Continental Congress authority for a “Chief Engineer for the Army” dates from June 16, 1775. A corps of Engineers for the United States was authorized by the Congress on March 11, 1779.

The Corps of Engineers, as it is known today, came into being on March 16, 1802, when President Jefferson was authorized by Congress to “organize and establish a Corps of Engineers. President Thomas Jefferson played a key role in getting passage of the 1802 legislation. The new Academy was part of his plan to reform the Army and educate a new class of officers who supported his own democratic principles. It also reflected his desire for an Academy not merely military in nature, but designed to produce soldiers also schooled in mathematics and science to serve the Nation in peacetime. Accordingly, he selected Colonel Jonathan Williams – more scientist than professional soldier – as Chief Engineer and the Academy’s first superintendent.

A Corps of Topographical Engineers, authorized on July 4, 1838, was merged with the Corps of Engineers on March 1863.