The National tribune., 1897-08-12
MASONIC LODGE IN THE FIELD.
How One Was Maintained by the Soldiers
at Folly Island.


at Folly Island.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I send you |
the following sketch of the instituting and |
work of Masonic Lodge at Folly Island,
s. g., during the war. In November, 1868,
Lieut.. afterwards COLI Dobbs, Surg.
Craig, and other officers of the 18th Ind,
obtained q charter and special dispensation
from the Grand Lodge of Indiana for
military lodge in the field.
Our brigade consisted of the 18th Ind,
112th n. Y, and 169th N. Y. The camp OF
the 18th Ind. was on the right of the 112th
n. Y, aud but a short distance from it. Be
tween this regiment and ours always existed
the most pleasant feeling and mutual respect.
The former was the Oldest regiment and one
of the best in The service, having been
originally recruited in the Spring OF 1861
for three months service, afterwards re-en-
listing for three years, under Col. latter
wards Brig. Gen X. S. Foster, of Indianapo-
liz.
While on Folly Island the two regiments
jointly built commOdious chapel for mutu-
al use, on the open space between Their
camps, the Chaplain of the 1f2th y. Y,
William L. Hyde, officiating for both regi-
ments. The forest around supplied all the
materials for the building. except few
nails. When finished it was very commo-
dious and comfortable, and though not
artistieally elegant, yet, as work OF art,
| it possessed no small degree of merit and
our noble Chaplain and his Christian soldier
boys of both regiments were very proud OF
their handicraft.
All The regiments ON Folly Island in camp
| were in fine condition, the camps regularly
laid out, some of them made very beautiful
H., Il Nh ha
Ind. and 112th n. Y.
Gen. Gilmore, commanding the Depart
ment, moved his Headquarters down from
Morris Island and located them about half
Il mile below our camp. The 1st n. Y.
Ind'p't Eng. had camp closely adjoining
ours. Here they erected Masonic Temple,
commodious and beautiful, constructed of
the rustic materials the island afforded In
great profnsioD. There were many very IN
geDious artificers in this regiment
There were many prominent Masons IN
the various branches of the army, and the
attendance at the lodge meetings was always
| large in numbers. Volunteer outside guards
from the private soldiers were on hand to
keep the uninitiate. al respectable DIS
tance from the improvised temple In which
the meetings were held. The altar and all
the officers chairs and the furniture OF the
lodge were made from natural bent woods
and grape vines growing upon the island.
The floor was covered with pine needles and
the mosaic carpet was made from large
tent-hy painted in squares. The celestial
and terrestrial globes at the entrance to the
temple were two great 15-inch mortar-sheils,
painted appropriately, and set on top of two
large palm trees growing naturally and
sawn off about 10 feet in hight.
The altar, chairs, etc, In this primitive
Masonic Temple are supposed to have been
taken to New York City and preserved in
Charter Oak Lodge. / should like to know
how many Masons are now living who meet
in this grand temple of peace.
1t came 10 the knowledge of some army
officers that the popular and distinguished
Masonic author, Capt. Charles Mackie, who
resided in Charleston, was in very reduced
circumstances financially. The American
flag always foated over his residence. His
was the last flag to be hauled down at
Charleston when Fort Sumter fell. The
Confederate commander saw the Union
bunting flying from Mackie's home, and
ordered it down. The answer was: " Not
till the sun goes down."
Soon detachment of Confederate soldiers
appeared to inforce the order. The gray
haired old Captain, standing alone at his
door, told the detail that they could haul
the Stars and Stripes down only after his
life was gone. Awed, and admiring the at
titude and patriotism of the venerable old
man, then over 20 years old, the officer oi
the detail reported his reply to the COM
mandant, who in turn reported to Gen.
Beauregard and asked what to do.
letter was sent to the venerable patriot
by order of the General, and still came that
answer: Not till the sun goes down. =
G,n. Beauregard was Sir Knight Templal
Mason, with great respect for Mackie, and
the flag was not disturbed. At sundown
the grand old man took the flag down
folded it up, laid it away, and it was not
till after the evacuation Of Fort Sumter that
Old Glory was again futtering on the
Charleston breezes.
A considerable sum of gold was raised by
private subscription among the Masons, and
: by permission of Gen. Gilmore, it wa:
, carried over to Charleston under flag o
{ truce and presented to the grand old maj
and brother Mason.-GEoRGE W. BARBER
ST., Sir K. T. NJ; Captain, Co. G, 112th N
Y, Akron, o.