



Produced by Moti Ben-Ari and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive/American Libraries.)







    HISTORY

    OF THE

    DEWITT GUARD,

    COMPANY A,

    50th Regiment National Guard,

    STATE OF NEW YORK.


    PUBLISHED BY THE COMPANY.


    ITHACA, N. Y.:
    ANDRUS, McCHAIN & CO., STEAM PRINTERS.
    1866.




PREFACE.


Our object in giving to the public a full, true, and concise history of
Company A, 50th Regiment National Guard, State of New York, better known
to the citizens of Ithaca as the DeWitt Guard, is to show as honorable a
record as can be produced by any similar organization--so far as the
membership of this Company was connected with the army and navy of the
United States during the late rebellion. We shall show that the total
membership of the Company from the time of its organization, in
December, 1851, to the present time, has been two hundred and two, of
which eighty-two served either in the army or navy during the war
against eighty-eight who did not; twenty-nine names appear on the
Company roll, of whom it is not known to the writer whether they were or
were not in the army, and nine who died previous to the war. We have
undertaken a brief personal history to each, which we believe will be
interesting to the reader.

We also wish to show that the Company has been, from the time of its
organization to the present, a self-supporting and self-sustaining
institution, until recently receiving nothing from the State but arms,
and that the individual members have contributed the sum of two thousand
seven hundred and twenty dollars and fifty-six cents, to which amount
should be added a liberal percentage for disbursements which do not
appear on Company records.

We propose to give the name of each member of the DeWitt Guard from its
organization, the date of his enlistment, his profession, with such
incidents as we think will be of interest to the reader, after which we
shall give the history of the Company collectively. There may be those
who have belonged to the Company whose names will not appear in these
pages. This must be attributed to the fact of their not signing the
muster-roll of the Company, as every name there recorded is introduced
in the following history.




HISTORY.


ARCH. H. MCNEIL, Merchant, enlisted November 5th, 1851. At the first
election of company officers McNeil was chosen second Lieutenant, which
position he honorably and creditably filled to the time of his death,
which occurred November 28th, 1855. To Lieutenant McNeil the Company
were much indebted. To him more than any other one man, belonged the
credit of organizing the Company.

He was loved, respected, and honored by both officers and men, and his
death caused a breach not easily repaired. Upon receiving intelligence
of his death, the Company were immediately called together and the
following resolutions unanimously adopted:

    _Resolved_, That in the death of Lieutenant A. H. McNeil the
    members of this Company have not only lost a commissioned
    officer in whom a zealous, lively and effective interest for the
    welfare of the Company always prevailed, but an officer whose
    military bearing commanded our respect, and a fellow soldier
    whose conduct and kindness has merited and won our esteem. That
    we deeply feel his loss, and mourn his untimely departure from
    our midst,

    _Resolved_, That we tender to the widow and relatives of our
    deceased officer our sincere condolence in this their great
    affliction.

    _Resolved_, That we accompany the remains of our late officer to
    the depot on the morrow, and that a delegation of seven men
    accompany his remains to the city of Auburn as an escort and
    attend his funeral.

    _Resolved_, That on all parades we will wear the usual badge of
    mourning for one year.

At a special meeting held on the return from Auburn of the escort which
accompanied the remains of Lieut. A. H. McNeil, and after hearing the
report of the officer commanding said escort, the following preamble and
resolutions were unanimously adopted:

    WHEREAS, An escort from this Company having been delegated to
    accompany and perform the last sad duties over the remains of
    our esteemed friend, Lieut. A. H. McNeil, at Auburn, and while
    there having met with reception and attention which ever
    characterize the true and tried friend and soldier, be it
    therefore

    _Resolved_, That to General Segoin and Colonel Jenkins, and
    their respective staffs, to the Auburn City Guard, Willard
    Guard, and to the delegation from other Companies, we as a
    Company return them our sincere and heartfelt thanks for the
    manner in which they cared for them, and the kindness with which
    they were every where greeted by them while there, and in the
    admirable arrangements for the funeral made at such short
    notice, and for the cheerful and handsome manner in which they
    were carried out; gratified as we are, words can only attempt a
    description of our feelings of the manner in which they
    alleviated our sorrows in the burial of our dead. And although
    the deceased had not resided among them for years, yet like us
    they appreciated his many virtues and remembered his uniform
    kindness to all, and when they but learned of his decease, their
    tears mingled with ours at our irreparable loss.

    _Resolved_, That in future, should it be possible for us to
    repay them in any manner that it will be forthcoming, feeling,
    as we do, that no sacrifice will be too great in attempting a
    return of their kindness in the hour of our affliction, and as
    individuals, as citizens and as soldiers, we hope that the
    choicest of Heaven's blessings may be theirs, and that their
    respective staffs and Companies may ever meet with prosperity.

GEORGE H. COLLINS, Merchant, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Mr. Collins
was permitted to serve but a short time as a member of the Company, as
he was selected by the Colonel and commissioned Adjutant of the
Regiment, which position he held for many years. Changing his residence
to the city of New York, his connection with the 50th Regiment was
dissolved.

BEN. B. WILCOX, Hotel keeper, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Served with
the Company but a short time; removed to Owego; was for a time
proprietor of the Ah-Wa-Ga House, but more recently of a hotel at
Saratoga Springs.

WILLIAM M. SMITH, Brewer, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Served but a
short time.

H. F. RANDOLPH, Shoe Merchant, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Mr. Randolph
had more than served his time, and reached the rank of Captain, in the
old militia before joining this organization. He was an officer of no
common attainments--prompt, active and generous. The interest he had
always manifested, and now felt, in military matters, compelled him to
join this new enterprise; he enlisted as a private, and is to this day
an honorary member of the Company. He has accompanied them on many an
excursion, and is always invested with the command of the honorary
members. The Captain has now attained the age of sixty-three years, and
is still as smart, hale and hearty as a lad of sixteen.

J. C. MCWHORTER, Merchant, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Remained but a
short time with the Company, but the soul-stirring strains of music, as
rendered by him on the snare drum while he was a member, will long be
remembered by those associated with him during his short military
experience.

FRED. S. LAMOUREUX, Musician, enlisted November 5th, 1851. Was a very
valuable member for a very short time; for while resting from the
fatigue of drill, Lamoureux always furnished the music for the _light
foot_ portion of the Company.

WILLIAM S. ALLEN, Carpenter, enlisted November 6th, 1851. Was a faithful
and exemplary member for a few years, and undoubtedly his connection
with this Company gave him the position he has honorably filled since
his removal from us--that of policeman in New York city. He was
consequently transferred as Sergeant from this Company to Sergeant of
police in that city.

K. MORRIS, Clothing Merchant, enlisted November 7th, 1851. Served but a
short time.

S. NEWMARK, Clothing Merchant, enlisted November 10th, 1851. Served
faithfully for a short time and was granted an honorable discharge.

J. G. CONRAD, Clerk, enlisted November 8th, 1851. Mr. Conrad faithfully
performed the duties of a member of this Company for a short time.

L. R. KING, Merchant, enlisted November 9th, 1851. At the time of the
organization of the Company, Mr. King was elected fourth Sergeant, and
by promotion filled each office up to first Lieutenant, and was in
command of the Company for some time. Lieutenant King, by his kind and
pleasing way, and the interest he ever manifested in the welfare of the
Company, commanded the respect and admiration of every man who served
under him. He held the commission of first Lieutenant from May 28th,
1856, to August 25th, 1862. Upon his resignation being accepted, he was
voted an honorary membership for life. He is one of the enterprising
firm of Treman, King & Co., large manufacturers. We believe that Mr.
King can look back upon the years spent in the DeWitt Guard as not
altogether unprofitable.

W. B. HATFIELD, Clerk, enlisted November 15th, 1851. Mr. Hatfield was a
good soldier; was in the employ of L. H. Culver, Esq.; retained his
connection with the Company and his employer until his removal to the
West.

SPENCE SPENCER, Book Merchant, enlisted November 15th, 1851. Retained
his membership but a short time, but with the liberality which was
always a prominent characteristic of Mr. Spencer, he donated to the
Company a complete uniform, which is the first recorded gift made to
the DeWitt Guard. He is still a citizen of Ithaca, and has of late
attached no small degree of honor to his name by publishing the book
entitled, "The Scenery of Ithaca."

L. MILLSPAUGH, dealer in Harness, Trunks, &c., enlisted November 15th,
1851. Mr. Millspaugh was an old soldier before joining this Company,
having held the commission of Lieut. Colonel in the old militia, issued
by Gov. Seward in 1842; but feeling a deep interest in the organization
of a new Company, enlisted as a private. On the 29th day of January,
1852, he was elected first Corporal, which position he held but a short
time, as he was gradually promoted until he had filled nearly all the
grades of non-commissioned offices. He always declined accepting a
commission, and when it seemed to be the unanimous wish of the Company,
his prompt reply was "No." He continued an invaluable member until long
after he had served his time, (seven years,) when he was granted an
honorable discharge. Our friend, by his emphatic "No," has not been as
successful, however, in a political way, he having repeatedly been
called to fill civil offices of honor and trust; and by his being
re-elected to most of the offices he has held, is in itself sufficient
to show his standing in the community in which he lives. Whether all
this would have been so, had he never joined the DeWitt Guard, we leave
for a discriminating public to judge.

J. B. TERRY, Merchant, enlisted November 15th, 1851. Mr. Terry filled
the office of Secretary of the Company for the first two years of its
existence. He was a good soldier, an exemplary and respected citizen,
and the community generally mourned his loss when he was removed by
death.

JEROME ROWE, Lawyer, enlisted November 18th, 1851. Some unhappy
misunderstanding caused the withdrawal of Mr. Rowe from the Company
during the early part of its history. He was untiring in his endeavors
to establish the organization, and the same energy and devotion which he
displayed at that time, has followed him thus far through life. He
filled the office of Special County Judge of Tompkins County, with honor
to himself and perfect satisfaction to the people. He entered the army
of the United States April 1st, 1861, was commissioned Captain of
Company A, 32d New York volunteers, same date, and served as such one
year.

HUGH MCDONALD, enlisted November 18th, 1851. Was elected Orderly
Sergeant Dec. 31st of the same year, which position he filled as long as
he was a resident of the village. McDonald was a soldier of much
experience, having served in the Mexican war, where he became perfectly
familiar with the duties pertaining to the soldier in the field. As a
drill-master he was not excelled, and under his instruction the Company
soon became very proficient in the manual of arms, and school of the
soldier and Company. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he enlisted in a
Pennsylvania Regiment, was very soon promoted to Captain, and again to
Major. We should be glad to give a full history of his life through the
war, but have been unable to obtain it. This much we can say, he was a
patriotic citizen, a true soldier, and a faithful officer.

N. H. CURTIS, Upholsterer, enlisted November 19th, 1851. Was long
connected with the Company; filled the posts of Corporal and Sergeant.
After a long residence in our village, he removed to the West, where he
survived but a few years.

DANIEL PLACE, Jeweler, enlisted November ---- 1851. Mr. Place joined the
Company in order that the number required by law might be secured, so as
to enable them to proceed with the election of officers. He never served
as an active member.

LUCIUS F. PEASE, Painter, enlisted November 20th, 1851. Mr. Pease well
and faithfully performed the duties required of him as a member of the
DeWitt Guard for the full term of his enlistment, (seven years,) and was
granted an honorable discharge. He is still living in Ithaca, an
industrious mechanic, and a good citizen.

CHRISTOPHER WHALEY, Druggist, enlisted November 21, 1851. Was discharged
on Surgeon's certificate soon after his enlistment.

WILLIAM GLENNY, Clerk, enlisted November 21st, 1851. December 31st was
elected fourth Corporal; March 3d, 1853, was elected Secretary, which
office he most creditably filled, as the records of the Company show, up
to January, 1857; was elected fourth Sergeant Jan. 14th, 1857; May 17th,
1861, second Sergeant, which office he held at the time of his
enlistment in the United States army.

The subject of this sketch reflects great credit upon the Company to
which he formerly belonged, and in the perilous hour honored his
constituency, as well as himself, to a degree unparalleled in the
history of the Rebellion. Having in his former life been a warm and
ardent supporter of the inalienable rights of man, and an exponent of a
free government, the first attempt by traitors to destroy its fair
fabric, bought by the blood of our fathers, and to trample under foot
the time-honored and beloved emblem of our free and independent
nationality, so enraged his sense of right and justice, that he at once
expressed his determination to fulfill his public declarations to the
effect, that when traitors should thrust the bayonet at the nation's
life, he would be found among those who were willing to peril their
lives in its defence.

Being met with opposition and the remonstrance of friends, that there
were single men, and those more inured to hardship, sufficient for the
emergency, whose duty it was to go first, his plans were for a time
delayed, and until a second or third reverse of our arms, when he could
no longer be restrained, went earnestly at work, and by his persistent
efforts succeeded in raising a sufficient number of volunteers for the
basis of a Company; which, by authority of the commandant of the Elmira
rendezvous, in accordance with orders from the Adjutant General of the
State, was organized at Ithaca Sept. 10th, 1861, and by him conducted to
Elmira, where, by a unanimous vote of the Company, he was elected its
Captain, and so commissioned by Gov. Seymour, commission bearing date
Sept. 13th, 1861.

Captain Glenny then went earnestly at work and recruited his Company to
the minimum standard, and by vote of its members united its destinies
with the 64th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, commanded by Col. Thomas J.
Parker.

On the 10th of December the Regiment moved to Washington, and a month
later crossed the Potomac and camped with the main army three miles west
of Alexandria, and was brigaded under General O. O. Howard, who
commanded the first Brigade, first Division, second Corps. Early in the
spring of 1862, the Brigade moved one week in advance of the main army
for the purpose of repairing the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. A short
distance beyond Fairfax Station signs of the enemy were discovered, and
for safety to the command, two Companies from the 64th, under command of
Captain Glenny, (his own being one of the number) were sent some
considerable distance to the front as an extreme outpost. Here the first
blood of the opening campaign was drawn by shooting a rebel scout by one
of Captain Glenny's men.

The main army soon after advanced to the famous fields of Manassas, but
only to find the enemy beating a hasty retreat, leaving every
conceivable ruin in their track.

At this juncture the army changed its base to the Peninsula and
Chickahominy swamps, where, after the siege of Yorktown, and on the
first of June, was fought the terrific battle of Fair Oaks, in which
Captain Glenny, while leading his men in a charge, received a wound,
which, for a time, was thought to be mortal, a minnie ball passing
through his left shoulder.

In about two months he again returned to his command, but so disabled
that he was detached on recruiting service and stationed at Elmira;
after which he returned to the army, and after nearly another year's
campaign, was, in accordance with orders, again detached at Elmira on
service connected with the draft. After being relieved from this duty,
he rejoined his command, with which he served until the close of the
war.

Owing to circumstances beyond his control, he served near two and a half
years as Captain without promotion, after which in rapid succession he
received the different grades of Major, Lieut. Colonel and Colonel, but
was unable to muster into the latter grade by reason of insufficiency of
numbers in the Regiment. This was, however, in part recompensed for, as
after the smoke of battle and the clash of arms had ceased, and honors
were conferred upon "whom honor was due," Captain Glenny had two grades
by brevet conferred upon him by the President, that of Brevet Colonel
and Brevet Brigadier General, for gallant and meritorious
services--honors which he modestly and unassumingly wears, but of which
he may justly be proud.

From the time of his entry into the service until the close of the war,
near four years, (except while suffering from wounds and on detached
service,) General Glenny fought traitors with unrelenting fidelity to
principle and the inalienable rights of man.

The number of decisive battles of which he may claim to be hero, and in
which he had the honor to bare his breast to the bayonet and bullet, are
twenty-two; six of them being bayonet charges and direct assaults upon
the enemy and their fortifications. Among the principal of these battles
may be placed Fair Oaks, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Po River,
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, Petersburg,
Gravelly Run, Southside Road, Farmville, Reams Station, &c. The Regiment
fought in upwards of thirty-three. General Glenny's superior officers
being wounded, he was invested with the command of the Regiment on the
battle-field of Spottsylvania, which command he retained until the close
of the war, except at different periods, by seniority of rank, he
commanded a Brigade. At the battle of Ream's Station he took command of
the Brigade which he retained for some considerable time, as so fierce
had been the campaign that but one other field officer was left for duty
in the Brigade comprising seven Regiments. Had we time and space, many
acts of personal bravery and valorous deeds might be accredited to this
officer during his brief career of warfare, as