Evening star., 1902-02-21
UNDER NEW LEADERS
Officers Chosen for Potomac
Department, G.. A. R.
SKETCH OF COMMANDER
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE Ma
TIoNAL ENCAMPMENT ELECTED.
The Sessions Harmonious Throughout
Flags to Be Used for Decorating
Statues Memorial Day.

~~AS ~~~~ASAAS
Flags to Be Used for Decorating
Statues Memorial Day.
The thirtyfourth annual encampment or
the Grand Army came to a close last night
with the election of the following officers:
Commande1-B. f. Bingham, Lincoln Post,
No. 3.
Senior vice commander. G. kimball,
Burnside Post No. 8.
Junior vice commander-Abram Hart, Kit
Carson Post, No. 2.
Medical director-Dr. Thomas Calver, Gar
field Post, No. Z.
Chaplain-Henry S. Stevens, Meade Post,
No. s.
Council of administration - Philip M.
O'Bryon, Post No 6; ]. H. Dony, Post No.
13; w. II. Anderson, Post No. il; A. b.
Grumwell, Post No 10; ]. W. Butcher, Post
No. q.
Representatives to national encampment-
Principals, John NJ. Keogh, Post No. 1; A.
II. Frear Post No. Z; George r. Cook, Post
No. 10: ]. Tyler Powell. Post No. IL. Alter
mates, Thomas Galloway. Post No. 6; n. w.
Brown. Post No 8; n. II. Grumshaw Post
No. .; Charles F. Benjamin, Post No. 20.
Col. Bingham said this morning that he
until the installation ceremonies, and that
these ceremonies would probably occur
some time next week. The Woman's Relief
Corps was still in session, he explained,
and could not hold its installation ceremon-
les until next week, and it has long been a
custom Of the two organizations to install
their officers at single meeting.
Uneventful Session.
In uneventfuness and quietude the en-
campment holds the record In local G. A.
r. annals. No question considered by the
delegates excited any notable discussion.
The encampment seemed unanimous on
every subject. The officers were elected
practically without opposition. Consider
able time was occupied by those who sec
onded the nominations, the tributes to the
candidates being quite as long as though
the choice of officers was to be contested.
About $50 delegates attended last night.
Commander Israel W. Stone called the
sion to order shortly after o'clock. Colo
mel B. F. Entrikin, the adjutant general,
acted as secretary. The only matters dis
cussed were the decoration of statues and
public squares on Memorial day and the
attitude Of the Department of the Potomac
toward the remonstrance made by the vet
Grams last inauguration 1t was agreed to
use flags in decorating the statues, as has
been done every year except last year. As
to the second subject Of debate, the en-
campment was unanimous that the veterans
could have adopted no other course than to
insist on their place in the inaugural
parade No debate occurred on the pro-
posed encampment In this city next fall.
The New Commander.
B. F. Bingham was born in Camllus, N.
Y. His boyhood was spent on a farm. He
was nineteen years Of age when ne enlisted
IN the 122d Regiment Of New York Volun-
teers. The regiment left Syracuse, N Y,
August 90 1862, and landed in Washington
No hotx -
1t was attached to General COUGHS division,
then in the vicinity Of Rockville. Md. An
tietam was the first experience the regiment
had under fire. Then came its participation
in real war at Fredericksburg Chancellora-
Vile, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsyl-
vania Court House, Cold Harbor and in the
siege at Petersburg, besides numerous skir-
mishes, being actively engaged until the
close OF the war. The regiment shared the
glory and honors Of the 9Th Army Corps Of
the Army Of the Potomac.
The regiment to which Mr.. Bingham was
attached was with the 9th Corps at the time
July, 1864 when General Earlys guns were
heard on the outskirts OF the city. The reg
iment had a number wounded and several
killed in front OF Fort Stevens Five Of its
members lie buried in the Battle Ground
cemetery near by. The regiment was at
tached at this time to Bidwells brigade
which made the charge and aided largely
in driving back the rebels and causing their
retreat the night of July H. Then the corps
followed Early up and down the Shenan-
doah valley for the next five weeks under
Sheridan, who brought him to a square
fight September 49, at what is known as
Opequan, near Winchester.
Wounded in Action.
Here Mr.. Bingham was wounded in the
left arm above the elbow, and this sent him
to the hospital at Winchester, and thence
to Philadelphia. Later he received fur
TO 70 h 10 In,
and in November Of that year cast his first
vote for Abraham Lincoln. Early, in tho
meantime, had been driven from the valley
by Sheridan, and the old 9th Army Corps
had rejoined the Army Of the Potomac in
front Of Petersburg. Recovering from his
wound, Mr.. Bingham returned to his regi-
ment January l, 1865, where for the next
two months he performed the usual camp
and picket duty. The regiment was in the
opening Of the constant fighting, lasting two
weeks. which led up to Lees surrender,
and in charge, March 25. 1868, Mr.. Bing-
ham was severely wounded. Besides the
injury inflicted by a piece OF shell. which
caused the amputation Of his left arm, he
received five other wounds from pieces OF
shell and balls. and when taken off the
field he was more dead than alive. This
ended his active service.
Subsequently Mr. Bingham was brought
to this city and placed in Lincoln Hospital,
where he remained for the next three
months. In June. 1865, he received an ap-
where he has served efficiently ever since
Feeling the need Of better education he
studied law and graduated from the Ma
tional University. He Is member Of the
District bar. He has never sought influence
to hold his Office or secure promotion He
has only one paper on file-his original ap-
plication for appointment-and no senator
or representative in Congress has ever come
to the authorities to secure his retention or
promotion In office.
Brevet Rank Of Lieutenant.
At the close Of the war he was q sergea MT
In his company, and received the breyet
rank OF lieutenant for meritorious services
He was discharged ION account Of wounds
received in action June %, 1865, the day
his regiment was mustered out OF the SER
vice at Falls Church, Va. He was still In
hospital, however, and could not return
with his regiment to Syracuse, N. Y, from
which 1t departed August 20, 1862, under
the call of Mr.. Lincoln for 100000 volun-
teers. 1t bore upon its original rolls the
names of 1000 OF the boys Of Onondaga
county, and returned with much less than
half that number.
Mr.. Bingham, now commander Of Poto-
mac Department, belongs to the Metropoli-
tan Baptist Church Of this city, and is an
active member Of Lincoln Post, Depart