Part 8 (2/2)
Bruyn, resigned, and Charles F. Blood second Lieutenant, in place of A.
H. McNeil, deceased.
Wednesday June 11th, 1856. The Willard Guard of Auburn, accompanied by Scott's Cornet Band of Rochester, arrived on an excursion to Ithaca.
When nearing the dock they were saluted with twenty-one guns from the DeWitt Guard, and received by them accompanied by the entire Fire Department of the village, and were escorted through the princ.i.p.al streets to their quarters at the Clinton House. They were there welcomed by an appropriate speech from J. H. Selkreg, Esq. William Shapcott, of the Willard Guard, returning thanks on behalf of their Company to the soldiers, Fire Department and citizens, for the cordial manner in which they had been received. The Willard Guard paraded during the forenoon of the following day, and at five o'clock P. M. were escorted to the Park by the DeWitt Guard, where they were drilled in the different evolutions of military tactics with great credit to themselves. On Friday morning the DeWitt Guard again paraded and escorted their visitors to the Steamboat Landing. After a few speeches, a great rivalry was kept up between the two Companies for the last cheer, but amid the clattering of drums it was impossible to tell which succeeded.
September 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th, the Company were encamped at Dryden; on Friday they were reviewed by General Segoine and staff of Auburn. The encampment pa.s.sed off with perfect harmony, and without any thing to mar the good feeling which prevailed throughout. Tuesday, December 10th, the Company escorted the remains of their late member, Sergeant James C.
McClune, to their last resting place. February 24th, upon invitation of the Pioneers of Tompkins County, the Company paraded and escorted that body through the princ.i.p.al streets of the village. September 15th target shoot. October 13th the Company were inspected at Goodwin's Falls by Adjutant George H. Collins. Upon invitation of the President of the Tompkins County Horticultural Society, the Company paraded and attended their Fair, June 3d, 1858. Upon invitation of the Tompkins Blues, the Company visited Trumansburg and joined in celebrating the Fourth day of July. A very pleasant entertainment was provided by the citizens of that place. July 21st the Company visited Owego, and were agreeably entertained by the citizens; returned the same evening.
August 17th, 1858, the Company paraded in honor of the _successful laying_ of the Atlantic Cable. August 31st, upon invitation of the Ithaca Fire Department, joined with them in procession, and escorted Cayuga Hose Company No. 4, of Auburn, to the Clinton House.
”The DeWitt Guard, accompanied by Whitlock's celebrated Cornet Band and several invited guests, left Ithaca at 7 o'clock A. M., July 12th, 1859, on an excursion to our neighboring city of Auburn, and to enjoy one of the _pleasantest trips ever experienced_ by any Company of soldiers. The Company mustered two Lieutenants, three color-bearers and twenty-five men. The smiles of Heaven seemed to be upon us, and every thing seemed given to _conduce to our happiness_. It was indeed a lovely sight as we floated down the beautiful Cayuga, which lay sleeping between the banks of those n.o.ble hills, decked in nature's verdant garb. It would have been a lovely scene for some artist to sketch in glowing colors; but no artist could touch so tenderly the points with which nature has adorned them.
We arrived in the beautiful city at half-past twelve, amid the thundering voice of artillery. Were received by the three military Companies of the city, and were escorted by them through the princ.i.p.al streets to our Head-Quarters White's Exchange. After a capital dinner, we were marched to Fort Hill Cemetery to visit the grave of our lamented Lieutenant, A. H. McNeil; an hour was spent in that beautiful cemetery.
In the evening we _were entertained_ at the residence of Mayor B. F.
Hall, which entertainment pa.s.sed off to the perfect _satisfaction of all present_. Wednesday morning were called together at ten o'clock, and accepted an invitation of the Military Committee to visit the Prison and Insane Asylum.
In the afternoon the Auburn Companies, together with the DeWitt Guard, paraded for nearly two hours, after which each Company was practiced in the Battalion movements; the DeWitt Guard taking the lead. Each Company displayed a thorough discipline in military tactics, the movements being of almost mathematical precision. In the evening the Company were the guests of Doctor Willard, and was splendidly entertained at his beautiful residence on Genesee street. The Doctor is a model gentleman; truly did we enjoy his hospitality. From his residence we were marched to that of Captain Dodge of the Willard Guard, where a splendid reception was given in honor of the DeWitt Guard. Here we were honored with the society of some of Auburn's fairest daughters, their influence on us being such as (in the language of our worthy Chaplain, Rev. W. C.
Steel) to make some _willing captives_. The Company returned late in the evening to their Head-Quarters, highly pleased with their evening's entertainments. Thursday morning the Company was marched to some of the princ.i.p.al residences, paying our compliments to those of whom we had been the honored guests the evening previous. The hour of two P. M.
having arrived, the time for our departure, we were escorted to the Depot by the military Companies together with many citizens. Hon. A.
Wells extending our thanks to the soldiers and citizens of Auburn, for the kindness shown us during our visit with them. Rev. Mr. Steel following in a few beautiful and appropriate remarks, during which tears were seen to fall from the eyes of some of the soldiery. We had won many friends; the hour of separation had arrived; nothing could be more expressive than the falling of a tear, the utterance of the soul, simple yet unexpressed; no language could be more eloquent. We entered the cars amid many cheers, having had proof that pleasures enjoyed excel pleasures antic.i.p.ated.
After a pleasant return trip on the lake, we were much surprised to find our own good citizens in large numbers, together with a Company of Cavalry and the entire Fire Department, at the landing ready to receive us, and escort us to our homes. We were received with a beautiful and eloquent speech by Marcus Lyon, Esq., which was responded to by our Chaplain, Rev. W. C. Steel. Were marched through the princ.i.p.al streets to our Armory, highly pleased with our trip. Long will this excursion be remembered by the DeWitt Guard; our _hearts_ having been united to the soldiers and _people_ of Auburn by those bonds of friends.h.i.+p which time shall never efface.”
JOHN C. HAZEN, Secretary.
The 50th Regiment National Guard, consisting of Company A, Captain P. J.
Partenheimer, Company D, of Trumansburgh, Captain Belnap, and Company I, of Havanna, Captain Mulford, the Regiment commanded by Colonel H. A.
Dowe, encamped at Ithaca, September 5th, 1859. On Friday were inspected by General Segoine, of Auburn, and Adjutant Van Voorhees, of Ithaca. The weather was fine during the encampment, every thing pa.s.sed off pleasant and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Long will Camp Burnett be remembered by the members of the DeWitt Guard. January 4th, 1860, Colonel A. E. Mather was elected a member of this Company, but was never mustered in. June 4th, 1861, the Company paraded and escorted the Dryden Volunteers to the Depot.
July 3d the Company was presented with a handsome stand of colors by Sergeant John C. Hazen. April 2d, 1861, the Company tendered their services to the General Government. August 6th, 1862, escorted volunteers to the Depot; three hearty cheers were given by the members of the DeWitt Guard, for those of their number who had volunteered in the service of their country. September 28th attended the funeral of Lieutenant Marsh, at McLean, who was killed in the army. October 28th, 1862, were inspected at Trumansburg. December 3d Captain Blood introduced the Bayonet Drill. February 22d, 1863, was celebrated by the Company by a parade, and a supper in the evening at the Clinton House.
March 19th attended the funeral of Peter J. Hausner, a soldier who died from disease contracted while in the army. June 17th, 1863, the Company the second time offered their services to the Government. June 22d the Company paraded in honor of the returning volunteers, and escorted them through the streets of our village. July 1st attended the funeral of Lieutenant Avery, at Farmerville, who was killed in the army. Celebrated the 4th day of July, 1863, by an excursion to Long Point, at which place the Company engaged in target practice with both muskets and artillery.
Annual parade, inspection and review at Ithaca, October 21st, 1863. Were inspected by General William Glenny and Colonel H. A. Dowe, since promoted to Brigadier General. The Company had another target practice same day. Was.h.i.+ngton's Birth-day, February 22d, 1864, was celebrated by a parade and supper in the evening at Gregory's. April 25th, 1864, the Company for the third time offered their services to the General Government. July 4th paraded and had target practice. Aug. 28th, the Co.
was accepted by the Gen'l Gov't for 100 days' service at Elmira.
(_By B. R. W., Secretary._)
SEPT. 2D, 1864.--The Company a.s.sembled at the Armory at 6 o'clock, A.
M., with tears in their eyes and carpet-sacks in hand, to march for Elmira. Headed by their gallant Captain, they proceeded silently to the Depot, where the parting was truly heart-rending, and the Secretary, in order to hide his feelings, was forced to take refuge in a freight car, and solace himself with a fresh chew of _Mike Wick's best_. The voyage was safely performed, the only cause of complaint being the _rye_ treatment which some of the men received at Willseyville.
The grand entree at Elmira was made at about two o'clock, P. M., where we were received in behalf of the United States by the brilliant and das.h.i.+ng Captain Colby, of the 58th, by whom, a.s.sisted by Drum-Major Robinson's justly celebrated martial band, we were escorted to Barracks No. 1.
On entering the portals of this haven of rest, our ears were saluted with cries of _Fresh Fish_. Our inexperienced eyes searched eagerly on every side for this delectable delicacy, but we failed to discover it.
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