The Pathfinder — building the American west
Military land surveyors have been crucial throughout history, from laying the groundwork for national expansion and defense to modern-day roles in targeting and construction. Important figures include presidents like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who started as surveyors, and military engineers like John C. Frémont, who mapped vast territories and borders. Modern military survey roles are vital for reconnaissance, troop movement, and construction projects.
Historical importance
Presidential surveyors: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln all began their careers as land surveyors before becoming presidents.
National expansion: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, which surveyed the Louisiana Purchase, was a prime example of military surveyors aiding the expansion of the United States.
Boundary and map creation: Figures like William Helmsley Emory were critical in mapping the United States' borders, while Benjamin Banneker surveyed the area that would become Washington D.C.
Early Corps of Engineers: The United States Army Corps of Topographical Engineers was formed to handle surveying and mapping, a role that later merged with the Corps of Engineers.
Modern importance
Targeting and troop movement: Today, military surveyors use advanced technology like GPS to map terrain for artillery targeting and to plan troop movements.
Construction: They support military construction projects through drafting and materials testing.
Combat roles: Some units, like the one described in The American Surveyor, have been on the front lines, with individuals like David Whipp earning commendations for establishing survey control under heavy fire in WWII.
John C. Fremont — The Pathfinder
Oval, seated portrait of John C. Fremont holding a straw hat. 1856, public domain.
John Charles Frémont was born on January 21, 1813 in Savanah, Georgia. His father died when Fremont was just five years old, but his mother managed to raise him and his siblings on a modest inheritance. He was extremely driven, and his natural intelligence, good looks and daring exploits got him noticed and subsequently his education was underwritten by a local attorney. He was a good student but didn’t spend enough time in class. He was expelled from Charleston College after two years due to irregular attendance. Nevertheless, during his spotty college career, he managed to learn enough mathematics and natural history to get an appointment in the Navy as a teacher of mathematics on board the USS Natchez in 1833.
In 1838, he resigned from the Navy to be a second lieutenant in the US Topographical Corps, assisting the French scientist Joseph Nicolas Nicollet on a three-year mission of surveying and mapping the upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers. During this time, Nicollet provided expert instruction in geology, topography, and astronomy and by 1841, Frémont led an expedition to survey the Des Moines River for Nicollet. His taste for wilderness exploration was sharpened by the expansionist views of Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, who became Fremont’s adviser, sponsor, and, in 1841, father-in-law. Benton’s influence in government and his support of expansionist policies enabled Frémont to map much of the territory between the Mississippi valley and the Pacific Ocean.[1]
Fremont led several expeditions to map the western United States, becoming known as The Pathfinder for his ability to find routes through the west previously unknown to explorers. However, Frémont's real talent lay in his scientific documentation, publications (co-written by his wife), and maps made based on his expeditions, making the American West accessible for many Americans. His career was a success – until the Mexican-American War.
Map of an exploring expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the year 1842 and to Oregon & north California in the years 1843-44 / by Brevet Capt. J[ames] C. Frémont
Military Career — Interrupted
In 1845-46, Fremont was dispatched to California (a Mexican territory at the time) with secret orders to provide a military presence there, due to the tensions surrounding the American annexation of Texas. Mexican forces soon chased Fremont and his troops out of the area. However, once war was declared, Fremont returned to California under orders from Commodore Robert F. Stockton. Eventually the military campaign was successful – with critical assistance by the forces led by Brigadier General Stephen W. Kearny. Unfortunately, both officers thought they were in charge of the war efforts in California, which caused confusion that was exacerbated by the timing of various orders from Washington concerning the campaign and how California would be governed after the war.
Soon after the Treaty of Cahuenga was signed ending the conflict, Stockton appointed Fremont to be the Governor of California. What was unknown to Stockton and Fremont was that Kearney had received superseding orders directly from Washington saying that the military would govern California with Kearney in charge. Fremont and his troops were ordered to report to Kearney to march back east. Instead, Fremont planned to take his troops to Mexico and disobeyed the order. He was charged with mutiny, disobedience of orders, assumption of powers, and several other military offenses. Eventually Frémont was found innocent of mutiny, but was convicted on January 31, 1848, of disobedience toward a superior officer and military misconduct. Senator Benton later arranged a pardon for Fremont.
Ill-fated Plans
Intent on restoring his honor and explorer reputation after his court martial, in 1848, Frémont and Sen. Benton developed a plan to find a route for a railroad connecting St. Louis to San Francisco along the 38th parallel. Unfortunately, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong on this expedition. They started out in winter and by the time they gave up, only a few men were left, including Fremont. After this disaster, he retired (temporarily) to his ranch near Yosemite.
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Proof for a large woodcut campaign banner or poster for John C. Fremont, Republican presidential contender in 1856. Baker & Godwin. Public domain.
Fremont was still famous for his explorations, and this led to his selection as a presidential candidate for the newly-formed Republican Party in 1856.
The party slogan “Free Soil, Free Men, and Frémont” was used to crusade for free farms (homesteads) and against slavery. As was typical in presidential campaigns, the candidates stayed at home and said little. The Democrats meanwhile counter-crusaded against the Republicans, warning that a victory by Frémont would bring civil war. Fremont lost, but the Civil War happened anyway.
Frémont later served as a major general in the American Civil War, where he appointed Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant to a command post in Cairo, Illinois. Fremont served controversial term as commander of the Army’s Department of the West based in St. Louis. He was autocratic and unpopular and alienated the people of Missouri by instituting martial law and abolishing slavery. He was relieved of command by President Lincoln in 1861
When the Army of Virginia was created on June 26, to include Frémont’s corps, with John Pope in command, Frémont declined to serve on the grounds that he was senior to Pope and for personal reasons. He then went to New York where he remained throughout the war, expecting a command, but none was given to him.[2]
Click on this map to see Fremont’s U.S. Exploring Expedition Notes. USGS
Section of John C. Fremont's Map, depicting the Columbia River and the Cascade Range. Volcanoes labeled are Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood, and Mount Jefferson. Fort Vancouver is today's Vancouver, Washington, Fall River is today's Deschutes River, and John Day's River is now known as simply John Day River.
After the war, he purchased the Pacific Railroad from the State of Missouri. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to bring the company out of financial difficulties and ended up penniless. Again, benefactors stepped in and Frémont was appointed governor of the Arizona Territory and served from 1878 to 1881. He spent little time in Arizona, and was asked to resume his duties in person or resign; Frémont chose resignation. Destitute, the family depended on the publication earnings of his wife Jessie.
Frémont lived on Staten Island in retirement. In April 1890, he was reappointed as a major general and then added to the Army's retired list, an action taken to ease his financial condition by enabling him to qualify for a pension.
On Sunday, July 13, 1890, at the age of 77, Frémont died of peritonitis at his residence at 49 West Twenty-fifth Street in New York.
John C. Fremont was an explorer, cartographer, officer, veteran, politician, businessman, husband and father. He had a major impact on the formation of the United States – and many cities and landmarks bear his name. At least four counties are named in his honor and several cities, including Fremont, California; Fremont, Michigan; Fremont, Nebraska; Fremont Wisconsin and Fremont, New Hampshire. Geographical features include the Fremont Peak (in the Wind River Mountains and in Monterey County, California) and the Fremont River in southern Utah.
Today, surveyors leave their marks on our geography with Berntsen’s full line of survey markers, monuments and stakes. Be sure to order your supplies for next year’s explorations today!