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Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Legion of the United States or American Legion.

The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), often called the Loyal Legion, is a special group for people connected to the Union Army from the American Civil War. It was started on April 15, 1865, by three officers who fought in the war. At first, only officers from the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps who served during the Civil War could join. They had to have helped keep the country together.

The Loyal Legion was formed right after President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. There were rumors that others in the government might also be attacked. The founders wanted to show their loyalty and remember the war. They also aimed to help the families of fallen soldiers and sailors. Over time, it became a group where descendants of these officers could join. Today, members are called "Companions" and include direct male relatives and others who support the group's goals. There's also a women's group called the Dames of the Loyal Legion of the United States (DOLLUS).

How the Loyal Legion Started

After President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, many people worried about a bigger plan to overthrow the government. Three officers guarding Lincoln's body, Samuel Brown Wylie Mitchell, Thomas Ellwood Zell, and Peter Dirck Keyser, decided to act. They wanted to form a "Legion" like the Society of the Cincinnati from the American Revolutionary War.

They planned the group during meetings for Lincoln's funeral and a large gathering of war veterans in Philadelphia. On May 31, 1865, they met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia and chose the name "Loyal Legion."

At first, there were different types of members:

  • First Class: Officers who fought in the Civil War. Their oldest direct male descendants could also join this class later.
  • Second Class: The oldest direct male descendants of living officers. This rule changed in 1905 to allow all male descendants to join. Later, nephews and first cousins of officers could also join. This class was eventually stopped as the original officers passed away.
  • Third Class: Important civilians who helped the Union during the war. No new members were added to this class after 1890.

What the Loyal Legion Does Today

The Loyal Legion grew quickly in the late 1800s. It had members in almost every Northern state and even some Southern states. By 1900, over 8,000 Civil War veterans were active members. This included famous generals and even several presidents like Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, and William McKinley. The famous composer John Philip Sousa even wrote the "Loyal Legion March" for them in 1890!

Today, the Loyal Legion is one of the oldest groups for military descendants in the United States. It's a place for male relatives of eligible officers to connect. Members take part in events to remember the Civil War, give awards to ROTC cadets, and help with historical preservation. Every year, they honor President Lincoln's birthday with a special ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C..

The Loyal Legion has a national leadership group and state groups called Commanderies. There are currently 20 state Commanderies. Many members also belong to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), which is linked to the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a large group for Civil War veterans.

Leaders of the Loyal Legion

The Loyal Legion has had many important leaders over the years, called Commanders-in-Chief. Some of these leaders were famous generals and even presidents.

  • Major General George Cadwalader – The first Commander-in-Chief, from 1865 to 1879.
  • Major General Winfield Scott Hancock – Served from 1879 to 1886.
  • General Philip H. Sheridan – Served from 1886 to 1888.
  • Major General Rutherford B. Hayes – A former U.S. President, he led the Loyal Legion from 1888 to 1893.
  • Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles – A Medal of Honor recipient, he was Commander-in-Chief from 1919 to 1925.
  • Captain William P. Wright – The last Civil War veteran to lead the Loyal Legion, from 1931 to 1933.
  • Mr. James Vernor Jr. – The first leader who was not a military veteran, from 1941 to 1947.
  • Major General Ulysses S. Grant III – Grandson of President Ulysses S. Grant, he led the group from 1957 to 1961.
  • Colonel Robert D. Pollock, USAF – Served from 2021 to 2023.
  • Michael T. Bates, Esq. - The current Commander-in-Chief, starting in 2023.

Famous Members of the Loyal Legion

Many well-known people have been part of the Loyal Legion. They are grouped by how they joined: as veterans, honorary members, or hereditary members.

Presidents of the United States

Several U.S. Presidents were members:

Presidents Andrew Johnson and James Garfield were also Civil War generals and could have joined, but they did not.

Vice Presidents

Honorary Members

A few special people are chosen as Honorary Companions for their public or military service.

Veteran Members

Many officers who fought in the Civil War joined the Loyal Legion. Here are some notable ones:

Army Generals

Army Field Officers

  • Colonel John W. Foster – He became an Ambassador and Secretary of State.
  • Colonel Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. – Later became a Supreme Court Justice.
  • Lieutenant Colonel Eli Lilly – He founded the famous pharmaceutical company.
  • Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Brown Wylie Mitchell – One of the founders of MOLLUS.
  • Major Robert Todd Lincoln – Son of President Abraham Lincoln.
  • Major William Warner – A leader of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Navy Admirals

Marine Corps Generals

  • Major General Charles Heywood – A Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.
  • Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin – Also a Commandant of the Marine Corps.

3rd Class Members (Civilians)

These were important civilians who helped the Union during the war.

Hereditary Members

These members are descendants of eligible officers.

  • General of the Army Douglas MacArthur – A legendary general, son of Lieutenant General Arthur MacArthur Jr.
  • Major General Frederick Dent Grant – Son of General Ulysses S. Grant.
  • Major General Ulysses S. Grant III – Grandson of President Ulysses S. Grant.
  • Brigadier General Webb Hayes – A Medal of Honor recipient and son of President Rutherford B. Hayes.
  • Brigadier General Billy Mitchell – A pioneer in military air power.
  • Lieutenant Colonel Henry L. Roosevelt – Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
  • Major John Vernou Bouvier Jr. – Grandfather of Jacqueline Kennedy.
  • Anderson Cooper – The famous CNN reporter is eligible to join through his ancestors.
  • John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg – Grandson of President John F. Kennedy, eligible through his great-great-grandfather.

Eligible Royalty

Some European royals are eligible to join because their ancestors served with the Union Army.

  • King Felipe VI of Spain and his father, former King Juan Carlos, are eligible.
  • The family of the French royal pretenders (House of Orleans) are also eligible.

Images for kids

  • MOLLUS membership medal 2

    A membership medal given to an "Original Companion" (here, Capt. Edward Taylor of the 95th Ohio Infantry). The design of the medal remains unchanged.

  • MOLLUS membership medal

    A membership medal worn by Brevet Col. Perrin V. Fox of the 1st Michigan Engineers. His son later wore this medal as a descendant member. Descendant members wore a ribbon with a blue stripe in the center until 1935, when all members were entitled to use a red-center ribbon.

  • MOLLUS certificate, Col Charles Anderson

    Enrollment certificate of Col. Charles Anderson, 93rd Ohio Infantry.

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