Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-09-07
The Death of Gen. Rawlins.

The Death of Gen. RaWHns.
At o'clock Yesterday morning Secretary
Ro7lins spoke to Gen. John E. Smith and Com
missioner Parker with his customary earnestnes'
on various subjects, and inquired whether they
THOUGHT lie would recover his health or again
rise from his bed. 70 this question Gen. smith
said he feared not, and asked whether he had
anv wish 20 express with regard to the dlspo,
sjtion of his remains in case he should die
He replied he W I'D leave that with his irlenus'
hut he did not desire to have an ostentatlous
or extensive funeral During the afternoon
Secretaries Cox and Roteson came into the
chamber when the former read to him des-
match from Attorney General Hoar.
Secretary Rawlins said with deep emotion ,
II am ve,v grateful 10 the Attorney General
FIR his love, ald wish you to say so to him.
AT about 0 clock Dr. Peterson was lett IN
charge. DR.. Bliss and Surgeon Gen. Barnes
having been obliged by other duties to leave
Cor a short time. Dt. Peterson. lew minutes
before 4. observed a marked change IN the con-
dition of tie patient, whose pulse had become
very weak and irregular and he remarked to
Gen. Giles A. Smith that he was sinking very
fast and had but lew minutes to live, and re,
nuested HIM to send Tor Surgeon-uenera'
Barnes. ,..,.
About this time there was read to him te!e-
gram from Gen. Sheridan, addressed TO zen
Sherman, dated Chicago, September o. as io''
lows: -.
"Win YOU please give my love to Rawllns.
All the officers here send their love to him.
With scarcely breath to speak, he said
Gen. Sheridan is very kind. | appreciate
and am very grateful for his kindness. II the
love oi nv friends could do ii, | would soon be
healthy man.
About five minutes after four O'Clock he
ask d some one to raise him. DIR. Bliss, who
had returned adjusted the pillows under his
back, while Dr. Peterson held him up. Ills
eyes at once became fixed, and, without strug
gle, he died, at twelve minutes past Tour GocH
There were present. Secretaries Cox and Robe
son. Postmaster General CresweIl, Genera
Giles A. Smith, General JohD Il. Smith, Com
missioner Parker. ameS RawIins, o brother Of
deceased General O. o. Howard, Wiliam
Chadwick, Surgeon Genera! Barnes, DR.. Bliss
DR.. Peterson, and the servants IN attenuahce
Daring the day the late Secretary often eA
pressed a desire to see President Grant: asking
when will he Gomez but was fearful he "ouiC
not live long enough to do So,
Yesterday afternoon, while Secretaries Kobe
| SON and Cox and Postmaster General Creswel
| werc sitting at his side, the first named re
| marked, General Rawllns, am very sorry t(
see YOU 50 sick" VIII IN the General replied
mir. Secretary, 50 far rs am personally con
eerned as a me nber Of the Cabinet, have me-
win il for the last time You will never SCI
ne there again. .l,
Soon after the death of Secretary. Rawn:
his body was cmba!med and dressed In the uni
| form Of Major General! =,
| President Grant accompanied by his private
secretary. General Porfer, arrived at Washing
ron by specilltrain from Baltimore at o clock
| He at once proceeded to the residence OF ueh
erai Giles 4 Smith, where he learned ina
| Secretary Rawn4 had been dead an hour
| rhc President vas much att cted while gazint
On the ilelcs, form of his friend, ana express
| ed deep regret that owing to the 0ndellVerl
of kilograms at Saratoga, he was prevented
| from sooner starting tor Washington. Presl
| ient Grant on returning to the Executive Man
| sion transmitted ,he following despatch
| .Uys .Valy t. RmeInS, D0aJwy Conn
Your be owed husband expired at two mlnu
ties after four O'Clock THIS afternoon, TO be
mourned by family, friends who loved hln
! for his personal worth and services 10 hl
counfrv. and anatiOn who acknowledge thell
debt OF gratitude to him. On consultation
with friends it is determined that he shall be
buried in the Congressional buryiug ground, a
the most appropriate place. unless you have
other Suggestions to make The time OF funera
not arranged, but probably to take place. OF
| Thursday next. U. ,. GRANT.
Among those whO have been most unrcmlt
ting in their care of the late Secretary, are Gen
John L. Smith, his old friend from GaIcna
and Gen Giles A. Smith, at whose residence
the deceased had his temporary home, Com
missioner Parker, General Morgan l.. Smitl
and Dr. Peterson, in connection with the at
tending physician, DR.. Bliss. The Cablnc
officers now here have shown their devotion t
HIM by their constant personal presence.