COMPANY I.

Immediately after the President’s proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers reached Penn Yan, a meeting was called at Washington Hall. General A. F. Whitaker presided, and George R. Cornwell was Secretary. Several addresses were made, and the session continued till a late hour. A roll was presented, and thirty-four names obtained.

On Thursday evening, April 25th, a much larger gathering was held, bands of music parading the streets and playing patriotic airs. Resolutions were adopted to raise a company of volunteers, and recruits came forward freely. After the County Union assembly on Saturday, April 27th, the Finance Committee appointed at that meeting, Messrs. E. B. Jones, C. C. Sheppard, D. A. Ogden, and F. Holmes, circulated a subscription to raise funds to provide for the families of volunteers.

On the ninth day of May, 1861, the Company, which at this time was known as the “Kenka Rifles,” was inspected by Major John E. Bean, of Geneva, and mustered into the State service. On the same day an election was held for officers, resulting as follows:

The Company continued to drill under its officers until receiving orders to go into camp at Elmira, on the 18th of May. On that day the Company departed, being escorted to the Railroad Depot by the firemen and citizens. A large concourse was assembled, and the ladies of Penn Yan presented a beautiful flag to the Company, which was addressed by Hon. D. A. Ogden and Mr. E. B. Jones. Each member was also presented with a Testament. Up to this period every effort had been made by the citizens of Penn Yan and vicinity to assist in its organization and contribute to the success of the command. This patriotic zeal extended to all classes, but to none more than to the ladies, who rendered every assistance and attention to the men. On their arrival at Elmira they were quartered in Rev. T. K. Beecher’s church, and on the 24th May became Company I of the Thirty-third Regiment of New York State Volunteers. On the 3rd July, 1861, it was mustered into the United States service by Captain Sitgreaves, and from that time its history became identified with that of the Regiment.