Evening star., 1869-09-07

At all times during the day he expressed the
greatest desire to see the President, with whom
he was associated by the warmsst ties Of affec-
tion, and who, next TO his wife and children,
was foremost in the Thoughts and wishes and
hopes Of the dying man, and frequently asked.
"When will he Gomez and expressed fears
that he weuld die before the arrival of his
Chief. Four o'clock. Had the President comet
The eyes Of the dying Secretary seemed to
speak the thoughts that were passing through
his mind-his anticipatious, his hopes, hi
fears. Those present endeavored to comfort
him with the assurance that the President
would soon be there, that the train had arrived
and that but few moments could elapse before
he would reach the house. Slight expressions
OF pleasure were pereeptible upon his counter
ance when these remarks were made; but he
was too weak to give his thoughts utterance.
THE CLOSING SCENE.
A few minutes past four o'clock it was oh
served that he was rapidly becoming uncon
scious. There were present at the time Secre-
taries Robson and Cox, Postmaster General
Creswell, General J. +. Smith, Surgeon Gen.
eral Barnes, General Ely S. Parker, Oommis-
sioner Of Indian Affairs; General James A.
Ekin, General o. y. Howard, Quartermaster
General Meigs, DIR. Cady, Dr. Bliss, Mr.. James
Peterson, one of the residents Of the mansion,
and Secretary Rawlins' colored ser want, Henry
Davis. All present gathered around and
watched anxiously the face Of the Secretary,
he whom they had personally known
and loved. DR.. Bliss sat by the pillow Of
the dying Secretary with his finger on his
pulse. The colored man stood at the foot OF
the bed convulsed with grief. The distin.
guished friends were gathered round watching
the fast waning light of life. The Secretary
In ndicated consciousness, and a few moments
before his death asked to be raised up. The
request was complied with, when his eyes
became fixed, and at precisely twelve minutes
past four O'Clock he died without struggle,
and DIR. Bliss announced that all was over.
Thus peacefully passed away General John
A Rawlins, man Of pure and spotless char.
acter, courteous in his manners, Of a kindly
disposition, good husband and father, a
worthy citizen, brave soldier, and tried
patriot.
THE PRESIDENT WITH THE DEAD
The train due at 500 p. m, arrived 1t the de.
pot on time, and Immediately President Grant.
(who had occupied special carr accompanied
by General Horace Porter his private secreta.
ry, stepped upon the platform aud took seats
in the Presidents coupe, which was in waiting.
The carriage was rapidly driven to the resi-.
dence Of General Smith on Grant street, where
the President hurried mp the steps of the house,
and proceeded at once to the room where the
body was placed. A number of the distinguished
gentlemen who were in waiting, thronged into
the room. Deep solemnity for some time rested
upon the face Of the distinguished Chief Maeis.
trate, members of his Cabinet, and others pres.
ent, and the President looked long and mourn
fully upon the face of the dead. He then called
for paper and pencil, and using the back of
book for desk, wrote the following telegram,
which was at once sent to Mrs RawlIns at
anbury, Connecticut:
Mrs. Mary E. Rdlclins, Ddnbury. Coma.
Your beloved husband expired at 1: 10 O'Clock
this afternoon, to be mourned by family,
friends who loved him for his per sonaI worth
acknowledge their debt Il a srats1ae so him.
On consultation with friends, IL is determined
that he shall be buried in the Congressional
burying ground as the most appropriate place,
unless you have other suggestions to make.
The time of the funeral is not arranged, but
will probably take place on THURSDAY next:
The President remained a few minu ties
longer, conversing with those present, and no.
titled the members Of his Cabinet that q special
meeting would be held during the evening
he then left for the White House. He ex.
pressed a desire TO watch with the corpse dur.
ing the night, but was urged by Gen. Sherman
and others not to do so, as 1t was evident that
the quick Journey and the shock Of the decease
OF his friend had greatly affected him.
IMPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY.
During the evening the President was In re.
cefpt Of many dispatches from prominent
friends Of the deceased, and several dispatches
were also received by General Smith, at whose
residence the Secretary died. Throughout the
city the death Of the Secretary was the princi.
pal topic OF conversation, and the occurrence
appeared to have cast general gloom over
the community. In the Clty Councils, last
night, resolutions Of respect TO the memory OF
the deceased were introduced and adopted. 1t
is reported that efforts were made to call a
special meeting Of the Illinois Association,
which includes in its membership a majority
OF the present lllinoians sojourning or resid.
ing permanently here, but owing to the late.
ness Of the hour the effort was not successful
1t Is probable, however, that a meeting will
be held tonight. Sedgwick Post, No. :, q. A.
r., met last evening to hold a regular ses.
sion Of the Post, but, on the announcement of
the death OF Secretary kawlins, a committee
composed OF Colonel j. Bell Adams, Captain
W.. II. Colklesser, George H. Corey, John G.
Dunn, T. NJ. Sullivan, j. G. Richards, and
Robert Burns, was appointed to draft resolu.
tions OF respect to the memory Of Gen. Raw.
Inns, late Secretary OF War. The Post then
adjourned in respect to the memory OF the de.
ceased.
An order was issued this morning closing the
War Department for business until after the
funeral, and it is understood that in the other
Departments there will be a suspension of
work until after the funeral. General Smith
last night telegraphed the fact OF the Secreta.
ry's demise to the Governor Of Illinois; that
any arrangement the State may desire can be
communicated in season for the funeral, and
It is expected that the Governor will to-day
indicate his wishes in the matter, and proba.
bly, send q representation of the State to attend
the funeral obseQuies.
THE CABINET MB1rING.
At 6 O'Clock last evening special session of
the Cabinet was held at the White Honse. The
President Secretary Robson, Secretary Cox,
and Postmaster General Creswell, and also
General Sherman, were present Itwas agreed
that this morning the remains OF the late Sec.
retary should be escorted to the War Once By
detail Of ffty soldiers Of the sth U. s. cavaI.
~ In full uniform. This detail will compose
the guard OF honor while the remains lie In
state at the War Once. The funeral will take
place from the War Once at 10. q. n. en-
Thursday, and the remains Will be eseo rtsd to
the congressional Bur1al Ground BY the mill.
tary in thus city ana the marines, all under
command OF Brsvet Major General William
F. Barry, colonel U. s. army, In command Of
Fort Monroe. There the body viii Be placed
temporarily In vault, unless etherwise do.