Thanks to the diligent research of former town historian John Hartwell, additional information about Auburn residents who served in the Civil War has recently been added to the Auburn Veterans database. Among those recognized is Captain Eugene H. Newton, one of the few Auburn soldiers to attain the rank of captain during the war.

Newton’s family originally hailed from Middlesex County, where they were farmers. His mother was from Shrewsbury. In 1867, he married Mary Lucretia Warren of Auburn, and the couple raised two daughters, Lydia Mertice and Ella Augusta.

Military service ran deep in Newton’s family. His second great-grandfather, Deacon Gideon Newton, served as a private in Captain Josiah Fay’s company of minutemen, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, at the outset of the American Revolution. He served for 31 days.

At age 19, Eugene Newton enlisted in Boston on Nov. 19, 1861, joining Company C of the U.S. Engineers under Lt. James McPherson. The unit became part of the Engineer Battalion of the Army of the Potomac and saw action from the Peninsula Campaign through Gettysburg. Newton was discharged on Sept. 7, 1863, in order to accept a commission as captain in the Department of the Gulf.

Newton was assigned to Company F of the 4th Regiment of Engineers in the Corps d’Afrique, a unit composed of African American troops organized in New Orleans who served in the Union Army. The regiment was later redesignated as the 98th U.S. Colored Infantry but continued serving as engineers. Newton remained in command of the unit until his discharge on Jan. 6, 1866.

Although many might assume Newton served with the famed 54th Massachusetts Regiment, records show he was not among its officers. Instead, his service was tied to the Corps d’Afrique, which historians note was formally recognized as part of the Union Army before the 54th Massachusetts. The unit included 33 officers and 731 African American enlisted men, primarily from New Orleans and surrounding areas. The regiment guarded prisoners of war, constructed fortifications, and fought in engagements including Port Hudson, Mansura and Mobile.

Newton commanded Fort Barrancas in Florida, overseeing reconstruction of its fortifications. During the final months of his service, he performed provost marshal duty in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana.

Following the war, Newton returned to Auburn and resumed farming. He became active in civic and veterans’ organizations, including George Thomas Post #131 of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was also involved with the Leicester Republican organization, the Union Agricultural Society, the Grange, and the Oxford Agricultural Society. In 1883, he was elected town moderator, and in 1888 he served as secretary to the 10th Congressional District caucus. He was also a member of the Worcester Central District Temperance Union.

According to the 1900 census, the Newton family resided at 210 Southbridge St., where he owned his home. He remained there until his death. He and his family are buried in the West Auburn Burial Ground. His name is included on the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

This article is part of the Veterans of Auburn series, made possible by the Auburn Historical Society & Museum, 41 South St. The museum is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, email [email protected], call 508-832-6856, visit www.auburnhistoricalmuseum.org, or follow Auburn Historical on Facebook.