The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1869-10-21
Iowa in the Cabinet.

1t has been generally conceded, since
the death of Gen. Rawlins, that Iowa
would obtain representation in Grants
Cabinet when the vacancy should lie
flied. BY the appointment of Bvt.
Maj. Gen. w. w. Belknap, of Keokuk,
- Secretary Of War, this expectation
has been realized so far as the State il
concerned, though few If any were pre-
pared to have the choice fall where ii
did among the eminent military men OF
our State.
At first, although Gen. Belknap's
qualifications as military man were
unquestioned, it was limited that his
political standing was doubtful, and that
. slight had been put upon radical Re
publicans, ofequal or greater military
renown by his appointment. But this
IL now acknowledged to have been a
mistake, his political probity having
received the endorsement of such per-
sons that 1t no longer admits Of doubt.
The fact that he was not known as d
been no candidate for the appointment,
receiving it with no solicitation on his
part are certainly not injurious TO his
reputation for either ability or in,egri-
ty. @5.s".
The following sketch Of Gen. Bel
knap's history we take from the Keo ;
kuk Gate City: *.1.i] t"'
General William Worth l,elknap.
whom the President has called TO his
Cabinet a. Secretary of War, comes Of
. military family.
His father, Gen. VIM. G.. Belknap.
was for many years a distinguished and
useful officer in the regular ARMY. Tie.
entered the service in 1913, as I'D Lieu,.
Of the 23d regiment Of Infantry, and
died In 1851 as Lieut.. Colonel OF tire Jth'
infAntry. ~. FRI -'.".l ~ fo s'..'".
He served with marked rallantrv
through the Florida and Mexican wars,
for which he received frequent brevets
He was the intimate friend Of Scott,
Taylor aud Worth, for the latter. Of
whom he name his first son, the subject
Of this sketch, and who was born at
Newberg, n. Y, OH the I'D Of Septem-
Der, 1879; he il, consequently, just turn
ed ~. -. u. -
He graduated from the College of
New Jersey, at princeton, in the class of
l84S, studied law with H. Caperton,
Esq, at Georgetown, D. g., and. as 4
partner ofthe Hon. Ralph +. Lowe. !
afterwards Governor Of this State aud
Judge OF the Supreme Court, praciiced
his profession successfully iii Keosuk.
Iowa. where he located in 1851. He
WAS elected to, aud served one term
that Of lS57-s-in the Iowa Legislature,
- Democrat, during which time he
made the acquaintance Of james r.
Wilson, then q member Of the Earn.
body. Being unwilling to give couni.-
nance to tie Lecofnpton Ewindie. Ae
separated from the radical wing Of his
party and was known "a Douglas
Democrat up to the outbreak Of tie Pc
belIion. 1870.
He entered the army a. Major of the
18th Iowa Infantry, commanded bv
Colonel afterwards GeneraiJ Hugh +.
Reid; served with his regiment In the
army Of the Tennessee, rising through
the various grades and participating In
the battle of Shiloh, siege Of Corinth
battle Of COrinth, campaign and siege OF
('icksburg, campaign and siege of At
Ian "a. and battles of Atlanta July 2lst,
ed. and 2sth. After the capture ofthat
place he marched with Sherman to the
Sea. and finally to Washington; taking
: prominent part in all the actions of
those brilliant camgains. He was pro-
noted to the RINK of Brigadier General
Tor special galla.,try in the memorable
battle of July I'D, near Atlanta. in
which his regiment fought from both
,ides or the same line Of breastworks.
He was brevetted Maj Gen. on the
3fh or March, and at the date of his
4 aefer.Out on the Oath Of August, 1866,
~ re1arfled by General Sherman and
n com popious as one of the most ac-
ON plished and promising officers of
10 oEmy. t 2.ss st ''''
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