Henry Larcom Abbot
Encyclopedia
Henry Larcom Abbot was a military engineer
and officer in the United States Army
.
) with a degree in military engineering in 1854. Initially he had wanted to join the Artillery, but shortly after graduation, a classmate convinced him to choose the Engineers instead. Selecting the Topographical Engineers, he then began his service in the U.S. Army.
In 1855, Abbot was assigned to work with Lieutenant Robert Williamson
's Pacific Railroad Survey
in California and Oregon. To honor his work on this survey, the California Geological Survey
named Mount Abbot
in the Sierra Nevada after him in 1873.
While serving in the Army, Lieutenant Abbot and Captain Andrew Humphreys
conducted several scientific studies of the Mississippi River
. They most notably studied the Mississippi river's flow starting at the Ohio River
and going southward down to its base level
at the Gulf of Mexico
. They attempted to use several Europe
an formulas for stream discharge they had learned at West Point, but came to discover that they were all flawed. They then developed their own formula which ultimately also proved to be faulty, most notably because it neglected to account for the roughness of slopes in river canals. Although not without flaw, this formula influenced the evolution of hydrology
.
's forces and was wounded at the First Battle of Bull Run
. He later became a Topographical Engineer in the Army of the Potomac
during the Peninsula Campaign
. During this campaign he was brevetted major for his service at the siege of Yorktown
. During the later part of 1862 he served on the staff of John G. Barnard
and briefly as a Topographical Engineer in the Department of the Gulf. On January 19, 1863 he was appointed colonel of the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery Regiment but was soon after transferred to the Washington Defenses where he commanded a brigade.
In May 1864 he was transferred to command the Artillery during the siege of Petersburg
. On August 1, 1864 Abbot was brevetted to brigadier general of volunteers. In December 1864 he was placed in command of all siege artillery in the Army of the Potomac
and Army of the James
that were besieging Petersburg. In January 1865 General Alfred H. Terry requested General Abbot accompany his expeditionary force to Fort Fisher
. Abbot commanded a provisional brigade of siege artillery during the successful Second Battle of Fort Fisher
.
Abbot received a brevet to brigadier general in the Regular Army and was mustered out of the volunteer service in September 1865.
) there. Abbot's pioneering tests with the 13-inch, smooth-bore breach-loading mortar at the Willets Point battery led him to prescribe a standard layout for a 16-mortar battery with in 4 sets of 4 mortars arranged in a rectangular array. This design, in which all 16 mortars would fire simultaneously at enemy warships in huge shotgun-like salvos, became known as the "Abbot Quad", and was the template for the construction of the earliest batteries of 12-inch rifled mortars
under the Endicott Program of coast defense that was soon to be implemented nation-wide (see below).
, NY. He created the army's Engineer School of Application there, and served on numerous boards, including the Board on the Use of Iron in Permanent Defenses, the Board of Engineers for Fortifications, the Gun Foundry Board, the Board on Fortifications and Other Defenses
, and the Board of Ordnance and Fortifications.
Abbot's influence can be seen in many facets of the coast defense systems of the United States of that period—in particular, in the submarine mine system, and in the use of seacoast mortars
. Abbot advocated the massing of 16 mortars
Abbot retired as a Colonel
in 1895.
After his retirement from the army he continued to work as a civil engineer and was employed as a consultant for the locks on the Panama Canal
.
Military engineer
In military science, engineering refers to the practice of designing, building, maintaining and dismantling military works, including offensive, defensive and logistical structures, to shape the physical operating environment in war...
and officer in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
Early life
Henry Larcom Abbot was born in Beverly, Massachusetts. Abbot attended West Point and graduated second in his class (which included Jeb Stuart and G. W. Custis LeeGeorge Washington Custis Lee
George Washington Custis Lee , also known as Custis Lee, was the eldest son of Robert E. Lee and Mary Anna Custis Lee...
) with a degree in military engineering in 1854. Initially he had wanted to join the Artillery, but shortly after graduation, a classmate convinced him to choose the Engineers instead. Selecting the Topographical Engineers, he then began his service in the U.S. Army.
In 1855, Abbot was assigned to work with Lieutenant Robert Williamson
Robert S. Williamson
Robert Stockton Williamson was an American soldier and engineer, noted for conducting surveys for the transcontinental railroad in California and Oregon.-Early life and career:...
's Pacific Railroad Survey
Pacific Railroad Surveys
The Pacific Railroad Surveys -A series of explorations of the American West to explore possible routes for a transcontinental railroad across North America. The expeditions included surveyors, scientists, and artists and resulted in an immense body of data covering at least on the American West....
in California and Oregon. To honor his work on this survey, the California Geological Survey
California Geological Survey
Although it was not until 1880 that the California State Mining Bureau, predecessor to the California Geological Survey, was established, the "roots" of California's state geological survey date to an earlier time...
named Mount Abbot
Mount Abbot
Mount Abbot is a mountain in California's Sierra Nevada, in John Muir Wilderness.It is located between Mount Mills and Mount Dade along the Sierra Crest and straddles the border between Fresno and Inyo counties....
in the Sierra Nevada after him in 1873.
While serving in the Army, Lieutenant Abbot and Captain Andrew Humphreys
Andrew A. Humphreys
Andrew Atkinson Humphreys , was a career United States Army officer, civil engineer, and a Union General in the American Civil War. He served in senior positions in the Army of the Potomac, including division command, chief of staff, and corps command, and was Chief Engineer of the U.S...
conducted several scientific studies of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. They most notably studied the Mississippi river's flow starting at the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
and going southward down to its base level
Base level
The base level of a river or stream is the lowest point to which it can flow, often referred to as the 'mouth' of the river. For large rivers, sea level is usually the base level, but a large river or lake is likewise the base level for tributary streams...
at the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. They attempted to use several Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an formulas for stream discharge they had learned at West Point, but came to discover that they were all flawed. They then developed their own formula which ultimately also proved to be faulty, most notably because it neglected to account for the roughness of slopes in river canals. Although not without flaw, this formula influenced the evolution of hydrology
Hydrology
Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed sustainability...
.
Civil War
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Lt. Abbot was assigned to Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowellIrvin McDowell
Irvin McDowell was a career American army officer. He is best known for his defeat in the First Battle of Bull Run, the first large-scale battle of the American Civil War.-Early life:...
's forces and was wounded at the First Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas , was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, near the City of Manassas...
. He later became a Topographical 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 Peninsula 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...
. During this campaign he was brevetted major for his service at the siege of Yorktown
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
. During the later part of 1862 he served on the staff of John G. Barnard
John G. Barnard
John Gross Barnard was a career engineering 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...
and briefly as a Topographical Engineer in the Department of the Gulf. On January 19, 1863 he was appointed colonel of the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery Regiment but was soon after transferred to the Washington Defenses where he commanded a brigade.
In May 1864 he was transferred to command the Artillery during the siege of Petersburg
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
. On August 1, 1864 Abbot was brevetted to brigadier general of volunteers. In December 1864 he was placed in command of all siege artillery 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...
and Army of the James
Army of the James
The Army of the James was a Union Army that was composed of units from the Department of Virginia and North Carolina and served along the James River during the final operations of the American Civil War in Virginia.-History:...
that were besieging Petersburg. In January 1865 General Alfred H. Terry requested General Abbot accompany his expeditionary force to Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865....
. Abbot commanded a provisional brigade of siege artillery during the successful Second Battle of Fort Fisher
Second Battle of Fort Fisher
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was a joint assault by Union Army and naval forces against Fort Fisher, outside Wilmington, North Carolina, near the end of the American Civil War...
.
Abbot received a brevet to brigadier general in the Regular Army and was mustered out of the volunteer service in September 1865.
1866-1886: The Engineer School of Application at Willets Point, NY
Immediately after the war, Abbot became the first Commander of the newly established Engineer School of Application, created to provide practical education and experience to West Point graduates who elected a career in the U.S. Engineers. Abbot formed the curriculum of this school and developed a wide-reaching program of research involving explosives, underwater mines, and artillery, particularly coast defense mortars. After designing new apparatus to measure the force of underwater explosions, he spent ten years providing the experimental underpinnings for the deployment of submarine mines in coast defense. He also set up (at Willets Point) the first experimental coast defense mortar battery, and directed the construction of the new fort (later to be named Fort TottenFort Totten
Fort Totten may refer to:* Fort Totten, North Dakota* Fort Totten State Historic Site, a Dakota frontier-era fort and Native American boarding school* Fort Totten , a neighborhood, park and Civil War-era fort...
) there. Abbot's pioneering tests with the 13-inch, smooth-bore breach-loading mortar at the Willets Point battery led him to prescribe a standard layout for a 16-mortar battery with in 4 sets of 4 mortars arranged in a rectangular array. This design, in which all 16 mortars would fire simultaneously at enemy warships in huge shotgun-like salvos, became known as the "Abbot Quad", and was the template for the construction of the earliest batteries of 12-inch rifled mortars
12-inch coast defense mortar
The coast defense mortar was a massive weapon of 12-inch caliber emplaced during the 1890s and early 1900s to defend U.S. harbors from seaborne attack . In 1886 when the Endicott Board set forth its plan for upgrading the coast defenses of the United States, it relied primarily on mortars, not...
under the Endicott Program of coast defense that was soon to be implemented nation-wide (see below).
1888-1895: The U.S. Army Board of Engineers
continued to serve in the U.S. Army Engineers. He was assigned to the command of the engineer battalion at Willet's PointWillets Point, Queens
Willets Point, also known locally as the Iron Triangle, is the name currently applied to a neighborhood of Corona, in the New York City borough of Queens....
, NY. He created the army's Engineer School of Application there, and served on numerous boards, including the Board on the Use of Iron in Permanent Defenses, the Board of Engineers for Fortifications, the Gun Foundry Board, the Board on Fortifications and Other Defenses
Endicott Board
Several boards have been appointed by US presidents or Congress to evaluate the US defensive fortifications, primarily coastal defenses near strategically important harbors on the US shores, its territories, and its protectorates.-Endicott Board:...
, and the Board of Ordnance and Fortifications.
Abbot's influence can be seen in many facets of the coast defense systems of the United States of that period—in particular, in the submarine mine system, and in the use of seacoast mortars
12-inch coast defense mortar
The coast defense mortar was a massive weapon of 12-inch caliber emplaced during the 1890s and early 1900s to defend U.S. harbors from seaborne attack . In 1886 when the Endicott Board set forth its plan for upgrading the coast defenses of the United States, it relied primarily on mortars, not...
. Abbot advocated the massing of 16 mortars
Abbot retired as a Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in 1895.
After his retirement from the army he continued to work as a civil engineer and was employed as a consultant for the locks on the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
.
External links
- Henry Larcom Abbot Papers at Houghton Library, Harvard University
- Article on Abbot and Humphreys
- Find a Grave article