Report of Survey for an Interoceanic Ship Canal Near the Isthmus of Darien, Volume 1
(This work has been selected by scholars as being cultural...)
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 was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.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.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. 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.
Nathaniel Michler was born on 13 September 1827, in Easton, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Peter S. Michler, merchant and manufacturer, and great-grandson of John Michler, a bishop of the Moravian Church and native of Wurttemberg, Germany, who emigrated to America in 1743. Nathaniel's mother was a Miss Hart, a descendant of John Hart, signer of the Declaration of Independence; two of his brothers were officers in the Union army.
Education
After attending Lafayette College, 1841-44, Michler entered West Point, July 1, 1844, and graduated four years later, seventh in a class of thirty-eight.
Career
Promoted on graduation brevet second lieutenant, Topographical Engineers, Michler made surveys and reconnaissances in Texas and New Mexico, 1848-51. While engaged on the Mexican Boundary Survey, 1851-57, he was promoted second lieutenant in 1854, and first lieutenant, 1856. From 1857 to 1860, he was the chief topographical engineer in charge of the surveys for a canal extending from the Gulf of Darien to the Pacific Ocean, and he was also in charge of running the boundary line between Maryland and Virginia, 1858-61. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was on the West Coast, where he was serving as lighthouse engineer. Promoted captain, September 9, 1861, he was with the armies and departments of the Ohio and Cumberland until June 1, 1863, and participated in their movements, battles, and engineering operations. On June 28, 1863, on his way to join the Army of the Potomac he was captured near Rockville, Maryland, and paroled. He was next employed on a survey of Harpers Ferry and vicinity and the construction of defensive works on Maryland Heights. From September 1863 to April 1865, he was attached to the Army of the Potomac in charge of the topographical department and engaged in making various reconnaissances and the building of defensive works connected with the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and lesser actions. In April 1864, he was promoted major in the Engineer Corps, which in the previous year had absorbed the Topographical Corps. On August 1, 1864, he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for faithful and meritorious services in the field, and on April 2, 1865, he was brevetted colonel for his services at the siege of Petersburg, and brigadier-general for services during the Civil War. After the close of the war, as one of the leading military topographers, he was employed in making maps of the operations about Petersburg and Richmond. In 1866-67, he was engaged in selecting a site for a presidential mansion and public park and preparing plans for a new War Department building. While superintendent of public buildings and grounds, 1867-71, he had charge of a survey of the Potomac River and the repairing of Fort Foote, Maryland. On the Pacific Coast from 1871 to 1876, he served on the staff of the general in command and as lighthouse engineer. Of this period is his report on a proposed canal connecting the Coquille River with Coos Bay, Ore. He superintended river and harbor improvements on Lake Erie, 1876-78. In 1879, while military attache of the United States Legation, Vienna, Austria, he made a study of the engraving of maps on copper. In 1880-81, he was engaged in river and harbor work for New York and New Jersey, with headquarters in New York City. He died on July 17, 1881, of Bright's disease, at Saratoga Springs, New York, where he had gone for his health. His burial was in Easton, Pennsylvania.
(This work has been selected by scholars as being cultural...)
Connections
Nathaniel Michler was twice married. His first wife, Fannie (Kirkland) Michler, died in 1857. His second wife, Sallie A. (Hollingsworth) Michler, whom he had married in San Francisco, February 12, 1861.