Overview
The 1st New York Engineers (Three Years’ Service), also known as “Serrell’s Engineers,” was an engineer regiment recruited from across New York State. The unit was organized at New York City and mustered into United States service between October 11, 1861, and February 19, 1862, for a three-year term. Serving with the Union Army, the regiment operated primarily in the Department of the South and later with the Army of the James, providing critical engineering and combat support in several major campaigns and sieges.
The regiment was notable for its technical expertise and played a key role in siege operations, fortification construction, and combat engineering tasks. Its flag was the first to be raised over Fort Pulaski after its capture. The 1st New York Engineers continued in service as a veteran organization after the original members’ terms expired, remaining active until the end of the war.
Organization & Service
The 1st New York Engineers was organized at New York City, with companies mustered into service from October 11, 1861, to February 19, 1862. The original Company L was detached in October 1861 to become the 4th New York Battery. In January 1864, 205 men from the Enfants Perdus and 2 officers and 40 men from the 4th New York Battery were transferred to the regiment, and Company L was reconstituted from these men. Company M was formed in April 1864 from recruits in the field.
The regiment departed New York by detachments between October 1861 and February 1862, moving to Port Royal, South Carolina. It served in the 10th Corps, Department of the South, until 1864, participating in operations at Port Royal Ferry, Battery Vulcan, Fort Pulaski, James Island, Secessionville, Coosawhatchie River, Caston’s and Frampton’s Plantations, Morris Island, the siege of Fort Wagner, and the bombardment of Fort Sumter. The regiment’s heaviest losses during this period occurred at Morris Island and Fort Wagner.
From May 1864, Companies B, D, E, F, H, K, L, and M served with the Army of the James. The regiment was engaged in the Bermuda Hundred operations and the siege of Petersburg, where it provided essential engineering support and suffered additional casualties. Elements of the regiment also participated in actions at Dutch Gap, Chaffin’s Farm, John’s Island, Honey Hill, Deveaux’s Neck, and Tillafinny Station. The final active service of the regiment was during the assault on Petersburg on April 2, 1865. The 1st New York Engineers was mustered out at Richmond, Virginia, on June 30, 1865, under the command of Colonel James F. Hall.
Research This Regiment Further
If you’d like to explore this unit’s history in more depth, regimental histories and Civil War reference works offer valuable detail.
Engagements & Campaigns
- Port Royal Ferry, South Carolina
- Battery Vulcan, South Carolina
- Fort Pulaski, Georgia
- James Island and Secessionville, South Carolina
- Coosawhatchie River, South Carolina
- Caston’s and Frampton’s Plantations, South Carolina
- Morris Island, South Carolina
- Siege of Fort Wagner, South Carolina
- Bombardment of Fort Sumter, South Carolina
- Seabrook and John’s Island, South Carolina
- Olustee, Florida
- Bermuda Hundred, Virginia
- Siege of Petersburg, Virginia
- Dutch Gap, Virginia
- Chaffin’s Farm, Virginia
- Honey Hill, Deveaux’s Neck, and Tillafinny Station, South Carolina
- Final assault on Petersburg, Virginia (April 2, 1865)
Casualties
- Killed and mortally wounded: 2 officers, 24 enlisted men
- Died of disease, accidents, in prison, etc.: 5 officers, 114 enlisted men
- Total deaths: 145 officers and men
Field Officers & Commanders
- Colonel Edward W. Serrell
- Colonel James F. Hall
- Lieutenant Colonel Edward W. Serrell
- Lieutenant Colonel James F. Hall
- Lieutenant Colonel James E. Place
- Major James F. Hall
- Major Richard Butts
- Major Joseph Walker
- Major James E. Place
- Major Alfred F. Sears
- Major Frederick E. Greaf
- Major Frederick H. Cruso
Regimental Roster
The full roster of the 1st New York Engineers (Three Years’ Service), including officers and enlisted men, is available for genealogical and historical research. The roster provides names, ranks, and service details for members of the regiment throughout its term of service.
To view the complete roster, visit the 1st New York Engineers (Three Years’ Service) Roster page.
Sources & References
- Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volumes VI, XIV, XXVIII, XXXV, XLVI
- New York State Adjutant General’s Report
- Dyer, Frederick H., A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion
- Fox, William F., Regimental Losses in the American Civil War
- Contemporary regimental and state histories