History ETDs

Janet Fireman

Publication Date

9-25-1972

Abstract

Founded in 1711, the Royal Corps of Engineers was established in the wake of destruction and turmoil caused by the War of Spanish Succession. King Philip V of Spain encouraged foreigners, like the Marqués de Verboom who was father to the Corps, to help rebuild a war-torn, decadent empire. The Corps was born as an enlightened, well-organized institution of eighteenth century Europe. Corpsmen were sent to the Indies in the first decades of the Corps' existence, but it was not until after the Seven Years' War in Europe that the Corps became truly significant on the northern frontier of Spain's American empire. History of the Spanish Borderlands has been written in terms of the three great colonizing institutions employed throughout the vast regions mission, pueblo, and presidia. As an adjunct to the presidios and other military forces used by Spain on the frontier, the Corps performed invaluable, and as yet, uncalculated services. Engineer Francisco Fersén participated in the important business of ascertaining the nature of the northwestern frontier in preparation for reorganization ordered by reformist Charles III and effected by Visitor General José de Gálvez. The Marqués de Rubí and his companion, Engineer Nicolás de Lafora, reconnoitered the Borderlands and proposed a new military organization for the Apache-troubled area. Most famous among engineers was Miguel Costansó, who was with the Sacred Expedition that founded California in 1769, and then continued engineering service in New Spain for forty years more. With Costansó, Engineer Alberto de Córdoba strengthened California's defenses, and Córdoba laid out the Villa de Branciforte. Other engineers, like Gerónimo de la Rocha, Manuel Mascaró, Juan Pagazaurtundúa, and José Cortés, worked in the western Borderlands under the commandant general of the Interior Provinces. These men made important defense recommendations and improvements, and executed many commissions of civil and church architecture as well as engineering projects like the construction of dams, roads, and bridges. They wrote descriptions of what they saw on the frontier that are invaluable historical sources today, and they drew maps that remain the best examples of eighteenth century cartographical knowledge of the area. In the great variety of tasks that corpsmen performed, they helped create, maintain, enhance, and defend Spain's western Borderlands.

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Degree Name

History

Department Name

History

First Committee Member (Chair)

Donald Colgett Cutter

Second Committee Member

Robert William Kern

Third Committee Member

Gunther Eric Rothenberg

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

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