The first Grand Army Post was organized in Decatur, Illinois, in 1866, under the regulations and ritual that had been adopted. In the same year a number of posts were organized in Iowa, a sufficient number to entitle the state to a department, which was organized as the Department of Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic, September 26, 1868.

There was quite an interest in the order in the years 1866 to 1868, and the membership increased rapidly, especially in the central and western states.  But in the few years following there was a decline in the enthusiasm and the organization was on the wane.  This was largely on account of politics, which was a prominent feature of the Grand Army organization at that time; and it was intended to be a kind of semi-political organization by those who were chiefly instrumental in the formation of the constitution and ritual.

Whether so intended or not, there were a good many with political ambitions who identified themselves with the order, with the purpose of using it to enhance their personal interests.  For the most part these members were allied with one of the leading political parties of that time and the organization of the Grand Army came largely under their control.  Of course, the order under such control would find no favor among soldiers who were inclined to affiliate with any other political party.  Indeed, it did not find favor with many whose party affiliation was with the controlling power.  The result was that many who had become members dropped out and others refused to join, and the Grand Army was in a state of decomposition. And this was in accord with the fitness of things.  A secret political organization, however worthy its purpose, or its individual membership, should never have permanent success, or have the approval of true and loyal American citizenship.

A few posts in this and other states maintained their organization during these years of decline, and these formed the nucleus for the greater Grand Army of the Republic that the world knows today.  Wiser head gathered in council, a new constitution and regulations, and a new ritual was prepared, by which politics was absolutely prohibited in the order. Fraternity, charity and loyalty were made the cardinal principles of the order--- the "broad foundation stone upon which the order rests."  These new rules and regulations, with the revised and more sensible ritual, were adopted in the early 1870's, and they met with the approval of the intelligent soldier citizens, and from that time the Grand Army took on new life.  It increased in membership rapidly from that time until it became the greatest semi-military organization the world has ever known, commanding the respect of citizens regardless of party, creed or nationality.

The Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to A.B. Morton Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in New Hampton in 1886, with the following charter members: