This regiment, "Serrell's Engineers", recruited from the state at large, rendezvoused at New York city and was there mustered into the U. S. service from Oct. 11, 1861, to Feb 19, 1862, for three years. The original Co. L became the 4th N. Y. battery in Oct., 1861, and in Jan., 1864, 205 men of the Enfants Perdus, and 2 officers and 40 of the 4th N. Y. battery were transferred to this regiment, Co. L being organized of the men of the 4th battery. Co. M was formed in April, 1864, from recruits in the field. The original members (except veterans) were mustered out by detachments as their term of service expired, and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, continued in the service as a veteran organization. The regiment left the state by detachments from Oct., 1861, to Feb., 1862, proceeding to Port Royal, S. C., where it served in the 10th corps, Department of the South, until 1864, and took part in the following engagements: Port Royal ferry, with Com. Tatnall's flotilla, Battery Vulcan, S. C., Fort Pulaski, Ga. (its flag being the first to float over that fortress), James island, Secessionville, Coosawhatchie river, Caston's and Frampton's plantations, Morris island, siege of Fort Wagner, bombardment of Fort Sumter, Seabrook, John's island, Olustee, Fla., and Morris island.
Its heaviest casualties during this period were at Morris island, where it lost 25 killed and wounded, and at the siege of Fort Wagner where the loss was 21 killed and wounded. From May, 1864, Cos. B, D, E, F, H, K, L and M served with the Army of the James. In the operations against Petersburg and Richmond in May, 1864, its services were particularly valuable at Bermuda Hundred, and also during the siege of Petersburg, where the regiment sustained a loss of 19 in killed and wounded. During the year 1864, portions of the regiment took part in engagements at Dutch gap and Chaffin's farm, Va., John's island, Honey Hill, Deveaux's neck and Tillafinny Station, S. C. The last active service of the regiment was in the final assault on Petersburg, April 2, 1865. It was mustered out at Richmond, Va., June 30, 1865, under command of Col. Hall. It lost during its term of service 2 officers and 24 men killed and mortally wounded; 5 officers and 114 men by disease, accidents, in prison, etc., a total of 145 officers and men.
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2 p. 233; Phisterer, p. 1,634
16 Jun 1862 at James Island, SC.
26 Jun 1862 at James Island, SC.
10 Jul 1863 at Folly Island, SC.
28 Jul 1863 at Fort Wagner, SC.
29 Jul 1863 at Battery Gregg.
19 Aug 1863 at Morris Island, SC.
19 Aug 1863 at Battery Gregg, Morris Island, SC.
24 Aug 1863 at Morris Island, SC.
26 Aug 1863 at Morris Island, SC.
3 Sep 1863 at Fort Wagner, SC.
6 Sep 1863 at Fort Wagner, SC.
22 Sep 1863 at Fort Gregg, VA.
28 Sep 1863 at Fort Wagner, SC.
20 Feb 1864 at Olustee, FL.
22 Feb 1864 at Morris Island, SC.
27 May 1864 at Battery Three.
27 Jun 1864 at Segaville, SC.
29 Jun 1864 at Reams' Station, VA.
2 Aug 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
5 Aug 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
13 Aug 1864 at Dutch Gap, VA.
4 Sep 1864 at Petersburg, VA.
2 Oct 1864 at Fort Harrison, VA.
6 Dec 1864 at Devaux's Neck.
24 Jan 1865 at Fort Brady, VA.