The south-western., 1869-10-27
The New Secretary of War.

We copy as follows from special Washington tele-
gram Of the 18th, to the Cincinnati Commercial:
The appointment made early this morning, Of Gen.
VIM. w. Belknap, of Keokuk, Iowa, to succeed Gen.
Rawlins, Secretary Of War, received here with
astonshment and disfavor not only among army Off
GERS but by all who have expressed opinions concern
ing it. He is even obscure than Borie, Hoar and
Robson were, and many prominent Western men say
that he never known outside Of his division in the
army. 4&
He entered the military service early in the war, as
Major of the 10th regiment of Iowa yolunteers and
gradually to be Major General, and commanded
division in the Seventeenth Army Corps. He served
Gen. McPhersons staff and also the staff of Ger.
Sherman.
The latter speaks of him in the most praiseworthy
terms says be is brilliant careful judicious, cult
vated officer Of excellent education and advantages,
and predicts that he will be faithful popular
and efficient Secretary.
Gen. Sherman states that the new Secretary is 3s
years of age, light complexion, and Of tall and com
manding figure.
For time he has been Collector of Internal Rev
for the First Iowa District and the Bureau here
pronounces him one of the very best officers in the
revenue service. He well known and appreciated
by the old division of the army and selected by the
Society of the Army of Tennessee to deliver the ora
ton at its meeting in Chicago on the 18th of Decem
ber, 1868.
His appointment is largely, if not wholly due to Gen
Sherman, who has had the management Of the affair."
although the President is warmly attached to Gen. Bel
KNAPP and has the strongest confidence in his abilities
He promoted above his seniors, again and again,
for his bravery and efficiency and when the ended
he was rendered high position in the regular army
This he declined on account of his desire his
profession the practice Of the law which he has since
followed in Keokuk. His father regular officer,
of high rank, several years ago
In that oration, after auding to Gen. Grant in the
most complimentary manner, he spoke as follows in
reference to Gen. Rawlns, his old conrade in arms,
and whom he now succeeds Secretary of War
1--WE miss tonight that noble solder who, from first to
last in depression and in victory stood by his honored
chief and from the lips of every one of US, as we find
be is not here the earnest expression which tells
the aantimant of all the suier hearts throughout the
land" Long live John A. Rawlins."
The subject Of the appointment Of a War Secretary
has been under consideration by the President for
time, and be desired to select Western man. The
appointment Of General Belknap decided upon on
Friday last, and Gen. Sherman requested to COM
muncate with him the subject which he did at
once, by mail Gen. Beknap received the news with
the utmost astonshment and replied that if the Presi
dent considered him fitted for the place he would
cept appointment. The subject definitely acted
upon at the Cabinet meeting yesterday, and to-day
Gen. Sherman gave notice in the War Department that
Gen. Belknap would assume charge of the War De-
partment as Secretary of War.