History of the Dewitt guard, company A, 50th regiment National guard, state of New York Part 4

The beautiful Armory and Drill-Room now occupied by the Company, are mainly due to his indefatigable efforts.

One prominent feature in the history of the Company, and one which we fear the historian may, from feelings of delicacy, omit, was the splendid supper given, soon after the return of the Company from Elmira, by Captain Esty and lady--an entertainment which was a high testimonial of the Captain's generosity, and the skill and hospitality of Mrs. Esty.

The supper will long be remembered by the happy partic.i.p.ants.

Captain Esty, in civil life, is no less esteemed than as a soldier, having been for a number of years the confidential clerk and book-keeper in the extensive Leather establishment of Hon. E. S. Esty, an establishment which owes its success in no small degree to his energetic and business qualities.

CHARLES HAUSNER, Carpenter, enlisted October 6th, 1855. Served his full time in the Company. Enlisted Sept. 10th, 1861, in the United States army, in which he served until the 6th day of Sept., 1862, when he was honorably discharged by reason of being totally unserviceable on account of wounds received while in the army. He partic.i.p.ated in the battle of Fair Oaks, and received in that one engagement six wounds, while his clothes were pierced by fourteen bullets of the enemy. Probably no soldier ever received the same number of wounds and lived. Upon his return home he was elected Captain of Company E, 50th Regiment National Guard.

A. T. JARVIS, Clerk, enlisted March 19th, 1856. Was a member but a short time.

O. BINGHAM, Boot and Shoe Merchant, enlisted April 2d, 1856. Served his full time, and was honorably discharged from further service in the militia. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company D, 137th N. Y. Volunteers. August 16th, 1862, was mustered into the United States service at Camp Susquehanna, Binghamton. Soon after the Regiment was ordered to Was.h.i.+ngton, and from thence to Harper's Ferry, Va., in October, 1862. The Regiment was soon attached to the 12th Army Corps; after a few weeks in camp were ordered to join Gen. Burnside in front of Fredericksburgh, Va. On account of the almost impa.s.sibility of the roads, the Regiment did not arrive in time to partic.i.p.ate in the fight. Were here ordered into camp at Fairfax, Va., from thence to Aquia Landing, on the Potomac.

The Regiment remained in this camp, perfecting themselves in all the arts of war, until Gen. Hooker had perfected the plan for the battle of Chancellorsville, to which place the Regiment was ordered in the latter part of April, 1863, under command of Gen. Sloc.u.m. In this engagement the 137th Regiment did some very hard fighting, and the hero of this sketch came near losing his life while performing acts of kindness to his comrades. He was returning from a spring near by with a number of canteens of water, when he was attacked by a number of rebels who gave him chase through the woods; but our soldier escaped unharmed, although at one time it seemed that nothing short of a miracle could save him.

After the battle the Regiment recrossed the Rappahannock and were again in camp.

On the 13th of June Mr. Bingham was promoted to the office of Chief Musician of the Regiment by Col. Ireland for meritorious conduct, and no member of the Regiment or Brigade was more competent to fill this position. This office he held until mustered out of the service.

June 14th the Regiment started for Gettysburg; arrived on the 1st of July and immediately took position on the right of the line. In this battle the Regiment was engaged three days; Chief Musician Bingham had his cap shot off his head as he was carrying a wounded Sergeant from the line; he lost five men of his drum corps, three being wounded and two captured.

In September the 11th and 12th Corps were detached from the army of the Potomac and ordered to Tennessee. The men were transported in cattle cars, and reached the city of Nashville after about ten days travel; from thence were moved to Wauhatchie Valley. In this valley one Brigade, composed of the 137th and other Regiments, in all about one thousand men, were attacked by the rebel General Hood with four thousand picked men; the enemy finally withdrew to Lookout Mountain. In this fight our Chief Musician had his bugle, which was hanging by his side, pierced with a bullet and destroyed.

After several other engagements in this vicinity, the enemy were routed, and the men ordered to prepare for the taking of Atlanta, which city was captured by the Union forces Sept. 2d, 1864, Chief Musician Bingham marching in command of the drum corps of his Division playing the familiar tune Yankee Doodle, to the disgust of the inhabitants of that city.

From this time comparative quiet reigned until November 14th, when commenced the great "March for the Sea Coast," which was so successfully accomplished, as also the march from Savannah to Richmond, from which point the army were moved by easy marches to Was.h.i.+ngton, at which city they were mustered out of the service as fast as possible. Our Chief Musician was mustered out near Was.h.i.+ngton June 9th, 1865, and immediately sent with the Regiment to Elmira, where they were paid and honorably discharged June 20th.

He was in the service nearly three years; never lost a day's duty from his Regiment; he partic.i.p.ated in every engagement of the Regiment from the time it entered the field, and fully proved himself to be a soldier of ability and courage, possessing all the qualities that are requisite to make a first-cla.s.s American soldier.

Now that he has returned to his home and friends, we all unite in bestowing upon him the honor he so dearly bought, and respect and cherish him as one of the defenders of our common country.

H. W. BISHOP, Druggist, elected May 31st, 1856. Doctor Bishop was an excellent member; served the Company as Treasurer for two years; filled most of the non-commissioned offices, and was esteemed highly by all the members, as he was by the community at large. He was Orderly Sergeant at the time he left the Company and joined the United States army. Very soon after his enlistment in the service of his country, he was promoted to hospital Steward, which position he filled until removed by death.

Many there are, besides his near relatives and the Company of which he was a member, who mourn the loss of Doctor Bishop.

E. S. CONKLIN, enlisted June 9th, 1856. The writer is wholly unacquainted with the history of this member.

E. B. TORREY, Banker, enlisted September 10th, 1856. No member ever connected himself with the DeWitt Guard who took more interest in the Company than did Mr. Torrey; and although his profession was such that it would seem impossible for him to spend any very great amount of time with the Company, still through the kindness and leniency of President J. B. Williams, and Cas.h.i.+er, Colonel Hardy, he almost always answered to his name at all the drills and parades of the Company. At the business meeting he was particularly useful, always lending his advice, and eager to do any thing that would increase the interest of the members. Always scrupulously prompt in meeting his obligations, and we believe during the several years of his members.h.i.+p, he never allowed his dues to run over one month; he filled most of the non-commissioned offices; as a soldier he liked every other soldier, and every other soldier liked him; and the only way he could ever dissolve his members.h.i.+p, was by the expiration of his term of enlistment. He most creditably served his time and received an honorable discharge. He retired from the Bank a short time since, and secured a patent for "Torrey's Patent Artesian Wells,"

which is a most valuable invention, and is being universally used wherever introduced. We extend to him our hearty congratulations for the success he has already attained, and earnestly hope that our friend will realize his full antic.i.p.ations in his new enterprise.

M. R. BARNARD, Princ.i.p.al of Public School, enlisted Sept. 10th, 1856.

Mr. Barnard served his full time and was honorably discharged from further service in the militia. He served the Company as Secretary for a year or more. He is still represented by his son, Corporal E. E.

Barnard; is brother of John Barnard, the hero of Lookout Mountain. Has been for many years Princ.i.p.al of our Public School, having some times as many as eight hundred scholars. In this situation, as well as every other one, he gave the most perfect satisfaction, and the regrets were many that we heard expressed when he determined to withdraw from the school, and still many more when it became known that he had fully determined to change his residence to Louisville, Ky.

Prof. Barnard is a thorough scholar, a man of great and comprehensive mind, fine intellect, and a man in every way qualified to hold the very first position in society wherever he may go. When in his new home he becomes as well known as he is here, we know he will be equally respected. Success and prosperity ever attend him.

MARCUS LYON, Lawyer and District Attorney, elected January 20th, 1857.

Mr. Lyon soon discovered that it would require more of his time than he could possibly devote to this purpose, and furnished a subst.i.tute in the person of the lamented Wager.

LUTHER LOSEY, Harness-Maker, enlisted June 27th, 1857. Mr. Losey served his time, was a good soldier and a fine mechanic, else he could not have found employment so many years in the establishment of Colonel Millspaugh. He is now a resident of one of the Western States.

HENRY S. KRUM, Shoe Merchant, enlisted May 18th, 1858. Mr. Krum served but a very short time as a member of this Company, but sufficiently long to prepare him to a.s.sume command of a Company upon his entering the United States service. He was in the service for some time, and upon his return home was elected Captain of the Caroline Company, National Guard, which position he still holds.

JOHN C. HAZEN, Merchant, enlisted May 18th, 1858. We have very frequently, through this History, mentioned instances where the Company were indebted to individual members for some particular acts, or the interest they have manifested in the general good and prosperity of the Company. In this instance, however, we have the contrary. We believe Lieut. Hazen is more indebted to the DeWitt Guard, than any person now living, and on this point we are sure we shall satisfy the reader.

July 12th, 1857, the Company visited the city of Auburn, (an account of which will be found in the History of the Company). While there, they were several times the guests of a number of distinguished citizens of that city. At a very elaborate and magnificent entertainment given in honor of the Company, by Hon. B. F. Hall, the subject of this sketch formed the acquaintance of the daughter of our host. Auburn's fairest daughters were there. The elite of the city were represented. Among them all, the choice of our friend was the lady just mentioned. The result of the acquaintance that evening formed, is generally known. Little did the good people of Auburn think that our excursion was to be the means of depriving them of one of their fairest daughters. Auburn, the loveliest city of the plain, the loser; but Ithaca, the Forest City, the gainer.

All must concede that no one was more deserving, or better ent.i.tled to the prize, than our respected soldier. A very noticeable and singular incident in connection with our excursion to Auburn, we came near forgetting, which should be mentioned here. It is this: that at that time, Sergeant Hazen was Company Secretary, and the account of that trip, so fully and graphically given, in another part of this book, is taken verbatim from his minutes.

As we have noticed, Mr. Hazen enlisted in May, 1858. He was permitted to remain but a short time in the ranks, but filled all of the non-commissioned offices, and was Orderly Sergeant while in the United States service, which is a position of much importance, and also one where the utmost caution must be used, or the occupant will soon find that his comrades are exceedingly dissatisfied with him; it being the duty of the Orderly to make the various details. But in this instance, there was never one word of complaint. The Orderly, in his pleasant manner, would say to the men: "Please report for duty, to-morrow morning," and invariably the men were there. Every member of the Company, not only but very many officers and men with whom we were a.s.sociated while in Elmira, became very much attached to Sergeant Hazen; and all this, not without cause, for certainly he was one of the very best men in camp. To show that he was appreciated, very soon after the Company returned from Elmira, they elected him First Lieutenant, which commission he now holds.

Lieutenant Hazen is not only a fine soldier, and a good and respected officer, but as a citizen and a business man, he has very few superiors.

The firm of Stowell & Hazen is known throughout the county, and they enjoy the confidence of as large a cla.s.s of customers, as any House in Western New York. They conform to a strict degree of honesty in small as well as large transactions, and by this means have built up a reputation second to none in the State.

EDWARD D. NORTON, Printer, enlisted June 17, 1858. His qualifications as a soldier, were sufficiently good to ent.i.tle him to fill the posts of Corporal and Sergeant in a worthy and creditable manner. He was employed for many years in the _Ithaca Journal_ office, but finally removed to the city of Rochester, where he now resides.

WILLIAM BYINGTON, Merchant, enlisted June 21st, 1858. Mr. Byington served his full time, and was honorably discharged. He was a good soldier, an equally good Corporal, and a better Sergeant. At the time the Company were called into the United States service, it was impossible for Sergeant Byington to accompany them; Lieut. Kenney, his partner, being an officer in the Company, it was desirable to have him, and of course both could not leave; but the Sergeant, at considerable expense, furnished a satisfactory subst.i.tute. He was never behind his comrades in contributing in any way that would be for the general good of the inst.i.tution. He is one of the enterprising merchants of this place, and all acquainted with him can testify to his equally good qualifications as a citizen, that we have as a soldier.

WILLIAM L. MINTURN, Mason, enlisted June 17th, 1858. Was a faithful and attentive soldier, served his full time and received an honorable discharge. There is no better man in the community than Mr. Minturn. As for his reputation as a Master Mechanic, we refer the reader to the many buildings erected under his supervision in our village.

SILAS R. ZIMMER, Clerk, enlisted July, 20th, 1858. Mr. Zimmer served a number of years with the Company to the most perfect satisfaction of both officers and men. He was one of the employees of that prince of merchants, L. H. Culver, Esq.

A. BRUM, Clothing Merchant, enlisted July 27th, 1858. Was connected with the Company but a short time. Removed, we believe, to the city of New York.

PHILIP S. RYDER, Artist, enlisted July 27th, 1858. Mr. Ryder performed well the duties of a member of this Company so long as he remained a resident of the district. We believe he is now a resident of Cleveland, O.

LEVI KENNEY, Merchant, enlisted June 24th, 1858. After serving a very short time as private, was elected Corporal, promoted to Sergeant, and finally to first Lieutenant, which commission he held until the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he resigned. Lieutenant Kenney was a stirring and an energetic officer. The command of the Company devolved upon him much of the time while in the United States army, and at one time was in command of the Regiment. The Company had been but a few days at Elmira, when Lieut. Kenney was selected from among all the officers to command a very large detachment of subst.i.tutes, drafted men and bounty-jumpers to the Head-Quarters of Gen.

Grant's army. He selected his officers and Guard with care, and we think his report upon his return, to the Commander of the Post, was as satisfactory as any return ever made to him. This is the only instance that occurred while there, of the command being given to an officer of less rank than Captain. The Lieutenant was detailed from his command on three different occasions and commissioned one of the court-martial for the trial of officers only. He was elected clerk of the court, and the records were kept by him equally well as by one who had long been familiar with the duties of an office of that kind. He was one of the best officers in the Regiment, thoroughly familiar with his duties, and required of his men (as do all good officers) a prompt and willing obedience to all commands. He was complimented on several occasions by Col. Wisner, commanding the Regiment; also received honorable mention by Major Beal, of the veteran Reserve Corps, and by Col. Moore, commanding the Post.

Soon after returning from Elmira his term of service expired, and he resigned his commission and was granted an honorable discharge. No officer or enlisted man ever served his term with more fidelity than did Lieut. Kenney, and no officer was more ent.i.tled to the respect of his men. He is the senior partner in the firm of Kenney, Byington & Co., the only exclusively Dry-Goods House in Ithaca; and their splendidly arranged and well filled store, together with the vast amount of patronage they enjoy, is sufficient proof that he is as well appreciated as a citizen and business man, as he was a soldier and officer.

JAMES H. SMITH, Tin-Smith, enlisted September 2d, 1858. As long as Mr.

Smith was a citizen of Ithaca he was a member in good standing in this Company. Our recollection is that he served about three years. He removed to Elmira.

P. B. WAGER, Lawyer, enlisted January 5th, 1859. Remained with the Company until he enlisted in the service of his country. No young man ever started in life with a more brilliant prospect than did Mr. Wager; had but a short time previous to his enlistment in the United States army been admitted to the bar, and had commenced the practice of Law with very marked success. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company I, 32d New York Volunteers, and received a Lieutenancy, which commission he held until the time of his death. He died in camp, and his remains were forwarded to his home and buried with military honors by this Company, a.s.sisted by the entire Fire Department of the village.

Lieutenant Wager was a patriotic soldier and a courageous officer.

D. A. MCKAY, Cigar Manufacturer, enlisted May 12th, 1859. Served as a member of this Company until his enlistment in the United States army.

Was soon commissioned Lieutenant, and faithfully served until the close of the war. We have been unable to collect as full a history of Lieutenant McKay as we would have been glad to have given; but we are able to say, however, that his war history was an honorable one, and he has a lasting claim upon his fellow citizens for gallant services rendered his country during the hour of her peril.

C. C. GREENLY, Merchant, enlisted September 27th, 1859. But a very short period of time elapsed between his enlistment and the time when he was duly confirmed fourth Corporal of Company A. Step by step he advanced until commissioned a Lieutenant by Gov. Fenton, which commission he now holds. Each office he has filled most honorably, and no member stands higher in the estimation of the Company to-day than Lieut. Greenly.

While serving in the army, he performed the duties that devolved upon him in a manner that would have been highly creditable to an officer of many years experience.

It was the pleasure of the writer to be a.s.sociated with Lieut. Greenly and others who were in charge of a detail of men whose destination was the Head-Quarters of Gen. Grant at City Point, and too much credit cannot be awarded the Lieutenant for the care with which he guarded his men, turning over to the authorities at City Point every man of his command, while others would be short five or six, and sometimes many more; all in his charge were either drafted men, subst.i.tutes, or deserters. The writer most thoroughly appreciated the company of Lieut.

Greenly in that expedition, and wishes to acknowledge many favors shown him.

It may be supposed by many that the duties of the members of the DeWitt Guard at Elmira were not very arduous; but in this particular instance we know the contrary to be the case. Aside from the regular camp duties, (which a portion of the time were very severe,) the Lieutenant carried on an extensive correspondence, the satisfactory termination of which resulted in the marriage of our respected officer soon after his return from the field.

W. F. FINCH, Merchant, enlisted May 1st, 1860. During nearly six years of members.h.i.+p, we find Mr. Finch marked absent from the drills but three or four times--surely a good introduction. Not only in attendance, however, was he regular and punctual, but in every other duty required of him as a member of the Company. So particular was he not to be in arrears on the Company's books, that we believe there was not six months of his members.h.i.+p that the Company were not indebted to him for dues and taxes paid in advance. He enjoyed the exercise of the drill, and became perfectly familiar with the tactics and evolutions; took great pride in being a good soldier. Against his wishes he was elected Corporal, and by various promotions reached the position of second Sergeant. A little more than a year ago we were deprived of the pleasure of the further direct members.h.i.+p of our respected Sergeant, by the interposition of our esteemed Colonel, H. D. Barto, who, discovering in him a man with the qualifications of a perfect soldier, appointed him to a position on his staff, which, after due consideration, he accepted.

Still he retains his members.h.i.+p in the Company so far as paying his dues are concerned. He is a member of the firm of Morrison, Hawkins & Finch, the leading Dry-Goods House of the place.

EDGAR M. FINCH, Book-Keeper, enlisted June 6th, 1860. Is brother of Sergeant W. F. Finch, and the same must be said in his case, so far as holding office is concerned, with one exception. He has filled every non-commissioned office --is now Orderly Sergeant. He served with his Company during their term of enlistment in the United States army. No better soldier can be found, not even in the regular army, than Sergeant Finch. The most regular attendant at the drills, meetings and parades, of any member ever connected with the Company. As will be noticed, he enlisted over six years ago, and during that time has never paid a fine.