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FREEMASONRY IN THE ENGLISH ARMY

Freemasons Monthly Magazine - 1842


MANY of the armies of Europe have Masonic Lodges attached to them. They are holden under what are technically termed "Travelling Warrants," and the Brethren composing them are authorized to open and transact all regular Lodge business, in any part of the world where they may happen to be stationed. Prior to the Revolutionary war, this was the case with many of the English and French armies employed in this country. And it was also true of several American regiments. In 1779, a charter was granted by the Massachusetts Grand Lodge to General PATTERSON, and others, to hold a travelling Lodge in the American army, called "Washington Lodge:" In 1756, the R. W. RICHARD GRIDLEY, was commissioned by his brother, JEREMY GRIDLEY, Esq. "to congregate all Free and Accepted Masons in the expedition against Crown Point, and form them into one or more Lodges;" and a Lodge was subsequently held at Crown Point, under Col. JOSEPH INGERSOL. In 1738, a warrant was granted by St. John's Grand Lodge, (Boston), to hold a Lodge in His Majesty's 28th regiment, stationed at Louisburg. And on the April following, the R. W. ABRAHAM SAVAGE was authorised to congregate all Free and Accepted Masons in the expedition intended against Canada, at Lake George, or elsewhere, into one or more Lodges." These Lodges, however, are at the present time more common in the English regiments than in those of any other nation. And their utility and importance in softening the rough features of the soldier's character, and in meliorating the evil passions and morose feelings, almost necessarily excited by the duties of the field and the operations of war, are beautifully and touchingly illustrated by the well authenticated anecdotes which follow. We find them in the London Review for 1834.  

The annals of Lodge No. 227, under the Grand Lodge of Ireland, held by the distinguished 46th Regiment, furnish, (says the Review,) some facts which are alike honorable to the Craft and to the human heart. "During the services of this regiment in America, GENERAL WASHINGTON was initiated into Masonry in, their Lodge. Well can we imagine the gush of holy feeling with which his benevolent mind, so deeply imbued with the love of his fellow creatures, received the sublime tenets of our Order. That the impression was of a highly wrought character, his after conduct proved; for when war broke out between the States and the Mother Country, and he became divided from the Brothers of his adoption; in feeling, in communion of soul, he was their Brother still. The Masonic chest of the 46th, by the chance of war, fell into the hands of the Americans: they reported the circumstance to Gen. WASHINGTON, who embraced the opportunity of testifying his estimation of Masonry in the most marked and gratifying manner; by directing that a guard of honor, under the command of a distinguished officer, should take charge of the chest, with many articles of value, belonging to the 46th, and return them to the regiment. The surprise, the feeling of both officers and men may be imagined, when they perceived the flag of truce that announced this elegant compliment from their noble opponent, but still more noble brother. It was a scene of moral beauty; a triumphant vindication of the parity of Masonic principles. The guard of honor with their flutes playing a sacred march - the chest containing the constitution and implements of the Craft born aloft, like another ark of the covenant, equally by Englishmen and Americans, who, lately engaged in the strife of war, now marched through the enfiladed ranks of the gallant regiment, that with presented arms and colors hailed the glorious act by cheers, which the sentiment rendered sacred as the hallelujahs of an angel's song."  

This Lodge offers another proof of the excellence and useful influence of Masonry. When in Dominica, in the year 1805, the 46th regiment was attacked by a French force, which it gallantly repelled; but in the action had the misfortune again to lose the Masonic chest, which the enemy succeeded in securing on board their fleet, without knowing its contents. Three years afterward, the French government, at the earnest request of the officers who had commanded the expedition, returned the chest with several complimentary presents; offering by that act the acknowledgment and homage of an enlightened nation to the purity, value, and usefulness of Masonry.  

In 1834, there were, says the Review, but twelve Masons attached to the Lodge; one only of whom was among the number of its original members. These twelve, however, in that year, petitioned and obtained from the Grand Lodge of Ireland, a renewal of their original charter. This circumstance elicited the interesting facts, which are here given from their records.

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