Lesson Plan: Sam’s Regiment, an Infrastructure-Related “Construction Battalion”

The purpose of this activity is to inspire students to think about issues associated with public infrastructure. Much has been made in recent times about the condition of America’s roads, bridges, and other structures that carry goods and people across the nation. The same kinds of issues faced the Federal Government during the Civil War. How transport troops? How get them food, clothing, weapons? How would leaders communicate with each other on a timely basis?

The pre-Civil War army comprised a total of about 18,000 officers and men. During the four years of the war, over three million Americans joined the ranks of the opposing armed forces. Such degree of mobilization brought with it a host of issues concerning their support.

Although Civil War soldiers served primarily in either an infantry, cavalry, or artillery regiment, some volunteered for specialized units that were organized for specific purposes, such as Sam Woodworth. His regiment – the “1st Michigan Engineers & Mechanics” – had a dual purpose. The soldiers were trained to participate in armed conflict, but their special role was to engage in supporting activities crucial to the success of the Union army. They maintained rail lines and constructed railroad bridges, road bridges, pontoon bridges, and corduroy roads. They worked on constructing artillery placements and putting guns into position. To protect railroads at exposed points, or at important locations such as a river crossing, they built blockhouses within which small groups of soldiers could defend themselves and the rails from hostile forces. Resources describing this unit include:

• Mark Hoffman, My Brave Mechanics: The Michigan Engineers and Their Civil War. Wayne State University Press, 2007
• John Robertson, Michigan in the War. Lansing: W.S. George & Co., 1882 (chapter on engineers and mechanics beginning on page 494) *
• Charles R. Sligh, History of the Services of the First Regiment Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, During the Civil War, 1861-1865. Grand Rapids: n.p., 1921 *

The “engineers and mechanics” were forerunners to a World War II unit known as the “Seabees.” Check out their story at:

https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/communities/seabees1.html *

Review the role that logistics – the field of management of supply, transportation, and communication – played in the war and in society of the 1860s. Resources include:

• Roger Allen, Mr. Lincoln’s High-Tech War: How the North Used the Telegraph, Railroads, Surveillance Balloons, Ironclads, High-Powered Weapons, and More to Win the Civil War. National Geographic (for Kids), 2009
• Earl J. Hess, Civil War Supply and Strategy: Feeding Men and Moving Armies. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2020
• Tom Wheeler, Mr. Lincoln’s T-Mails: How Abraham Lincoln Used the Telegraph to Win the Civil War. New York: Harper Collins, 2006

As an additional inquiry, students may want to research other units with specialized roles. These include the Signal Corps and the Topographical Engineers. In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers has a long history and a wealth of projects across the nation. Research can begin at its website, https://www.usace.army.mil *

Are there Corps projects in the vicinity of your community? Review and analyze their purpose and effects. How do they play a role in maintaining public safety and national interests?