The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-29
TWAS OBEDIENCE
EVEN UNTO DEATH
Grave in Hollywood Recalls Story of
Devotion to Duty,
CAME SOUTH TO FIGHT WITH US.
James II. Beers, of Connecticut, Who
Fell at ChaDcellorsvilic-Isa the
Gauntlet When lie Left Home.
Services for Confcdcracy.

within the last few days there has been
placed over low mound IN my family
lot in Hollywood. sinp.e granite marker
bearing this inscription:
James III. Beers.
''of Connecticut,
"Who fell at Charlottesville
Fighting for Virginia and the South.
May 3. ls63."
The erection Vi tnis modest stone not
only marks the discharge OF an obligation,
richly merited and long deferred. but it
also ep.lOmlzes a life not unworthy Of
record and OF remembrance. In the brief
recital which follows. We shall endeavor
10 keen In mind that-while the peace Of
death has, years agOnc passed upon the
chief actor In this strange story and prob
ably also upon most OF his relatives liv-
my when he died-yet there may be others
now living 10 whom the record Of his life
and death must needs be somewhat pain
ful. therefore. We will tell the story sim
ply and quietly. as far as possible, without
the exaggeration Of passion or prejudice.
When / first knew Mr. Beers he was an
intelligent young mechanic-Originally /
think from Bridgeport. but at the time
living In New Haven, Conn, where ] was
a college student. we both being members
Of a Bible class connected with church
Of which my father, Rev Joseph G.
stiles. was then pastor. and Mr. Gerard
Hallock Of the New York journal OF
Commerce" the most prominent member.
Shortly after my first acquaintance with
Beers. Mr.. Hallock became interested in
him. being attracted by his regular attend
ance uron the services OF the church and
Bible class and his modest yet self-re-
spectful and intelligent bearing. and he
soon took him 10 New York in some subor-
dlnate capacity connected with his paper.
This was. perhaps, 4 year or 90 before
The breaking out OF the war. but Beers
continued to visit New Haven from time
TO time-possibly every Saturday with Mr..
HallOck-and we learned that he had eX-
hlbited raths unusual facility, not 10 say
talent. for Journalism. and had been rapid
IS advanced. until he had come to be an
assistant to the night editor Of Mr.. Hal
locks great paper. II was probably
through his connection with this leading
Democratic daily. that he imbibed the
views he subsequently held as 20 the
proper construction OF the Federal Con-
stitution and the relations between the
Federal government and the States: views
which he followed to their logical conclu-
sion and I'm defense Of which he ultimately
laid down his life.
As the sectional excitement increased
and Civil War became more and more
imminent. Beers became more and more
restless and unhappy. until actual hos
Titles began with the bombardment OF
Fort Sumter when he Informed Mr.. Hal
lock that Il would be impossible for him
70 continue 70 discharge duties upon the
paper. I do not remember how long It
was after this that he came up to New
Haven to consult my father. I think
with the approval OF Mr.. Hallock. Mean
while. under the influence OF like feel
ings. I had left New York. where for
some months I had been studying law,
and had gone up 10 New Haven prepar-
atory to going South.
Ny father had asked from General
Scott passports to Virginia for himself
and three sons. and the General had re-
piled giving the desired permit for my
father but refusing Il for his boys. and we
had thereupon determined 10 run down
the coast in an open boat. which we
were preparing for the purpose, being
actually at work upon the sails when
Beers was announced. He came directly
I'D TO the attic, which was our workshop.
and. upon learning our purpose, eX-
pressed greatest interest and went 10
work with a sail needle. declaring that
he would make the voyage with US. l
rather discouraged him, calling attention
10 the fact that he was a northern man
and had a wife and two children 10 SUP
port, mentioning. IN this connection, his
fine position and prospects. all Of which
would necessarily be sacrificed. He re-
piled that he had some money which
he would leave with our mother. trust
ing her to expend II for his wife and
children and TO bring them South when