corps of engineers

Corps of Engineers \Corps of Engineers\, a corps of officers and
   enlisted men consisting of one band and three battalions of
   engineers commanded by a brigadier general, whose title is
   Chief of Engineers. It has charge of the construction of
   fortifications for land and seacoast defense, the improvement
   of rivers and harbors, the construction of lighthouses, etc.,
   and, in time of war, supervises the engineering operations of
   the armies in the field.
      (b) In the United States navy, a corps made up of the
          engineers, which was amalgamated with the line by act
          of March 3, 1899. It consisted of assistant and passed
          assistant engineers, ranking with ensigns and
          lieutenants, chief engineers, ranking from lieutenant
          to captain, and engineer in chief, ranking with
          commodore and having charge of the Bureau of Steam
          Engineering.
          [Webster 1913 Suppl.]