50th New York Engineers | chemungcocivilwar

Building Bridges: 50th New York Engineers

Following the first battle of Bull Run, Colonel Charles B. Stuart was given authority to recruit a regiment in Elmira. Initially an infantry regiment, it became the 50th New York Engineers on October 22, 1861. Though the regiment built roads, battery positions and forts, it is best remembered for bridge building. The 50th was attached to the Army of the Potomac and saw action at Yorktown, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station and were at Appomattox Court House to witness the surrender of General Lee and his army.

Back

In the Army Now

Bridge at Jericho Mills Between September 1862 and May 1865, the regiment built 86 bridges. If placed end to end, they would have measured just over four miles. Image courtesy of www.loc.gov	Pontoon Boat Wood and canvas boats 31 feet long and over 5 ½ feet wide were used as pontoons for the regiment’s floating bridges. Image courtesy of www.loc.gov
Road Construction In addition to bridge construction, the 50th performed other engineering duties including building roads such like on the south bank of the North Anna River at Jericho Mills, Virginia. Image courtesy of www.loc.gov	General view of the 50th New York Engineers’ winter encampment, Rappahannock Station, Virginia, 1864. Image courtesy of www.loc.gov
Death Certificate of Pvt. Lathrop During its service, the regiment lost 1 officer and 19 enlisted men to battle and 1 officer and 206 enlisted men to disease.	Portrait of General Edmund O. Beers Edmund Beers was Captain and Major of Co. H, 50th New York Engineers during the Civil War.
Engineer Brigade reunion ribbon

Building Bridges: 50th New York Engineers

Bridge at Jericho Mills

Between September 1862 and May 1865, the regiment built 86 bridges. If placed end to end, they would have measured just over four miles. Image courtesy of www.loc.gov

Pontoon Boat

Wood and canvas boats 31 feet long and over 5 ½ feet wide were used as pontoons for the regiment’s floating bridges. Image courtesy of www.loc.gov

Road Construction

In addition to bridge construction, the 50th performed other engineering duties including building roads such like on the south bank of the North Anna River at Jericho Mills, Virginia. Image courtesy of www.loc.gov

General view of the 50th New York Engineers’ winter encampment, Rappahannock Station, Virginia, 1864. Image courtesy of www.loc.gov

Death Certificate of Pvt. Lathrop

During its service, the regiment lost 1 officer and 19 enlisted men to battle and 1 officer and 206 enlisted men to disease.

Portrait of General Edmund O. Beers

Edmund Beers was Captain and Major of Co. H, 50th New York Engineers during the Civil War.

Engineer Brigade reunion ribbon