The most prominent of these organizations were the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) and the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR).
In 1869, the Society of the Army of the Potomac was founded and Lieutenant General Philip Sheridan was elected as its first president.
A total of 12 vice presidents were also elected, representing 10 corps which served with the army as well as the artillery and the general staff.
[1] The Society had an elaborate insignia, made of gold, which was manufactured by Bailey, Banks and Biddle jewelers of Philadelphia.
In the center of the cross is a seal with a crescent moon, a star and a cypher of the letters A and P.[2] Reproductions of the insignia, not made of gold, are sold on an on-line auction website.