I have a book titled "Bridge Building in Wartime" that is Colonel Wesley Brainerd's Memoir of the 50th New York Volunteer Engineers. This book is published by The University of Tennessee Press; about 400 pages. This book contains a detailed history of the regiment, describes strategic and tactical use of engineers, and highlights the contributions of key officers. This book provides very little personal information about the rank and file soldiers who served with the regiment. My 2nd great-granduncle, William F. Newell, served with the 50th NY Engineer Regiment. He was a resident of Troy, PA at the time of his enrollment in Feb 1864. He enrolled at Candor, Tioga Co., NY for three years service and he received a $60 bounty. He was mustered out at Fort Barry, VA in June 1865, at the end of the war, and he received a $200 bounty. Here's a transcript of an 1861 Civil War recruiting poster for the 50th NY Engineer Regiment, illustrated on page 17 of the aforementioned book. A RARE CHANCE for NEW RECRUITS! For Col. Stuart's ENGINEER REGIMENT! Wanted, a few able bodied first-class men, to be composed of Mechanics, Carpenters, Farmers, and ordinary Laborers, to fill up the ranks of the Company organized in this village for said Regiment by Capt. Wesley Brainerd. This engineer regiment is to be one of the best in the service, and as the principal duties in this Corps will be of a professional character a position in it is more desirable than one of equal rank in ordinary Infantry Regiments. A portion of the Company are now at Elmira, and write home to their friends that every thing is all right. The outfits and uniforms are ready, and are of superior texture and quality. The time to fill the company is limited, and those who wish to serve their Country are invited to call at the Armory of the Gansevoort Light Guard, 39 Dominick Street, at the earliest moment and ernoll their names. They will be enlisted for Three Years or the War, and will receive at the close of service a bounty of $100, and probably also a land warrant. Men attached to this Regiment, will receive extra pay when engaged in professional duties as an Engineer Corps. Any further information will be cheerfully given by applying at the Armory as above, by Capt. Wesley Brainerd, Recruiting Officer. Rome, August 17, 1861. Sincerely, Paul E. Newell Ellicott City, MD

Thanks for sharing that info with the List, Paul. I'm keeping a copy in my notes. My gr-grandfather, Abram Rowe, and his brother, Cornelius Rowe, both of Millport, Chemung Co., were also in the 50th NY Engineer Regiment. Abram joined Company U, 50th NY Engineers Regiment at age 18 on 4-10-1865 in Elmira NY; mustered out at Fort Barry, Va. on 6-13-1865 when the war ended. Another researcher wrote me that he actually enlisted earlier, but was sent home because he was underage--I found a note that said he enlisted in 1863, but don't know if it was accurate. Cornelius enlisted in Company H on 30 August 1862 at age 32, and mustered out on 13 June 1865 in Fort Barry, VA. at the end of the war. I found a copy of a black and white photo of Cornelius in some on-line military records a couple of years ago--I think at NARA, but when I recently went back in to look at it again, could not find it. It looks like they changed the website around, so will have to search for it again--I saved a copy, but apparently didn't record the source (or maybe just misplaced it). Patricia Rowe Stone, Rochester, NY ----- Original Message ----- To: <PABRADFO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 6:09 PM Subject: [Tri-Counties] Memoir of the 50th NY Volunteer Engineers > ....,I have a book titled "Bridge Building in Wartime" that is Colonel Wesley > Brainerd's Memoir of the 50th New York Volunteer Engineers. > ..... > .....My 2nd great-granduncle, William F. Newell, served with the 50th NY Engineer > Regiment. ..... > > .....Here's a transcript of an 1861 Civil War recruiting poster for the 50th NY > Engineer Regiment, illustrated on page 17 of the aforementioned book...... >Paul E. Newell >Ellicott City, MD