Oneida Sachem, Oneida, NY, May 9, 1861
Civil War Letter from William B. Downer
Elmira Depot, Barracks, No. 2, 1st Regiment, N.Y. Volunteers, Company G.
Dear Sachem: Having just been dismissed from Company Drill, I will occupy a leisure moment in writing somewhat of affairs here, for your columns.
We reached our barracks here between 2 and 3 A.M. last Friday morning, being the 1st Regiment of Volunteers for 2 years, completed. At all the principal stations on our route, crowds of people cheered us on, evincing the proper enthusiasm in a good cause.
Arrived at the Barracks, tired and hungry, we soon took to our bunks and got some sleep, though the severely cold weather made us uncomfortable in our quarters. The bunks are made double, one above the other, and each are intended for two persons, though three can occupy them comfortably went the weather is not too warm. In each bunk, there are 2 narrow straw beds and a blanket to each man, occupying the bunk. Of course we sleep in our clothes. We have 3 meals daily for which the State pays 42 cents per man, or $2.94 per week, for every soldier. For this sum, we get boiled fresh beef, poor potatoes, bread, and occasionally beans and boiled eggs with vinegar, pepper and salt, but no butter, sauce or pies. We also have coffee twice a day, or what is called coffee. Hereafter, we expect to have coffee for breakfast, water for dinner and tea for supper.
The contractor merely furnishes the rations. Government furnishes table, dishes, &c. You perceive that the contractor makes money, while the soldiers who have so nobly responded to the calls of their country, fare rather hard. For myself, I had rather meet the terrors of the battlefield, than be compelled to live on the rations and fare now dealt out to us, for any considerable length of time.
Were the government unable to provide better for us, I, for one, could endure the present and ever worse rations, but when such liberal sums are paid to supply our wants, it is difficult to be patient and not complain of ill treatment.
There are some 4,000 Volunteers, at this depot, and more are arriving daily, so that Elmira is getting pretty well filled with troops.
Quite an excitement was produced here this P.M. by the rumor that one of the soldiers at Barracks, no. 3 was to be shot for stabbing an officer. It is said that the officer struck him, for insolent words, when the soldier stabbed him with a knife, so that he has since died. Liquor was at the bottom of it, probably.
As we are only some 15 hours distant from Washington by rail, we shall probably remain here until wanted in the battlefield. We expect to be armed and equipped this week.
Persons writing to members of Captain Irish's Company will be careful to add the heading of this letter to the usual superscription, and then the captain will attend to the delivering of the letters or papers forwarded.
Elmira is a village of some 12,000 inhabitants and very conveniently situated for a Military Depot, in the present war. Gen. Sullivan and his army passed through this valley on their way to chastise the Indians during the revolution.
Yours for Freedom, William B. Downer
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Sharp Shooters Attention
Rev. W.B. Downer, having been rejected as a private from Company G, 1st Regiment New York Volunteers on account of age, being a few months over 45, is desirous of forming a Military Company to be known as the "Madison County Rifles," of which he shall be one of the commissioned officers. From many assurances already given, the undersigned appeals confidently to his numerous friends throughout the county, by procuring members for the proposed Company, in accordance with the terms of enlistment given below, and also by contributions of funds to defray the necessary expenses of organization and extra equipments.
The Terms of Enlistment are: 1st age between 18 and 45.
2sd, Sound health and physical condition, good character and temperate habits.
3rd Ability to learn the necessary rifle practice.
[None need apply for membership who could not perforate the heart of Jeff. Davis, or any of his co-traitors, at 20 rods with an ordinary rifle.]
Persons wishing to enroll their names may apply personally, or by letter to W.B. Downer, Peterboro, stating name, age, place of birth, present residence, post office address, single or married, and occupation, when they will receive such further information as may seem necessary in regard to the formation fo the Company. [Oneida Sachem, Oneida, NY, May 30, 1861]
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William B. Downer subsequently enlisted in Company F, 157th N.Y. Volunteers.
Adjutant General Report: "DOWNER, WILLIAM B.: Age 44 years* Enlisted August 25, 1862, at Fenner, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. F, September 19, 1862, discharged for disability, February 11, 1863, at hospital, Washington, D.C.
*He apparently removed a couple years from his age, as in August 1862, being born in December 1815, he would have been 46 years of age.
Evidence is that he was pensioned for his service. [Application #11010, Certificate #516971]
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Obituary, William Bainbridge Downer
Rev. William B. Downer was born in Fenner, Madison County [NY] Dec. 12, 1815, and died in Cazenovia [Madison Co. NY] March 24, 1895, from injuries received by a fall five days previous. At an early age he became interested in religious matters and chose the ministry as his future work. His labors, which continued during the earlier period of his life, were confined to various parts of his native state. He was greatly interested in educational matters and was a successful teacher, teaching one term after passing his seventieth birthday. In 1862, he heeded his country's call and entered the Northern army as a private soldier, serving a part of the time as hospital nurse. While on the battlefield he gave to the great cause for which he was fighting, his eldest son, William Lorenzo. Becoming disabled, Mr. Downer returned to his father's home, where was his family, but soon after removed to the place which he occupied at the time of his death.
February 26, 1889, Mr. Downer was married to Harriet L. Fay, of Fenner, with whom he lived for more than fifty years. Of their eight children five are still living. Mrs. Seymour Spencer, Charles E. and Henry C. Downer reside in Syracuse; William, in Chittenango, while Flora C. Remained at home to cheer the declining years of her aged father. Besides his children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild mourn his loss. Of his father's family only one remains, his youngest brother, Luke W. of Peterboro.
Two weeks ago, the deceased with his children visited Syracuse for the purpose of helping to lay all that was mortal of his youngest sister, Mrs. O.D. Scoville, to rest. At that time, he expressed the feeling that death is not a time of mourning, but rather, of rejoicing, because life's toils are o'er, life's sorrows done, life's mission finished, immortal life begun.
The funeral of the deceased was held March 27 at the Baptist Church in Cazenovia of which church he was a member at the time of his death, the pastor, Rev. Mr. Keyes, officiating. The G.A.R. Post attended the services in a body. Many friends and relatives gathered to pay a last tribute to the dead, who was borne by members of the post to his final resting place at the side of his faithful wife.
Oneida Semi-Weekly Democratic Union, Oneida, NY, March 30, 1895
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