"I searched newspaper databases and came across this reference from the June 17, 1892 Evening Star of Washington D.C., about the G.A.R. encampment badge.

"I also found an image of this complete badge on Worthpoint."

After a careful examination of a large number of designs and bids, received from manufacturers in eleven different cities, the committee on badges recommended to the executive committee the adoption of the designs of Col. Jos. K. Davison of Philadelphia, and it has been ordered that a contract be made with him for the manufacture of the encampment badge, and also those to be worn by the members of the different citizens' committees.

The encampment badge will be as follows: The pin bar is of fire bronze, with medallion bust of Washington and inscription "Washington, September, 1892." Suspended from a yellow silk ribbon, on which the monogram "G.A.R." is woven in red, white and blue, is a bronze medal with floriated border lettered "Member Twenty-sixth National Encampment," with center medal of silver showing the Capitol. On the reverse is a silver medal showing the grand review of the army in 1865, with a bronze border lettered "Presented by the citizens of Washington, D.C."

"That "1865 Grand Review of the Armies Medal" is actually an inset in the 1892 Washington, DC national encampment medal/badge.

"I did a series of articles on the four GAR national encampments held in Washington, DC; 1892, 1902, 1915, and 1936. The 1892 article illustrated 35 medals and 38 ribbons.

"The GAR was an organization destined for extinction from the start, since only those who served during the Civil War were eligible for admission. Therefore, as time passed fewer and fewer members attended the encampments. The final one was in 1949, and only six members attended."

"Neat. At least I was on the right track, even if I didn't go far enough. Thanks to all!"