Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-01-23
AT THE ARSENAL.
Col. A. X. Burlington Named as the
New COmnandant.
a We'll known Officer With a spien.
did Record---BiO.raph
S<etch-Capt. Lyon.

Siketch-Capr. Lyon.
A Washington dispatch sent out by the
associated press yesterday announces that
the secretary of war has assigned Col. A.
r. Burlington of the ordnance department
to the command of Rock Island arsenal. In
about 80 days he will, it is expected, ar
rive and take direction of affairs.
Col. Burlington does not come to Rock
Island arsenal strar ger to the important
work here. at the tine the water power
dam was washed out four years ago he
was sent here to make examinations and
suggestions. One year ago last October
he WAS sent here SIS member of the gun
factory board. He is one of the ablest
army officers and one of the most ex-
perienced. His record AS commandment
at Springfield arsenB is splendid one.
Col. Buffington is sOutherner by birth,
Wheeling being his native place. He is
one of the many officers of the army who
were true to the flag of the union during
the rebellion. He il now "a years OF
age, and has sill 10 years of
usefulness to give his country before
being placed upon the retired list.
He was appointed a cadet at West
Point from Virginia in 1856, ard gradu-
ated May 6, 1861. in the early months of
the war, and was brevetted as second
lieutenad: of ordnance. Promotion came
rapidly. A week later he was made sec
ond lieutenant, two months after first
lieutenant; secured captaincy in less
than two years, and was 'cOrsted with
majors straps in 1874. Ten years ago
he signed himself lieutenant colonel, and
for nearly three years has held the rank
OF colonel. He was made major by bre-
vet in the closing days of the war for
faithful and meritorious services in the
ordnance department.
His career in the army has been one Of
great credit and usefulness. Subsequent
TO his graduation from the school at West
Point he was engaged in drilling vclun-
teers al the national capital, then he
served as assistant ordnance officer at
the st. Louis arsenal, being engaged in
| additional duties OF mastering Missouri
and Illinois Yolun GERS and aiding with
! artillery in the de 'ense of Pilot Knob,
| which was threatened with attack. ard in
drilling ard organizing the employees of
! the St. Louis arsenal into a regiment of
NJ s;ouri militis, OF which he was comDis>
stoned the colonel by Gov. Gamble.
Later he was transferred 10 the Wheeling
ordnance depot. and sfterwsrd was in
charge OF the inspection and rifling of sea-
coast cannon and armament of the north
east COST. He has been in command OF
various Grsenals-at st. Louis. New York,
Baton Rouge, Wstertown, Detroit. In
disuapolis, Allegheny and Watervliet
During the closing years Of the rebellion
he was chief erdna nce officer of the mill
tsry division of the gulf and the fifth
military district. On leave, from De-
cember. 1880. to he following April. he
inspected arms for the Egyptian govern
ment. and upon the organization of the
| board of heavy ordnance and proiectiles,
by act of congress he was made member,
For over 10 years he has been in charge
of the national armory.
His transfer 10 the Rock Island arse
nal indicates the in portance attached to
this position by the army authorities, and
the experience Col. Burlington brings to
| his new duties make certain the continu
ance Of the leading place this arsenal
holds among the similar estab ishments
| of the United States.
Rock Island arsenal has been without q
regularly assigned commandant since
| Col J. NJ. Whittemore retired from COM
mand on leave of absence last March and
Capt. NJ. w. Lyon, ranking officer. has
| been in charge in the meantime. His
record has been one of which he may al
ways feel proud, and the manner in which
be has devoted himself to every detail o.
work-and some of the most importan
in the history Of the arsenal. the placing
of the iron girders in the main Rock Isl
and bridge. the construction of the Mo
line pool, and Rock Island viaduct com
ing under his supervision-has won hin
the confidence and admiration OF the tri
cities He has not only displayed grea
ability as an officer in charge of construc
ton work. but as an executive officer al
well, al d the interest and pride he ha
taken in everything pertaining to TIT