P. B. Wager, Lawyer, enlisted January 5th, 1859. Remained with the Company until he enlisted in the service of his country. No young man ever started in life with a more brilliant prospect than did Mr. Wager; had but a short time previous to his enlistment in the United States army been admitted to the bar, and had commenced the practice of Law with very marked success. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company I, 32d New York Volunteers, and received a Lieutenancy, which commission he held until the time of his death. He died in camp, and his remains were forwarded to his home and buried with military honors by this Company, assisted by the entire Fire Department of the village. Lieutenant Wager was a patriotic soldier and a courageous officer.
D. A. McKay, Cigar Manufacturer, enlisted May 12th, 1859. Served as a member of this Company until his enlistment in the United States army. Was soon commissioned Lieutenant, and faithfully served until the close of the war. We have been unable to collect as full a history of Lieutenant McKay as we would have been glad to have given; but we are able to say, however, that his war history was an honorable one, and he has a lasting claim upon his fellow citizens for gallant services rendered his country during the hour of her peril.
C. C. Greenly, Merchant, enlisted September 27th, 1859. But a very short period of time elapsed between his enlistment and the time when he was duly confirmed fourth Corporal of Company A. Step by step he advanced until commissioned a Lieutenant by Gov. Fenton, which commission he now holds. Each office he has filled most honorably, and no member stands higher in the estimation of the Company to-day than Lieut. Greenly. While serving in the army, he performed the duties that devolved upon him in a manner that would have been highly creditable to an officer of many years experience.
It was the pleasure of the writer to be associated with Lieut. Greenly and others who were in charge of a detail of men whose destination was the Head-Quarters of Gen. Grant at City Point, and too much credit cannot be awarded the Lieutenant for the care with which he guarded his men, turning over to the authorities at City Point every man of his command, while others would be short five or six, and sometimes many more; all in his charge were either drafted men, substitutes, or deserters. The writer most thoroughly appreciated the company of Lieut. Greenly in that expedition, and wishes to acknowledge many favors shown him.
It may be supposed by many that the duties of the members of the DeWitt Guard at Elmira were not very arduous; but in this particular instance we know the contrary to be the case. Aside from the regular camp duties, (which a portion of the time were very severe,) the Lieutenant carried on an extensive correspondence, the satisfactory termination of which resulted in the marriage of our respected officer soon after his return from the field.
W. F. Finch, Merchant, enlisted May 1st, 1860. During nearly six years of membership, we find Mr. Finch marked absent from the drills but three or four times—surely a good introduction. Not only in attendance, however, was he regular and punctual, but in every other duty required of him as a member of the Company. So particular was he not to be in arrears on the Company's books, that we believe there was not six months of his membership that the Company were not indebted to him for dues and taxes paid in advance. He enjoyed the exercise of the drill, and became perfectly familiar with the tactics and evolutions; took great pride in being a good soldier. Against his wishes he was elected Corporal, and by various promotions reached the position of second Sergeant. A little more than a year ago we were deprived of the pleasure of the further direct membership of our respected Sergeant, by the interposition of our esteemed Colonel, H. D. Barto, who, discovering in him a man with the qualifications of a perfect soldier, appointed him to a position on his staff, which, after due consideration, he accepted. Still he retains his membership in the Company so far as paying his dues are concerned. He is a member of the firm of Morrison, Hawkins & Finch, the leading Dry-Goods House of the place.
Edgar M. Finch, Book-Keeper, enlisted June 6th, 1860. Is brother of Sergeant W. F. Finch, and the same must be said in his case, so far as holding office is concerned, with one exception. He has filled every non-commissioned office —is now Orderly Sergeant. He served with his Company during their term of enlistment in the United States army. No better soldier can be found, not even in the regular army, than Sergeant Finch. The most regular attendant at the drills, meetings and parades, of any member ever connected with the Company. As will be noticed, he enlisted over six years ago, and during that time has never paid a fine. He is one of the most unassuming, yet one of the noblest and most generous young men of Ithaca.
John C. Heath, Wholesale and Retail Grocer, enlisted September 4th, 1860.
We know of no one who has devoted more time, or distributed more money to build up, keep in existence and sustain the military organizations of the day, than Quartermaster Heath. Whatever he becomes interested in, either in a military or business way, he invariably drives to a successful termination. In the organization of the Regiment he took an active part, and we know Colonel Barto must feel under great indebtedness to him for rendering invaluable assistance in organizing and mustering in the service many of the new Companies.
While connected with the Company he was one of its best members and warmest supporters; and although at the present time in no way directly connected with them as a Company, he still manifests a deep interest in its prosperity. His first office was fourth Corporal, from which he was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant upon the non-commissioned staff of Col. H. A. Dowe, (since promoted to Brigadier General.) Upon the reorganization of the Regiment, he accepted the commission of Quartermaster upon the staff of Colonel Barto, which he now holds, the duties of which for the past year and a half have been onerous, having distributed to the various Companies of the Regiment all their arms, clothing and other equipage, besides performing other duties not directly in the line of his office. The officers, as well as the men of the 50th Regiment, owe Quartermaster Heath a debt of gratitude, which we are led to believe will only be cancelled by their continuing to sustain and keep alive the interest they have recently manifested in their Companies, and make the Regiment one of the best in the State.