Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-25
NEW SUPERINTENDENT
General Dufield Appointed to the Head of
the Coast and Geodetic Survey.
A Successor to Prof. Mendenhall at
Last selected-Civil and Military
Record of the New Appointee.

Gen. William Ward Duftield Of Detroit
was today appointed superintendent of the
coast and geodetic survey. Gen. Duffield
has a distinguished record In civil and mil
itary life. He Is one of the best known
civil engineers in the United States. He
was a resident engineer of the Hudson
River railroad in the fifties, and, after
service In the late war, was appointed chief
engineer Of that road. He built the line of
the Grand Trunk between Detroit and Port
Huron; was chief engineer Of the Central
Track railroad in Illinois (now part of the
Chicago. Burlington and Quincy system),
and built the latter line. He was chief
engineer also of several railroads in Mich
igan. and located most Of the trunk lines in
that state. He made the survey of the
Colorado lands in 1871 and 1872. and was
chief engineer of the Kentucky Union rail-
road and assistant engineer Of the govern
ment in 1882 in making the survey Of gov
ernmeIt lands in Dakota. In 1885 he was
made chief engineer Of the Kentucky Union
railroad and had charge of the survey and
examination Of all the lands Of that road.
His Military Record.
In military life, while still a boy, he
served in the Mexican war. and was wound
ed at Cerro Gordo, and again at Contreras.
when acting adjutant on Gen. Gideon j.
Pillows staff. In the late war he went out
as lieutenant colonel of the fourth Michi-
gan infantry, and was In the first battle of
Bull Run. Afterward he was made colonel
Of the ninth infantry and served under Gen.
Sherman in the west. and was made COM
mander of the twenty-third brigade by Gen.
Buell. Of the Army OF tine Cumberland, and
was made brigadier general and president
of the examining board under the act of
Congress of May 2. lsd2, to test the eff
vol. Off
He was engaged in various battles In
Kentucky and Tennessee. and in lo62 was
assigned by Gen. Buell. to tie command of
ali the forces in the foEmer state. He re-
jcined the fourteenth corps of the Army of
the Cumberland under Gen. Thomas, and
served with it until the battle of Murfrees-
bo-o, where he was disabled by two
wounds. He was breveteti major general
by President Lincoln for galiantry in the
field in the battle Of Murfreesboro'.
Only One Political ONCE.
He has held but one political office-that
Of member Of the upper house of the legis-
lature Of the state Of Michigan. Although
native of Pennsylvania. he has been a
resident of Michigan -alh his life. and has
been a consistent democrat. Gen. Duffleld
is said to be thoroughly equipped as a
scientific expert in all BREACHES OF learning
required for the efiicienta administration Of
the office Of chief OF the BOAST and geodetic
survey.
There was long fight to get Professor
Mendenhall out Of that Smce, it being un-
derstDod at tie staal THAI the piace was
wanted fo- Kentuckian. Some time ago
tion, but. apparently. there was some much
which prevented the Immediate appoint
ment of his successor Mr.. Dufiied is a
friend of Don NJ. Dickenson and was not
thought Of for the appointment when the
determination to get rid Of Mendenhall was
reached.