The North Atlantic Engineers: A History of the North Atlantic Division and its Predecessors in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1775 - 1975
Abstract
On June 16, 1975, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers celebrated the 200th anniversary of its birth. Birthdays can be a time for assessments as well as celebrations. The marking of the Corps' first two centuries offered a fitting occasion for recounting and evaluating its development. This book provides a history of the Army Engineers in the northeastern United States during the period 1775-1975. It is the story of the North Atlantic Division (NAD) and the earlier organizations of the Corps in that region. The U.S. Army Engineers originated on June 16, 1775, when General George Washington appointed Colonel Richard Gridley of Massachusetts to be the first Chief Engineer of the American Army. Gridley began his assignment by supervising construction of fortifications in support of the fledgling Revolutionary Army. Under the command of Colonel Gridley and his successors, the Engineers performed well in the Revolutionary War. Later, as the young republic matured, Congress recognized the need for a national engineering capability and in 1802 provided for a Corps of Engineers to be stationed at West Point. For nearly a quarter of a century, West Point remained the only engineering school in the country. Over the years the Nation repeatedly called upon the Army Engineers to help solve major military construction and civil works problems. The Corps built the red brick forts along the coastline and assisted American Military combat forces. With the passage of the General Survey Act in 1824, Congress formally broadened the responsibilities of the Corps. It provided official recognition of the Corps' dual role of providing civil works support to the growing Nation in addition to providing combat engineering support for the Army. Throughout the 19th Century, the Corps proved instrumental in the expansion and development of the United States. Army Engineers helped explore, survey and map many regions of the country.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA637342
Entities
People
- John W. Chambers Ii