(Contributed by Capt. B. R. W.)
Joseph Esty, Jr., Clerk, enlisted Sept. 26th, 1855, and was elected Secretary of the Company January 14, 1857. July 28th, 1858, he was first put in the line of promotion by being elected fourth Corporal, and so great was his popularity with the Company, and his knowledge of tactics, that within a trifle over four years from the time of his receiving his chevron as fourth Corporal, he was elected and received his commission as second Lieutenant, (Aug. 25th, 1862,) having filled nearly if not all of the intermediate positions. During the Elmira campaign he was with the Company, steadily refusing to accept of any better fare or accommodations, than the men under his charge received.
While at Barracks No. 1, he invariably accompanied his men to the mess house, and prevented many impositions which officers in charge were in the habit of practicing upon soldiers who were obliged to take their rations in that unsavory institution. While the Company were on duty at the rebel prison, no officer did his duty more cheerfully and strictly. He was never known to plead illness to avoid his turn, and the writer of this sketch has, on more than one occasion, known him to take the turn of other officers who plead illness, when he himself was not fit for duty. On one occasion he attended the officer's drill of the Regiment when he was hardly able to leave his tent, and upon the fact being reported to the Colonel, he was peremptorily ordered to his Quarters, to gain the rest which he would not take voluntarily.
No officer in the Regiment stood higher in the estimation of both officers and men, than did Lieut. Esty; and such was the respect of his own Company for him, that upon their return home and the promotion of Captain Blood to the position he now occupies, Lieut. Esty was (Dec. 26th, 1864) elected Captain.
His reluctance to accept the position, showed that he had no aspirations to rise in rank above his fellows, and it was only upon the urgent entreaties of the officers of the Regiment, and his intimate friends, that he was induced to accept the honor thus thrust upon him; and we venture to say, without any fear of detracting from the worthy merits of his predecessors, that no officer has given more time and money to advance the interest of the Company, than has he—a large proportion of the target prizes for the past two years having been procured by him. At the meeting for target practice August 15th, 1865, Captain Esty was presented by the Company with a splendid sword and belt, which cost about $120. The Captain was taken completely by surprise, as he had received no hint of the matter, and his overcharged feelings prevented him from making known to the Company how highly he prized the gift; but his pleasure at receiving was not greater than the happiness of the donors, in thus having an opportunity of demonstrating their feelings toward him.
The beautiful Armory and Drill-Room now occupied by the Company, are mainly due to his indefatigable efforts.
One prominent feature in the history of the Company, and one which we fear the historian may, from feelings of delicacy, omit, was the splendid supper given, soon after the return of the Company from Elmira, by Captain Esty and lady—an entertainment which was a high testimonial of the Captain's generosity, and the skill and hospitality of Mrs. Esty. The supper will long be remembered by the happy participants.
Captain Esty, in civil life, is no less esteemed than as a soldier, having been for a number of years the confidential clerk and book-keeper in the extensive Leather establishment of Hon. E. S. Esty, an establishment which owes its success in no small degree to his energetic and business qualities.
Charles Hausner, Carpenter, enlisted October 6th, 1855. Served his full time in the Company. Enlisted Sept. 10th, 1861, in the United States army, in which he served until the 6th day of Sept., 1862, when he was honorably discharged by reason of being totally unserviceable on account of wounds received while in the army. He participated in the battle of Fair Oaks, and received in that one engagement six wounds, while his clothes were pierced by fourteen bullets of the enemy. Probably no soldier ever received the same number of wounds and lived. Upon his return home he was elected Captain of Company E, 50th Regiment National Guard.
A. T. Jarvis, Clerk, enlisted March 19th, 1856. Was a member but a short time.