THE ENGINEER
CASTLE
The appropriateness of the turreted castle as a symbol of the Army Corps
of Engineers is readily apparent. The medieval castle is inseparably connected
with fortifications and architecture. In heraldry, the castle and the tower
are often used on coats of arms or given as charges in the shield of individuals
who overcome walled fortifications, were the first to mount their walls
ore successfully defended them. In this country the term "castle" has been
applied to the strongest of our early fortifications such as Castle Pickney
in Charleston, South Carolina, and Castle Williams and Clinton in New York
Harbor. The Castle is a highly stylized form without decoration or embellishment.
The Army officially adopted the castle to appear on the Corps of Engineers
Epaulets and belt plate, in 1840. Soon afterwards the cadets at West Point,
all of whom were part of the Corps of Engineers until the Military Academy
left the charge of the Chief of Engineers and came under the charge of
the Army at Large in 1866, also wore the castle on their cap beginning
in 1841. Subsequently the castle appeared on the shoulder knot; on the
saddle cloth, as a collar device, and on the buttons. although its design
has changed many times since its inception, the castle has remained the
distinctive symbol of the Corps of Engineers.
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