The Better Angels of our Nature : Freemasonry in the American Civil War

247 Pages·2010·1.17 MB·English

by  Michael A. Halleran

The Better Angels of Our Nature

The Better Angels
of Our Nature
Free masonry in the
Ameri can Civil War
Michael A. Halleran
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA PRESS
Tuscaloosa
Copyright © 2010 Michael A. Halleran
The University of Alabama Press
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487- 0380
All rights reserved
Manufactured in the United States of America
Typeface: Perpetua
∞
The paper on which this book is printed meets the minimum requirements of Ameri can
National Standard for Information Sciences- Permanence of Paper for Printed Library
Materials, ANSI Z39.48- 1984.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Halleran, Michael A. (Michael Anthony), 1963–
The better angels of our nature : freemasonry in the American Civil War /
Michael A. Halleran.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8173-1695-2 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. Freemasonry—United States—
History—19th century. 2. Freemasons—United States—History—19th century.
3. United States—History—Civil War, 1861–1865. I. Title.
HS529.H357 2010
973.7'1—dc22
2009026108
Optimus Parentibus

Contents
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction 1
Prologue 8
1. Masters and Fellows 31
2. Plures Ex Uno 49
3. “If That Is Masonry I Will Take Some of It Myself” 61
4. Saving the Life of the Enemy 78
5. Gentlemen of the White Apron 98
6. A More Decent Interment 128
7. All Passions Laid Aside?: Free masonry in the Army 140
Afterword 159
Notes 167
Glossary of Masonic Terms 193
Bibliography 203
Index 223
Photographs follow page 122

Preface
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Freem asonry in the Americ an Civil War is a
myopic view of the Ameri can Civil War. No battles are dissected here, nor
are grand strategies explained; rather, this study examines the intersection
of Freem asonry and warfare. I have striven, to the extent possible, to rely
primarily upon two types of original sources: narrations by individual sol-
diers and civilians, nearly all of whom witnessed the events fi rsthand, and
Masonic and other fraternal books and circulars that were in print during
the nineteenth century.
In most cases I have reproduced the statements and assertions of the
witnesses verbatim, without altering the text or correcting grammar,
spelling, punctuation, or usage. Fraternal sources have been accorded the
same respect, generally being reproduced in full to illustrate a particular
point, with any abbreviations or omissions noted by the use of ellipses. In
some cases, for the sake of clarity, I have included editorial corrections (of
proper names or identifi cations of regimental affi liation, fraternal titles,
place names or dates), indicated by the use of brackets, but my object has
been to interfere with the quoted passages as little as possible. The deci-
sion to reproduce original source material has resulted in some quoted
passages that are lengthy; my intent has not been to overwhelm the reader
with tedious inclusions, rather to present the material unfi ltered, allowing