AUSTIN THEODORE DANIELS -- 1st ENGINEERSHAD HIS OWN TEAM OF MEN IN THE 1st ENGINEERS - Austin Theodore Daniels,Jr., a mason, was born in Saranac on September 8, 1840, to AustinDaniels, who was born in Scotland, and Betsey Huntley who was born inHolland. Austin, Sr. also enlisted, but in another regiment. On hisMuster Roll Abstract for the 1st Engineers, it states that he was 18years of age, even though he was 21 years old.The 1st Engineers was formed on October 11, 1861, 6 days later, Austinenlisted. About a month later, he was mustered into Company I as aprivate with men from New York City, Newburgh, Schuyler Falls, MooersForks (Centreville), Goshen, Saranac, Piermorat, Plattsburgh, andEllenburg, who agreed to serve for 3 years.The regiment were first with the South Carolina Expeditionary Corps andspent most of their time supporting fighting regiments on the coastbuilding batteries, roads and bridges. They alternated between theDepartment of the South and the Army of the James in Virginia until theend of the war.In Georgia, with the Department of the South, they were the first to flytheir flag over Fort Pulaski and before Richmond and Petersburg, withthe Army of the James, they rendered valuable service maintaining thetrenches and roads.When Petersburg fell on Aril 2, 1865, Austin was there with his own teamof men. He had been promoted to artificer on February 1, 1864, when here-enlisted.Austin returned home, moved to Vermont, and married Chloe Ann Moulton onOctober 31, 1885, in Vergennes. He died at 85 years 9 months and 26 daysold, on July 4, 1926, and was buried in the West Hill Cemetery inChelsea, VT.
