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INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

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that the country is engaged in a bloody civil strife. On side are to be seen unmistakable evidences of national prosperity. The industrial arts are pursued with more vigor and success than ever before. The various channels of commerce, instead of being drained, dried up, are crowded to their utmost capacity. At no former period have our ship-builders been so active in constructing vessels for our own and other governments as at the present time. New factories are being built, and new avenues of trade opened all over the Eastern States, while the inexhaustible resources of the great West are being developed in an unparalleled manner. The inhabitants of Ohio reduced their debts last year to the amount of twenty millions of dollars, and it is estimated that the wealth of the country is increasing at the rate of six hundred. millions per annum. A national debt, it is true, is all the time accumulating, but as a recent writer on political economy has well said: "When a nation maintains a war upon the enemy's soil, and so manages its affairs that the annual expenses fall below the real value of its industrial products, it is evident that it must be increasing in wealth. The merchant who makes more than he spends, increases in riches, and it is the same with a nation. An increase of national debt is no sign of increasing poverty in the people, for this debt may be a simple transfer of only a small portion of the surplus wealth of individuals to the general fund of the commonwealth an investment in public instead of private stocks." There is every reason

for encouragement, and if we will

prosecute the war in

which we are now engaged steadily and unflinchingly, victory and a glorious, honorable, and permanent peace will crown our efforts.

OPENING OF THE REBELLION.

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CHAPTER I.

Patriotism of Central New York.-Determination of the People to put down the Rebellion.-Raising of Troops.-Organization of the various Companies of the 33d New York Regiment.

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O portion of the Loyal North was more deeply stirred by the events of April, '61, than the people of Western New York. The firing of the rebel guns on Anderson and his little band reverberated among her hills and

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valleys, arousing man, woman and child to the highest pitch of excitement and patriotism. There was no locality, however remote, no hamlet, however obscure, to which this wild fervor did not penetrate. Every thought and action were for the time absorbed in the one great resolve of avenging the insult offered to our flag, and suppressing the rebellion. Neither was it the sudden, fitful resolution, which comes and goes with the flow and ebb of passion; but the calm, inflexible determination, which springs from a sense of wrongs inflicted, purity of purpose, and a lofty patriotism. The enthusiasm of the people at once assumed

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14 THE TEN COMPANIES OF THE THIRTY-THIRD.

tangible shape in the raising of volunteers. The rebels had deliberately begun war, and war they should have to the bitter end.

Among the very first Regiments to be organized and hastened forward to the battle-ground, was the Thirty-third, consisting of the following companies:

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On the reception of the news that the rebels had deliberately begun hostilities in Charleston Harbor, the utmost excitement was occasioned in the quiet village of Seneca Falls. Meetings were held in the Public Hall, under the auspices of prominent citizens, and immediate steps taken for the raising of volunteers. An agent was at once dispatched to Albany, in order to secure the necessary authority for organizing a company. The inhabitants aided materially with their funds and influence in furthering the enterprise.

ORGANIZATION OF CO. A.

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E. J. Tyler, Esq., established an enrolling office, and placards were posted up in prominent parts of the village, calling for recruits.

During the first two days between forty and fifty were secured, and in a week's time the number was increased to eighty. As fast as recruited, the men were set to drilling, in an ample building secured for that purpose.

On the 9th of May the company held an election for officers, which resulted as follows: Captain-GEORGE M. GUION.

First Lieutenant-E. J. TYLER.

Second Lieutenant-PRYCE W. BAILEY.

Not long after, J. T. Miller, Esq., now Inspector General of the State, presented a beautiful flag to the Company, in behalf of the ladies of the place. Captain Guion responded in a brief speech, as he received the banner, promising in behalf of the members of his command, that it should ever be defended, and never suffered to trail in the dust. The presentation exercises, which were held in the Public Hall, were very largely attended, and passed off with great eclat and spirit.

On the 13th of May the Company departed for Elmira, amid the wildest enthusiasm of the citizens, where it soon after became Co. A, 33d N. Y.

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