Available in March 2010 from the University of Alabama Press.
One of the enduring yet little examined themes in Civil War lore is the widespread belief that on the field of battle and after, members of Masonic lodges would give aid and comfort to wounded or captured enemy Masons, often at great personal sacrifice and danger. This work is a deeply researched examination of the recorded, practical effects of Freemasonry among Civil War participants on both sides. From first-person accounts culled from regimental histories, diaries, and letters, the author has constructed an overview of 19th century American freemasonry in general and Masonry in the armies of both North and South in particular, and an exploration of how Masonic fraternization worked in practice. Halleran details the response of the fraternity to the crisis of secession and war, and examines acts of assistance to putative enemies on the battlefield and in POW camps.
Advanced Praise for Better Angels:
“Tales of Masonic brothers helping each other, even across battle lines, have long been part of Civil War lore. Michael Halleran’s wonderful study reveals the history behind these mythical stories. He discovers a surprising number of these accounts, subjects them to careful analysis, and shows how much Masonic fraternity made a difference in the experiences of Civil War soldiers.”
— Steven C. Bullock, Ph.D., Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
“Michael Halleran has set a new, high standard for scholarship on Freemasonry in the Civil War. His stories are compelling, the research is impeccable, and his analysis gives fresh insights on the “mystic tie” of the fraternity.”
— S. Brent Morris, Ph.D., 33° Managing Editor, Scottish Rite Journal.
“ The Better Angels of Our Nature accomplishes what few books about Freemasons are able to do: it explores the legends and long-told tall tales of the fraternity in an academic fashion, with both dispassionate analysis of the facts, and an obvious passion for the subject. Personal accounts from the Civil War have the effect of personalizing the experience, instead of being able to hold it at a polite distance, perhaps because it was the first war that had, not just commanders, but so many enlisted men educated enough to write letters and diaries. Along the way, Michael shatters several longstanding and cherished Masonic fables, but he reinforces and illuminates far more than he buries. The result is a strong affirmation of the bond between warring Masonic brethren, in the war that brought more of them together on opposing sides than any in our history.”
— Christopher L. Hodapp, Editor, Journal of the Masonic Society.
