Joseph Totten letter, 1855 | Louisiana Research Collection

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Collection Overview

Title: Joseph Totten letter, 1855

ID: LaRC/Manuscripts Collection M-139

Primary Creator: Totten, Joseph Gilbert, 1788-1864.

Extent: 1.0 Folders

Arrangement: One item in one folder.

Subjects: Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889., Dupre Bayou (La.), Howitzers -- United States., Totten, Joseph Gilbert, 1788-1864., United States. Army. Corps of Engineers., United States. Army. Ordnance Dept.

Forms of Material: Letters (correspondence)

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Letter from Joseph G. Totten, Brevet Brigadier General of the Engineers Department, United States Army, to Colonel Craig of the Ordnance Department informing him that the tower at the mouth of Bayou Dupres in Louisiana, called Tower Dupres, was ready for the howitzer assigned to it by the Armament Board. On the verso is the recommendation by the Ordnance Bureau, and the order for placing the armament "in the nearest safe position" dated 1855 August 4 and signed by Jefferson Davis as Secretary of War.

Biographical Note

Joseph Gilbert Totten (1788-1864) was Brevet Brigadier General of the Engineers Department of the United States Army. He graduated from West Point in 1805 with a commission as a second lieutenant of engineers. He served as the chief engineer of the army on the Niagara front during the War of 1812, earning promotions to major and lieutenant colonel. For twenty-four years after the war he was engaged in coastal defense, river, and harbor works. Totten was appointed Chief Engineer of the United States Army in 1838, and served in that position for twenty-five years until his death in 1864.

Subject/Index Terms

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889.
Dupre Bayou (La.)
Howitzers -- United States.
Totten, Joseph Gilbert, 1788-1864.
United States. Army. Corps of Engineers.
United States. Army. Ordnance Dept.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Access Restrictions: Collection open to the public. No known restrictions.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. Copyright laws.

Preferred Citation: Joseph Totten letter, Manuscripts Collection M-139, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.

Processing Information: Collection processed in 1958.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid information entered in Archon by LAC Group in 2011.

Box and Folder Listing

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[Folder 1: Joseph Totten letter, 1855 June 13],
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Folder 1: Joseph Totten letter, 1855 June 13: Letter from Joseph G. Totten, Brevet Brigadier General of the Engineers Department, United States Army, to Colonel Craig of the Ordnance Department. On verso signed by Jefferson Davis as Secretary of War dated 1855 August 4.

Tulane University Special Collections