"Posting Pioneer's in British A.W.I. infantry battalions?" Topic

Can anybody answer my question: Where would the attached pioneer's of a British infantry battalion during the A.W.I. era be posted within their battalion?
Thank's for any feedback!
TomS.
Avalon, Pa. 15202

I'm not quite sure but I do know that every regiment had them, I would think that they were consolidated with other pioneer units. When Burgoyne was marching through the New York wilderness, I'm quite sure they were clearing the way of all the debris the continentals put in their way such as fallen trees. In my British army I have three stands of three pioneers each, I use them for building defenses.

pioneer's whats? Do you mean pioneers, the plural of pioneer?

Thank's? Who is thank? Or do you mean thanks?

I'm not trying to take the but really! thank's (sic) is probably the worst I have seen for ages.

Black compagny of pioneers
In Philadelphia is was decided that a pioneers compagny was needed to build the fortification.A negro units was raised.

Guide and pioneers 1779
The unit was raised with the Loyal Américan Regiment and served with them.

(Osprey American Provincial Corps)

1) During this period not every battalion did have pioneers and the number could vary according to how many men with the appropriate skills were present within the unit. They were not part of the regimental establishment officially until the French Revolutionary/Napoleonic Wars. This was part of the reason that the light company men in the AWI period – and sometimes all troops – were issued with hatchets.

2) On parade, they stood on the right of the line with the grenadier company; this mimicked the practice of the German troops with which the British traditionally served, whether in Europe or North America.

3) In the field, the pioneers of each brigade were normally grouped together at the head of the brigade and would march off first in order to clear any obstacles along the route. It's not clear if any/all of the regiments in Burgoyne's army had them as Burgoyne himself requested a large force of Canadian "axemen" specifically to clear the way as his army advanced south.

4) In certain circumstances, pioneers could be assigned to other duties – eg at Bunker Hill, a group of them joined the 35th's grenadier company in helping the artillery to move their guns; clearing the abbatis and ditches ahead of an assault on a fortification was another specialist task.

5) In battle, their role was not specified. By the time of the Napoleonic wars, I think they were usually detailed to help protect the colours, but since many British units did not take their colours into the field in the AWI, this was probably not a role they performed in that conflict.

6) You should also note that contemporary illustrations show them WITHOUT beards at this time; again, the facial hair tradition really dates from the Napoleonic period.

7) Unlike the "Black Pioneers" which was intended as a unit of labourers and craftsmen, the "Guides and Pioneers" unit mentioned by Rougeau was very largely NOT a pioneer unit in the artisan sense, but a specialist recce/intelligence gathering corps composed of Loyalists who were familiar with particular parts of the Colonies.

Interesting thread. Some useful facts on the role of pioneers in the AWI, and a lesson in correct use of apostrophes :-)That's what I love about these boards.

I agree with 1ngram.
Thi's apo'strophe abu'se mu'st 'stop!

It i's not merely a clue to the reader that an 's is coming next.

I's have's a few's painted's up's but's have's not's ever's used's them's.

Please forgive me for the horrid abuse of that apostrophe. I ask all those who were offended by this to forgive me and go elsewhere (and take a dive)!
All I really want to know is where would the pioneer section of a British infantry battalion be placed if they were say----standing inspection withing the battalion????
If you really don't have a clue as to the correct answer that I am looking for---please don't respond.
Tom Semian
Avalon, Pa. 15202

Tom,

My earlier answer will give you what you want to know.

AuttieCat: well said!
Supercilius: thanks for the post. Like I jokingly posted before. I have some pioneers painted up but don't use them. you gave me something to think about on how to add them to my games.