Masonic Civil War Heroes

First Day Covers

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, C.S.A.

Gen. Bernard Bee, C.S.A. (K.T.TH) killed at Bull Run, applied "Stonewall" to Jackson's stand at Manassas, it stuck.  A brilliant tactician, he won every battle and sortie between Bull Run and Chancellorsville, where he was fatally wounded.  Gen. Robert E. Lee wrote him; "While you have lost your left, I have lost my right arm."  Lodge unknown but his numerous contacts with the Craft support his membership, probably in a Military Lodge during the Mexican War.   EDSEL

Major General George Pickett,  C.S.A.

A hero of the Mexican War, he fought in every battle prior to capture of Mexico City.  Remembered for his ill-fated charge at Cemetary Ridge (Gettysburg) where the Union repulsed him with losses of over 3,000 Confederate soldiers.  Raised in Republican Lodge after the Civil War.  High Priest R.A.M., K.T., Connecticut.  Commander of Valley Commandery No. 23, all in Greenfied, Ma.    EDSEL

"Lew" Wallace  -   Major General, U.S.Army

A Lieutenant in the Mexican War, he maintained his military skills by training milita between the wars.  At Shiloh his Indiana Volunteers relieved Grant's beleagured forces.  Govenor, New Mexico Territory, U.S. Minister to Turkey.  World famous for his 1890 novel Ben Hur; A Tale of the Christ. Fountain Lodge No. 60 Covington, Indiana 1850.  Affiliated with Montgomery Lodge No. 50 Crawfordsville, 1895.  EDSEL

Most Worshipful Joseph Kershaw, Major General, C.S.A.

A division commander at Wilderness.  He was a major contributor to what few successes the Confederate Army enjoyed during the entire war from Bull Run through Chickamauga and Knoxville.  A member of Kershaw Lodge No. 29 of Camden and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, 1873-73.

Brigadier General Ely S. Parker, U.S. Army

A Seneca Chief, he entered the Union Army as a Captain of Engineers, until General Grant made him his secretary.  At the Appamatox surrender on April 6, 1865 he wrote out the engrossed copy of the surrender terms.   Subsequently he was promoted to Brig. Gen. of Volunteers as of that date.   Founder and First Master of Miner's Lodge No. 273 Galena, Illinois.  First Master of Akron Lodge No. 527, Akron, N.Y., R.A.M., K.T. in Monroe Commandery No. 18, Rochester, N.Y.  EDSEL

Robert Anderson, Major, U.S. Army

Mary Chestnut wrote "Why did that green goose Anderson go into Fort Sumter"  Then everything began to go wrong."  Her husband, Beauregard's Staff Officer Col. James Chestnut, wrote the ultimatum at Sumter."  He have the honor to open fire on Fort Sumter in one hour"  Anderson was a Mason in Mercer Lodge No. 50, Trenton, N.J.  Life member of Colombia Commandery No. 1 New York City, N.Y.  EDSEL

The War between the States was a tragedy felt hard within the Masonic fraternity.  It brought  Masonic Brothers, Fathers & Sons into battle against each other.  Many fraternal Civil War stories abound in books like "Befriend and Relieve Every Brother" Freemasonry during Wartime by Richard Eugene Shields, Jr.; "House Undivided" by Allen E. Roberts; "Freemasons at Gettysburg" by Sheldon A. Munn; "Confederate Veteran" by Samuel Roberts, Sr.; "The Mystic Sign" Masonic Sketches, by F. P. Strickland; "Friend to Friend" The Scottish Rite Journal, by M.W. Samuel E. Cowan and "Masonry Under Two Flags" Masonic Service Assoc. 1983 by Allen E. Roberts.

To get books related to Freemasonry and the Civil War.

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