J. B. Terry was elected the first Secretary, and George H. Collins Treasurer, with Stephen Brewer and Loren Day as Directors.
At that time the law permitted the Companies to have a certain number of supernumeraries, and at the second regular meeting, F. Reed Dana, W. G. Maurice, Isaac Tichenor, Julius M. Adsley, Dana Fox, E. M. Marshall, John Rumsey, George McChain and S. B. Covert, were duly elected supernumeraries. The first out of doors drill took place in the Park, June 23d, and lasted two hours. The 4th day of July was duly observed by the Company: a parade, at which the Company did their first street firing, and a dinner at Colonel Seymour's Ithaca Hotel, constituted the festivities of the day. At the regular meeting, September 2d, 1852, a note was given to Colonel Millspaugh for fifty dollars, this being the amount he advanced to pay the Armorer's bill. On Thursday morning, September 23d, the drum beat at five o'clock, which warned the citizens of the near approach of the departure of Captain Partenheimer's Company, not for the seat of war, but for their first encampment at Goodwin's Falls. At 9 o'clock the life-like engine "Lackawanna," with a modesty becoming the Company to whom she belonged, introduced the Company to his honor "William E. Dodge," who safely landed his "precious load of freight" soon after at Goodwin's Landing. After a march of about three miles, to the music of Canham's Brass Band, the camp-ground was reached; tents were soon pitched, colors were hoisted, and at one P. M. were ready for our first rations; at two P. M. of the same day the Company paraded for the first time upon a camp-ground. The Company remained in camp one week.
Thursday November 25th, 1852, by proclamation of the Governor, was observed as a day of Thanksgiving. This being the day designated by the fair ones of our village for the presentation of the Banner to our Company, Captain Partenheimer's orders were responded to by a prompt and full corps. Upon being drawn up in line in front of the Clinton House, Hon. S. B. Cushing, on behalf of the Ladies, in a few appropriate remarks, presented the Banner. Our worthy Lieutenant Bruyn, on behalf of the Captain and his Company, returned his most sincere and heartfelt thanks, with a few remarks highly complimentary to him from whose hand he received the Banner, and to those Ladies instrumental in making the donation. Alter a parade through the principal streets, and giving each Public House a round of blank cartridges, with that good feeling ever manifested by the Company, they were dismissed by our commanding officer. March 3d William Glenny was elected Secretary in place of J. B. Terry, resigned.
July 4th, 1853, was duly celebrated by the Company by an encampment through the day in the Park. August 9th the Company were inspected by Brigadier General Segoine, of Auburn. September 8th, 1853, the second encampment of the Company took place at Goodwin's Falls; were here again reviewed by General Segoine and Colonel D. E. Avery. On Sunday the Company in a body attended church at Trumansburg. Washington's birth-day, February 22d, 1854, was observed by the Company; a national salute was fired by Sergeant McDonald, loading and firing five times a minute. June 27th the committee of arrangements for the celebration of the coming Fourth of July, offered the Company thirty dollars if they would participate in the celebration, which was promptly refused, and the Company voted unanimously to join in the celebration without money and without price. Accordingly the Fourth day of July, 1854, was duly celebrated in the true spirit of '76. The first target shoot of the Company was held July 11th, 1854, and resulted in Sergeant McDonald taking the first prize, L. Millspaugh the second and S. Stoddard the third. Saturday August 26th, 1854, the Company appeared in full uniform at 5½ o'clock, A. M., to escort the remains of their late comrade, D. Lewis Avery, to their last resting place. His remains were taken to Aurora for interment.
Monday August 28th, the Company started for Camp Seneca, at Seneca Falls, where a week was spent by them very profitably. The second target practice was September 22d, 1854, and Sergeant L. R. King, E. C. Fuller, M. E. Elmendorf, Lot S. Hinds and Sergeant McDonald, were declared the best shots, and received the prizes accordingly. January 8th, 1855, was duly observed by the Company; in the evening had supper at the Clinton House. September 6th the Company unanimously voted to furnish uniforms free of expense to all new members who would join. September 14th, 1855, K. S. Van Voorhees was elected first Sergeant, L. R. King, second Sergeant, F. K. Andrus, third Sergeant, and James McClune, fourth Sergeant. September 19th, third target shoot, the lucky ones not recorded. October 31st, 1855, the Company were inspected and reviewed by General Segoine and staff, and Colonel D. E. Avery and staff; in the afternoon of the same day was another target shoot. November 29th the Company escorted the remains of their late Lieutenant, A. H. McNeil, to the Depot, being en route for the city of Auburn. The Company held their annual meeting and took supper at the Clinton House, January 8th, 1856. May 28th L. R. King was elected first Lieutenant, in place of W. V. Bruyn, resigned, and Charles F. Blood second Lieutenant, in place of A. H. McNeil, deceased.
Wednesday June 11th, 1856. The Willard Guard of Auburn, accompanied by Scott's Cornet Band of Rochester, arrived on an excursion to Ithaca. When nearing the dock they were saluted with twenty-one guns from the DeWitt Guard, and received by them accompanied by the entire Fire Department of the village, and were escorted through the principal streets to their quarters at the Clinton House. They were there welcomed by an appropriate speech from J. H. Selkreg, Esq. William Shapcott, of the Willard Guard, returning thanks on behalf of their Company to the soldiers, Fire Department and citizens, for the cordial manner in which they had been received. The Willard Guard paraded during the forenoon of the following day, and at five o'clock P. M. were escorted to the Park by the DeWitt Guard, where they were drilled in the different evolutions of military tactics with great credit to themselves. On Friday morning the DeWitt Guard again paraded and escorted their visitors to the Steamboat Landing. After a few speeches, a great rivalry was kept up between the two Companies for the last cheer, but amid the clattering of drums it was impossible to tell which succeeded.
September 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th, the Company were encamped at Dryden; on Friday they were reviewed by General Segoine and staff of Auburn. The encampment passed off with perfect harmony, and without any thing to mar the good feeling which prevailed throughout. Tuesday, December 10th, the Company escorted the remains of their late member, Sergeant James C. McClune, to their last resting place. February 24th, upon invitation of the Pioneers of Tompkins County, the Company paraded and escorted that body through the principal streets of the village. September 15th target shoot. October 13th the Company were inspected at Goodwin's Falls by Adjutant George H. Collins. Upon invitation of the President of the Tompkins County Horticultural Society, the Company paraded and attended their Fair, June 3d, 1858. Upon invitation of the Tompkins Blues, the Company visited Trumansburg and joined in celebrating the Fourth day of July. A very pleasant entertainment was provided by the citizens of that place. July 21st the Company visited Owego, and were agreeably entertained by the citizens; returned the same evening.
August 17th, 1858, the Company paraded in honor of the successful laying of the Atlantic Cable. August 31st, upon invitation of the Ithaca Fire Department, joined with them in procession, and escorted Cayuga Hose Company No. 4, of Auburn, to the Clinton House.
"The DeWitt Guard, accompanied by Whitlock's celebrated Cornet Band and several invited guests, left Ithaca at 7 o'clock A. M., July 12th, 1859, on an excursion to our neighboring city of Auburn, and to enjoy one of the pleasantest trips ever experienced by any Company of soldiers. The Company mustered two Lieutenants, three color-bearers and twenty-five men. The smiles of Heaven seemed to be upon us, and every thing seemed given to conduce to our happiness. It was indeed a lovely sight as we floated down the beautiful Cayuga, which lay sleeping between the banks of those noble hills, decked in nature's verdant garb. It would have been a lovely scene for some artist to sketch in glowing colors; but no artist could touch so tenderly the points with which nature has adorned them.
We arrived in the beautiful city at half-past twelve, amid the thundering voice of artillery. Were received by the three military Companies of the city, and were escorted by them through the principal streets to our Head-Quarters White's Exchange. After a capital dinner, we were marched to Fort Hill Cemetery to visit the grave of our lamented Lieutenant, A. H. McNeil; an hour was spent in that beautiful cemetery. In the evening we were entertained at the residence of Mayor B. F. Hall, which entertainment passed off to the perfect satisfaction of all present. Wednesday morning were called together at ten o'clock, and accepted an invitation of the Military Committee to visit the Prison and Insane Asylum.