Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-09-06
Amenities OF Masonry in War

The city Of D Ala. was thor
oughly excited upon its occupation by
Federal troops. Stories were created
BY paniemakers, which alarmed the eiti-
zens to an unwonted extent. In the
midst of this troubled state of affairs
the Lodge met, and several officers OF
the occupying army were present
among them Col. B, who was the
commander of the post Fraternal sen
timents were exchanged, and the excited
state of affairs in the community alluded
to. Col. B arose, and in a mild
manner disclosed his purposes and plans
as commander of the post. They were
merciful and satisfactory to the citizen
MasOns.
Within t~wenty-fOur hours after this
fraternal interview, the little city was as
calm as a mountain lake locked up from
storm by the granite walls of the sur
rounding mountains. A Master Ma
sons cord had spoken peace and all was
still.
Tn. junior editor of this paper being
in the South during the rebellion, sent
his Royal Arch regaha, among other
things, to Jackson, Miss, by express.
While the articles were in the express
Office a Federal raid took possession of
the city and the contents of
the express Office The aforesaid rega-
liza happened to fall into the hands of an
| officer who was a Master Mason. Twelve
months after the war had closed the re-
gala was returned to him, the officer
having discovered his place of resi-
dence. Thus was Masonic faith forci-
bly, exhibited. (
We are acquainted with an officer
who during the civil strife was a eom-
missioner for-the exchange of prisoners
of war on behalf of the Confederate
| States. He once went TO Cahzwba-a
prison post-and a request was made to
him by an old gentleman confined there
for a personal interview, 1t was grant
ed. The old gentleman told his story
and it was a most affecting one, and well
calculated to move the heart and excite
the interest of the exchange commits
| sioner but he was so limited by his or
ders as to render it impossible to effect
by any ordinary means the old gentle
mans honorable release. Finally, the
old gentleman asked, " are you q Ma.
son ?" The response was made IN the
Affirmative, an examination ensued and
both became satisfied that each was a
Freemason.
A Masonic appeal was made. The
officer responded, Bro. st. j. as a
private individual | am a Freemason,
and will do anything in that capacity to
relieve you as a prisoner, but as a Colo
mel of the c. s. A. know no Masonic
obligation hat requires me to -relax my,
integrity to the government whose com
mission / bear even to aid a brother.
| However, I will say this to you, if coca
sion offers promising an exchange l VIII
bear your case in memory and give you
the advantage Of it." A few days after
wards the officer obtained information OF
1.-THE captivity Of an old citizen friend of
North Georgia at Camp Chase, who was
| also a Master Mason. He determined
TO endeavor to effect his release. Mr..
st. j. was also a citizen, and was be-
ing held as a hostage for a similar class
of Confsderates in prison
The officer went to see Mr.. st. -
and made the following proposition
Will you accept a parole to 60 North
and endeavor to effect al exchange for
yourself Of Mr.. S-p, confined at
Camp Chase? ? IF you fails you will re-
turn and report yourself a prisoner TO
me? Will you give your Masonic word
to me as a Mason that you viii faithfully
fulfill the conditions of the proposed
parole of hOnOr7n All these questions
were answered in the Affirmative. Bro.
St J vas taken by the officer TO
Memphis, where the parole was ratified
by Gen. W. commanding district Of