Heroic Deeds of Noble Master Masons During the Civil War From 1861 to 1865 in the U.S.A.

Pueblo, CO: The Franklin Press. 1916. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. This volume, written by Jewell,a Civil War soldier, had started the process of becoming a Mason, but was interrupted, two weeks later, by joining the Union army in 1862. After serving, in the winter of 1865/66 he became Master Mason. The book contains the stories of soldiers who when captured by the Confederates or the Federal Army, once they were known to be a Mason, were treated as brothers and well cared for. Cleary Jewell had solicited these stories as they are mostly signed by the former soldier/Mason who experienced these considerations. The book also contains (truncated) a brief autobiography of Jewell as well as some thoughts on Masonry, war and related subjects. The Masonry scholar, Michael A Halleran, wrote in the journal "Heredom," suggesting the Masonry affiliation aided prisoners on both sides of the conflict. Jewell's book is considered one of the earliest works addressing the Freemasonry's role in the Civil War, though Halleran does criticize it for being "anecdotal." (See volume 15, 2007, of "Heredom.") The book is near fine with a few small spots on the front board. Extremely scarce.; Small 8vo 7½" - 8" tall; 127 pp . (Inventory #: 34332)