The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-09-08
8irIlmond 0ispatrh.
WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER s, 1869
Tho Late General Rawlins.

commended himself more universally to TIT
people of the country than General RAW
I1Ns, the late Secretary Of War. There
was that quiet and order about his depart
mcnt that showed that il Ha3 directed b!
competency and integrity. There was NJ
complaint against it-no attacks upon II
Everybody respected General RAwLINs-
everybody trusted him:
There is a mysterious influence exertec
by an honest and capable Administration
However transformations it may be, however
limited the channels Of communication be-
tween it and the public, that influence
reaches far and wide, imparts satisfaction
inspires respect, and invites trust. General
RAwLINs was amongst the most unobtru'
sive of the Cabinet. He was not known al
NIL to the nation MS q civilian when he en-
tered upon his office; yet in the brief Pc
Rod Of his administration he gained as
much popularity and confidence as any man
who ever discharged the duties of the i'm
portant post he held. The secret is, he was
clcar-hcadcd, loyal gentleman-a man
endowed with decided administrative abill-
ties-actuatcd by sincere intentions, KIND
impulses, azd patriotic motives.
Secretary GAwLINS was not the especlal
fricrd of.Ac South. lie had fought against
us, aai. viii, cordially opposed us as any
maae ''i:f rex r. pod in the battle against US !;
bur, gGaaEz&"g. and true man as he was, when
war was over he despiscd petty persecu-
tions and annoyances suggested by ignoble
malice. He was for peace and harmony,
for the mutual offering up of all our ran
cors upon the altar of our country, and the
union of all our power and energy for the
promotion Of the general welfare of the
great Republic. He was the true repre-
sentative. and defender of General GRANTS
motto {" Let us have peace"
II is indeed a national loss to give up
such man to the tomb and the South,
equally with the North, mourns his I'M
timely removal from his life of public SER
vice and public benefit.
Ma General JoHN A. RAw1rNs was
born February IS, 1881, at Galcna, 10
Davies county, Illinois, and resided there
until he entered the service in 1861. His
parents were very humble, and his youth
full days were occupied at hard labor.
Three years of time, mainly in winter,
were occupied in~acquiling an education,
which was finished 1T the Rock River Semi
nary, Mount Morris, Illinois. He began
the study of law in November 1853, and
was admitted to the bar in October 1854.
So it will be seen his opportunities for study
were limited-a fact but the more clearly
establishing the quickncss of his intellect
and the force Of his character.
lie practiccd law until he entered the
service, and was also an active politician Of
the Democratic school. He supported the
Douglas ticket in 1860.
At the fall of Sumter he took an active
part in the raising of troops at Galcna, IL
linoie, in which town General GRANT re-
sided. and with whom his relations were
intimate. In August he was appointed on
General GRANTS staff. and on the 30th Au-
gust his wife, who had been for some time
in ill-health, died, leaving a son and two
daughters. As Il mark of the tender scnti
mcnt entertained by General GRANT toward
the family, this little boy, five years old,
was taken by him and appointed on his
staff, with the rank of captain, Oh the 18th
September, and he remained with the Gen
cral until the end at Appomattox Court
house.
The relations between General GRANT
and General RAwL1Ns, personally and
officially, were always of the most intimate,
friendly, and confidential character. He
was commissioned major and assistant
adjutant- general, to rank from the date OF
the surrender of Fort Donclson; was
assigned in orders as assistant adjutant-
general and chief of staff, with the rank
of Northumberland, November |, 1862 :;
was appointed brigadier-g general of vol
unteers, to rank from August II, 1863 =;
brcvcted Encouragement of volunteers, to
rank from February 81, 1865. March 3,
1865, he was appointed chief of staff to the
acknowledgement commanding, with the
rank Of brigadier-gencral in the United
States army; and was subsequently, bre-
vcted major-gcueral United States army,
to rank from March Is, 1865.
In 1866 Congress created the title CT Gen
eral, which was bestowed on Lieutenant
General GRANT. At the same time General
RAwLINs was designated as chief of staff
TO the General commanding the armies.
General GRANT wrote frequently to the
head of the War Department and to mem
bcrs of Congress urging the several promo
tons OF General RAwLINs on the score Of
services and as "reward of merit" In
his letter, dated at Vicksburg July q,
1868, he declares "no officer has now a
''more honorable reputation than he (Gcn-
"eral RAwLINs) has"
The Washington Republican says:
''No officer, among those who at the close
of the war were 50 rapidly promoted, has
reflected greater credit upon his rank and
upon the army itself than this quiet, taci-
turn, and agreeable gentleman and unit
ringly industrious, clcar-hcaded, and prac-
teal officer. Recognizing his eminent fit
ness for the position, shortly after his
resignation President Grant nominated him
to the Senate, and he was confirmed, rs
Secretary Of War, and at once entered upon
the discharge of the duties, relieving Gene
raj Schofeld. Since that time he has been
IN interchangeable worker, constantly at his