Finding a Pioneer

[Aaron Vinson]

I have a good friend who's ancestor was with the Pioneers, Pvt. Elijah J. Lower, Co. D - 33rd Ohio. I was going to look into this man for her but I've just now found out Ohio soldiers aren't on fold3, its just a huge index (what a bummer). Was wondering if anyone here could find anything on him or access his CSMR. Now as I looked for info on the Pioneers, I have become interested in their story and role in the war.

A funny story I want to explain is how this man's descendants have come to be where they are. We're both from Lookout Valley and families have both been from here awhile now, so when I looked into what I could for him I thought it was interesting to know that he was 33rd OVI and wondered if he played any part in Brown's Ferry. Only small detachments of the 33rd were used as boat crews to man the pontoons under Col. Stanley, 18th Ohio. Figured he was probably not involved as he was detached with the Pioneers, only to find he was specifically in the "Pontoon Battalion." I know this unit was already in existence prior to Stones River and I believe it was Battalion 1? of the Pioneer Brigade but am not sure, so any help on this would also be appreciated. Back to the story, regardless of his involvement, he must have been struck with the scenery, as this Ohio farmboy would move his bloodline south forever. I just thought that was interesting.

In terms of unit info he had a card filed with - Co. D, Pontoon Battalion, Pioneer Brigade and 1st US Veteran Volunteer Engineers Co. E
I know around summer 1864 the pioneers were to be scattered and had the option to return to their units(which most apparently didn't like the idea of, and had grown fond of pioneer work over drilling) or to enlist in the USVVE, which most did. So any late war activity I am in the dark.

 

[lupaglupa]

Ohio unfortunately has little online for their Civil War soldiers and veterans. You would have to go to the state archives and get microfilm records to see what other states have online.

Fold3's card for Elijah Lower includes another unit in addition to the 33rd - Elijah is said to have served with the USNV engineers. Unfortunately it looks like those records have not been digitized yet either.

Elijah did receive a pension in 1890. The pension application will have a wealth of information about his service. That can be ordered from the National Archives or through one of the companies, like Gopher Records run by @Bob Velke, that retrieve records from the archives.

You might find helpful this list of resources for the 33rd - one of these works might have information about the Pontoon Battalion -

33rd Ohio Infantry

I would love to know how he ended up in Higdon, Alabama!

 

[Aaron Vinson]

The pension application will have a wealth of information about his service.

I assume the application has more info than the actual pension?

 

[Dan Kohli]

A pioneer would be soldiers temporarily pulled from combat units to do engineering projects. General Rosecrans attempted to have them act as more longer term units. This caused some issues with morale, logistics, and supplying the men, because they still belonged to the units they originally enlisted with. In the Regular Army the pioneer was a permanent position within line/combat companies (i.e. infantry, cavalry, & artillery). This position was not initially established within volunteer units until some army commanders issued general orders for within their respective armies. This is applicable to the Union Army, I have not done much research into what they did within the C.S. Army.

Also, here's an article on thistle subject by the Liberty Rifles.

Crossed Hatchets and Detached Service: The Creation of the Pioneer Brigade — The Liberty Rifles

www.libertyrifles.org

 

[lupaglupa]

I assume the application has more info than the actual pension?

The application has all the information the soldier provided on his military service and any injuries/illnesses which qualify him for the pension. Pension documents usually just track how much was awarded, whether a soldier moved his address, increases in the pension over time etc.

 

[BCS1973]

I assume the application has more info than the actual pension?

As @lupaglupa said, the pension application file can have all sorts of stuff. Sometimes there is witness statements that could be from members he served with. They are typically looking for corroboration on the soldiers injury claim. Sometimes you get lucky and get a small description of a battle, or two, or a march. Often, if a widow or child was involved you will often find some family members and their info.

Then again, at other times, it's just 75 pages describing dysentery, chronic diarrhea, and hemorrhoids.

 

[lupaglupa]

it's just 75 pages describing dysentery, chronic diarrhea, and hemorrhoids

Let me guess, you work in sales....