COMPANY F.
On the afternoon of Friday, April 19th, 1861, a brief telegram was received at the village of Nunda, from Gen. Fullerton, inquiring if “Nunda could furnish a Company under the call of the President for 75,000 men.” A meeting was immediately convened that evening, F. Gibbs, Esq., presiding. After brief speeches from the Chairman and others, volunteers were called for from among the audience, mostly made up of young men. Twenty-eight immediately stepped forward and entered their names upon the enlistment roll. On the succeeding Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings, meetings were again held, and enough more recruits secured to form a Company. Messrs. Skinner, Dickinson and Grover were appointed a Committee to superintend its organization. The citizens generously received volunteers into their homes, and provided for them while perfecting themselves in drill.
The ladies were, in the meantime, employed in manufacturing various articles for their comfort during the career on which they were about to enter. A relief fund was also raised for the support of such families as would be left dependent. On the 6th of May the Company was mustered by Maj. Babbitt, and the following were elected officers.
- Captain—James M. McNair.
- 1st Lieutenant—George T. Hamilton.
- 2nd Lieutenant—Henry G. King.
Capt. McNair immediately proceeded to Albany, and procured the acceptance of the officers and men, the time of their service to date from May 13th. This intelligence was received at Nunda with all the enthusiasm which would now attend the reception of the news of a great victory.
The citizens turned out en masse to witness and participate in the exercises connected with the departure of the Company for the place of rendezvous. After music, prayer and the delivery of an address to the little band by the Rev. Mr. Metcalf, a revolver was bestowed upon Lieut. King by the Society of B. B. J., also one on Sergeant Hills, by Leander Hills, Esq. Each member of the Company was likewise provided with a Testament by Rev. Mr. Metcalf and John E. McNair, Esq. Miss Mary Linkletter then stepped forward and presented, on behalf of the ladies of the village, a silk flag, which was received by Captain McNair. The brass band and fire companies headed the escorting procession to the depot. Reaching Elmira on the 18th of May, the men were quartered on Lake Street, and, on becoming Co. F, Thirty-third N. Y., at the barracks.
COMPANY G,
Known as the Buffalo Company, was raised in that city, immediately succeeding the fall of Sumter. Fired with the patriotic zeal which everywhere exhibited itself during that eventful period, the inhabitants of the city put forth every exertion to raise volunteers for the Republic. Of the many companies organized, none were composed of better material, or presented a more martial appearance, than this. T. B. Hamilton, Esq., who has since become Lieutenant Colonel of the Sixty-Second New York Regiment, superintended its organization. Volunteers flocked to the recruiting station, and in a few days after the books were opened, seventy-seven names were enrolled. The Company was named the Richmond Guards, after Dean Richmond, Esq., of Batavia, and received many flattering attentions from the city. The requisite number of men being obtained, the election of officers was held, which resulted as follows:
- Captain—T. B. Hamilton.
- First Lieutenant—A. E. Eustapheive.
- Second Lieutenant—I. V. Germain.
A few days later it departed for Elmira, when it became Co. G of the Thirty-third.