Jim,
Are you a Mason? I ask that because if you are you know of certain methods that one Brother may know another in all situations. Two instances come to mind instantly. One at Fort Gregg in The Petersburg lines. Private Martin G. Turner gave the Masonic sign of disterss to to a Federal colonel who saved him from certain death inside the fort. This case is sited in John Fox's new book "The Confederate Alamo" and in a 1921 issue of Confederate Veteran Magazine. Another instance was when a squad of Mosby's troopers were escorting a group of Federal prisoners that were to be hung near Federal lines in retaliation for the killing of some of Mosby's men. The squad encountered another group of Mosby's troopers returning to camp when one of the Federal prisoners recognized a pin worn by a Captain Mountjoy of Mosby's command. He also displayed the Masonic sign of distress and was exchanged for one of Mountjoy's prisoners and avoided execution. Mountjoy was known to be a flamboyant dresser and often wore Masonic regalia on his "uniform". Below is an interesting site that you might want to check out too. As I have found from my research there many Masons in the ranks during the war. Including a great number of officers on both sides. I think it was more common to display Masonic symbols with pins, rings, watch fobs, etc. than you might think. I'll be interested in any other info you uncover on this subject. I am a Freemason. My home Lodge is Henrico Union Lodge, No.130 in Sandston Virginia. It was chartered in 1855.

Keith

http://www.angelfire.com/me/reenact/masons.html