General Joseph Gilbert Totten was born in New Haven, Conn. He entered the Military Academy in 1802, and was the 10th to graduate from the academy (1805). He entered the Corps of Engineers and served throughout the War of 1812. Gen. Totten became the Chief Engineer of the Army in 1838 and served under General Scott in the Mexican War.

In addition to General Totten’s multiple military avocations, he was a member of the Light House Board, from its organization in 1852; a Regent of the Smithsonian Institution from its establishment in 1846; a Corporator of the National Academy of Sciences, created in 1863; one of the Harbor Commissioners for the cities of New York and Boston; and a member of many scientific associations.

During the Civil War he was in command of the Corps of Engineers, and in charge of the Engineer Bureau at Washington, D.C. 1861-64; was President of the Board for Retiring Disabled Officers, 1861; and member of a Commission to examine and report upon the plan and sufficiency of the defensive works to protect Washington and Alexandria, 1862.

He became a Brigadier-General by a special act of Congress in 1863.