Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-03

the national capital. and In the field were
of fnestimable value. and were as freely
and periodically given as were the services
of any during the succeeding years OF ter
rible war.
Unpublished Incident
"As a matter OF interest and to point to
an event in the history of the war of the
rebellion which has never been given to the
public, 1 desire to emphasize the Incident
which brought into the field the first or
ganization of the grand armies which fol-
lowed the awakening of the American peo-
pie OF the north for the defense OF the
Union. The excitement and uncertainty eN-
listing at the time In the District of Column
bia made IL incumbent upon the War De-
partment and the military organizations in
washington to take some steps to meet the
impending crisis, and with this end I'm view
Tuesday. April 9. 1851, just six days before
the Presidents call for troops. the officers
OF the Washington Light Infantry Battal-
ion. then under command of Col. James Y.
Davis, met in their armory, south side of
Pennsylvania avenue near 10th street now
occupied by the Salvation Army. to devise
means for the protection OF public property.
The night was a fearful, stormy one. rain.
snow and wind being strongly in evidence.
and there were but few of the officers able
to attend. Some dozen or more, however,
were present, and while discussing the
p. Stone, United States army. who had or
ders from the Secretary OF War to notify
the battalion that one company (6i men,
rank and file) was needed and would be ex
pected to report at the War Department
next morning for duty. Col Stone was I'm
full uniform and delivered his orders i'm
manner which impressed his hearers with
the magnitude of the enterprise upon which
they were called TO embark
First Man to Enlist.
THE first person to speak after Col
Stone withdrew was Quartermaster Ser
geant James A. King, whose name is borne
among the deceased members of this so
ciety. who said: L. for one. volunteer for
the war, if it is to be war, and / move We
organize ourselves into a drumming COM
mittee to drum up the boys for duty in the
morning (his very wordsl. which was done
and before 10 o'clock Wednesday morning
April 10, 1861, over ninety men of the bat
TALON appeared fully equipped and ready
for duty. They were ordered to fall in
and when 1t was found that there were
more men present than the number called
for it was explained that only one com
pany was required. and that II was desired
that only those who could conveniently
leave their families or business at that
time should be accepted. and so twenty-odd
men were persuaded to step to the rear.
The company thus formed was Immediately
marched to the War Department and sworn
into the service of the United States for
three months. Capt. Lemuel Towers, First
Lieut.. Lemuel ID. Williams, Second Lieut.
Charles Ctermehle and Breyet Second Lieut..
NJ. p. Fisher being the commissioned Of
ficers- As this company was the first to
receive orders from the War Department
and the first mustered into the service
Sergeant King being the first volunteer) it
was the nucleus around which the grand
volunteer armies were formed and finally
triumphed after four years of bloody con-
flict, having proved themselves and their
opposing brothers TO be the best soldiers in
the world
The address was heartily applauded. a
vote of thanks given the author and the
paper was ordered to be placed among the
archives.
Resolutions Adopted.
Mr.. J. Madison Cults. in few remarks.
referred to the general good feeling among
the people of the country, and offered some
resolutions to the effect that I'VE consider
the discussion of the question whether the
war Of 1S61-1S65 was a civil war; war
between the states or the war of the re-
belAon,' as Ill advised. inopportune and I'M
necessary. Those phrases Of definitions
have all passed into history. They have
been fully discussed and considered, and do
not need to be fought over again. The
nobleSt, most generous and patriotic in
stincts OF our entire people are now direct
ed to the cultivation of ardent love of
our entire country. with universal love
Of one country and one glorious flag, and
the Ombined efforts Of our people are now
exerted to promote our future destiny under
an indestructible union OF states secured
by sacred and venerated Constitution.
Whether the conduct, motives Intentions
and aspirations of the north were alone en-
tirely right. or those OF the south could be
justified. excused or defended, Il Is con-
ceded that the cause of the former was
gioriously won while the cause OF the lat
ter was not ingloriously. but finally and
forever lost. and there is nowhere any de-
sire or possibility of renewing the unhappy
conflict, which at the time was seemingly
inevitable.
For the yictors it is clearly a magnani-
nous. patriotic and self-sacrficing duty to
avoid all controversies which only
serve to revive animositieS and reopen
wounds now SO happily and thoroughly
healed
The resolutions were adopted.
Mr. Keefer brought forward the subject
of incorporation for the consideration OF
the members. explaining its advantages
and presenting a blank form. DR.. Howard
moved that the subject be postponed to
the next meeting. which was carried.
Mr. Wineberger. pointing to the large
table occupied by the officers. said II was
an interesting relic. having been made over
thirty-four years ago by Mr.. r. w. Barker.
a member for the old Levy Court, which
then met over the National Metropolitan
Bank.
A cola ton was served. after which Mr..
Boron made some patriotic remarks.
VETOED BY GOV. MONTAGUE.
Red;strictinp Bill Passed by virginia