Civil War Times: February 1997 Letters

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Brotherly Love

Your “The ‘Stuff’ and the People” (”Behind the Lines,” October 1996) answered a question I’ve had for quite a while and that is: Did General Armistead ever get to see his friend and “brother” Hancock before his death? I have always had an interest in the relationship of these two great men mostly because they were Masonic brothers. Those of us who are in the Masonic fraternity can very well identify with the bonds that these two men shared and of the extreme mental anguish that they must have felt when opposing each other that hot July day in Gettysburg. Armistead once swore that he would never lift a hand against his brother, “Ol’ Win,” and if he did may God strike him dead. Among the tenets of Freemasonry are found the importance of friendship, morality, and brotherly love. I also believe it true that it was Armistead’s Masonic Bible he requested be given to General Hancock’s wife upon his death. I am still at a loss, however, as to why the two Generals never did meeting following Pickett’s Charge. It is my understanding that General Armistead lived for two days following the assault. Why did they not meet?

Michael Lee Fugate
Gainesville, Florida

Editor’s Note: Hancock was helping repel Pickett’s Charge when a bullet drove splinters and a nail from his saddle into his leg. As Armistead lay dying, Hancock lay seriously wounded.

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