The New York herald., 1869-09-07
LIFE AND SERVICES OF THE DECEASED
SECRETARY.

county, Illinois, the 18th Of February, 1881. BY
the paternal side he is descended from family Of
vrglnians that moved to Kentucky ana subsequently
removed to Missouri where his father married. The
subject Of this sketch received common school and
academic education, and until nearly twenty three
years OF age lived on farm and was engaged in
agricultural pursuits. In November 1853, he en-
tered the law office Of J. P. Stevens, Of Galena
where he made the acquaintance Of President Grant,
In October 1854, he was admitted to the bar and,
opening an 0fflce, commenced the practice Of his
profession, in which, although he did not make q
fortune, he may be said to have been t0lerably sue
cessful. In June 1885, he married Miss Emily Smith,
of Goshen N. Y, with whom he lived most happily
for q couple OF months over five years, when she
died. having borne him three children. She is said
to have been most estimable lady. In December,
1868, he married the second time-to Miss Mary e.
Hurlburt of Danbury. Cbnn. This lady. who sur
wives him. is at present invalid in Connecticut or
was few days ago. BY her he had several children,
the last Of whom is an infant of a few weeks.
HIS POLITICAL CAREER
Although General Rawlins held no public ofnces
prior to the war he was known in Galena as an ac-
tive, influential and able democratic politician He
was nominated in 1860 for the ONCE of democratic
Elector on the Douglas ticket for the First Con-
gressional district Of Illinois, and made q strong
against Judge Allen G. Fuller, OF Belvidere,
the Circuit Judge. and afterwards Adjutant General
Of Illinois. Soon after the Confederate forces fired
upon Fort Sumter large public meeting was held
at Galena by the republicans and war democrats, at
which President lthen Mr.. Grant, presided and Gene
raj Rawlins spoke. The action Of Grant caused no
surprise. as he was then unknown, and his views
one way the other made but little difference. The
case was different with Rawlins however. He was
widely known as democrat, and IN his speeches
had bitterly denounced the republicans His decara-
tOn In favor of cOercive measures was all the more
surprising from the fact that at the time the great
leader Of his wing Of the democratic party Senator
Douglas, had not yet made known his intended
action. As might be supposed, the stand he TOOK in
support OF the preservation OF the Union at any cost
greatly Influenced many Of his fellow citizens, who
relied upon his judgment, and who were in doubt
to the wisest step for the government to pursue
that momentous period. He urged the people to
volunteer and aid In the work OF bringing back the
seeded States. announcing at the same time his
purpose to enter the army at an early date.
HIS MILITARY RECORD.
In August, 1861, at the special request OF then
Brigader General u. 8. Grant, he received the ap-
pointment Of Assistant Adutant General, with the
rank OF captain and was assigned to that officer.
At this time Mr.. RawliDs was spoken OF as the Major
of the famous Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteers other
wise known as the Lead Mine regiment; and the
first intlmation he had OF his new appointment
was through the newspapers, and Immediately
after through an order OF General Grant as
signing him to duty. The order was dated Sep
tember 8, 1851; but, suffering recent family be-
reavement in the loss OF his wife, Captain Rawlins
did not join General Grant, then at Cairo until
five days after. From that time up to the pre-
sent he has been continually at the side Of General
Grant and accompanied him in all his campaigns,
Ian narku of cb fha batt nj Rnl
Fort Henry Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka,
the Tallahachie expedition to oxford, Mississippi,
Port Gibson, Raymond jackson, Champion Hill,
Big Black teeNrowning victory OF Vicksburg, Chat
TolopatomOy, Cold Harbor and the front OF Peters
burg and Richmond. At Culpepper Court House,
Va General Grant presented General Rawiins with
a SASH with the following note:-
This sashworn BY me IN all my battles and campaigns
M from and ncuSng % s battle Of to sns IN @
Brisadier General John A. Rawns, M, chief Of staff, in
L, S. GRANT Lieutenant General
In the line Of promotion Captain Rawlins was
made major February 10, 1902 lieutenant colonel No
vember /, 1862 aud brlgader general OF volunteers
August H. 1868. lie was first appointed chief OF STAFF
to General Grant In November 1852, ana held that
position either by full rank or acting until appointed
gress creating the Office OF chief OF staf to Lieu.
tenant General Grant conferred upon General
status OF bagadier general of the regular army.
On March g. 1865, General Rawlins was confirmed
by the United states senate teas as bTeyst major general
or his gallantry and ability as soldier
the country Is well aware. 1t is not I'm
probable that had he entered the service
In any other capacity than that OF staff officer he
would have rlsen to high command and would have
ranked with Generals Sherman and sheridan. AS it
was his rare genius for military control was recog-
nzed by General Grant, who elevated HIM to the
highest position that an officer OF the stan could at
tain. He bore the reputation OF being the most
thorough and practical adjutant general In the army
Although not graduate OF West Point the military
education he gave himself enabled him to under
stand all the workings and necessities OF large
armies. The efficiency attained by all OF the forces
commanded BY General Grant was proof Of his
lcnce, the result OF much study and thought, must