New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-10-13
gIs;or z. A. Burke.

Many of our citizens and most Of our
readers have the pleasure of personal &C
quaintance with Major e. A. Burke Of this
city, the intelligent, active and energetic
local freight agent of the New Orleans,
jackson and Great Northern railroad, and
they viii read with especial interest the sub
Joined article from the Galveston Nescs of
the third instant. Major Burke has made
the acquaintance and won the esteem OF
our people, by whom he is highly apP:re.
ciated. The News says;
Fromcitizens who have recently returned
to the city through New Orleans, we learn
that reports have been circulated 10 ChaC
city to the effect that our former t0Wnsman,
Major e, A. Burke had been an othcer OF a
colored regiment in the federal service, at
one. time q provost marshal at Mobile, and
that he treated the Southern people harshly.
We are at a loss to understand the object
of such reports, unless they are prompted
by the prominence this gentleman has at
tanned in Louisiana politics, and we deem
it but an act of justice to give place to the
statement Of his friends here III regard to
his record.
He volunteered as a private IN one OF the
first Texas regiments organized for the
Confederate service, and by mort won his
way step by step to the position OF major.
Assigned to important special service on the
eve Of the battle of Galveston it is well
known that it was largely due to the skill
full maner in which that service was per
formed that cooperative action between
the gunboat fleet and Magruder's land force
was effected and the battle saved. By this
service he won the thanks of the War De
partment and captains commission.
Every person in the Trans-Mississippi
Department is familiar with the remarkable
organization Of the field transportation
department, but it may not be generally
known that this organization was the ere
alton Of Captain Burke, sustained BY Gen
eral Kirby Smith; that General Smith
eagerly embraced the plans submitted by
CAPTAIN Burke and anticipated the depart
mont at Richmond in the formation OF an
organization fully competent to furnish an
ample supply of field transportation.
Immense workshops were Quilt, vast
quantities Of tools and metals were
accumulated, tanneries were established,
infirmaries for disabled animals created.
In the State Of Texas alone, at the close of
the war, 500 new wagons and 5000 sets OF
harness we're being manufactured from
homo resources. His indomitable energy
and devotion to duty again won the recog--
milton of the War Department, and secured
q majors commission and promotion as
ton, Trans Mississippi Department.
At the close of the war, returning to Gal
veston, like the most of his comrades, PEN
niIess, he became employed as telegraph
operator. His services were soon sought
by T. II. McMaban & Gilbert, and his CON
nection with this firm was marked by de-
gree of commercial ability and energy that
greatly contributed to the prosperity of the
house. By his own energy and the, personal
friendship of Mr. MoMahan, he soon
became one Of the most prosperous
merchants of our city; but, carrie d
away by success, he embarked in business
operations Of such magnitude that adverse
turns of the wheel Of fortune resulted in
disaster He was formerly chief engineer
Of our fire department, but, after his mis-
fortune, removed to New Orleans, and
throughout this State a large circle of
friends will observe his success in life with
interest and pleasure. Polite, genial, and
possessing good judgment and rare admin
istrative ability, we have no doubt that the
corporation now commanding his services
has long since realized his value.