March 28, 2007
 
BATTLE OF LEWISBURG: Freemasonry in the Civil War era
 
By HNN Staff
 
Lewisburg, WV (HNN) -- The Civil War was often fought brother against brother, but the bonds between men in Freemasonry seemed to hold. Freemasons held on to the ties that brought them together in the first place and actually helped each other even though they were fighting on opposite sides. The ideals and moral codes that they abided by seemed to overcome politics and hatred that the War generated.
 
Dr.Kendall Wilson will discuss Freemasonry during the Civil War– How Each Affected the Other on Saturday, May 19, 2007, in the auditorium of the Greenbrier Valley Campus of the New River Community & Technical College in Lewisburg, WV as part of the Battle of Lewisburg Living History and Reenactment Mary 18-20, 2007.
 
An example of the Freemasonry bond was described by Justin Lowe as follows: “As the battle (Gettysburg) waned, it became clear that Armistead's injuries were fatal. Knowing that his old friend was somewhere behind the Union lines, Armistead exhibited the Masonic sign of distress. This was seen by Captain Henry Harrison Bingham, the Judge-Advocate of Hancock's Second Corps (Chartiers Lodge #297, Canonsburg, Pa.). He came to the fallen Armistead, and declared that he was a fellow Mason.
 
The two men spoke for a time, and when Armistead realized that Bingham had direct access to Hancock, he entrusted some of his personal effects to him. Among them were his Masonic watch, the Bible upon which he had taken his obligations, and a number of other items. Bingham said his farewells, and then returned to the Union camp to deliver the items.
 
Armistead died two days later.
 
The fact that Armistead chose to use the Masonic sign of distress signified that his war was over, and that there was another, more pressing matter on his mind, even on the field at Gettysburg. What could lead one of the highest ranking and most intelligent officers in the Confederacy to lay aside all of the ideology of the war and call for a brother of the Craft from the other side?”
 
During the weekend, there will be numerous activities, speakers,music. All events are free and open to the public. For more information,contact the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau at645-1000 www.BattleofLewisburg.org