View source for James Louis Mason

	
(Born R. I.)

JAMES L. MASON

(Ap'd at Large)

2

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

Thayer's Note:
a For Benicia Arsenal, see the entry at FortWiki.

==findagrave==
LTC James L. Mason
BIRTH	1817
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, USA
DEATH	5 Sep 1853 (aged 35–36)
San Francisco County, California, USA
BURIAL	
Benicia Army Cemetery
Benicia, Solano County, California, USA
MEMORIAL ID	145829444 · View Source
MEMORIAL
PHOTOS 3
FLOWERS 1
Lt.Col James Louis Mason U.S. Engineer Corps, age 36, brevetted to Major and then to Lieutenant Colonel. A highly educated Soldier who fought at Contreras, Verra Cruz Cérro, Gorda, Churubusco, and was severely wounded at the Battle of Molino Del Rey, Mexico in 1847. The battle was one of the bloodiest engagements of the Mexican-American War.

Inscription
(Front)
Lt.Col Jas. L. Mason
U.S. Engineer Corps
Aged 36
Erected 1878
by: C. W. E. ?

(Side)
Highly Educated Soldier Who Fought at Verra Cruz Cérro, Gorda, Churubusco, and was Severely Wounded at Malino Del Rey.
Family Members
Spouse
Harriet G Gardner Mason
1826–1850

Children
Photo
James Duncan Mason
1848–1919