I recently came across two letters in my Civil War research that lead to a number of questions. The first concerned funeral arrangements for a fallen Mason, and essentially said that they were being discussed with his home lodge in Michigan. (It's not a Prince Hall lodge, and I think, from further searching it was the Hart Lodge in Ypsilanti) My question concerns more of generalities than the specifics of this particular death, although I would like to find out more. From the tone of the letter, it appeared that the connections for brother Masons were well in place within the USCT, and this is the first inkling I have had of that being the case. My assumption is that most of the members would have been from northern states, or possibly some of the Louisiana Native Guard, and free Blacks from the more cosmopolitan areas of the South. (Assuming that a person would need to have both the funds and the time, as well as literacy in order to fulfill the requirements of the lodge.)

If anyone out there has ancestors of that period who can shed light on the activities of the Masonic lodge among the USCT, I would be very grateful.

The second letter mentioned the "Black Soldiers and Sailor's League," which I had also not seen before, and which has drawn blanks to date, though I admit I haven't had much time to research it. Same request for that piece.

Thanks!

Sharon