Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-10
GRAND ARMY CLUB.
.'Billy" Chambers Supplies a Chapter
of Ante.War HiatOrY.

Chilly" Chambers Supplies n Chapter
of Ante-War History.
The regular meeting of the Grand Army
Club of the District of Columbia, held Sat-
urday evening, was most enthusiastic and
entertaining. The special features were q
friendly discussion of patriotic questions of
the day, the presentation Of eloquent word
pictures Of the war, preceded by an in
teresting Grand Army talk by Department
Commander Hopkins.
The principal veteran speakers were Col.
Stephenson and Capt. Whittlesy of the
Agricultural Department, Past Department
Commanders S. E. Faunce and NJ T. An
derson, Maj. E. r. Campbell Of Commits
sioner Evans pension office staff, Capt.
Thos. Galloway, Capt VIM. Hunter Myers
and W. w. Chambers, late Junior vice de-
partment commander.
BILLY" Chambers. well known as one of
the most active, yet modest, comrades in
the department., aroused storm CT ap-
plause as he related, In vivid manner
the thrilling incidents of his experience i'm
mediately preceding the outbreak of host
ties in 81. Having left his Baltimore home
for Memphis to seek his fortune, only a
10y in his teens, he escaped from the mob
that ruled the southern city after the firing
on Sumter, and, returning to Baltimore,
was induced to go to Danville, Va. with
other young men, who were offered special
wages mec hanicS.
The ordinance of secession passed, the
old dominion left the Union, and Billy
left Danville for Baltimore. His train was
held up at Richmond by the confederates
and while waiting for a boat an elderly
gentleman with military air. accompanied
by young darkey with tenor drum and
few followers, commanded young Cham
bers to fall in" and march to the square
to learn the military movements Billy
respectfully declined The recruiting officer
insisted, and young Chambers explained
that since Virginia had seeded from the
United States, and he was a citizen of an
other state still in the Union, he was a
foreigner and owed no allegiance to the
confederacy.
When his boat, the Belvedere was ready
to leave for Baltimore the Richmond How
itZer Battery uAlimbered on the wharf and
commanded the captain to haul down his
nag, with the addition that he should not
sail until the order was complied with The
captain bravely refused, informing the ar
tillery officer that he would have to lower
the nag, II 1t came down. and, much to the
delight of young Chambers. who was quite
anxious to reach Baltimore, the officer
came aboard and cut the halyards, dropping
old glory on the deck.
The boat landed in Baltimore Sunday.
April q, two days after the assault on
the 9th Massac husetts. Young Chambers
hurried to his home up town and, noting
the excitement throughout the city started
cut to reconnoiter. Around the corner from
his old home a company of men were being
drilled and made ready to start to Join the
enemy at Harper's Ferry Young Cham
bers' father was in command, and a brother
OF his sergeant. He was at once COM
manded to fall in" and go to the front.
Billy INQUIRED why they had no flag The
captain informed him they would find flag
where they were going, If needed, with an
emphatic adjective. Young Chambers in
formed "the old man" that he would not
march with company that had no colors,
and he soon after enlisted under "the old
flag"
The following comrades ware ,or,,.u,,
elected to membership in the club: John
w. Russell. late of the Department of Colo
rado; DR.. s. s. Yoder, Department of Ohio,
and j. Tyler Powell. assistant quartermas-
ter general of the Department of the Po-
tomac.
The club adjourned to meet October 2 in
the red parlor of the Ebbitt House. where
officers for the ensuing year will be elected.