Introduction
The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS, "Loyal Legion") was founded in 1865. Membership was restricted to officers, their direct male descendents, and a small number of civilian males. It grew significantly in the 1880's and 1890's (after the death of its first recorder, Samuel Mitchell, whose recordkeeping was imperfect), and had about eight thousand members in 1900. It stressed patriotism, and apparently began the practice of standing when the National Anthem was played.
Members from the 91st Pennsylvania
(See also below)- Peter Keyser, was a founder of the MOLLUS, and had national insignia number 2; he was in the Pennsylvania commandery.
- Alpheus Bowman
- Howard Shipley
- Charles Houghton
Original members
These nine men from the 91st are listed as "Original Companions of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States" on the MOLLUS web page.
- Diehl, James B, 1st Lt
- Gilbert, Franklin B, Capt
- Gilbert, Joseph, Capt
- Hall, Matthew, Capt
- Keyser, Peter D, Capt
- LeTourneau, William, 1st Lieut
- Matlack, Lewis T, 1st Lieut
- Shipley, Howard W, 1st Lieut
- Weeks, John H, Capt
Bibliography
- Their web page has some information about their history
- Dana B Shoaf. '"For every man who wore the blue": The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the charges of elitism after the Civil War'. In Union soldiers and the northern home front, pages 463-481. Edited by Paul A Cimbala and Randall M Miller. New York: Fordham University Prss, 2002.