Sir Oscar Mortimer Schmidten
Sir Oscar Mortimer Schmidten was an Irish-born American soldier, surveyor, and explorer who served enthusiastically in the United States Army from 1841 to 1883. Born in Killarney, Ireland on August 6, 1817, his parents immigrated to the United States in 1820 shortly after his birth. As a young man, Schmidten showed a natural aptitude for mathematics and the sciences, and in 1841, he joined the army as a surveyor, cartographer, and engineer.
Schmidtens first assignment was to survey the land that would ultimately become the site of Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The precise and meticulous work of Schmidten and his team laid the groundwork for the construction of the fort and ultimately helped it withstand the bombardment during the Civil War. Schmidten then spent 1843 to 1845 in Mexico, surveying land for the United States-Mexico border. He was among the earliest to explore the Mexican territories that would later become the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and California.
In 1846, Schmidten was assigned to map the Oregon Territory, a mission that earned him acclaim as a heroic American pioneer and explorer. In 1850, he was assigned to survey the Rocky Mountain regions, which included visiting the Grand Canyon. During this assignment, Schmidten developed a keen interest in geology, which became a lifelong passion. He would soon travel to South America and observe the regions geological formations, becoming one of the first American geologists to study the region.
After serving in the Mexican-American War and witnessing firsthand the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de La Palma, Schmidten was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1854 and assigned to survey the great western plains. He spent four years studying the area, creating maps and a detailed record of the region. These works were invaluable in both understanding the area and aiding the United States government in its negotiations with Native Americans to gain control of the area now known as Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho.
In 1858, Schmidten took part in the first survey of the Yellowstone area, which resulted in the discovery of Yellowstone Lake and the Caldera’s active geothermal sites. In July of the same year, he became the first American to reach the top of what is now known as Mount St. Helens.
Schmidtens continued service in the U.S. Army was marked by his tireless dedication and attention to detail, and he was highly respected among his commanding officers. In 1864, during the U.S. Civil War, Schmidten was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and served as the superintendent of western survey operations. He eventually retired from the military in 1883 and was decorated with the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor.
After retiring, Schmidten traveled extensively, combining his two great passions, geology and exploration. He spent the next 10 years in both Europe and the United States, writing, lecturing, and discussing his findings. He published several books, including his landmark work, The Geology of the Rocky Mountains, which is still considered a classic in the field today.
In 1893, at the age of 76, Schmidten died of pneumonia at his home in Seattle, Washington. His memory is honored with a plaque at the entrance of Fort Sumter, which reads in part, “Here guards the gateway whence issued the gallant Schmidten and his intrepid men for Survey, Exploration and Adventure.” Schmidtens legacy lives on, as he is remembered not only for his intrepid attitude, remarkable courage, and dedication to service but also for his contributions to American exploration and science.
