In its 140-plus year history, thousands of soldiers have proudly worn the insignia of the 4th Engineers and staunchly upheld the battalion’s motto, Volens et Potens (Willing and Able). The origins of the 4th Engineer Battalion date back to 31 December 1861 when the Army organized several new and existing engineer companies into a provisional engineer battalion …
I became interested in the 29th New York Infantry Regiment about two years ago when in the process of tracing my family roots, I “found” a second cousin, once removed, in the small town of Koerbecke, Germany, not far from where I was born. From her, I learned that my great-granduncle, Antonius Rokus, had …
Henry Halleck was born in Westernville, New York, on 16 January 1815. He was educated at Hudson Academy, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Union College. He then graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1839 and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. Halleck delivered a series of lectures which were eventually published under the title …
George McClellan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 3 December 1826. He attended college preparatory schools, and briefly attended the University of Pennsylvania before he accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy. In the Mexican War he served as an engineer for Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott. After the war, he taught at West Point until 1851. McClellan …
Nelson Appleton Miles was born near Westminster, Massachusetts, on 8 August 1839. He received a rudimentary military education from a former French officer and then joined a company of volunteers in 1861. He was commissioned as a captain and served on General Oliver O. Howard’s staff. Miles was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks; …
William Tecumseh Sherman was born in Lancaster, Ohio, on 8 February 1820. When his father died, Thomas Ewing adopted him. Sherman attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1840. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and assigned to the 3d Cavalry in Florida. In 1841, he was promoted to first lieutenant. During the Mexican …
Ulysses Simpson Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, on 27 April 1822. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1843 and commissioned in the infantry. After graduation, he served with the 4th Infantry and participated in the occupation of Texas from 1843 to 1846. Grant fought under Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott in the Mexican …
Philip Henry Sheridan was born in Albany, New York on 6 March 1831. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1853. Before the Civil War, he served with the 1st Infantry and the 4th Infantry. In 1861, he was promoted to first lieutenant and then captain. He became the quartermaster of Major General Henry W. Halleck’s headquarters until …
The Army Historical Foundation is the designated official fundraising organization for the National Museum of the United States Army. We were established in 1983 as a member-based, charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We seek to educate future Americans to fully appreciate the sacrifices that generations of American Soldiers have made to safeguard the freedoms of this Nation. Our funding helps to acquire and conserve Army historical art and artifacts, support Army history educational programs, research, and publication of historical materials on the American Soldier, and provide support and counsel to private and governmental organizations committed to the same goals.
