The call for troops which followed the commencement of hostilities, received a hearty response from the inhabitants of Canandaigua—the loveliest of our western Villages. The Stars and Stripes were flung to the breeze from the Old Court House, and the building turned into a recruiting station. Charles Sanford was the first one to enroll his name. Ninety-three others were added in the course of a few days to the list. On the 28th of April the following officers were elected:
- Captain—J. R. Cutler.
- First Lieutenant—Stephen T. Duel.
- Second Lieutenant—Samuel A. Barras.
Gideon Granger, Esq., Henry G. Chesebro and other prominent citizens, interested themselves in the Company, and aided materially in completing its organization. The ladies of the place, likewise, contributed very much to the comfort and enjoyment of the men, by furnishing them with ample supplies of clothing, manufactured under the auspices of the Relief Society. The Company was encamped on the beautiful and spacious Fair Grounds, east of the village, where several hours were devoted daily to drilling. On the 10th of May it took its departure for Elmira, 99 strong, where it became Co. D of the Thirty-third.
COMPANY E.
Inspired with the common feeling of patriotism which everywhere suddenly manifested itself during the month of April, ’61, the inhabitants of Geneseo, Livingston County, immediately adopted measures for raising their quota of men for the war. A public meeting was called at the American Hotel, enrolling papers produced, and several recruits secured. A second meeting was soon after held in the Town-hall, and during the week a third convened at the same place. Hon. Wm. H. Kelsey, Messrs. E. R. Hammond, John Rorbach, H. V. Colt and Jas. T. Norton, Editor of the Geneseo Republican, were prominent movers in the matter.
A company consisting of thirty-four was immediately raised, and volunteered in response to the call for seventeen thousand troops from New York State. They were not accepted at first. The organization was, however, continued, and the men went into camp on the fair ground, tents being furnished them. The Agricultural Buildings were also placed at their disposal. When the order was issued at Albany requiring the maximum number of each company accepted to be seventy-four, the list of recruits was increased to that figure, and the company accepted. On the 4th of May it was mustered into the State Volunteer service for two years, by Col. Maxwell. The election for officers had resulted as follows:
- Captain—Wilson B. Warford.
- 1st Lieutenant—Moses Church.
- 2nd Lieutenant—John Gummer.
Large numbers of spectators were attracted to the Fair Grounds to witness the drill of the men in infantry tactics, to which several hours were devoted daily. On the ninth of May the mustering papers were received from Albany, accompanied with marching orders. The Company did not leave, however, until the 15th, nearly a week afterwards. Prior to its departure a splendid battle flag was received from Company A, Fifty-ninth Regiment, N. Y. S. Militia, Sidney Ward, Esq., making the presentation remarks, and Taylor Scott, Esq., replying in behalf of the Company. The citizens of the place also presented Captain Warford with an elegant silver-mounted revolver. Leaving in the morning, amidst much enthusiasm, the Company reached Elmira on the afternoon of the same day, and soon afterward became Co. E, Thirty-third N. Y.