The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-17
A Confederate Prison Lodge.

Brother j. T. Parker, of Webb
Lodge. No. ls2. in Sigourney. Iowa,
tells the following interesting story of
his connection with a Masonic lodge
which was held in Confederate pris-
on:
In the fall and winter of 1876 it
was my unhappy lot to be confined
with large number of Union officers
in the military prison of Columbia,
S. c., part of the time in the lunatic
asylum in the east part of the city.
While there number Of Us who were
Masons consulted together and agreed,
if we could get the privilege to meet
in an upper room over the Confederate
physicians Office and post up, (as we
had become somewhat rusty, we
would organize lodge for instruction.
The writer, with two others, were
designated a committee to interview
the doctor in charge. We did SO. and
he most cheerfully granted our request
and promised to meet with US. The
same evening some eleven of us, nine
States being represented, met in the
room spoken Of One of our number
had copy Of the Great Light. It de-
volved on the writer to test the
brethren. After doing so, and all
foudd to be Masons in good stand
ing, we proceeded to organize an in
formal lodge for instruction, our
jewels being cut out of paper. Boxes,
properly placed, formed the stations
and altar. Having tools to work with,
our great lights in place, we proceeded
to elect officers. The writer was elect
ed Master: Wardens, Secretary and
Treasurer being chosen and ali ap-
pointive places filed, one of our num-
Der was taken and initiated an enter
ed apprentice and duly instructed.
What one of US was at loss to give
some brother could. Since that time
I have often thought it was the most
thorough initiation I ever witnessed.
After the initiation mot being ham,
pered by any Grand Lodge to the con-
trary) we proceeded to confer so-called
side degrees, and the victims, l have
no doubt, were forcibly impressed
with the ceremonies. Near morning
we closed our lodge.
We soon met again, opened our
Lodge, and, taking one of our num-
Der, proceeded to pass him to the Sec
ond degree, and if anything was pass
ed, necessary to fully make a fellow
craft, it was not our intention. After
our regular work being through the
Confederate doctor came up, was test
ed and found bright Mason. For
the next two or three hours all enjoy
ed themselves. The doctor had many
so-called side-degrees that we were not
in possession of, and he had as many
victims as he could handle, and we,
to reciprocate, taught the doctor some
things not in his Materia Medica.
We closed the lodge near morning
and soon met again. The moon, edicits
or regulations didn't hamper US. At
this meeting the third degree was our
lesson, and the brother who acted as
our candidate was of the opinion when
we got through that he had been rails
ed. / think our first meeting was IN
the first day of January, 1865. [ have
no record and have to trust to mem
ory. We met quite often up to the
time we left the prison, February Il,
1865. For some years after coming
home [ had the names of the brothers
composing this lodge for instruction.
but the list has been misplaced. [
have not met one of them since we
were exchanged. John NJ. Godown,
of Fort Wayne, Ind, was one: Smith,
of Pennsylvnia, another: Lock, of
Vermont. another, first lieutenant
of the ID Michigan cavalry, another.
His name has passed from me. but he
was the best posted of our number.
He could take any part and do the
work correctly. The others [ cannot
recall. but just remember how most of
them looked.
I have made the claim that I
am the only Mason in the United
Sites that ever was Master of lodge
in Confederate prison.