History

The U.S. Veteran Reserve Corps (U.S. VRC) was a military component of the Army of the United States. Created within the Union Army during the Civil War, U.S. VRC allowed partially disabled, otherwise infirm, or over-age soldiers to perform light duty, freeing able-bodied soldiers to serve on the front lines. It was originally formed as the Invalid Corps, under authority of General Order No. 105, U.S. War Department on April 28, 1863. A similar organization had existed during the American Revolution.

The name was changed to the U.S. Veteran Reserve Corps by General Order No. 111, March 18, 1864 to include soldiers whose enlistments had expired but wished to continue in uniformed service to their country.

The reorganization of the land forces of the United States, enacted by the 39^th U.S. Congress in 1866, preserved the status of the U.S. Veteran Reserve Corps as a component of the Army of the United States.

In 2017, a not-for-profit charitable organization was established under IRS Code 501(c)(3) to allow the present organization to accept donations and apply for grants. Current members of the U.S. VRC are proud of the rich military heritage of the organization whose tradition they carry forward in service to the country.

U.S. Veteran Reserve Corps at the Battle of Fort Stevens 1864, often referred to as the “Battle that Saved Washington, D.C.”

“We can’t run so we’ll

have to stand and fight!”