The Great Escape ?

Brother L. J. Williams a citizen of Harvard, New York was in the process of Masonic degree work,
having had the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft Degrees conferred upon him
in Downsville Lodge No. 464 when the American Civil War began in 1861.

It was his misfortune (or so it seemed at the time) to find it necessary
to go to the defense of his country without having been raised to the
sublime degree of Master Mason.
He enlisted in the 114th New York Volunteers.

The war raged on and eventually Brother Williams was captured
near Savannah, Georgia and imprisoned there.

During his time in prison, like many other prisoners he communicated
with his friends at home in the North through letters.

His Lodge in New York through proper channels and officials
communicated with Zerubbabel Lodge in Savannah stating that they would consider it a favor
if Zerubbabel Lodge would confer the Third Degree on their Fellowcraft Brother Williams.

A short time later on a designated evening, Brother Williams was escorted
from his prison cell, and conducted to the Lodge room in Zerubbabel Lodge.
His attire consisted of his torn and tattered Yankee blue uniform.
All of the chairs of the Lodge were occupied by men proudly
wearing the Confederate gray Rebel uniform of the South.

These men from opposite sides engaged in mortal combat for their countries,
shared a common bond that had united them for this evening.
Brother L.J. Williams was accordingly raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
He was declared friend and Brother by all in attendance and made to feel welcomed.

It was difficult to comprehend that at the hours that preceded and the hours that would follow
outside the Masonic Temple, the thunder of discordant factions engaged in battle could be heard.
It was gratifying to know that even still so many did not forget their Masonic ties or duties
which were owed to the brethren of our order.

But our story does not end here.......

Later that night, Brother Williams escaped and rejoined his companions in the North.
When asked about his escape he would "smile peculiarly".
He said you might put it down as an escape, but it wasn't an escape strictly speaking.
I was put in a boat and carried off some distance.
They deposited me on neutral soil between the lines."
From there I was able to find my friends.
I never knew who exactly helped me escape.
It was never disclosed to me who they were, and I considered it their secret.
 "I know exactly to whom I may attribute my escape;
His name is Hiram.

Upon examination of the records of Savannah Lodge
it seems there is a curious annotation
in the minutes that reads as follows:
"on this night, Brother Williams escaped from prison."

Under providence, the truth and the right have come out
of fierce trial undimmed and triumphant.

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