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1st New York Engineers

Editor’s Note: Do you have information on this unit’s role at the Siege of Petersburg?  Please contact us using the Contact button in the menu at the top of the screen.  We are happy to exchange information with other researchers.

Note: This regiment consisted of eight companies throughout the Siege of Petersburg.  Four companies ( A, C, G, and I) remained in the Department of the South when the regiment was attached to Butler’s Army of the James in April 1864.

Muster In: Organized at New York City and mustered in by Companies as follows: Companies “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” and “E” October 11, 1861. Company “G” December 2, 1861. Company “K” December 3, 1861. Company “I” December 13, 1861. Company “F” January, 1862. Company “H” February 19, 1862. Companies “L” and “M” in the field April, 1864.1
Muster Out: Regiment mustered out June 30, 1865.2

Commander(s):
Brevet Brigadier General James F. Hall
JamesFHall1stNYEngV101P51533

Colonel Edward W. Serrell
EdwardWSerrell1stNYEngV066P32544

Major Joseph Walker
JosephWalker1stNYEngV066P32565

Major Frederick E. Graef
Commander Image

Captain Samuel C. Eaton
Commander Image

Commander 6
Commander Image

First Offensive Order of Battle: Engineers | Army of the James | Union Army6,7

  • Commander: Major Joseph Walker8
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons: Enfield Rifles (.577 caliber) (June 30, 1864)9
  • Note: The 1st New York Engineers consisted of eight (8) companies at this time.10,11

Second Offensive Order of Battle: Engineers | Army of the James | Union Army12,13

  • Commander: Major Joseph Walker (June 30, 1864)14
  • Unit Strength: >142 officers and men PFD (June 30, 1864)15
  • Weapons: Enfield Rifles (.577 caliber) (June 30, 1864)16
  • Note: The 1st New York Engineers consisted of eight (8) companies at this time.17,18

Third Offensive Order of Battle: Engineers | Army of the James | Union Army19,20

  • Commander: Major Frederick E. Graef (July 31, 1864)21
  • Unit Strength: >126 officers and men PFD (July 20, 1864)22
  • Weapons:
  • Note: The 1st New York Engineers, Company L was attached to 3/1/X/AotJ at least in July 1864 under the command of Lieutenant William H. Baldwin.   More research is needed.23,24
  • Note: A detachment of the 1st New York Engineers, companies B, K, and M, was unattached but stationed with the Eighteenth Corps during the Third Offensive.25

Fourth Offensive Order of Battle: Engineers | Army of the James | Union Army26

  • Commander: Captain Samuel C. Eaton (August 31, 1864)27
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Fifth Offensive Order of Battle: Engineers | Army of the James | Union Army28

  • Commander: Colonel Edward W. Serrell29
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:
  • Note: Eight companies of this regiment were serving with the Army of the James, and were attached to Eighteenth Corps, Army of the James during the Battle of Chaffin’s Bluff on September 29-30, 1864.30

Sixth Offensive Order of Battle: Engineers | Army of the James | Union Army31

  • Commander: Colonel Edward W. Serrell (October 31, 1864)32
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Seventh Offensive Order of Battle: Engineers | Army of the James | Union Army33

  • Commander: Colonel Edward W. Serrell (December 31, 1864)34
  • Unit Strength: 294 officers and men PFD (December 31, 1864)35
  • Weapons:

Eighth Offensive Order of Battle: Engineers | Army of the James | Union Army36,37

  • Commander: Colonel Edward W. Serrell (January 31 & February 28, 1865)38,39
  • Unit Strength:
    • 331 officers and men PFD (January 31, 1865)40
    • 406 officers and men PFD (February 28, 1865)41
  • Weapons:

Ninth Offensive Order of Battle: Engineers | Army of the James | Union Army42,43

  • Commander: Brevet Brigadier General James F. Hall (March 31, 1865)44
  • Unit Strength:
  • Weapons:

Dyer’s/Sifakis’ Compendium Info:
Siege of Petersburg Battles45:

  • Assaults on Petersburg June 15-18.
  • Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865.
  • Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864.
  • Construction of Fort Hell before Petersburg September and October.
  • Construction of Dutch Gap Canal October to December.
  • Chaffin’s Farm, New Market Heights, September 28-30.
  • Fair Oaks October 27-28.
  • Fall of Petersburg and Richmond April 2-3.
  • Occupation of Richmond April 3.

Bibliography:

    Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Unit:

    Sources:

    1. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    2. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩
    3. James F. Hall image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 101, Page 5153.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. ↩
    4. Edward W. Serrell image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 66, Page 3254.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. ↩
    5. Joseph Walker image.  MOLLUS-Mass Civil War Photograph Collection, Vol. 66, Page 3256.  United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA. ↩
    6. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 237 ↩
    7. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 552 ↩
    8. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 237. ↩
    9. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 1st New York Engineers Entry, Page 10; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. ↩
    10. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 237 ↩
    11. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 552 ↩
    12. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 237 ↩
    13. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 552 ↩
    14. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 552 ↩
    15. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), pp. 163-178: The unit had this number of officers and men “present for duty equipped” on June 30, 1864.  Present for Duty Equipped attempts to strip away anyone not actually going into combat.  Those non-combatants are included in PFD, the way I represent unit strengths across this web site for consistency.  So the unit had at least this number of officers and men PFD, though we know that number is higher. ↩
    16. Volume 14 (Ordnance Returns for the Second Quarter, April-June, 1864); 1st New York Engineers Entry, Page 10; Summary Statements of Quarterly Returns of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores on Hand in Regular and Volunteer Army Organizations, 1862-1867, 1870-1876. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1281, Roll 7); Records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 1797-1969, Record Group 156; National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. ↩
    17. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), p. 237 ↩
    18. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 2 (Serial Number 81), p. 552 ↩
    19. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 268 ↩
    20. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 737 ↩
    21. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 737 ↩
    22. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), pp. 163-178: The unit had this number of officers and men “present for duty equipped” on June 30, 1864.  Present for Duty Equipped attempts to strip away anyone not actually going into combat.  Those non-combatants are included in PFD, the way I represent unit strengths across this web site for consistency.  So the unit had at least this number of officers and men PFD, though we know that number is higher. ↩
    23. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 264 ↩
    24. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 3 (Serial Number 82), page 739 ↩
    25. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XL, Part 1 (Serial Number 80), page 267 ↩
    26. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 619: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
    27. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 2 (Serial Number 88), page 619: “Organization of the Army of the Potomac…August 31, 1864” ↩
    28. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1302. ↩
    29. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1302. ↩
    30. Sommers, Richard J. “Grant’s Fifth Offensive at Petersburg: A Study in Strategy, Tactics, and Generalship.  The Battle of Poplar Spring Church, the First Battle of the Darbytown Road, the Second Battle of the Squirrel Level Road, the Second Battle of the Darbytown Road (Ulysses S. Grant, Virginia).” Doctoral Thesis. Rice University, 1970. Print. p. 1302. ↩
    31. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 464: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
    32. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 464: “Organization of the Union Forces” (October 31, 1864)” ↩
    33. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1123: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    34. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1123: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    35. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLII, Part 3 (Serial Number 89), page 1123: “Organization of the Union Forces” (December 31, 1864) ↩
    36. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 334: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    37. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 747: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    38. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 334: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    39. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 747: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    40. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 333: “Organization of the Union Forces” (January 31, 1865) ↩
    41. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 2 (Serial Number 96), page 747: “Organization of the Union Forces” (February 28, 1865) ↩
    42. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 576: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    43. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 593: “Return of casualties in the Union Forces commanded by Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, March 29-April 9, 1865” ↩
    44. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume XLVI, Part 1 (Serial Number 95), page 576: “Organization of the Union Forces” (March 31, 1865) ↩
    45. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer (Part 3) ↩

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