Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 37.djvu/24

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Southern Historical Society Papers.

and efficiency. As a rule, the officers not only did their individual work well, but showed the most cordial readiness to confer with and to help each other. Many names deserve to be remembered. Among the most prominent, and among those of whom I saw most and most corresponded with, were Lieut. Cols. J. H. Burton,[1] Superintendent of Armories; T. L. Bayne, in charge of the Bureau of Foreign Supplies, and I. M. St. John at the head of the Nitre and Mining Bureau; Lieut. Col. G. W. Rains, of the Augusta Powder Mills and Arsenal, Lieut. Col. Leroy Broun, commanding Richmond Arsenal, Maj. M. H. Wright, of the Atlanta Arsenal, Lieut. Col. R. M. Cuyler, of Macon Arsenal, Maj. J. A. De Lagnel, of Fayetteville, Maj. J. T. Trezevant, of Charleston Arsenal, and Lieut. Col. J. L. White, of Selma Arsenal; of the field ordnance officers, Lieut. Co. B. G. Baldwin, Chief of Ordnance, Army of Northern Virginia; Lieut. Col. H. Oladowswi, Chief of Ordinance, Kenny of Tennessee, and Maj. W. Allen, Chief Ordnance Officer of 2d corps, Army of Northern Virginia. Some of these officers held other ranks at different periods of the war, and some of the arsenals referred to were commanded by others at different times. All of the men I have named are, I believe, now dead. Most of them passed away many years ago.

This is also true of our commanding officer, Colonel, in the latter part of the war, Brigadier General J. Gorgas, the Chief of Ordnance of the Confederate States, who well deserved to be held in honored and grateful remembrance by all who served under him. His difficult task was performed with great ability. Obstacles that could be overcome were resolutely faced with intelligent energy, and insuperable difficulties and hindrances were borne with uncomplaining patience. Out of confusion his organizing skill brought such order as was possible. He was firm and at the same time most kindly and encouraging in his relations with all his subordinate officers. Never buoyant, he never gave way to depression. By his personal example and by the tone of his orders and correspond-

  1. Although doubtless having previously had his rank, Mr. Burton did not, I believe, in 1863 and 1864 hold any military commission in the service of the Confederate States.