I am a mystery thriller novelist doing research for my next book. I plan on resurrecting an incident that happened on June 27, 1864 at the Battle of Kennesaw Mtn. here in Atlanta, GA. I am specifically interested in 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment's Lt. Colonel William H. Martin's humanitarian cease-fire just north of the Dead Angle on Cheatham's Hill. I already have alot of information on the cease fire itself - unit involved, etc.. However, the key evidence I am searching for is if Martin was a Freemason and if that cease-fire he imposed was a direct result of him receiving the secret Masonic hail sign of a brother in distress from Union wounded trapped in the woods fire in front of his entrenchment. There is speculation of a Masonic tie-in but I have no direct written evidence to date after speaking with many historians and experts. I'm also interested in what happened to the brace of ivory-handled pistols he received from Union Colonel John Thomas Smith the next day as a thank you for his act. Was Col. Smith a Mason too?

Might we compare notes? Do you have any source material on if Lt. Colonel Martin was a Mason or not? I do know a name W.H. Martin appears in an Arkansas Masonic Record list from 1860s-1880s. Any Lodge affiliation info? He died in Honduras from drowning well after the war but I do not know what year. Again, any specific Masonic evidence from any of the participants is the key to this puzzle.

Martin was born in Little Rock, Pulaski County in 1839. Enlisted in 1861 at age 22.

Please do reply with any info.

Sincerely,

Michael Karpovage
Author, Crown of Serpents
www.crownofserpents.com