Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1869-09-21
Biographical Sketches.
From the Rutland Herald.
GEN. JOHN A. EAWLiSs,

Galena, Illinois, Feb. IL, 1881, anu was
one of nine children, seven OF whom, and
his father and mother, survive him.
The immediate cause of his death was
consumption, which was induced by ex-
posure in active service in the field, dur
lug the late war. lie leaves wife and
two children.
He was of humble parentagc, with linz
tied advantages for acquiring an education,
and until he was twenty-three years of age
worked upon farm. He then studied
law at Galena, Iillinos, where he was ad-
tilted to the bar, anil made for himself Il
good reputation as a lawyer. In politics,
he was Jealous Douglas democrat, but
when the traitor guns were fred on Sum-
ter, he announced himself il war democrat,
and cut loose from those that sympathized
in the least with those who sought the de.
struction Of our government.
\ friendly intercourse had long existed
between him and General Grant who was
then resident of Gaena. Apublic meet.
ing of the citizghs was called at which the
then Lieut.. Grant presided, and Mr.. Raw.
Inns spoke.
He unhesitatingly declared himself ii
favor of the Union, and closed and elo.
qucnt 81 czech with the following words:
a.. have been "a Democrat all my life
but this is no longer aquestion of politics
1t is simply country or no country.
have favored every honorable compromise
bit the day Of compromise is passed. Or
" one course is left us. We will stand
by the flag of our country and appeal It
the God OF hattles."
This speech was characteristic Of the
man plain, Independent and concise, de-
vuid Of seIishness and overlooking with
patriotism.
Ni~o. .i,a haus roeoi'od dsalana that
Sumter had surrendered, Rawlns at once
went to work with others and raised thu
| 10Th Illinois Regiment, known as the
:" Lead Mine Regiment" but instead O
becoming its commander he accepted pr
sition on General Grants staff, and OF
3Oth Of the August following he was APP
pointed Assistant Adjutant General, will
the rank Of captain, under Grant.
From this time till the close of tn,
war, he was with Gen. Grant in all hi
battles aud field operations, except dur
ing an a5sehce of two months IN conse
quence of bronchial affection which h
had contracted during his service, anc
which probably was the immediate caus,
! Of his death.
I General Kawlips was commissioned Ma
jor and Assistant Adjutant General SCOT
after the surrender Of Fort Donnclstn
was assigned IN orders as Assistant Aiju
tant General and chief of staff, with tn,
rank of Lieut. Colonel, November |, 1862
was appointed II Brgadier General of vol
uuteers, TO rank from August II, 1868
brevettcd Major General Of volunteers, t.
rank from Feb. "a, 1865 March 8, 1865
he was appointed chief Of staff to the 1t
General commanding, with the rank o
Brigadior General in the U. ). army, ant
was subsequently brevctted Major Genera
U. s. army, to rank from March 10, 1865
In 1866 Congress created the title Of Gen
eral, which was bestowed on Lieut.. Gene
r.il Grant, at the same time Gen. Rawlin
was designated chief Of staff to The Geuer
al commanding the. armies.
AT the close Of tie war Gen. Rawlin'
remained upon the staff Of Gen. Grant a,
chief, and upon the inauguration Of Gen
Grant as President, Gen. Rawlins wa,
nominated for Secretary Of War, aud i'm
mediately confirmed. He at once entered
upon the discharge of his duties, relieving
Gen. SeohGeld.
The ability with which he had discharg.
esf the duties incumbent on him as Sec. OF
War, notwithstanding his entce5led copdi
ton, the increased efficiency Of the War
/ Department. the reduction Of unnecessary
expenses, and the discharge Of unneele
help show how wisely he was chose and
how difficult will be task, TO fill his place.
He and General Grant had long been ac.
auaintsd, and tieirfriendship had ripened
into aa. ardent love and respect for each
either, ia .....,e...
When the sad news of Gen. Rawlins'
condition flashed over the wires to the
ears of General Grant in Saratoga, he
started at once for the bedside of
his cherished friend, whose last words
were the expressed wish to see the Presi-