Engineer

is commonly applied to an officer who is appointed to inspect and contrive any attacks, defences, . of a fortified place, or to build or repair them, . The art of fortification is an art which stands in need of so many others, and whose object is so extensive, and its operations accompanied with so many various circumstances, that it is almost impo ible for a man to make himself master of it by experience alone, even supposing him born with all the advantages of genius and disposition po ible for the knowlege and practice of that important art. We do not pretend to deny that experience is of greater efficacy, than all the precepts in the world: but it has likewise its inconveniences as well as its advantages; its fruits are of slow growth; and whoever is content with pursuing only that method of instruction, seldom knows how to act upon emergencies of all kinds, because old age incapacitates him from exercising his employment. Experience teaches us, through the means of the errors we commit ourselves, what theory teaches us at the expence of others. The life of man being short, and opportunities of practice seldom happening, it is certain nothing le than a happy genius, a great share of theory, and intent application joined to experience, can make an engineer one day shine in his profe ion. From whence it follows, that le than the three first of those four qualities, should not be a recommendation for the reception of a young gentleman into a corps of engineers. The fundamental sciences, and those absolutely nece ary, are arithmetic, geometry, mechanics, hydraulics, and drawing. Without arithmetic, it is impo ible to make a calculation of the extent, and to keep an account of the disbursements made, or to be made; nor without it can an exact computation be made upon any occasion whatsoever. Without geometry, it is impo ible to lay down a plan or map with truth and exactne , or settle a draught of a fortification, or calculate the lines and angles, so as to make a just estimation, in order to trace them on the ground, and to measure the surface and solidity of their parts. Mechanics teach us the proportions of the machines in use, and how to increase or diminish their powers as occasion may require; and likewise to judge whether those which our own imagination suggests to us, will answer in practice. Hydraulics teach us how to conduct waters from one place to another, to keep them at a certain height, or to raise them higher. How fluently soever we may expre ourselves in speaking or writing, we can never give so perfect an idea as by an exact drawing; and often in fortification both are wanted; for which reason the art of drawing is indispensibly nece ary for engineers. To the qualities above mentioned, must be added activity and vigilance; both which are absolutely nece ary in all operations of war, but especially in the attack of such places as are in expectation of succours. The besieged must have no time allowed them for consideration; one hour lost at such a juncture often proves irreparable. It is by their activity and vigilance, that engineers often bring the besieged to capitulate, much sooner than they would have done, if those engineers had not pushed on the attack with firmne and resolution. Want of vigilance and activity often proceed from irresolution, and that from weakne of capacity. As the office of an engineer requires great natural qualifications, much knowlege, study, and application, it is but reasonable that the pay should be proportioned to that merit which is to be the qualification of the person employed: he must be at an extraordinary expence in his education, and afterwards for books and instruments for his instruction and improvement, as well as for many other things; and that he may be at liberty to pursue his studies with application, he must not be put to shifts for nece aries. It should likewise be considered, that if an engineer do his duty, be his station what it will, his fatigue must be very great; and, to dedicate himself wholly to that duty, he should be divested of all other cares. The word engineer is of modern date in England, and was first used about the year 1650, when one captain Thomas Rudd had the title of chief engineer. In 1600, the title given to engineers, was trench-master; and in 1622, sir William Pelham, and after him sir Francis Vere, acted as trench-masters in Flanders. In the year 1634, an engineer was called camp-master general, and sometimes engine-master, being always subordinate to the master of the ordnance. At present the corps of engineers in England , consists of 1 colonel in chief, 1 colonel en second, 1 chief engineer, 5 colonels, 6 lieutenant colonels, 18 captains, 15 captain lieutenants, and captains, 31 lieutenants, 16 second lieutenants. The establishment of the corps of invalid engineers , comprises a colonel, lieutenant colonel, captain, captain lieutenant and captain, first lieutenant, and second lieutenant. The corps of engineers in Ireland consists of a director, colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, captain, captain lieutenant and captain, and 2 first lieutenants. During the administration of general Washington, the nece ity of some military institute, or school, was frequently recommended; and in the administration that followed, the same policy was pursued; particularly at the period of raising the additional army in 1798. In the year 1792, military subjects were very much pre ed upon congre , as arising out of the state of the world, and the nece ity of being prepared to ward against the dangers which might arise. In 1800, the subject of military defence was discu ed, with increased zeal, and a very able and judicious report of the then secretary at war was laid before congre , in which it was proposed to establish a military academy to be divided into four general departments. 1. A fundamental school. 2. A school of artillerists and engineers. 3. A school of cavalry and infantry. 4. A naval school. The objects of this report fell to the ground. In 1802, (16 March) a law was pa ed, in which it was provided, Sect. 26. That the President of the United States is hereby authorised and empowered, when he shall deem it expedient, to organize and establish a corps of engineers, to consist of one engineer, with the pay, rank, and emoluments of a major; two a istant engineers, with the pay, rank, and emoluments of captains; two other a istant engineers, with the pay, rank, and emoluments of first lieutenants; two other a istant engineers, with the pay, rank, and emoluments of second lieutenants; and ten cadets, with the pay of sixteen dollars per month, and two rations per day: and the President of the United States is, in like manner authorised, when he shall deem it proper, to make such promotions in the said corps, with a view to particular merit, and without regard to rank, so as not to exceed one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, two majors, four captains, four first lieutenants, four second lieutenants, and so as that number of the whole corps shall, at no time, exceed twenty officers and cadets. Sec. 27. And be it further enacted , That the said corps when so organized, shall be stationed at West Point in the state of New York, and shall constitute a military academy; and the engineers, a istant engineers, and cadets of the said corps, shall be subject at all times, to do duty in such places, and on such service, as the President of the United States shall direct. Sec. 28. And be it further enacted , That the principal engineer, and in his absence the next in rank, shall have the super intendance of the said military academy, under the direction of the President of the United States; and the secretary of war is hereby authorised, at the public expence, under such regulations as shall be directed by the President of the United States, to procure the nece ary books, implements and apparatus for the use and benefit of the said institution. This school of engineers of the U. States has been since augmented; and it is proposed to place it at Washington city.