November 15th he started on the Georgia campaign, and participated in the siege of Savannah from December 11th until December 21st, when together with the color-bearer of the 102d New York, he hoisted the old flag upon the City Hall in Savannah. January 27th, 1865, started on the Carolina campaign. Was engaged in the skirmishes at Edisto River, Lexington Court House, S. C, and Averysboro, N. C. Arrived at Goldsboro, N. C, April 1st, 1865. Was present at the capture of Raleigh on the 14th of April.
On the 30th of April, the war having virtually closed by the surrender of Generals Lee and Johnson, Sergeant Barnard, with his Regiment, started homeward, arriving in Alexandria, Virginia, May 19th. Took part in the Grand Review at Washington, May 24th, and on June 9th was mustered out of the United States service.
Sergeant Barnard was engaged in fourteen battles, besides numerous skirmishes, which, in times previous to the late war, would have been considered battles of much account.
Suffering all the dangers, exposures and deprivations of the Georgia and Carolina campaigns, our Sergeant was never a day from his Regiment, unless detailed for special duty. He made every mile of the whole march on foot, carrying a burden that every American soldier knows is enough to break down the constitution of almost any ordinary man.
No soldier ever enlisted in the service of his country, who is deserving of more honor than Sergeant John Barnard.
Remember, you that staid at home and experienced none of the trials and deprivations of war, those who sacrificed their health, their lives and their all for you, as well as every other citizen of this great Republic.
HISTORY OF THE COMPANY.
The DeWitt Guard was organized in 1851, and the first regular meeting was held December 31st. At this meeting a series of By-Laws were adopted, very many of which are in operation at the present time, although there is not at the present time a single person connected with the organization who at that time was a member.