Military officer; born in
Braintree, Mass., June 9, 1785; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1807 and at
West Point in 1808, entering the corps of engineers.
He was chief engineer of
Dearborn's army in 1812, and of
Hampton's division in 1813.
He was chief engineer in the defence of
Norfolk, Va., in 1814.
In 1815 he was sent with
Colonel McRae to
Belgium and
France to examine the fortifications there; and from 1817 to 1833 he was superintendent at
West Point, and established the academy on its present basis.
In 1838 he was made lieutenantcolonel, and from 1833 to 1857 was constructing engineer of the defences of
Boston Harbor, and temporary chief of the engineer corps from 1857 to 1859.
He was commissioned colonel in March, 1863; brevetted brigadier-general in May; and resigned June 1.
He died in South Braintree, Mass., Sept. 7, 1872.