THE INCORPORATORS 191 



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.) 



