The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-09-09
Death Of s.erefasy ReWIias.

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Death OF secretaxx ReFIias. -
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War had NbeSA afflicted for some tine
past terminatSd in his death, Wishing
/ itOn, sehortly aS3er O'Clock, yesterday a.
ternoon. General RayIins may be said
to have exemplifed in tho cirCnmsta
Of his death trait which is attributed to
him as fcharacteristc-ste adineSs and
faithfulness in the discharge Of duty
for he appears to have continued in the
performance Of the functions of his i'm
portant Office of Secretary of War almost
up to the last day of his existence. His
attack was a hemorrhage of the lungs,
which seized him less than month ago.
He recovered SO that he was able to ride
out, and even to resume his functions in
the War Office, but relapsed. From that
time his condition alternutcd between the
extremes There are probably few men
whose death will be more felt in the ma
ture of personal loss by the President.
General Rawlins was yet young man.
He was born February 13, 1881, in Joe
Davies County, Illinois, and there re-
sided till he entered the military service
in 1851. He commenced life humbly,
having been originally engaged in char
coal burning, during which time, how
ever. he made the best of all opportuni-
ties for procuring an education. In
1853 he began the study of the law in
Galena, and as early rs a year afterwards
was admitted to the bar as q copartner
with his law instructor. But while con-
tinhing the practice Of his profession, lie
manifested some interest In politics also,
as "a Democrat. He adhered to Mr..
Douglas in 1860, and as the candidate
for elector in the First Congressional
District OF Illinois, canvassed the Dis
trict in behalf OF the Douglass ticket. as
was conceded with ability.
Having done, in his Judgment. all that
war, when it did come he eagerly deter
mined upon his course, and after the
first battle of Bull Run he commenced to
raise the Forty-tifth or "Leud- mine" re-
giment, Illinois infantry, when, in Au-
gust, he received from General Grant,
with whom he had been acquainted from
the time of his settling in Galena, the
tender of a position on his staff, which
he accepted. General Rawlins Joined
General Grant on the 18th of September,
ut Cairo, Illinois, as his assistant adju-
tant-general, and was with him from
that time in all his battles aud cam
paigns, until the surrender of the Army
of Northern Virginia, at Appomattox
Court House, except about two months,
when he was absent for the treatment of
bronchial affection. Commencing as
captain, he was in 1862. rs chief of staff,
promoted to lieutenant colonel, in 1868
to brigadier- general of volunteers, and
in February, 1865, to brevet ma ajor- gene
rul Of volunteers. March, 3, 1865, he
was appointed chief of staff to the lieu
tenant-general commanding, with the
rank of brigadier-general in the United
States army, and was subsequently bre-
veted major-general United States army.
to rank from March 13, 1865.
In 1866 Congress created the title of
General, which. was bestowed on Lieu
tenant General Grant; at the same time
General Rawlins was designated as Chief
of staff to the general commanding the
armies. Shortly after General Grant
had entered upon the Presidential office,
he nominated General Rawlins to the
Senate rs Secretary of War, and he was
confirmed, relieving General Schofield,
who had been dischnrging the duties of
the office. The relations between the
President and General Rawlins we're in
innate and confidential. and the former
had great faith IL the judgment and in
telligence Of the latter as temperate
and discreet adviser. General Rawlins,
it is stated, had made himself, US chief
Of staff, we'll acquainted with the recon-
struction laws, and with this experience,
he devoted himself anew, as Secretary Of
War, to the work of reconstruction, and
constantly urged the conciliatory policy
reflected in General Grants letters and
official communications Mt the close Of
the campaign. Baltimore Sm.
The Mormons, it is reported, are now
discussing the question of the propriety
of abolishing polygamy. and David
Smith, the son OF the well-known Joseph
Smith, the founder of the sect, bas been
denouncing the practice in his sermons
lately delivered at Salt Lako City. Brig
ham Young, the present leader, who
processes to hold power in trust for
David Smith, is also reported to have
told Mr.. Colfax, two years ago, that it