Personal War Sketches - G.A.R. McPherson Post No. 73, Abington, Mass.

The Grand Army of The Republic (G.A.R.) Personal War Sketches books provide the Civil War veteran's record of service. Old Abington’s brave men underwent all of the problems, difficulties, and heartaches of veterans everywhere. This G.A.R. McPherson Post No. 73, Personal War Sketches book contains the personal war remembrances of 207 Civil War veterans who resided in the Town of Abington, Massachusetts after the war. Transcribing these sketches will ensure that the sacrifices and monumental achievements of our forefathers are never forgotten.

This book is their testimony.

Old Abington’s role in emancipation efforts during the years preceding the Civil War make the story of the war that much more meaningful and important to our community. It’s safe to say that Abington was fighting the Civil War long before the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter.

The Town of Abington sent its men to fight in the War of the Rebellion in 1860; those veterans returned home to their town, Abington. After the towns divided in 1874 (Rockland) and 1875 (South Abington), each town built a G.A.R. Hall where Civil War veterans could meet. The McPherson Post No. 73 was built in Abington, the Hartsuff Post No. 74 in Rockland, and the Russell Post No. 78 in Whitman (formerly South Abington). These veterans shared an indelible bond regardless of the G.A.R. Post they joined.

The Abington, Rockland, and Whitman communities are proud of the men of Old Abington who fought in the Civil War to abolish slavery and preserve the Union​.

​Thank you for helping with this transcription project that has such vast historical implications!