Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-15
ON THE RETIRED LIST
Final Action Taken in the Case of Pay Di.
rector Billings.

The case of Pay Director Luther G. Bill
lirgs, which has been troubling the Secre-
tary of tie Navy for some time past, was
settled today by the issue of an order
Placing that officer on the retired list. Mr..
Billings was recently convicted by court
martial upon certain charges and was sem
fenced to dismissal from the service. His
attorneys endeavored to have the finding
set aside on the ground that it was unjust
and unsupported by the evidence. The Sec
rotary so impressed with their argu-
mentS that he proposed to compromise with
Mr.. Billings by permitting him to retire in
stead of being dismissed. The officer re-
jected this proposition, however, contend
ing that If guilty he should be punished:
that If inEccebt, as he claimed to be, JUS
tice required that the last trace of guilt
should be removed from his record. The
proposition of the department was that the
officer should apply for retirement, which
he was entitled to do under the law; but
inasmuch as he refused to follow this sug-
gestion, the Secretary exercised his prerog-
alive and ordered him before naval exam
ming board to determine his mental and
physical capacity for active service. The
beard reported that he was eligible for re-
tirement under the law, and the Secretary
To-Day directed the transfer OF his name
from the active to the retired list. AL
though this action does not in itself pre-
vent the execution of the sentence, 1t Is
generally understood that no further &C
ton Will De taken, ana lndt the case Will
be allowed to drop.
Pay Director Billings rendered gallant
service to the country during the war, and
had an exceptionally fine record up to the
time Of his recent trial In 1862, when but
tw enty years of age, he entered the navy IS
an assistant paymaSter, and the records
Of the department show that he received
the thanks of his commanding officer for
gallant and meritorious services on sew
eral occasions. Probably his most con-
spicuous act Of heroism was in June, 1864,
while attached to the United States ship
Waterwitch. While In Georgia waters that
vessel was boarded in the night by body
Of confederate soldiers. Jumping from his
berth in his night clothes, Mr.. Billings Sc
cured a pair of leyolvers and made his
way to the deck. A desperate hand 10 hand
&C mbat ensued, in which he killed several
men, and saved the life of his commanding
officer He was taken prisoner, however,
severely wounded, and sent to the hospital
at Savannah. Later he was transferred 10
the stockade at Macon, where he took
part in an unsuccessful attempt to escape
by means Of q tunnel.
He was next taken to Charleston, SC,
but jumped from the moving train On the
way and made bis escape. He enjoyed only
three days of liberty, however, when he was
recaptured and sent to Libby prison. where
he remained until exchanged. For his con-
duct in the fight en- the Waterwitch, which
was described officially as extraordinary
keroism." he was promoted fifteen num-
be RS. In 1888 he was attached to the u. 8.
8. Wateree when that vessel was destroyed
by an earthquake at africa. and
was ,e Officially s,... thanked by his o, com
on that occasion. Subsequently his
health failed. and In 1885 a bill was favor
ably reported to the Senate authorizing the
In the msantime. however, his health hay
ing Improved, the bill was withdrawn at
hts suggestion. and he was continued on
the active list up to the present time.