For many years, the GAR was a potent political force in its efforts to secure pension increases and other benefits for veterans and their dependents.
 At its peak in 1890, it had more than 400,000 members and local posts in nearly every state, even those in the South.
 The organization ceased to exist in 1956 with the death of its last member.

 According to the West Virginia Encyclopedia, the first GAR post in West Virginia was organized at Martinsburg in 1880.
By 1889, the organization had 3,161 members in 89 local posts throughout the state. For many years the West Virginia GAR
members held  an annual encampment somewhere in the state, and in 1913 a May 20-22 event brought them to Huntington.

Newspaper stories before the gathering predicted the gathering would bring more than 1,000 Union veterans to the city,
 along with many members of the group’s Ladies Auxiliary. Although the news account never reported a final number,
the actual attendance apparently proved to be only a fraction of that optimistic prediction.

The visiting veterans, who arrived by train from all parts of the state, found virtually every building in the
downtown business district either flying the nation’s flag or draped in red, white and blue bunting.

Headquarters for the three-day event was the Elks Club, while the Ladies Auxiliary met at the Florentine Hotel.
At their opening session at the Elks Club, the veterans were welcomed by Mayor Floyd S. Chapman,
who praised their war-time service, saying: “We are constantly reminded that, in the nation’s hour of peril,
you bared your bosoms to the leaden storm, and cheerfully risked your lives in the country’s cause.”

A highlight of the gathering was a grand march, which saw many of the oldest veterans not march but instead ride in motorcars
that had been volunteered for their use. “To have the veterans parade … in automobiles was an entirely novel idea
and it is believed established a precedent,” reported The Herald-Dispatch.

After voting to meet the following next year in Moundsville, the Union veterans adjourned and entrained for their homes.

Later that same year, on Oct. 9 and 10, downtown Huntington was “invaded”
by nearly 200 members of the United Confederate Veterans of West Virginia.

Just as he had done for the visiting Union veterans, Mayor Chapman welcomed those who had worn Confederate gray.
“In selecting Huntington as your meeting point you have selected wisely,” Chapman said, “If it has even been your ambition
 to own a town for a few days before death shall have taken you, your ambition is now gratified for the town is yours.”

Like the Union veterans, the Confederate vets conducted their business sessions at the Elks Club.
 A reception at the Fifth Avenue Hotel highlighted the convention’s social activities.

A march through the city’s downtown marked the close of the convention.
The Huntington Advertiser described the parade:

“Marching slowly and sometimes with faltering steps, the veterans of the Confederate army passed through the streets of
Huntington today in what, as many who watched them sadly thought, would likely be their last appearance as a body here.”

Yet, despite their advanced years, at the end of their route the marchers were able to
 raise their voices in the famous rebel yell that once was their battle cry.