Albert Pike in Masonic regalia. Source: UniversalFreeMasonry.orgIn January 1840, 31-year-old Albert Pike published a poem entitled “Dissolution of the Union.” With the arrival of the American Civil War, the poem’s prophecy was proven true; its Boston-born author, however, proved false and treasonous to the Union, despite his assurances to the contrary. The stanza below is number three of thirteen.
Albert Pike: Confederate Commissioner, Masonic Demiurge, Apologist for Slavery, Apostate of the Union | Readex Skip to main content Toggle navigation Products About About Readex Who We Are Our History Our Partners Our Products What's New Recent Praise Readex AllSearch Impact in the Classroom Related Content Videos eBooks Readex Report Other Conferences & Events GODORT Silent Auction Sponsored Awards About Mega Blog Support Technical Support Customer Service Classroom Support Readex Lesson Plans Course Mapping Services Discoverability & Cataloging MARC Records Discovery Services Marketing Support Promote your Products Support Mega Contact Company Offices Contacts by Country Contact Mega Contacts by Country LOG INThrough Your Library Readex Blog African American Studies American History American Literature Announcements Historical Newspapers International Studies More African Studies Caribbean Studies Cataloging and Indexing Digital Scholarship Historical Imprints Historical Government Publications Primary Sources in the Classroom Product Updates Journalism History New Collections Trends in Database Use World History World Newspaper Archive Categories African American Studies American History American Literature Announcements International Studies Primary Sources in the Classroom Product Updates African Studies Caribbean Studies Cataloging and Indexing Digital Scholarship Historical Government Publications Historical Imprints Historical Newspapers Journalism History New Collections Trends in Database Use World History World Newspaper Archive Albert Pike: Confederate Commissioner, Masonic Demiurge, Apologist for Slavery, Apostate of the Union Posted on 04/12/2021 by Brian Benoit Albert Pike in Masonic regalia. Source: UniversalFreeMasonry.orgIn January 1840, 31-year-old Albert Pike published a poem entitled “Dissolution of the Union.” With the arrival of the American Civil War, the poem’s prophecy was proven true; its Boston-born author, however, proved false and treasonous to the Union, despite his assurances to the contrary. The stanza below is number three of thirteen. Look on the future with prophetic eye! Lo, on yon plain are armies gathering, As mist collecting when the storm is nigh— And such a storm! Along the hill sides cling The light-horse—and the swift, patrolling spy Hovers in front, like birds with restless wing— While here, the rifleman moves sure, but swift; And there, the musketeers, unbroken, drift. Newburyport Morning Herald (MA), July 1, 1861. From Early American Newspapers, Series 13, 1803-1916Albert Pike cast a long shadow over nineteenth-century America. At over six-foot tall, with flowing hair and a prominent beard, he was physically imposing, a vigorous, assertive presence wherever he went. More, he was a charismatic, multi-dimensional man: an explorer, writer, linguist, freemason, jurist and Confederate general who exercised an outsized influence on the development of the United States. Among his numerous abilities and accomplishments are the following: Explored the Texas Panhandle area, and wrote one of the first English-language books describing that region Developed facility in many languages and dialects including Greek, Latin, French, Sanskrit, Hebrew, and Native American languages Wrote for, published, edited and owned a number of newspapers including the Arkansas Advocate, the Memphis Appeal, the Memphis Avalanche, and the Daily Patriot (Washington, D.C.) Recruited a company of cavalry and led it as captain in the Mexican-American War Served as the first court reporter for the Arkansas Supreme Court. Appointed Associate Justice on that court in 1864 Prosecuted land claims and reparations for the Creek, Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians before the U.S. Supreme Court; negotiated settlements with the federal government Negotiated nine treaties with various Indian tribes as Commissioner to Indian Territory on behalf of the Confederate States of America Led two regiments of Indians into battle as Brigadier General with Confederate forces Awarded thirty-third degree as a mason; appointed Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction Single-handedly restructured the rituals of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, and published the definitive guide to masonic practice that is used to this day Authored dozens of books, translations, pamphlets and commentaries Awarded an honorary A.M. degree from Harvard College in 1859. Declined that degree Was highly regarded as a poet and widely published both in America and in Europe. The pictorial book of anecdotes and incidents of the War of the Rebellion, civil, military, naval and domestic; embracing the most brilliant and remarkable anecdotical events ..., 1866. From Afro-Americana Imprints, 1535-1922But there was also his embrace of slavery, of White supremacy, of Southern secession despite his heritage as a Northerner. A statue of Pike, overthrown during Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, was placed near Judiciary Square in Washington, DC, in 1901. In 1871 he wrote an influential work, Morals and Dogma, for the Scottish Rite freemasons; the statue was but one token of their esteem for him. His own morals and dogmas sound harsh to modern ears, however. Albert Pike was a complicated person, both mighty and fallen. To paraphrase his fellow poet and journalist Walt Whitman, Albert Pike contained multitudes in his contradictions. Rockford Register Star (IL), June 21, 2020. From Black Life in AmericaBorn in Boston in 1809, Pike was accepted as a freshman at Harvard College in 1825 but could not pay the tuition, and so worked as a schoolteacher and studied independently. He never really forgave that institution for slighting his earnest erudition due to his slender means. Nonetheless he required the payment of tuition from those attending his own schools. In the course of a month I wish to open a private School in this town—if a sufficient number of Scholars be obtained before that time to warrant the undertaking—for instruction in the studies commonly taught in High Schools and Academies, the price of tuition will be five dollars per term. During my absence from town application may be made to Mr. EBENEZER STEDMAN. Newburyport Herald (MA), August 28, 1829. From Early American Newspapers, Series 2, 1758-1900He headed west in 1831, first to Santa Fe and then to Arkansas Territory. During his travels he once walked 500 miles through the wilderness after he lost his horse. He described his adventures in the Texas Panhandle in Prose Sketches and Poems Written in the Western Country, published in 1834. It’s worth reading as one of the first English-language accounts of that region. Pike occasionally sent letters and essays to newspapers and magazines as human interest items. In the following excerpt he related an arduous trek he made after traveling seven miles down the flood-swollen Arkansas River from Fort Smith to Van Buren in January 1833. What had been an easy journey downstream in a boat became a harrowing ordeal when the return trip needed to be done on foot. For all his wilderness prowess Pike was a poor swimmer who struggled to traverse the flooded Arkansas lowlands. Just then we heard an axe across the creek, and commenced hallooing, which soon brought a man down, splashing through the water, to the bank of the creek. I advised my companion to go over and hire the man to fell a tree, on which I could cross, and therefore he took the water, with his breast on one end of the long log. He kicked manfully away, and when the end of the log struck the shore, jumped off and swam for it. Having made his bargain with the stranger, he went home, and the latter went again to his house and brought his axe and a brand of fire. In the mean time I was nearly frozen. There was only one place where I could move, and that was in a circle about six feet in diameter, round a tree. On one side there was a man, with a fire flaring near him, chopping away at an oak tree four feet through; and on the other I was pacing round my circle, which I wore as deep, hard and smooth as a buffalo path. At the expiration of about three hours, the tree came down and barely reached the shore. The upper end was covered with water, and I had to get on it a-straddle, with the water up to my neck. However, I reached the shore in safety; and though I suffered no inconvenience from sickness, in consequence of my adventure, I learned never to go down river again, in an overflow, without knowing how I was to get back. Lynchburg Virginian (VA), October 26, 1835. From Early American Newspapers, Series 11, 1803-1899Pike developed a commitment to slavery and maintained throughout his later life that Blacks were inherently inferior to Whites. In 1840 he published a series of notices requesting the return of one of his own slaves. FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD. Ran away from the subscriber, in Little Rock, about 7 weeks since, a negro woman named Rebecca. She is tall and good looking, with sharp features, high cheek bones, and a large head of hair, color a dark brown, age about twenty-two. She was brought from Alabama, and purchased by me of Green Lee Rowland, in Saline county. I will give the above reward, if taken in this State and delivered to me; and if taken out of the State, and secured so that I can obtain her, I will give a reward of $30. Arkansas State Gazette (Little Rock, AR), June 24, 1840. From Black Life in AmericaPike recruited and captained a company of cavalry in the Mexican-American War, and took part in the Battle of Buena Vista in February 1847. That battle pitted General Zachary Taylor against General Antonio López de Santa Anna. A requisition has been made on Arkansas for a regiment of cavalry and a battalion of infantry. The cavalry are to rendezvous at Washington, on Red River, and the infantry at Fort Smith. Captain Albert Pike, of the Little Rock Guards, has tendered the services of his company to Governor Drew. Cincinnati Commercial Tribune (OH), June 13, 1846. From Early American Newspapers, Series 11, 1803-1899Although the Mexican forces won materiel and flags from the Americans and killed several prominent officers, they also unexpectedly relinquished the field of battle resulting in an inconclusive outcome. The battle led to a duel between Captain Pike and Colonel John Selden Roane when Pike publically disparaged Roane’s leadership. Neither man was injured in the duel. This episode gives us a wonderful opportunity to pull back the curtain on this genteel yet barbarous custom. As a side note it’s worth mentioning that Pike, the challenger, was somewhat nearsighted and may have struggled to target his adversary. Yet he called for a third fire. In 1849 Roane would be elected governor of Arkansas. It is deemed proper that the terms of settlement in the matter of the duel of Capt. Pike and Col. Roane should be submitted to the world. After the second fire, and when a third fire was demanded on the part of Capt. Pike, the challenging party, and assented to on the part of Col. Roane, the party challenged, and after the pistols were loaded and prepared for a third fire, the seconds having declined to interfere, Drs. Burton and Dibbrel, surgeons, and other friends of the parties, conceiving that sufficient had been done to admit of an honorable adjustment of this matter, submitted and proposed that the seconds should assume its settlement and conclusion. To this proposition the seconds severally consented, provided terms could be submitted that should be adjudged honorable to their principals respectively, and leave no reflections behind. The terms then submitted by the mutual friends of the parties were as follows: That, under sanction of the honor of the principals, as well as of the honor of their seconds, respectively, the past should be buried, without going into discussion of the matters of difficulty or the causes which led to them, and not again be revived. To the propriety of these terms the seconds of the parties respectively, holding them to be honorable and just, and believing them to be the only terms practicable to avoid a fatal termination, which they now regarded as wholly unnecessary, assented, and pledged themselves to each other to insist upon the accession of their principals to them. They were acceded to by the principals, and the undersigned now give this to the world as the conclusion and honorable adjustment of this controversy. Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), August 22, 1847. From Early American Newspapers, Series 3, 1783-1922Following the war Pike worked as a journalist and lawyer. He also continued to write for a popular audience and deepened his identification with Southern opposition to federal authority. One manifestation of his personal secession from the Union appeared in the form of verses set to the tune of minstrel Dan Emmett’s song “Dixie.” Pike’s version was well received in the South. As from Boston “John Brown’s Body” spread through the North, so from New Orleans “Dixie” spread through the South; and as Northern poets strove to find fitting words for the one, so Southern poets wrote fiery lines to fill the measures of the other. The only version possessing any literary merit is the one given in this collection. It was written by Gen. Albert Pike, a native of Massachusetts. In early life Mr. Pike moved to Little Rock, Ark., editing a paper and studying law in that city. He served in the Mexican war with distinction, and on the breaking out of the Rebellion enlisted on the Confederate side a force of Cherokee Indians, whom he led at the battle of Pea Ridge. It is said that President Lincoln requested a band in Washington to play “Dixie” in 1865, a short time after the surrender of Appomattox, remarking “that, as we had captured the rebel army, we had captured also the rebel tune.” Southrons, hear your country call you! Up, lest worse than death befall you! To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie! Lo! All the beacon-fires are lighted— Let hearts be now united. To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie! Advance the flag of Dixie! Hurrah! Hurrah! Campfire and battlefield: history of the conflicts and campaigns of the great civil war in the United States, 1896. From The American Civil War Collection, 1860-1922: From the American Antiquarian SocietyThe selection above mentions Pike’s recruitment of Native Americans to the Southern cause. Pike was deeply involved with and committed to Indian sovereignty to the extent of learning their languages and representing their interests before the U.S. Supreme Court. A passage from Choctaw delegate P.P. Pitchlynn in 1872 testifies to Pike’s selfless advocacy of the claims of this embattled minority group. And the said Albert Pike has, during the last two years, rendered most important and valuable services to the Nation, unconnected with said claim, in vindicating their rights and defending their interests, without compensation or expectation of any, for which services no amount of money could be a sufficient compensation, but he deserves the gratitude and love of every Choctaw for his eloquent and powerful vindication of their rights. Report (To accompany Senate resolution of December 14, 1886), directing an inquiry to be made concerning claims for professional or other services made upon the Choctaw Nation on account of certain judgments rendered against the United States... From U.S. Congressional Serial Set, 1817-1994 Although the Indians’ shift in allegiance was a credit to Pike’s ability as a diplomat and as a person whom the Indians viewed as trustworthy, the process was not simple nor the results an unalloyed good. An 1891 masonic memorial on Pike describes how he came to be first the Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole) on behalf of the Confederate States of America, and then to lead them into battle. It was perfectly clear to him that the whole power of the Government would be brought against the seceding States, and that the end could be nothing but disaster and defeat for them; but as events crowded so rapidly on each other, and the Southern people became more and more excited over the situation, the spirit of his surroundings took possession of him, and in May, 1861, the Secession Convention of Arkansas accepted the offer of his service, and sent him to treat with the five tribes of civilized Indians on their western frontier, and to attach them to the Southern cause if possible. In this he was partially successful. Several regiments of Indians were enlisted and formed into a brigade, and he was appointed a Brigadier-General and placed in command of them. Albert Pike, 33rd [Degree], Grand Commander of the Supreme Council for the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction, 1891. From American Pamphlets, 1820-1922: From the New-York Historical SocietyPike concluded nine treaties with various tribes, including a treaty with the Osage in which the evocative—and overly optimistic—phrase “…as long as grass shall grow and water run…” appeared, as transcribed in Readex’s U.S. Congressional Serial Set, 1817-1994. Art. III. The Confederate States of America do hereby assure and guarantee to the Great and Little Osage tribes of Indians the exclusive and undisturbed possession, use, and occupancy during all time, as long as grass shall grow and water run, of the country heretofore secured to them by treaty with the United States of America, and which is described in the treaty of the second day of June, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five… The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. 1900. From U.S. Congressional Serial Set, 1817-1994Despite Pike’s powers of persuasion not all of the tribes he approached readily pledged themselves to the Confederacy. He experienced real pushback from Cherokee Chief John Ross who was contending with dissenting factions within his own tribe in addition to pressure that Pike introduced. Chief John Ross. The Union Indian Brigade in the Civil War, 1922. From The American Civil War Collection, 1860-1922Ross was committed to neutrality between North and South, but his authority was threatened by Cherokees partial to the counsel of Stand Watie, an influential Cherokee leader who later attained the rank of Brigadier General in the Confederate Army. Watie was actually the last Confederate officer to surrender at the close of the American Civil War. Second Cherokee Mounted Rifles' regimental flag. From nps.govIn Pike’s own words, The party opposed to Mr. Ross had taken open ground in favor of the seceding States, and it was alleged that on the other side a secret society existed, of which nearly all the full bloods were members, *** held together by stringent oaths, *** that attempts to raise secession flags had been prevented by the interposition of large bodies of armed men, and the ‘Southern Rights’ men in the Nation were greatly apprehensive of danger to themselves. Some of the leaders of this party had called on Gen McCulloch and myself at Fort Smith, and before leaving that place I sent a messenger to six of the most influential men of the party, residing in different parts of the Nation, requesting them to meet me at the Creek Agency after I should have seen Mr. Ross, on a day which I fixed; my intention being to enter, upon his refusal to treat, into a convention with them, guaranteeing protection to themselves, and its rights and privileges to the Nation. The fear of consequences, and other causes, prevented the attendance of any of them. Communication of the dele… truncated (17,187 more characters in archive)