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tal, directing in this capacity the siege of Vera Cruz. For 
his successful services he was brevetted a Brigadier-General, 
29, 1847, “for gallant and meritorious conduct at 
the siege of Vera Cruz.” Having thus successfully accom- 
plished the special task for which he had been selected, he 
left the army and resumed his station at Washington. 
In addition to the onerous duties of his office, involving, 
besides the labors described, the Inspectorship and Super- 
vision of the Military Academy, his position and high repu- 
tation subjected him to calls for incidental labors, by the gov- 
ernment, by the States, or by municipal bodies. A few 
months prior to his appointment as Chief Engineer, 1838, 
he was, at the invitation of the Secretary of the Navy, or 
dered to visit the Navy-Yard at Pensacola,and to prepare plans 
for dry-docks, wharves, sea-walls, and other improvements. 
Save a wretched failure in the shape of a wharf, the place 
——a navy-yard in name—had been, up to this period, des- 
titute of everything that characterizes such an establishment, 
except an imposing row of officers’ quarters, and some few 
storehouses. A board of naval officers had been convened 
two years previously to consider the wants of the yard, and 
had recommended an extensive system of improvements, i- 
volving, among other things, no less than four dry-docks. 
Such constructions, reaching thirty or more feet below the 
level of low water in the loose sand of the bay shores, were 
difficult, demanding all the resources of the engineer, and it 
was on account of General Totten’s eminent abilities and high 
authority in such matters that the Navy Department 
recourse to his services. He made a report on the manner 
of construction, with plans which, if I mistake not, have been 
@ guide in the subsequent operations. Unfortunately, to this 
day no permanent dry-dock exists, a floating wooden one 
