From the Engineer Depot

[1SGDan]

It has been quite a while since I last filed an Engineer Depot report but to make up for the gap I will remind everyone of a very interesting unit and their role in the campaign for Vicksburg. Patterson's Kentucky Engineer Company was a tiny unit usually comprised of less than forty soldiers. Despite their lack of manpower this unit contributed significantly to the success of the campaign. During the two month period of April and May of 1863 they completed the following works:

• April 1, 1863 – At Richmond, Louisiana constructed a 300 foot bridge over Bayou Roundway
  
  
• April 19, 1863 – Constructed a 780 foot bridge over Bayou Vedell and then another 250 foot span over Negro Bayou
  
  
• April 25, 1863 – Carthage, Louisiana constructed the makeshift gunboat "Opossum" from a flatboat.
  
  
• Between April 6 and April 19, 1863 – Worked two saw mills to produce enough finished lumber to construct 20 flatboats. These boats were then used to ferry 150 tons of ammunition from Richmond to the Mississippi River for Hovey's division.
  
  
• April 26, 1863 – These flatboats were then used to construct a 630 foot bridge over Mound Bayou. A squad from the Kentucky Engineers maintained the bridge until the cross river passage.
  
  
• May 2, 1863 – After crossing the Mississippi they built 100 feet of bridge at Bayou Pierre and floored the damaged bridge at Big Bayou Pierre for the advance on Raymond, Mississippi.
  
  
• May 17, 1863 – Following the Battle of Big Black River they constructed a 200 foot span across the river.
  

Upon reaching the outskirts of Vicksburg they were entrusted with the saps in the 13th Corps sector which they worked until the surrender. And this after contributing to the capture of and retreat from Cumberland Gap with General Morgan, the destruction of the Arkansas Post fortifications, and the Chickasaw Bayou expedition.

After stints in New Orleans where they built water wagons and canvas boats until ordered to Brazos Santiago, Texas where they built a 300 yard bridge across Cedar Bayou and then moved to Pass Cavallo, Texas to construct hospitals, signal stations, warehouses and wharves. Finally they assisted the construction of the dam on the Red River that is credited with saving several Union gunboats from the low water.

Not bad work for 40 men!

 

[ErnieMac]

Photo of Big Black River pontoon bridge built after the battle.
http://www.mkwe.com/ohio/pages/h018-11.htm

 

[1SGDan]

A list of known members of this unit

 

[huskerblitz]

Has anyone here seen his collection at the Library of Congress? It has military reports and correspondents (and some other stuff) that Patterson kept. Members of the 22nd Kentucky were assigned to his detail at various points during the war. But I don't know what type of work they did while detached with Patterson's Pioneers.

 

[1SGDan]

Has anyone here seen his collection at the Library of Congress? It has military reports and correspondents (and some other stuff) that Patterson kept. Members of the 22nd Kentucky were assigned to his detail at various points during the war. But I don't know what type of work they did while detached with Patterson's Pioneers.

Patterson's meager force was often supplemented by pioneer details of 150 men pulled from the ranks of infantry units.
These men were typically used as manual laborers doing such tasks as digging entrenchments, cutting and hauling timber, and corduroying roads.

 

[huskerblitz]

Patterson's meager force was often supplemented by pioneer details of 150 men pulled from the ranks of infantry units.
These men were typically used as manual laborers doing such tasks as digging entrenchments, cutting and hauling timber, and corduroying roads.

Any idea how this would work? Were these men volunteers or how were they selected to be assigned to Patterson? I don't know for sure but by reading their CSR I think some of these men received pay bonuses for this type of work?

 

[1SGDan]

Any idea how this would work? Were these men volunteers or how were they selected to be assigned to Patterson? I don't know for sure but by reading their CSR I think some of these men received pay bonuses for this type of work?

Units to supply pioneers were detailed by the Corps commander. Of course some saw it as a prime assignment, some as a way to avoid combat, and others despised it as menial labor. However they felt about it most did the duty, although there were times engineer officers had to complain about assigned units either not showing up or refusing to work. This was the case in every theater.
Engineer soldiers were promised extra pay for this type of work, but hardly ever got it. It is doubtful that infantry soldiers were entitled or ever received such money,

 

[Suzanne A]

One of the fascinating aspects of this War, to a newcomer like me. is that the soldiers could run around exploding, tearing up or burning whatever regardless of local law or private ownership, and conversely they could build huge, functional structures in a day or so and repair railroad tracks in what seems like minutes -- no building pemit required. Both the construction and the destruction had to be exhilarating experiences, possible only in wartime.

I look forward to more posts about the engineers. Where were the master planners of all this and who were they? Did Grant have an aide that said, "OK, tear that up, bridge here, dam there, new road here for artillery, etc.?" Who had the training to know what could and couldn't be done? And there had to be some epic failures?

 

[1SGDan]

Suzanne A,
Most construction under these circumstances is done in what we call today theater of operations standards. The structure built is not intended for permanent use. This allows for rapid construction by skipping over some of the requirements for a more permanent structure. A perfect modern example of this would be the SEA huts built to house troops in Viet Nam. Devoid of any frills but capable of keeping the rain off and a plywood or plank raised floor to keep out of the dirt. I actually saw some of these make a comeback in Iraq.
Dan

 

[1SGDan]

Items to be built or destroyed would be identified in the preoperational orders. Of course things don't always go as planned so items could be added or removed as the operation develops. Local commanders had to evaluate their needs and request engineer assistance as required.
Quite possibly this extended chain of command led to the greatest difficulties for the engineers. See Fredericksburg for an example of how the command and control of the engineers led to serious problems.

 

[1SGDan]

Has anyone here seen his collection at the Library of Congress? It has military reports and correspondents (and some other stuff) that Patterson kept. Members of the 22nd Kentucky were assigned to his detail at various points during the war. But I don't know what type of work they did while detached with Patterson's Pioneers.

Husker,
I have copies of Patterson's letters, many which I have transcribed to the extent possible. A worker at the LOC graciously scanned them in and sent them to me while I was serving in Iraq.
Dan

 

[USS ALASKA]

The structure built is not intended for permanent use. This allows for rapid construction by skipping over some of the requirements for a more permanent structure. Dan

Unfortunately, some of them take on the essence of permanence. I was afforded the 'privilege' of being housed in some WWII temporary barracks in the '90s. At the time, I was unimpressed with my re-enactment prospect...another opportunity lost to the ignorance of youth.

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[Suzanne A]

Suzanne A,
Most construction under these circumstances is done in what we call today theater of operations standards. The structure built is not intended for permanent use. This allows for rapid construction by skipping over some of the requirements for a more permanent structure. A perfect modern example of this would be the SEA huts built to house troops in Viet Nam. Devoid of any frills but capable of keeping the rain off and a plywood or plank raised floor to keep out of the dirt. I actually saw some of these make a comeback in Iraq.
Dan

Thanks for your response. I hadn't thought about fast and loose construction techniques.

 

[Suzanne A]

Items to be built or destroyed would be identified in the preoperational orders. Of course things don't always go as planned so items could be added or removed as the operation develops. Local commanders had to evaluate their needs and request engineer assistance as required.
Quote possibly this extended chain of command led to the greatest difficulties for the engineers. See Fredericksburg for an example of how the command and control of the engineers led to serious problems.

And thanks for this post. I will look at Fredericksburg. Were the engineers a separate Corps that deployed at various locations or headquarters as needed? Or did every Division or other unit have an engineer or two? Or every Department or Army? Speaking Union here.

 

[1SGDan]

And thanks for this post. I will look at Fredericksburg. Were the engineers a separate Corps that deployed at various locations or headquarters as needed? Or did every Division or other unit have an engineer or two? Or every Department or Army? Speaking Union here.

There were very few actual engineer units available so they were often split up and spread thin. I suggest you search for my series on engineer operations in the east and wrst for a good primer.

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/summary-of-engineer-operations-in-the-west.15630/#post-183770

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/engineer-operations-summary.15120/#post-177617

 

[Suzanne A]

There were very few actual engineer units available so they were often split up and spread thin. I suggest you search for my series on engineer operations in the east and wrst for a good primer.

I'm intrigued. Will search and read. Thank you.

 

[KansasFreestater]

It has been quite a while since I last filed an Engineer Depot report but to make up for the gap I will remind everyone of a very interesting unit and their role in the campaign for Vicksburg. Patterson's Kentucky Engineer Company was a tiny unit usually comprised of less than forty soldiers. Despite their lack of manpower this unit contributed significantly to the success of the campaign. During the two month period of April and May of 1863 they completed the following works:

• April 1, 1863 – At Richmond, Louisiana constructed a 300 foot bridge over Bayou Roundway
  
  
• April 19, 1863 – Constructed a 780 foot bridge over Bayou Vedell and then another 250 foot span over Negro Bayou
  
  
• April 25, 1863 – Carthage, Louisiana constructed the makeshift gunboat "Opossum" from a flatboat.
  
  
• Between April 6 and April 19, 1863 – Worked two saw mills to produce enough finished lumber to construct 20 flatboats. These boats were then used to ferry 150 tons of ammunition from Richmond to the Mississippi River for Hovey's division.
  
  
• April 26, 1863 – These flatboats were then used to construct a 630 foot bridge over Mound Bayou. A squad from the Kentucky Engineers maintained the bridge until the cross river passage.
  
  
• May 2, 1863 – After crossing the Mississippi they built 100 feet of bridge at Bayou Pierre and floored the damaged bridge at Big Bayou Pierre for the advance on Raymond, Mississippi.
  
  
• May 17, 1863 – Following the Battle of Big Black River they constructed a 200 foot span across the river.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Vicksburg they were entrusted with the saps in the 13th Corps sector which they worked until the surrender. And this after contributing to the capture of and retreat from Cumberland Gap with General Morgan, the destruction of the Arkansas Post fortifications, and the Chickasaw Bayou expedition.

After stints in New Orleans where they built water wagons and canvas boats until ordered to Brazos Santiago, Texas where they built a 300 yard bridge across Cedar Bayou and then moved to Pass Cavallo, Texas to construct hospitals, signal stations, warehouses and wharves. Finally they assisted the construction of the dam on the Red River that is credited with saving several Union gunboats from the low water.

Not bad work for 40 men!

Awesome!!
Engineers make the world go round!

 

[CW3O]

Was there a known pool of talented miltary engineer types in Kentucky that brought about the recruitment and formation of this unit?

 

[huskerblitz]

Husker,
I have copies of Patterson's letters, many which I have transcribed to the extent possible. A worker at the LOC graciously scanned them in and sent them to me while I was serving in Iraq.
Dan

Awesome! Does he mention any of the work his men did at Chickasaw Bayou?

 

[1SGDan]

Was there a known pool of talented miltary engineer types in Kentucky that brought about the recruitment and formation of this unit?

Not really but Patterson was a well-known engineer. I suspect that these men came from a background of railroad service , mining, or just clever farmers.