John Gross Barnard was a career engineer officer in the U.S. Army, serving in the Mexican-American War, as the superintendent of the United States Military Academy and as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He served as Chief Engineer of the Army of the Potomac, 1861 to 1862, Chief Engineer of the Department of Washington from 1861 to 1864, and as Chief Engineer of the armies in the field from 1864 to 1865. He was also a distinguished scientist, engineer, mathematician, historian and author.
Washington Washington, April 22, 1861. Col. C. F. Smrru, Commanding Department of Washington, Ge. : CoLONEL: I respectfully suggest that two companies of infantry and one field piece be immediately…
DARNESTOWN, MD. DARNESTOWN, MD., September 28, 1861. General STONE: SIR: I received your letter of this morning at 7 o’clock. We have sent the Twelfth Indiana, a good regiment, with…
of Chantilly, Va. of Chantilly, Va., September 1, 1862. Maj. Gen. J esse L. Reno, U. 8. Volunteers, captain of ordnance, died o Hk received at the battle of South…
Washington Washington, February 2, 1863. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War; Sir: On the 30th of December, 1862, I addressed you a letter* to accompany the report of the…
HEADQUARTERS CHIEF ENGINEER OF DEFENSES, Washington, April 15, 1863. GENERAL: I herewith send you the sketch of the south side of the Potomac* (with forts, batteries, rifle-pits, &c.), alluded to…
HEADQUARTERS CHIEF ENGINEER OF DEFENSES, Washington, June 6, 1863. Maj. Gen. S. P. HEINTZELMAN, Commanding Department of Washington : GENERAL : I inclose for your perusal a copy of a…
HEADQUARTERS CHIEF ENGINEER OF DEFENSES, Washington, September 1, 1863. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War: Sir: The works of Rozier’s Bluff, and near Jones’ Point are nearly ready to…
HEADQUARTERS CHIEF ENGINEER OF DEFENSES, Washington, September 4, 1863. Assistant Adjutant-General : Sr: Irespectfully recommend that the following works and forts, forming part of the Defenses of Washington, may be…
HEADQUARTERS CHIEF ENGINEER OF DEFENSES, Washington, September 23, 1863. Hon. E, M. STANTON, Secretary of War: Sir: By letter of the 1st instant, I represented the importance of speedily arming…
HEADQUARTERS CHIEF ENGINEER OF DEFENSES, Washington, October 13, 1863. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War: Sir: All the officers to whom the Government has committed the defense of harbors,…
HEADQUARTERS CHIEF ENGINEER OF DEFENSES, Washington, October 14, 1863. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War: Sir: A Commission having been ordered by you a year ago, to examine into…
HEADQUARTERS CHIEF ENGINEER OF DEFENSES, October 27, 1863. “ashington, October 27, 1863. Col. J. C. KELTON, Assistant Adjutant-General, Hdqrs. U. S. Army: CoLoNEL : The works which constitute the defenses…