History of the Dewitt guard, company A, 50th regiment National guard, state of New York Part 6

VERNON J. TERRY, Tobacconist, enlisted September 23d, 1862. Mr. Terry is the third member of the same family who have served as members of this Company. On account of business it was impossible for him to personally accompany his comrades during their service in the United States army,--but generously furnished a subst.i.tute at an expense to him of over one hundred dollars. He is one of the large tobacco and cigar manufactures of this village, and his brand upon the weed is a sure indication of prime stock.

ALFRED BROOKS, Hat, Cap and Fur Merchant, enlisted October 1st, 1862.

Is now fourth Sergeant of the Company; is a favorite, not only of the Company, but of the community at large; was a good soldier, is a good Sergeant, and will make a good Captain or Colonel. Stood face to face with the Rebels at Elmira, and never evinced the slightest degree of cowardice.

He is the junior partner of the firm of F. Brooks & Son, so favorably known throughout the county. The most fastidious cannot fail in being exactly suited with a selection from their extensive a.s.sortment of hats, caps or furs.

P. L. ROOT, Painter, enlisted May 12th, 1863. Served but a very short time.

ERASTUS M. CRONK, Traveling Agent, enlisted May 19th, 1863. Mr. Cronk's profession is such that necessarily he is absent from many of the drills and meetings of the Company, but he is always willing to pay for all such absences.

He procured a subst.i.tute that represented him in the United States army, with a desire to do all that he can for the good of the organization, and a perfect willingness to stand by all rules and regulations of the Company. He is a good member, although only occasionally meeting with them.

E. T. GARDNER, Mason, enlisted May 19th, 1863. At the time the Company volunteered in the service of the general government, Mr. Gardner _did not_ go, being under eighteen years of age at the time he enlisted, and not legally a soldier. Hence his name was stricken from the Roll.

E. M. GREENLY, Professor in Ithaca Academy, enlisted May 20th, 1863.

Very much of the time since his enlistment he has been traveling in foreign countries. Since his final return he has not renewed his members.h.i.+p.

WILLIAM H. HERN, Clerk, enlisted May 21st, 1863. Mr. Hern was a first-cla.s.s soldier, and a young man of high standing and great respectability in society. He removed from this village to the city of Syracuse; is engaged in candy manufacturing. Has also a large bakery which is in operation day and night, and is doing a very profitable business.

THOMAS HERN, Confectioner, enlisted May 21st, 1863. Served with the Company in the United States army, and was a true and faithful soldier; was respected by both officers and men.

ALBERT PRAME, Shoemaker, enlisted May 21st, 1863. Is now Corporal, which position he gained by being one of the most regular members at meetings and drills, and one the best drilled soldiers of the Company.

Corporal Prame is one of the most una.s.suming and quiet members, but one of the best men that ever kept step with the beat of the drum. He proved himself one of the "excelsior" during the term of enlistment in the United States service. Was one of the guard over a large detachment of troops sent to the front, and we speak understandingly when we say he was the best soldier that possibly could have been selected for that purpose. No bribe, however large, was sufficient to induce him to depart from his duty in the slightest degree. He well and truly performed all the duties required of a soldier, and was honorably discharged with the Company on expiration of his term of enlistment at Elmira.

CHARLES R. RANDOLPH, Book-Binder, enlisted May 21st, 1863. Is brother of the late Major John Randolph. Served with the Company until transferred to the 50th Regimental Band, by order of Colonel Henry D. Barto. Mr.

Randolph furnished a subst.i.tute to represent him in the army of the United States, after paying three hundred dollars, being one of the original drafted men.

Mr. Randolph is Foreman in the Bindery department of the establishment of Andrus, McChain & Company. Has not only the confidence and respect of his employers, but of the community at large.

E. E. WARFIELD, Harness-Maker, enlisted May 21st, 1863. A good soldier, an honest, upright man, and a superior mechanic. Was with the Company at Elmira, and honorably served the full term of his enlistment.

CHARLES RICE, Rail Road Man, enlisted May 21st, 1863. But never served.

WILLIAM S. CRITTENDEN, Clerk, enlisted May 21st, 1863. Mr. Crittenden is a good member, and is faithfully serving the term of his enlistment. Was with the Company in the United States service, and performed all the duties required of him. Is a book-keeper and accountant; and has been selected as the most competent person to take the militia enrollment of this district.

URI CLARK, Jeweler, enlisted May 26th, 1863. Sergeant Clark is as good a soldier as he is a perfect engraver, and as good an officer as he is skillful and perfect in the various arts of which he is master. With no show of arrogance on account of his attainments, he fulfills his duties as a member of the DeWitt Guard as cheerfully and as consistent as he does any and all the duties of a good citizen, and an upright member of society. He was honored by the members of the Company by being elected in the first place to the vacancy occasioned by the promotion of the fourth Corporal; he bore his honor meekly, and by gradual promotion has reached the rank of third Sergeant.

Sacrificed his business for the sake of doing his duty as a soldier, and volunteered with the Company in the service of the United States in September, 1864, and most honorably did he serve the full term of his enlistment.

E. C. MARSH, Merchant, enlisted June 3d, 1863. Served honorably as Lieutenant in the United States army. We have been unable to procure his war history for publication.

W. H. HOYT, Tobacconist, enlisted June 3d, 1863. Furnished a good and acceptable subst.i.tute to represent him in the army, for which he paid one hundred dollars. Is engaged largely in the manufacture of cigars.

All who appreciate a good cigar, and who indulge in this luxury, should try the brand manufactured by our friend Hoyt.

L. P. KENNEDY, Merchant, enlisted June 9th 1863. We envy no man his task were he compelled to find, in this lower sphere, a more consistent, upright and generous man, or a more devoted, faithful and exemplary soldier, than Corporal L. P. Kennedy; always at the drills, invariably present at all parades, and never absent at the meetings of the Company.

He was represented in the United States army by a good and faithful subst.i.tute.

He is engaged in a general dry-good and fancy trade, and is receiving a liberal share of the public patronage.

E. M. LATTA, Turner, enlisted September 2d, 1863. Corporal Latta is one of the members that the Company, and all who feel an interest in its welfare, are greatly indebted to. One of the most punctual and regular attendants at all the meetings, drills and parades; so much so, that it is the remark of those present, when the Corporal is absent, that something serious is the matter. A finer soldier never shouldered a gun, a perfect gentleman, a splendid mechanic, and a citizen respected by all who know him. One of the best shots in the Company, invariably taking a prize at the target shoots. He volunteered and was mustered in the United States service with the Company in 1864. No more faithful or better soldier ever swore in the service, always ready to do any thing he was called upon, and many times did double duty to relieve others whom he thought not as well able to perform the labor as himself. The attachments formed by members of the Company while at Elmira, will long be remembered, and the name of Corporal Latta will stand high upon the list of those who rendered many kindnesses, and was always so willing to do any thing for his comrades that would tend in any way to meliorate their condition. He was detailed several times and sent with detachments of troops to the front, and in all his trips never lost a man. Served the full term of his enlistment and was honorably discharged.

JOHN SHAW, Student, (date of enlistment not recorded). A very active member; joined the Company when a mere boy and filled the position of marker. As soon as he was of suitable age and size, he shouldered his gun and became a regular member; he served well and faithfully until he left his home to attend college.

We believe it is his intention to devote himself to the ministry.

M. G. PHILLIPS, Blacksmith, enlisted September 2d, 1863. Mr. Phillips was an honored and respected member, a good soldier, and a conscientious man. He died December 26th, 1864.

FRED. GREENLY, Student, enlisted September 2d, 1863. A young man of fine attainments, and a splendid soldier. He served with the Company as long as he was a resident of the place.

Is now a Professor in the Military Academy at Eaglewood, New Jersey.

Received his first military education in this Company, and was under the instruction of Colonel K. S. Van Voorhees.

WILLIAM K. STANSBURY, Book-Keeper, enlisted September 2d, 1863. Served as marker in the Company until September, 1864, when he resigned.

FRANK PERRY, Confectioner, enlisted September 3d, 1863. Was a good member, and served faithfully until he removed from the district. Is now a resident of the city of Syracuse.

C. R. BALDWIN, Furniture Dealer, enlisted October 8th, 1863. Furnished a subst.i.tute who represented him with the Company in the United States service, for which he paid one hundred dollars. Is engaged in the most extensive Furniture trade of any establishment in the county.

JAMES PATTERSON, Cigar-Maker, enlisted October 8th, 1863. Served with the Company until he volunteered in the United States army. He was a good soldier, and received a number of promotions in the army. Was engaged in many battles, an account of which we are unable to give.

EUGENE E. BARNARD, Clerk, enlisted October 8th, 1863. Son of Professor M. R. Barnard, and nephew of John Barnard, the hero of Lookout Mountain.

By reason of his superior qualifications as a soldier, was honored by being elected Corporal, which office he now holds, and fulfills the duties required of him as such with perfect satisfaction. He volunteered with the Company in the U. S. service, and served his full time with honor. Was most a capital fellow in camp; always performed his duty well, and was honorably discharged with the Company on the expiration of their term of service. The Company can ill afford to lose Corporal Barnard.

JOHN C. CLEVELAND, Furniture Dealer, enlisted October 8th, 1863. Served but a short time.

LINUS S. MACKEY, Painter, enlisted March 5th, 1864. Mr. Mackey was a good soldier, as may be inferred from the fact of his promotion from the ranks of this Company to Sergeant of the Engineer Corps of the 50th Regiment.

He enlisted in the United States army August 6th, 1862, at Ithaca, and attached himself to Company D, 143d, New York Volunteers; was soon promoted to Sergeant. He served in the army until September 16th, 1863, at which time he was honorably discharged, by reason of disability from disease of the lungs contracted while in the army.

M. M. BROWN, Physician and Surgeon, enlisted March 7th, 1864. Doctor Brown joined this Company out of pure patriotic and christian motives, supposing that the government would accept the services of the Company when offered, which offer was twice tendered the government during the short time he was connected with the Company. Believing that they were not to be called upon to defend the honor and integrity of the country, the Doctor furnished an acceptable subst.i.tute, and was, by reason of his profession, relieved from further members.h.i.+p. The Doctor is engaged in a very successful practice in our village and is one of the Coroners of the county.

STEPHEN F. LEWIS, Artist, enlisted June 7th, 1864. Mr. Lewis is most an acceptable member. Is temporarily absent in the city of New York perfecting himself in his favorite art. He served with the Company through the Elmira campaign, and was a true soldier.

We hope our comrade will soon be again with us.

THEODORE DESCHNER, Gun-Smith, enlisted June 22d, 1864. Mr. Deschner was originally from Danzig, Prussia Proper; was engaged five years in the Prussian service; was promoted from the ranks to a non-commissioned line office, and again to Captain, and served as such from 1848 to 1850. He received a severe wound while bravely charging with his men in a sharply contested fight in the Province of Posen in 1849. From the effects of this wound Mr. Deschner has never recovered, and will, in all probability, be a sufferer during life. In 1850 he was engaged against the Austrians. In 1854 he was again called into the service of his country, but suffering so acutely from his wound he resigned his office and came to this country and located in the city of Rochester, where he resided seven years; here he organized a Rifle Company. Finally upon the urgent solicitation of a number of citizens of this place, he removed here in 1861, and has been engaged in the manufactory of Guns and Pistols. He has the reputation of doing the finest work of any mechanic engaged in his branch of trade in the State; constantly receiving orders from the Eastern States, and his Western customers have not forgotten him. Has constantly on hand an extensive a.s.sortment of Guns, Pistols and Fis.h.i.+ng Tackle.

Very soon after joining the DeWitt Guard, he was chosen Company Standard Bearer; later was appointed by Colonel Barto Regimental Gunner. Has been for the last three years Company Armorer, and all who have visited the Armory, and at all examined the guns and accoutrements, can testify to his qualifications for this office. He is probably one of the best, if not the best, marksmen in Tompkins County, always taking a prize at the target shoots of the Company.

Mr. Deschner is a very worthy, upright and honest citizen, and is well ent.i.tled to all the honors that have been bestowed upon him.

WALTER C. STEEL, Student, enlisted June 22d, 1864. Mr. Steel is a young man that commands the respect and esteem of all his acquaintances. He enlisted in this Company as musician, but he is at all times ready to perform any duty in a military way that he may be called upon to do. He is not only an expert with the drum, but few can excel him in the tactics, is perfectly familiar not only with all the calls with the drum, but can go through the drill equally well. He volunteered in the United States service with the Company, and well did he serve out the whole of his time; of all the musicians at Elmira none could compete with Mr. Steel. He is a young man of much promise, and the whole Company wish him great success in whatever profession he may adopt.

GEORGE R. WILLIAMS, Vice-President Merchants' & Farmers' National Bank, of Ithaca, enlisted July 13th, 1864. For a perfect sample of an honest, upright, conscientious, as well as active, energetic and successful young man, we produce Mr. Williams. Notwithstanding his official duties, he endeavors to be present at the drills and meetings, and is an invaluable member. He volunteered in the service of the General Government with the Company in 1864. They were soon deprived of his services, by reason of his being detailed as chief Clerk at Head-Quarters. He however remained with them in camp, frequently volunteering to appear with them on dress-parade and during inspections.

No man stood higher, or commanded more respect in Elmira, than Mr.

Williams.

H. E. SMITH, Clerk, enlisted August 29th, 1864. Discharged July 7th, 1865; served with the Company at Elmira.