Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/223

 222 Southern Historical Society Papers.

general superintendent of all laboratories, Colonel Burton superinten- dent of armories, Major Caleb Huse for the purchase abroad of arms and munitions, and of this officer, General Gorgas says: "He suc- ceeded with a very little money in buying a good supply and in running the ordnance department into debt for nearly half a million sterling- the very best proof of his fitness for his place and of a financial ability which supplemented the narrowness of Mr. Mem- minger's purse."

General Gorgas had an admirable Staff of Officers, among them such men as Major Smith Stansbury, Colonel G. W. Rains, Col- onel LeRoy Broun, Colonel J. W. Mallett, T. A. Rhett, Snow- den Andrews, Wright, White, Burton, De Lagnel, General St. John, Colonels Morton and Ellicott, Colonels B. G. Baldwin, William Al- lan, J. Wilcox Browne, E. B. Smith, Cuyler, Colston and others no less distinguished during the war than they have been in after life. These officers were in constant personal contact with their Chief, and all of them give testimony as to his great ability as an officer his devotion to duty and his tact and kind consideration for them, and all of his subordinates.

It was wonderful to witness the admiration and esteem which the workmen in the shops exhibited for him. Perfectly gentle and quiet in his manners, and without an effort, he exercised the most perfect control of men.

In the brief portrayal of the life and character of General Gorgas, here made, we cannot undertake to follow closely his administration during the war. In those years he regularly continued his daily work far into i he night. He knew accurately every detail of his own depart- ment and kept perfectly informed as to the movements of all of the troops in the field. In nothing was he more wonderful than in what appeared as a gift of prescience, which enabled him to provide for the wants of every battlefield. The movement of arms and munitions in his department was often the very first indication of an approach- ing battle. He carefully studied the dispositions of opposing com- manding officers, and followed the movements of every body of troops in order to meet all sudden exigencies. He was constantly in receipt of letters from officers recognizing that he had anticipated their movements and provided for their wants.

Brief reference was made to expressions by Generals Johnston and Bragg as to his administration. General Lee, even in those sad days of April, at Appomattox, was mindful of him and sent a message to him in recognition of his great services to him and to the army.