St. John’s Lodge, No. 1, F&AM Non-Profit Org. 351 Middle St U.S. Postage Paid Portsmouth, NH 03801 Portsmouth, NH Permit No. 7

December 2013 St. John’s LodgeNo.1 December 2013 Trestle Board Portsmouth, NH The Master’s Message to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. Greetings Brethren! It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining Master’s Message before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devo- tion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devo- I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Brethren, it has been a true and tion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have distinct honor to serve as Master of St. John’s this past year. I consider you all died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of my friends and brothers. freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. At our last stated I spoke a little about perceptions and human nature. As Ma- sons, we are bound by the cement of brotherly love. What we perceive in our interactions is not always what it appears to be. And where there exists ill will, Alan Robinson we are bound by our tenets to aid in that brother’s reformation in the most tender Historian manner possible.

Our White Apron Night was a lot of fun. Cold, but fun. Instead of letting you speak on your own accord, I thought it would be worthwhile to come to the level and conduct the evening in interview-style. I feel I have learned things about you that I never would have known if I had not asked. I am so glad I did.

When we reflect on the white apron, let us remember what it is: an emblem of innocence. It is more important than the jewels and medallions we may wear. Personally, I see it as an emblem of an order like no other. Where other orders of old swore their allegiance to protect their monarchs, we are protectors of the meek through our good acts and charity.

Thank you again for allowing me to serve. My work as Worshipful Master is coming to a close. My work as a Mason is just beginning.

P.S. Just a reminder that we normally pass the hat at the Annual for the St.

John’s Evangelist fund. If you’re like me, I’m prone to forget to put some extra money in my wallet. Since 1947, Toys for Tots has been collecting toys for needy children throughout the United States. The goal is to deliver a message of hope, which will build self-esteem and, in turn, motivate needy chil- Fraternally Yours, dren to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and com- munity leaders. A shiny new toy is the best means of accomplishing Wor Jonathan Neihart this goal.

Our annual Toy for Tots campaign is once again under way. Brothers are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the December Stated Communica- tion. All brothers bringing a toy will receive a free dinner that night. ………….continued from previous page December 2013 officer of the during the . He was the first Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Admiral (four stars) in the United Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat States Navy and he is often remembered for his order at the Battle of which is usually paraphrased: "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 He died on August 14, 1870 from a heart attack at the age of 69 while on vacation and visiting Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The other was the sailor 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 onboard USS Richmond who so eloquently provided the details of the battle damage to his ship – Hiram Dixon. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Hiram L. Dixon was born in 1833 and lived in Eliot, . He served with honor and distinction onboard USS Richmond and later on USS Saratoga 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 with the rating of Carpenter’s Mate. His duties were to maintain ship ventila- tion, watertight control, painting, and drainage. He was responsible for the integrity of the ship's hull, and in times of battle, fought fires and used plugs 29 30 31 to patch holes in the hull. Hiram died from the ill-effects of in June 1869 at the young age of 36 while being treated onboard the Hospital- ship Illinois. Brother Hiram was a member of St. John’s Lodge No. 1 in Stated Communication—Open in MM Portsmouth and was Raised a Master Mason in our Lodge on January 11, Wednesday, December 4, 2013 1865. Annual Meeting, Election of Officers Dinner—Prime Rib ($10.00) Looking back at his naval service, CM Hiram L. Dixon, USN did not receive (Dinner 6:00, Open 7:00) the same accolades as his very famous superior officer, Admiral David G. Officer dress— White Tie and Tails Farragut, USN; but they were nothing short of equals in the eyes of our great Collation to follow Masonic Fraternity. For you see, both were Masons – they were good men and patriots who gave of themselves that our nation might live. We remem- Installation of Officers ber them and all Civil War heroes today by recalling the brilliant words of Saturday, December 7, 2013—2:00PM President Lincoln who personally wrote and delivered them 150 years ago Semi-Public—Families and friends are welcome (seven score and ten years ago) on November 19, 1863, Officer dress— White Tie and Tails Collation and reception to follow Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the Officer Rehearsal proposition that all men are created equal. Wednesday, December 4, 2013 6:15PM Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that na- tion, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to ded- Happy Birthday Brothers! icate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who Join us for the Stated Communication during your birthday month here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fit- and the dinner is on the Master and Wardens. ting and proper that we should do this.

Contact Jonathan Neihart Gib Palmer But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate Information: Worshipful Master Secretary -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, [email protected] [email protected] who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power (603) 3009093 (603) 601-2294 St. John’s Lodge Historical Sketch lished in 1904 in a book entitled: OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE NAVIES in the WAR OF THE REBELLION. In Hiram Dixon the case of USS Richmond at the battle near Vicksburg on June 28, 1862, there was some damage to the ship. The report to Admiral Farragut prepared by the ship’s carpenter and submitted by James Alden, Esq., Commanding Control of the was arguably one of the most important fac- Officer, USS Richmond, read as follows: tors that influenced the outcome of the Civil War. Union forces were working hard to secure the Mississippi and had success in the upper sections near Cairo, USS Richmond June 28 1862 Illinois and down on the lower parts near . But in between those cities were Confederate strong holds along the river that raised havoc with Sir: I respectfully beg leave to report the damage received by Union ships. In June of 1862, the government was very anxious to strike an- this vessel in the action off Vicksburg this day: other blow to the Confederacy and to gain control on the great river. President Was struck by an 8-inch shot, between No. 4 and 5 gun ports, through his Secretary of War Edwin Stanton ordered a naval cutting through chain plate and plank sheer, tearing up seven planks attack be made on the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi which was situated along of spar deck, cutting through fore-and-aft knee, destroying carline, the river and at the southern tip of Mississippi. Admiral David G. Farragut breaking diagonal knee, shattering beam, and embedding itself received the Presidential command; at that time, he was commanding the therein. Western Gulf Blockading Squadron on the USS Hartford near the town of By an 8-inch shot, forward of No. 6 gun port, cutting through Vicksburg, Miss. plank-sheer, and one plank of deck, shattering the adjoining plank, passing over, grazing boat's davit. Admiral Farragut took the order and developed a battle plan that he then dis- Between No. 13 and 14 gun ports, by an 8-inch shell, entering patched to each of the ships and gunboats in his squadron. In the very early just below the mizzen channels, passing through bulwark, cutting off morning hours of June 28, well before sunrise, Farragut ordered the ships and two timbers, tearing badly three strakes of ceiling, striking the trun- gunboats to weigh anchor and start moving northward. They formed a double nion of gun, and, bounding, broke two boarding pikes at mizzen- line with USS Richmond and USS Hartford leading. USS Richmond was a mast. 225 foot wooden steam sloop with three sail masts and a coal fired steam pro- Was struck by a shot on the cheek of foremast and trestletree, pulsion system that could help the ship reach 9 kts. She had 259 officers and cutting off the head of foretrysail mast. enlisted sailors onboard and carried formidable armament including 1-80 Sir, I have the honor to be your obedient servant, Hiram L Dix- pounder Dahlgren smooth bore rifle, 20-9” Dahlgren smooth bore rifles, and 1- on, Carpenter. 30 pounder Parrott rifle. Following this important naval battle near Vicksburg, Admiral Farragut and As the ships got underway, the crew lashed the hammocks along the starboard his squadron continued to move northward up the Mississippi and slowly but side to hold splinters and about an hour later, at 3:55 AM, with the fleet in line surely took control of the waterway. He knew with certainty that complete behind them, they arrived within shooting distance of the enemy at Vicksburg, success in controlling the Mississippi could not be achieved by the Navy MS. The ever watchful enemy saw them coming and open fired on them from alone and that a successful land campaign would have to be conducted with their numerous shore-based batteries located below and over the town. The support of the naval fleet in the river. The goal of control was achieved Fleet returned fire using heavy exploding shells with 5-second fuses. There through strenuous efforts to take the town of Vicksburg which was finally were great flashes as the shells exploded and there was considerable smoke forced into surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863. Five days rising over the heavily damaged enemy positions. By sunrise it was evident later, USS Richmond helped Union ground forces take possession of this last that Farragut’s plan well executed plan was successful and the Fleet moved Confederate bastion on the Mississippi. unmolested further up river. In this article you read the name of two members of the Masonic Fraternity. Following this and other battles, each of the ships captains would provide writ- The first was Brother and Admiral David G. Farragut. Admiral Farragut was ten reports to the Admiral that included details of how each ship carried out a member of Naval Lodge No. 87 in , . He was a flag their orders and to what extent they suffered damages. The reports were pub- Continued on next page……...