The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-07
RAWLINS.
Death OF the Secretary of War Yesterday
AternOOn-An Affecting DeaTl-Bed Scene
President Grant Arrives Too Late.


President Grant Arrives Too Late.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6-5 p. NJ.
AT FIVE O'CLOCK this morning Secretary Raw
Inns cough was more troublesome and respiration
more difficult than earlier in the night. At eleven
o'clock to-day he asleep. One of the watchers
at his bedside was General j. f. Smith, of the
army. Nourishment and stimuants have been fire.
quently administered, his physicians hoping by
this means to sustain his fast-waning strength until
the return OF the President, who Is now expected
this afternoon.
2 p. M.-Secretary Rawins continues to fail.
Having complained of his head, his physicians
have changed the stmulants. He is still conscious,
but apprehensons are entertained that he will
soon lose his mind.
At seven o'clock this morning Secretary Raw
lins was in a tolerably comfortable condition He
spoke to General John E. Smith and Commis-
sioner Parker with his customary earnestness on
various subjects and inquired whether they thought
he would recover his health again rise from his
bed. To this question General Smith said he feared
not, and asked whether he had any wish to ex-
press with regard to the disposition of his remains
in case he should die He replied that he would
leave that with his friends but he did not desire to
have ostentatous OF expensive funeral. During
the afternoon Secretaries Cox and Robson came
into the chamber, when the former read to him the
following dispatch from Attorney General Hoar:
CONCORD, Mass, Sept. eff General Rawlins is
living, convey to him the assurance Of my respect
and affection, and of the sorrow with which learn
the condition of a friend so highly valued-a man
so upright, able and faithful. God bless and keep
him. II. H. HOAR.
from Lieutenant General Sheridan, addressed to
General sherman, dated Chicago, Sept 6, as fol-
lows; "Will you please give my love to Rawlinsf
A
scarcely breath to speak he said: Gen Sheridan
is very kind; L appreciate and am very grateful
for his kindness. If the love Of my friends would
do it would soon be healthy man." About
five minutes after four O'Clock he asked some
one TO raise him. DR.. Bliss, who had re-
While DR.. Peterson held him up. His eyes az
once became fixed, and without struggle he died
at twelve minutes past four o'clock. There were
present Secretaries Cox and Robeson, Postmaster
General Creswell, General Giles A. Smith, Gen.
John e. Smith, Commissioner Parker, James Raw
1iya hrOf fbarO %.
Mr.. Chadwick, Surgeon General Barnes, Dr. Bliss,
DR.. Peterson and the servants in attendance:
strong desire to see President Grant, asking
| "When will he Gomez" and was fearful he would
not live long enough to do so. Yesterday after
noon, while Secretaries Robson and Cox and Post
master General Creswell were sitting at his side,
| the first named remarked, General Rawlins, | am
plied "Mr. Secretary, so far as am personally
concerned, as a member of the Cabinet, have met
with il for the last time. You will never see me
there again."
Secretary Rawlins said, with deep emotion 81
am very grateful to the Attorney General for his
| love, and | wish you to say to him." AT about
| three O'Clock Dr. Peterson was left in charge, DIR.
| Bliss and Surgeon General Barnes having been
obliged, by other duties, to leave for a short time
| DIR. Peterson few minutes to four, observed a
| marked change in the condition of the patient,
whose pulse had become very weak and irregular,
and he remarked to General Giles A. Smith that he
was sinking very fast, and had but few minutes
| to live, and requested him to send for Surgeon
| General Barnes.
The company were deeply affected but made no
|
| his body was embalmed and dressed in the uniform
of a major general. Colonel l.. M DAYTON, chief of
General Sherman's staff, and Captain B. p. John
son, of the Medical Department, tonight sit up
| with the corpse
PRESIDENT Grant, accompanied by private Sc
| cretary Porter, arrived at Washington by special
| train from Baltimore, at five O'Clock and twelve
| minutes, and was met at the station by General
Sherman. He at once proceeded to the residence of
| General Giles A. Smith, where he learned that
| Secretary Rawlns had been dead an hour. The
| President much affected while gazing upon the
lfeless form of his friend, and expressed a deep
at Saratoga, he was prevented from sooner starting
| for Washington. President Grant on returning to
| the Executive Mansion, transmitted the following
| Mrs. Mary e. Rawns, Danbury, Connecticut
| Your beloved husband expired at twelve minutes
after four O'Clock this afternoon, TO be mOurned by
| a family, friends who loved him for his personal
worth and service to his country, and nation who
| acknOw edged their debt of gratitude to him. On
consultation with friends, 1t is determined that he
| shall be buried in the Congressional burying
grounds as the most appropriate place, unless you
| have other suggestions to make. The time of the
funeral is not arranged, but 1t Will probably take
| place on Thursday. U .. GRANT.
| in their care of the late Secretary are General
| Iohn E Smith, his old friend from Galena, and
| General Giles A Smith, at whose residence the
| DECEASED had his temporary home; Commissioners
Parker, General Morgan l., Sn 4d anu ,l,ea III,
| DR. Bliss The Cabinet officers now here nave
shown devotion to him by their constant personal
presence. -. s..-o.o.
| so the President has been telegraphed to return
| from Virginia, and Is expected tomorrow night
| An informal Cabinet meeting was held to-night
at the executive mansion, there being PIesehI OF,
| eretaries Cox and Robeson and Postmaster General
Cresswell, with the President ana IoI shorI IIIe
GeRegal Sherman and other army omcersl Tpi