The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-24

tering the service, there was a good
deal too much carelessness manifested
in the matter of drinking, which, it became
evident, might impair the usefulness of men
since renowned. Rawlins at once, as matter
of example to Others became total abstainer,
and so abided until his death. He was spe-
cially careful to give no countenance to the
idea that Grant was, in any manner, other
than for the legitimate counsel, etc., he was
entitled to offer, unduly indebted to John A.
Rawlins for any portion of the fame which
came to him. / remember having, last sum-
mer, when brought into contact with the
Chief of staff while engaged in the prepara-
ton of some political documents which in
volved the examination of portions of Gene
raj Grants earlier orders and official cores
pondence, and how careful General Rawlins
was to point out, here and there, as the drift
of the conversation and inquiry brought
them up, that General Grant himself either
dictated OF wrote sentences and papers which,
for picturesque terseness and vigor, have
since become historic. Among such phrases
was that of Fort Donelson-'I propose to
move Immediately upon your works." the
order of congratuation after Shiloh; the
famous congratulatory order after Mission
Ridge; the direction to Sheridan to make the
Shenandoah Valley $50 bare that crow flying
over it would have to carry his own rations;"
anu " more DOlu anu graphic Se0-
tences. This trait illustrates Rawlins sin
cerity. A young officer who served as an aid
in the Wilderness campaign tells a story of
different stamp. 1t was on the 10Th Of May,
1864, in the battle of Spottsylvania. Early
in the day General Wright, of the 9th Corps,
rode up to Grant and asked permission to
make a charge with his whole corps, which oc-
cupied the right of our line. 1t was the famous
''Fighting Sixth, ''Sedgwicks Gamecocks, "
as they were sometimes called, and Wright
was anxious to keep up the corps 'rep." He
urged his desire with great persistency
Grant, always believing in direct momentum
and close quarters, was ready to yield. Raw
Inns, however, who was appealed to, resisted
Wrights wish with as great earnestness as it
was urged, pointing out that the Rebel posi-
ton was too strong, and nothing but a waste
of life would follow. Wright went away, and
returned again. Grant then gave the order,
though reluctantly. Rawlins declared that it
was useless. The commander and staff were
on q slight eminence, from which the move
ment could be seen. Presently the long
line formed the waving standards, the wav-
ing lines of bayonets cleaned, and the dark
mass moved forward steadily, and at last
with a great shout and rush In a few
minutes they came tumbling back, repulsed,
andin considerable disorder Grant looked on,
said nothing except to give an order to an aid,
who galloped away; but Rawlins, who had
been annoyed at Wright's persistency, broke
out with volley of oaths as the corps fell
back, almost shouting as he shook his
clenched fist in the direction of the General
engaged in reforming his command. -''Youve
got your belly full; you would do it, - you;
that's the way you throw lives away" with
sundry oaths more forcible than polite. He
seemed to have been angrier at what he
deemed a reckless disregard of human life
than at the risk the repulse gave to the whole
of our line. Several times in the course OF
the next half hour, looking over in the direc-
ton of Wright, who was ''pegging away to
recover his position, Rawlins would again
swear at the reckless disregard of human life
that had been exhibited.