Mansfield, Joseph K. F. (Joseph King Fenno), 1803-1862

American army officer.

Army officer.

Joseph King Fenno Mansfield was born in New Haven, Conn. in 1803. In the Mexican War, he served as Chief Engineer under General Zachary Taylor. From 1848-1853, he served on the Board of Engineers which was charged with the task of planning the defense of both coasts. In 1853, he was appointed Inspector General by Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. Working in this capacity, Mansfield inspected the Dept. of New Mexico in 1853, as well as the Departments of California, Texas, and Oregon in later years. Mansfield died leading the Twelfth Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac into battle at Antietam, Maryland in 1862.

According to Darlis A. Miller, the frontier army played a significant role in "furthering the development and settlement of the American Southwest. Its primary task was to subdue hostile Indians, but it also built roads, guarded railroad construction crews, aided destitute farmers, and provided markets for local crops and materials. Such success as the army enjoyed in carrying out these duties can be attributed in part to a small group of officers assigned to the inspector general's department." This department was established in 1813 and was assigned the task of investigating "all matters affecting the efficiency, discipline, and welfare of the Army." Army inspectors, working under the supervision of this department, reported on numerous topics, including local peoples, towns, crops, politics, and the condition of army commands. It is within this context that Joseph King Fenno Mansfield's contributions are significant.

Joseph King Fenno Mansfield was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1803. In the Mexican War, he served as Chief Engineer under General Zachary Taylor. As such, he constructed and defended Fort Brown in Texas. From 1848-1853, he served on the Board of Engineers which was charged with the task of planning the defense of both coasts. In 1853, he was appointed Inspector General by Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. Working in this capacity, Mansfield inspected the Department of New Mexico in 1853, as well as the Departments of California, Texas, and Oregon in later years. Mansfield died leading the Twelfth Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac into battle at Antietam, Maryland in 1862.