Thomas Wright's Diary

The Pioneer

The Pioneer Brigade, or Regiment, as it was referred to after the War. Was established by General Rosecrans, in Nashville, Tennessee November 1862. Made up of two men from each Company of the Army of the Cumberland. To perform Pioneer Duty. I'll get into that later, little background as to why, and how I found this group of men.

I have been fascinated by, this time period,well since I was young. Sending off to the Archives for information on my Great Great Grandfather.
Leonard Ebaugh, yes the same Leonard Thomas mentioned and has been mentioned in the 1933-34 Chapters, his home was in Clermontville, referred to as Fiddlers Knob.

With the help, of his son Austen my Great Grandfather. Who told me all that was needed to find his Military records pension and such.
The man was filled with  knowledge, I can remember his stories, from his younger years. Those could create, a book themselves.

I was probably eleven or twelve years old, when I got, this information. Looking over the Muster sheets, I found a lot of AWOL, for those of you who don't know what that means Away without leave. That about knocked me over, thinking the man ran off. As I read more, it stated on special assignment. Some read special duty.

This peaked my interest, what was this special duty? I am showing my age here. No Computer no internet, to search this out. I went to the Library, searched and read about every Encyclopedia they had. No help, Grandpa didn't know of any thing special. My young mind didn't think of the Archives, or even if they had information on it. I couldn't find anything, of course looking back. Could of been, I was looking the wrong way. Well, life got in the way, being young I did what young people do.

I took the search up again, a lot of years later.
Computer and internet, I found it and other things I've been trying to find on Philotis. That name was mentioned earlier also. Remember I said in one chapter, remember the Ohio 59th and 60th, Philotis served in the 60th. Both men Great Grandfathers on my father's side of the family. Back to what this Special Duty was. I'll quit the background info now. Sorry for the rambling, hope it's coherent not a jumbled mess.

                               Pioneer Brigade

General Order No.3
There will be detailed immediately, from each company of every Regiment of Infantry in this Army, two men, who shall be organized as a Pioneer or Engineer Corps attached to its Regiment. The twenty men will be selected with great care, half laborers half mechanics. The most intelligent and energetic Lieutenant in the Regiment, with the best knowledge of civil engineering, will be detailed to command, assisted by two non-commissioned officers. This Officer shall be responsible for all equipage, and shall receipt accordingly.

Under certain circumstances it may be necessary to mass this force; when orders are given for such a movement, they must be promptly obeyed.

The wagons attached to the Corps will carry all the tools, and mens camp equipage. The men shall carry their arms, and clothing.

Division quartermasters will immediately make requisitions on chief quartermasters for the equipment, and shall issue to regimental quartermasters on proper requisition.

Equipment for Twenty Men- Estimate for Regiment.

Six Felling Axes

Six Hatchets

Two Cross-Cut Saws

Two Cross-Cut Files

Two Hand-Saws