THE INCORPORATORS I9I 
and the Western Territories, and Totten accompanied him to 
his new station as an assistant. While in Ohio, his inborn 
curiosity regarding novel or unusual objects and phenomena led 
him to make a description and survey of the remains of the so- 
called “mound builders,” particularly at Circleville; probably 
the earliest observations on these singular works. 
In 1808 Totten re-entered the Army, was re-appointed Second 
Lieutenant of Engineers, and began his career as military 
engineer. He was assigned to duty in connection with the 
construction of Castle Williams, and Castle Clinton, in New 
York harbor. 
During the War of 1812 Totten served as Chief Engineer of 
the armies under command of Generals Van Rensselaer, Dear- 
born, Izard and Macomb. He obtained the rank of captain in 
1812, and was brevetted major in 1813 for “‘ meritorious service,” 
and in 1814 lieutenant-colonel for “ gallant conduct at the battle 
of Plattsburg.” 
At the close of this war, Totten entered upon the most im- 
portant epoch of his career, in which he was engaged in the con- 
struction of coast defences. Congress in 1816 constituted a board 
of engineers whose duty was to formulate a system of defensive 
works. After some vicissitudes, the permanent board, through 
circumstances which cannot be detailed here, finally consisted of 
General Simon Bernard (an eminent French engineer who was 
invited to America to assist in this important undertaking) and 
Colonel Totten. 
The reports of this board, which were prepared by Colonel 
Totten, “exhibit in a masterly manner the principles of sea- 
coast and harbor defence, and their application to our own 
country.” ‘They are themselves the best expressions of the 
life labors and services of the subject of our memoir.” (Bar- 
nard.) ‘These plans having been decided upon, Colonel Totten 
was assigned to the construction of Fort Adams in the harbor of 
Newport. This work, “ the second in magnitude of the fortifi- 
cations of the United States, is one of the best monuments of 
genius as a military engineer.” (Barnard.) 
