ALINE — Aaron Mason, assistant professor of political science at Northwestern Oklahoma State University will present a lecture called “The Galvanized Yankees in the American West” at 10 a.m. Feb. 6 at Sod House Museum, southeast of Aline.

An Oklahoma native, Mason received his bachelor of arts degree in political science at Northeastern State University and his master of arts degree in political science from the University of Texas. He also holds a PhD in political science from Northern Arizona University.  

Mason’s lecture will explore and consider the role of executive federal power and how it can be used flexibly in times of crisis by analyzing the policies and programs instituted during the Civil War by President Abraham Lincoln. One of Lincoln’s most pressing problems during the war concerned the issue of prisoners of war and how they should be treated.

As such, one of the most remarkable and creative solutions which the Lincoln administration proposed involved the taking of captured Confederate personnel and paroling them by enlisting them as soldiers in the Army to be garrisoned in far western outposts. By removing his gray uniform and then assuming the blue uniform of the federal army, the soldier was then “galvanized.” This topic is interesting in the sense that Lincoln’s reasoning, while logical and sound, may have been illegal and perhaps even unconstitutional. As such, this lecture will consider Lincoln’s actions in light of the constitution and his arguments regarding the status of confederate soldiers.

The connection between the sod house and this topic concerns the fact that upon their discharge, many former Galvanized Yankees as well as other former confederate soldiers returned to the West and began life on the plains as farmers in sod houses. As such, it seems a fitting and desirable backdrop from which to engage in this discussion.

The program is open to the public and will run 40 minutes. Mason then will welcome comments and discussion with the audience.

Sod House Museum is located southeast of Aline on Oklahoma 8 and operated by Oklahoma Historical Society. Contact Renee Mitchell at (580) 463-2441 or e-mail sodhouse@okhistory.org.