Book excerpt: This memoir documents the achievements and challenges faced by the Corps of Engineers in the United States Army throughout history. Spanning over 100 years, the memoir recounts the many contributions that engineers have made to the nation, from surveying and mapping to building dams, bridges, and fortifications. The book not only offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Corps of Engineers, but also serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the field of engineering. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.