William Emery Merrill
Encyclopedia
William Emery Merrill was an American
soldier and military engineer. He was born at Fort Howard, Wisconsin
, USA, graduated first in his class at West Point
in 1859, and from September, 1860, to July, 1861, was assistant professor of engineering there.
In the Civil War
, he served as assistant engineer in the Army of the Potomac
during the Peninsular campaign
and in the northern Virginia campaign
, and from July, 1864, to September, 1865, commanded as colonel, a regiment of veteran volunteer engineers. During the war he received the successive brevets of captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel for gallant services.
In March, 1867, he was raised to the regular rank of major and in February, 1883, to that of lieutenant colonel. From 1867 to 1870, he was chief engineer on the staff of General Sherman
, then commanding the Military Division of the Missouri, and thereafter until his death he was engaged on engineering
work for the government. One of the most notable engineering works of its kind in America was the Chanoine wicket movable dam constructed by him at Davis's Island
, 5½ miles below Pittsburgh
. In 1889, he represented the United States Engineering Corps at the International Congress of Engineers in Paris
.
He published Iron Truss Bridges for Railroads (1870) and Improvement of Non-Tidal Rivers (1881).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier and military engineer. He was born at Fort Howard, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, USA, graduated first in his class at West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1859, and from September, 1860, to July, 1861, was assistant professor of engineering there.
In the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he served as assistant engineer in the Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
during the Peninsular campaign
Peninsula Campaign
The Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. The operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B...
and in the northern Virginia campaign
Northern Virginia Campaign
The Northern Virginia Campaign, also known as the Second Bull Run Campaign or Second Manassas Campaign, was a series of battles fought in Virginia during August and September 1862 in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. Confederate General Robert E...
, and from July, 1864, to September, 1865, commanded as colonel, a regiment of veteran volunteer engineers. During the war he received the successive brevets of captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel for gallant services.
In March, 1867, he was raised to the regular rank of major and in February, 1883, to that of lieutenant colonel. From 1867 to 1870, he was chief engineer on the staff of General Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman was an American soldier, businessman, educator and author. He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War , for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched...
, then commanding the Military Division of the Missouri, and thereafter until his death he was engaged on engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
work for the government. One of the most notable engineering works of its kind in America was the Chanoine wicket movable dam constructed by him at Davis's Island
Davis Island (Pennsylvania)
Davis Island is a small island located on the Ohio River in Stowe Township, just upstream of Neville Island near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA....
, 5½ miles below Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. In 1889, he represented the United States Engineering Corps at the International Congress of Engineers in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
He published Iron Truss Bridges for Railroads (1870) and Improvement of Non-Tidal Rivers (1881).
