American Civil War

American Civil War. Notwithstanding the fact that the literature of Freemasonry in the United States is full of references to the part played by Freemasons and Freemasonry in the American Revolution, the Civil War has been ignored by writers and speakers almost as completely as though it had never happened. Certainly, it was a much more sanguinary struggle than the former and the issues were as important to the nation. There can be no hesitation, because old hatreds might be revived, for much of the material would be matter-of-fact, with an occasional episode quite stirring and wholly creditable to both sides, such as Captain (later Major) McKinley’s initiation in a Confederate lodge, though he was serving in the Union Army. There must have been many leaders on both sides who were Freemasons, and many acts of courage and charity. Can it be that the revolt did not revolve far enough to be a revolution and that such event is honorable only where the separation becomes complete?

Macoy Collector's Note: Coil’s observation here remains one of the sharpest critiques of American Masonic historiography, pointing out the uncomfortable silence regarding fraternal division during the War Between the States.