Corps Of Engineers

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This paper explains The History of the US Army Corps of Engineers and its effects on the United States. It will point out key events that created the Corps of Engineers and the reasons it was needed. The content reveals the issues Congress had in the early days of the Revolutionary War and the need presented for a force to build the Nation. During the conflicts that the Corps of Engineers had to endure the conditions were sought out to be some of the worst known to the United States Army. This is, in fact, due to the Corps of Engineers always being asked to fix a problem that no other organization had encountered before. This paper only reveals only a small amount of work the Corps of Engineers took part in. Between conflicts and the …show more content…

From that point on, Engineers have played a vital role in all American wars and government construction. During the war of 1812, Engineers were asked to continue to build fortresses and blockades (History, 1986). General George Washington, Commander in Chief said “we need more technical American native engineer officers for the future” (History, 1986). There for he sent thousands of officers to West Point to get trained up. From 1802-1866, West Point graduated some 10,000 officers in the Engineer field. During this time, Congress also authorized the Treasury Department to start expanding its explorations and surveys (History, 1986). These officers were named topographical officers and their job was to find ways to put in roads and communication as Americans moved in towards the middle of the country. The first major road was, The National Road from Cumberland, Maryland to Wheeling, West Virginia (History, 1986). The road challenged the Engineers, with its dense forests and rocky hills, but it was no match for the well trained Officers and Soldiers. Once the road was complete, the Corps of Engineers would become in charge of all builds of roads and repairs on them. This leading to the need for more enlisted Engineers and the opening of a basic training camp for engineers at Fort Belvoir, …show more content…

They will continue to overcome all obstacles put in their way to defeat the enemy. The Engineer Soldier is the most trained all-round Soldier the Army has in its arsenal. Engineers will continue to be at the front lines fighting their way through the dirt, cities or jungles so that follow on forces can get to the fight.

References

Walker, Paul K. Engineers of Independence: A Documentary History of the Army Engineers in the American Revolution, 1775-1783, Washington, D.C., Historical Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, (1981).

Giles, Janice Holt. The Damned Engineers, 2d ed., Fort Belvoir, Virginia: Historical Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, (1985).

Fowle, Barry W., ed. Builders and Fighters: U. S. Army Engineers in World War II, Fort Belvoir, Virginia: Office of History, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, (1992).

According to: “The History of the US Army Corps of Engineers” (1986).

According to: “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapper”

http://owl.english.purdue.edu

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