Class of 1836

James Louis Mason: Born 1817, Providence, RI.

Military History. — Cadet at the Military Academy, Sep. 1, 1832, to July 1, 1836, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to

Bvt. Second Lieut., Corps of Engineers, July 1, 1836.

Served: as Asst. Engineer in building Ft. Adams, Newport harbor, R. I., 1836‑38, and in charge under the immediate direction of the Chief

(First Lieut., Corps of Engineers, July 7, 1838)

Engineer, 1838‑45; as Superintending Engineer of the construction of the Pier, Dike, and Light-house at Goat Island, Newport harbor, R. I., 1838‑45, — and of building Ft. Montgomery, at the outlet of Lake Champlain, N. Y., 1845‑46; in the War with Mexico, 1846‑47, being engaged

(Captain, Corps of Engineers, Apr. 24, 1847)

in the Siege of Vera Cruz, Mar. 9‑29, 1847, — Battle of Cerro Gordo, Apr. 17‑18, 1847, — Reconnoissance and Capture of San Antonio, Aug. 18‑20, 1847, — Battle of Churubusco, Aug. 20, 1847, — Reconnoissance of

(Bvt. Major, Aug. 20, 1847, for Gallant and Meritorious Conduct
in the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco, Mex.)

Molino del Rey, Sep. 7, 1847, — and Battle of Molino del Rey,  p630 Sep. 8, 1847, where he was severely wounded; on sick leave of absence,

(Bvt. Lieut.‑Col., Sep. 8, 1847,
for Gallant and Meritorious Conduct in the Battle of Molino del Rey, Mex.)

disabled by wounds, 1847‑50; as Superintending Engineer of the repairs of Ft. Marion, and Sea-wall at St. Augustine, Fla., 1850‑52, — of building Ft. Clinch, Fernandina, Fla., 1850‑53, — and of the construction of the defenses at Fort Point, entrance to San Francisco Bay, Cal., 1853; and as Member of the Board of Engineers for fortifications on the Pacific Coast, June 17, 1851, to Sep. 5, 1853.

Civil History. — Author of "An Analytical Investigation of the Resistance of Piles to Superincumbent Pressure," 1850; and of various military and scientific memoirs and reports, 1836‑53.

Died, Sep. 5, 1853, at San Francisco, Cal.: Aged 36.

Buried, Benicia Arsenal Post Cemetery, Benicia, CA.​a