Artificer in the Engineer Corp of the Union Army

[RedLegLT]

Gents

I just went through two days of research not only on here, but on the web as a whole. Went through my regulations books et al. In my organization (Union Volunteers) we have our own Engineer Corps, we have been having a discussion about the rank, insignia etc of the Artificer. No-one can seem to find anything pertaining to it within the Engineer Corps. We checked the regulations, roll sheets etc. I had an ancestor in the 15th NY Engineers who was listed as Artificer on the rolls and on the roster we gained from the NYS Archives.

It appears to me, and I could be wrong. But according the Revised 1861 Regulations, "Artificer" was an official Rank or position in the Ordinance and Cavalry Departments, but an Un-Official Title in the Engineer Corps. I mean I have found numerous engineers listed as Artificer. I know they used the Pioneer patches albeit rarely. I have found some reference to a Crossed Hammers patch used by Ordinance and Cavalry Artificers, but the only images I can find are from Indian War / Spanish American War.

Now did they have some form of insignia? Or was it just a title or "occupation title" with a 2 dollar pay raise?

Reason I ask is because one, we want to make sure our Engineers are doing the right thing, and well, I have a massive curiosity when something is unknown!

Thanks In Advance,

Frank Ruiz Jr
14th Regt. NYSM Co. E
"Union Volunteers"

[BobSullivanPress]

Re: Artificer in the Engineer Corp of the Union Army

Historically, an Artificer was a skilled laborer. The term dates back to the Continental Army, where a corps of Artificers was formed. The definition was a skilled laborer who could act independently with a workforce. Generally these men were separated into categories by occupation. For example, if you have a highly skilled carpenter or mason, you'd really like to keep him from being shot. So you make him an artificer and pay him extra for his work.

In the cavalry, these men were generally harness makers by trade before the war.

If the engineer regiment needed to build a bridge, an engineer officer would design it, and the artificers would act as foremen, advising, supervising, and seeing that quality work was done.

To become an artificer, you had to demonstrate your skill.

Hope this helps.

[RedLegLT]

Re: Artificer in the Engineer Corp of the Union Army

Thanks Bob, appreciate it. We officially broke off from the Federal Volunteer Brigade (Thank God) and took our 2nd Regt. With us. We started up the Union Volunteers, a progressive approach to an umbrella organization. Not completely campaigner, but a home for both the Mainstreamer (who has a higher standard) and the campaigner.

We recently picked up a good group of engineers who do it right! So we have been discussing the term Artificer. And figured I'd put it out to the A/C.

Thanks again,

Frank

[10TnVI]

Re: Artificer in the Engineer Corp of the Union Army

According to Kautz Customs of the service-an artificer in the engineers actually title was private first class, the pay was 20 dollars a month-same as an infantry/artillery sergeant. Laborers were private second class and paid the same as other privates. Pay for Corporal and Sergeants was correspondingly higher.