101st Engineer Battalion (United States)

The 101st Engineer Battalion was originally organized in 1636 as The East Regiment from existing militia companies of Saugus, Salem, Ipswich, and Newbury. These town's militias had been organized between 1630 and 1631. It was re-designated as The Essex Regiment in 1643. In 1680, the regiment was divided and became known as The First, or Lower Regiment. It remained as such until 1775 when the name changed to The First Regiment of Militia in Essex County. The Regiment furnished two companies for duty at the Lexington and Concord Alarm that year. In 1785, the designation was simplified to First Essex Regiment. In 1840, the unit was again re-designated. This time it became The Sixth Regiment of Light Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. In 1855 it changed to The Eighth Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.

The Eighth Infantry was mustered into Federal Service on April 30, 1861 as The Eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and was mustered out August 1, 1861. It reentered Federal Service from September 15 to October 1, 1862. Upon reentry the regiment was placed in service for 9 months and was stationed at New Berne, North Carolina, and assigned to General Foster's Division, Second Brigade, and engaged in Picket Duty.

On April 9, 1863, elements of the regiment were part of a force in action under General Spinola at Blounts Creek, NC. It saw action again on April 21, 1863, under General Prince, at Core Creek, NC. On July 1, 1863, the regiment arrived in Baltimore, MD, where it remained until July 6 when ordered to Maryland Heights. On July 12 it moved to reinforce The Army Of The Potomac at Boonsboro, MD , and was assigned to The Second Division, First Army Corps. The Eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was ordered home July 26 and mustered out August 7, 1863. The regiment again entered Federal Service July 26, 1864, for one hundred days and mustered out November 10, 1864.

The Eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was mustered into Federal Service on May 11, 1898, as the Eighth Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry, U.S. Volunteers. The regiment served in Cuba from January 10, 1899 , until April 4, 1899. On April 28 the unit returned to State Duty.

The Eighth Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was mustered into Federal Service on June 25, 1916 to serve on the Mexican Border. It was mustered out November 19 , 1916.

The unit was mustered into Federal Service for World War I on August 5, 1917. The Eighth Infantry found itself re-designated as the Fifth Pioneer Infantry February 10, 1918. The Fifth Pioneer Infantry remained in the Carolina's, and did not serve overseas. The unit reverted back to state status on January 8, 1919.

On September 13, 1919, the Eighth Regiment of Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, was organized. It was then disbanded July 12, 1920. On March 30, 1920 the 101st Regiment of Engineers and Train, Massachusetts National Guard, was organized. It was re-designated as the First Regiment of Engineers and Train, September 1, 1920, and then First Engineers, November 30, 1921. It was re-designated 101st Combat Engineers September 30, 1921. Massachusettes consolidated the three companies of the 101st in 2007. Today the tradition is carried on through the 182nd Sapper Company out of Newburyport, MA.

[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/101eng.htm link title]