The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-09-08

\ IOr butlF idiiuic. 1Hoy OoH OoneoA VHO''
Governor if they will. Let them con-
troll him.
General John A. Rnwlins.
John A. Rawlins was born in 10
Daviess county, Illinoia, not far from
Galena, on the 18th day of February,
1881. lie had but common education,
his parents being in moderate cireum-
stances, and his early advantages were
slight. With the exception of two win
tefs at the district school, and eight
months at an academy in Mount Morris,
Illinois, he was engaged, from the time
he became old enough to work until the
year 1852, when he became of age, in
laboring on a farm and in burning char
coal. In November Of the latter year
he entered the law Office of j. P. Stev-
vens, of Galena, as student, and was
admitted to the bar in October, 1855.
He formed partnership with Mr.. Stew
ems, who entertained a decided par
tiality for his pupil, whose strong quail
tiles he had not failed 10 discover. He
continued the practice of his profession
until the breaking out of the war.
Having made the acquaintance of
General Grant at Galena, and gained
his warm friendship, he went with him
as staff officer, and their association
through the war was Of ths most init.
mate character.
General Rawlins had no military ex-
perience prior to this service. He had
taken ! somewhat active part in poll
tics, as Douglas Democrat, and was
candidate for Presidential elector in
1860, canvassing the Galena District
with his Republican competitor. After
| favoring the vain efforts made at con-
ciliatien during the subsequent winter,
| it required only the news of the trlng
| on Fort Sumpter TO determine the part
be should thereafter take. He address
ed public meeting at Galena when
the news of that event was received,
the presiding officer of the occasion be-
| ing "Mr. u. 5. Grant," and warmly ad-
vocated the most effective measures for
supprCssisg the rebellion.
| Alter an honorable military career In
the late war, during nearly the whole
of which, we believe, he was associated
with General Grant, he accepted the
position of Secretary of war upon the
accession of his commander to the Pres
idency, position he held until the day
of his death.
On Sunday afternoon, knowing that
his death was al hand, General Rawlins
desired religious services in his room,
and was subsequently, baptized by a
clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. During Sunday night he rest
ed comfortably, though gradually fail
ing. HIS mind remained clear, and he
was fully conscious of his dying condl-
ton. lie was able TO converse lucldly,
though only in feeble tones; his hope
that be might live to see PRESIDENT
Grant, who had been sent for, was not
gratifed, the President not reaching
Washington until an hour after his
death. The wife of General Rawlins
was detained in Connecticut by illness
and unable to visit him in his last
hours.
Ills LAST HOURS.
At seven o'clock Monday morning
Secretary Rawlins was in tolerably
comfortable condition. He spoke TO
Gen. John Z. Smith and Commissioner
Parker with his customary earnestness
on various subjects, and inquired wheth-
er they thought he would recover his
health or again rise from his bed 10
this question Gen. Smith replied he
feared not, and asked whether he had
any wish to express with regard TO the
disposition of his remains in case ne
should die. He replied he would leave
that with his friends, but he did not de-
sire to have any ostentatious or expen-
Slve funeral.
During the afternoon Secretaries Cox
and Robson came into the chamber,
when the former read to him the follow
ing telegram:
CONCORD, MASS, September eff
General Rdwlins 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 valucd-a man 50 upright, able
and faithful. God bless and keep him.
Signed L. K. HOAR.
Secretary Rswlins said with deep en-
otion.
Il am very grateful to the Attorney
General for his love, and wish you to
say so to him"
At about three o'clock DR.. Peterson
was left in charge, DR.. Bliss and Sur
gGon General Barnes having been
obliged by other duties to leave for a
short time. DR.. Peterson, 4 few min
utes to four o'clock, observed marked
change in the condition of the patient,
whose pulse had become very irregular,
and he remarked to General Giles A.
Smith, he was sinking very fast, and had
but few minutes TO live, and requested
him to send for Surgeon General Barnes.
About this time there was read to him
a telegram from Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan,
addressed to Gen. Sherman, dated Sep.
tember 8, as follows:
} "Wiu you please give Ry love Ia
Rawlins. All the officers here send their
love 10 him.
With scarcely breath to speak he said
} Gen. Sheridan is very kind. l appre.
ciate and am very grateful for his kind.
ness. If the love of my friends could
do il, l would soon be healthy man.
About five minutes past four he ask ed
some one TO raise him. DR.. Bliss, wkc
had returned, adjusted the pillows un
der his back, while DR.. Peterson held
him up. His eyes became fixed, and
without a struggle he died at twelve
minutes past four O'Clock.
There were present Secretaries Coz
and Robson, Postmaster General Cress
well, General Giles A. Smith, General J
;, + Smith Commissioner Parker, James