated returns of the various Departments and detached Corps show the organization of 360 Corps, with a total charter membership of 7,179. Being obliged to close this report July 4, in order that it might reach National Headquarters in time. to be printed, it became necessary to leave out the fourth quarter's reports of five Departments. The fact is much to be regretted, as it undoubtedly detracts from the general work of these States in this report, and lessens the members that should be credited to our National Organization. It is hoped that hereafter Department Presidents will not only instruct their Instituting and Installing Officers to send in their reports on time, but make the request imperative, as tardiness not only prevents the possibility of a full report, but greatly delays the work of the National Instituting and Installing Officer. In summing up the loss and gain of the different Departments, it is found by taking into consideration the facts of age of Corps and Departments, location and surroundings, that all seem to have labored alike in the extension of our Order, thus showing the general interest that seems extant from shore to shore. Pennsylvania leads in the number of additions to our ranks, while R. B. Elliott Corps 1 (colored), of Vicksburg, Miss., excels all in a single charter membership of 101. Election returns have been received from twenty-one Departments, together with letters from Installing Officers, relating to numerous joint installations and happy gatherings of Posts and Corps, which have added to the ties of comradeship, renewed the vows of fidelity and awakened new energy for the coming year. Charters have been issued to fifteen detached Corps in the following States Arizona, 1; Arkansas, 3; North Carolina, 1; South Carolina, 1; Georgia, 1; Mississippi, 1; Louisiana, 3; Tennessee, 2; West Virginia, 2; Oklahoma, 1; thus showing a general extension of the Order in every direction. Though not sufficient to guarantee Provisional or Department organizations in all of these States, it is believed that good seed has been sown, that will grow and ripen for a rich harvest for the benefit of Union soldiers wherever found. The general enthusiasm that exists in some of these places warrants regularly organized Departments in the very near future. In the beginning of the year, the prospects seemed bright for the organization of the Department of West Virginia; but when the required number of Corps had been instituted, and the legal papers issued for the call for the organization of a Department, it was found that the interest was not sufficient to warrant success; therefore, being strongly opposed to Corps or Departments being merely born to die, the formation of a Department was postponed until a sufficient number of Corps could be secured to give needed strength to such an enterprise. Detached Corps of other States. looking toward a Department have been advised to take no steps beyond their strength. The one lone Corps of Helena, Montana, entered upon the year's work seemingly discouraged; through correspondence, it was found that a proposition to disband would be offered December 18. Unwilling for such a movement, all possible assistance was tendered and extended to aid in securing the requisite number of Corps to form a Department. In the place of one, four Corps now exist with strength in Montana, and the prospects are that, early in the coming administration, the loyal women of that State may rejoice in the Department of Montana. Arkansas also has three white Corps, which speak volumes in favor of a coming Department. Arizona and Oklahoma have commenced the good work, and judging from their correspondence, they, too, will soon be added to our roster. No white Corps have been organized in Tennessee, although much correspondence has been carried on at different points; the reasons for opposition seem to be the point of "social standing." Many times during the year, sympathy has been doubly awakened by the earnest appeals of our colored comrades of the South who desired to form auxiliaries to their Posts. In every case, their letters have been answered, accompanied by instructions and advice, never forgetting their faithfulness to the Northern soldier when danger, starvation and bloodhounds followed their track. Among these people there has been found much intelligence in many cases, evidence of education; yet, in consideration of their general ignorance, due to bonds and lack of opportunities, it seems that we should legislate in some way to place these colored Corps under special management, in accordance with the facts. For how can they possibly understand our laws and requirements when unable to spell their own names correctly, and are less able to write the same. In consideration of the vast amount of unnecessary labor connected with this office the past year, owing to the lack of a defined systematic outline of work, the following recommendations are hereby submitted: 1. That hereafter, the entire work of this office be left to the care and responsibility of the National Instituting and Installing Officer, subservient to executive power. That applications for charter, price lists, Rules and Regulations, Forms G, H and I, letter file, copying letter book, book of general records and stationery compose the supplies of the National Instituting and Installing Officer. 3. That the reports of institution of Detached Corps be sent directly to National Instituting and Installing Officer, who shall have charters engrossed, and, with reports of institution, sent to National Headquarters for approval and signature, and from there forwarded to the Presidents of the Corps. 4. That Department Instituting and Installing Officers be particularly requested to forward the last quarter's report to National Instituting and Installing Officer prior to July 10, and that special care be taken to fill out blanks in full, giving their name and address on each report. 5. That Installing Officers take special pains to give full address of newly installed officers (whose duties are connected with National officers) in their reports. Our National Roster now numbers twenty-nine regularly organized Departments, two Provisional Departments and fortytwo detached Corps. The States of Arkansas and Montana are entitled to Provisional rule, and West Virginia to a Department organization. CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTING AND INSTALLING OFFICER, W. R. C., NAME OF INSTITUTING INSTALLING OFFICER. Mary A. Burgess. SUE A. PIKE SANDERS, National Instituting and Installing Officer, W. R. C. |