- Joined
- Jan 16, 2015
The Pioneer "Corps" was a large company-sized unit generally consisting of from 50-75 men, commanded by one or two junior officers, which was typically (in the eastern theater) attached to the staff of each division (CSA) or brigade (USA). Subordinate regiments would be called upon to contribute one or more men to the Pioneer detail. Unarmed but equipped with axes, picks, shovels, spades and saws, which were carried in a wagon dedicated for their use, they performed a variety of duties in support of the combatants, including:
- removal of fences and other obstructions in the path of advancing troops.
- construction or repair of bridges and entrenchments.
- cutting of roads through woods for the passage of artillery.
- building of pontoon boats.
- collection of abandoned small arms and accouterments (on behalf of the ordnance department).
- assisting the wounded off the battlefield.
- burial of the dead on the field or near the hospitals.
Usually posted safely toward the rear, the Pioneers were called to the very front when approaching the enemy, to level fences to enable the rapid deployment of troops and artillery. At Gettysburg, a group of Union Pioneers was sent out to a farmhouse and outbuildings between the lines with orders to burn it at a given signal, but the Confederates advanced too quickly and they were all taken captive, although a prompt counterattack soon freed them. If the Pioneers were not otherwise gainfully employed, they might be sent back to their respective units to provide extra manpower. Or, they might be overlooked and remain idle, as was the case with Major General Ed Johnson's Pioneers at Gettysburg. While his comrades were being shot down on Culp's Hill, Private John O. Casler of the 33rd Virginia reports that he and his fellow Pioneers had a "good time" feasting on food confiscated from an abandoned house behind the lines, which they managed to accidentally burn down.
With regard to the dead, the Pioneers separated friend from foe and placed the bodies in rows to be buried in long trenches, ideally 7 feet wide and 4-5 feet deep. One squad of a dozen Pioneers managed to bury 29 dead within a day. If the dead were especially plentiful, they might be assisted in this task by the Provost Guard or additional details from the regiments.
- removal of fences and other obstructions in the path of advancing troops.
- construction or repair of bridges and entrenchments.
- cutting of roads through woods for the passage of artillery.
- building of pontoon boats.
- collection of abandoned small arms and accouterments (on behalf of the ordnance department).
- assisting the wounded off the battlefield.
- burial of the dead on the field or near the hospitals.
Usually posted safely toward the rear, the Pioneers were called to the very front when approaching the enemy, to level fences to enable the rapid deployment of troops and artillery. At Gettysburg, a group of Union Pioneers was sent out to a farmhouse and outbuildings between the lines with orders to burn it at a given signal, but the Confederates advanced too quickly and they were all taken captive, although a prompt counterattack soon freed them. If the Pioneers were not otherwise gainfully employed, they might be sent back to their respective units to provide extra manpower. Or, they might be overlooked and remain idle, as was the case with Major General Ed Johnson's Pioneers at Gettysburg. While his comrades were being shot down on Culp's Hill, Private John O. Casler of the 33rd Virginia reports that he and his fellow Pioneers had a "good time" feasting on food confiscated from an abandoned house behind the lines, which they managed to accidentally burn down.
With regard to the dead, the Pioneers separated friend from foe and placed the bodies in rows to be buried in long trenches, ideally 7 feet wide and 4-5 feet deep. One squad of a dozen Pioneers managed to bury 29 dead within a day. If the dead were especially plentiful, they might be assisted in this task by the Provost Guard or additional details from the regiments.