Tweet
I was looking for a watchfob on Ebay and came across a couple lovely ones tied in to this fraternal order. I had seen some Knights of Phythias regalia before, especially when I was looking for a sword that would be good for milita impressions. So, I got kind of interested in the group and began to wonder if there would have been many Phythians in the army during the last year of the war.
From the current website of the order:
"The Order began, of course, during the Civil War, and its founder believed that it might do much to heal the wounds and allay the hatred of civil conflict. President Abraham Lincoln, being advised of the contents of the ritual and its teaching, said: "The purposes of your organization are most wonderful. If we could but bring its spirit to all our citizenry, what a wonderful thing it would be. It breathes the spirit of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. It is one of the best agencies conceived for the upholding of government, honoring the flag, for the reuniting of our brethren of the North and of the South, for teaching the people to love one another, and portraying the sanctity of the home and loved ones. I would suggest that these great principles by perpetuated and that you go to the Congress of the United States and ask for a charter, and so organize on a great scale throughout this nation, and disseminate this wonderful work that you have so nobly started. I will do all in my power to assist you in this application and with your work."
The suggestion made by the President was adopted. An application was made to Congress for a charter, and the Order of Knights of Pythias was the first American Order ever chartered by an Act of the Congress of the United States."
Anyway, this order was founded in Feb. 1864 in Washington DC. I'm wondering if anyone knows if it caught on with soldiers in the field. Perhaps some who came home on furlough might have been introduced to it etc.
Although, the Phythians never reached the numbers of the Masons, and still don't, it seems they share a number of goals and beliefs. I'm curious if anyone might have much information on this particular order during the last year of the war.
Perhaps there are some current members here on the forum that can give some information.
From the current website of the order:
"The Order began, of course, during the Civil War, and its founder believed that it might do much to heal the wounds and allay the hatred of civil conflict. President Abraham Lincoln, being advised of the contents of the ritual and its teaching, said: "The purposes of your organization are most wonderful. If we could but bring its spirit to all our citizenry, what a wonderful thing it would be. It breathes the spirit of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. It is one of the best agencies conceived for the upholding of government, honoring the flag, for the reuniting of our brethren of the North and of the South, for teaching the people to love one another, and portraying the sanctity of the home and loved ones. I would suggest that these great principles by perpetuated and that you go to the Congress of the United States and ask for a charter, and so organize on a great scale throughout this nation, and disseminate this wonderful work that you have so nobly started. I will do all in my power to assist you in this application and with your work."
The suggestion made by the President was adopted. An application was made to Congress for a charter, and the Order of Knights of Pythias was the first American Order ever chartered by an Act of the Congress of the United States."
Anyway, this order was founded in Feb. 1864 in Washington DC. I'm wondering if anyone knows if it caught on with soldiers in the field. Perhaps some who came home on furlough might have been introduced to it etc.
Although, the Phythians never reached the numbers of the Masons, and still don't, it seems they share a number of goals and beliefs. I'm curious if anyone might have much information on this particular order during the last year of the war.
Perhaps there are some current members here on the forum that can give some information.
Comment