The New York herald., 1869-09-07
DEATH OF SECRETARY RAWLINS.
Interesting Particulars Of His
Last Moments.
Failure Of the President to See
Him. Alive.
Sketch of His Life and
Services.


Tho Last Hours Of the Secretary Of War
Anectins scenes-Eis Wish to See the Presi.
demt-His Last Words-President Grants
Despatch to Mrs. Rawlins Announcing Her
Husbands Death.
WASHINGTON, Sept Q, 1859.
The announcement Of the death OF Secretary
Rawlins late this afternoon cast gloom over the
CITY, II was generally known that he was very ILL., out
he mas rallied on 30 many occasions when recovery
seemed almost impossible that his friends hoped he
might do again. On Friday night, after his second
hem0rrhage, 1t seemed as II he could not survive.
For over five hours he tay in an unconscious stupor,
while his physician, Dr. D. W. Bliss, and General
Giles A. Smith watched anxiousy by his bedside.
Dr. Bliss, who has attended General Rawlins ever
since he came to washington, and who had made q
special study of his case, was the first to notice
the change for the better. He had admin
istered some stimulant to General Rawllns,
and, az the latter began to revive under It, DR..
Bliss seized General Smith by the arm and
exclaimed with great warmth, General, he is going
to iveln The Secretary continued to rally, ana the
physicians entertained hopes OF restoring him to his
usual health He talked himself Of being out to-day,
and mentioned some matters Of business that he
would attend to at the War Department. -
The recovery, however, proved to be Of momen-
tary character On Saturday afternoon he had
relapse. The strain on his lungs, caused by the re-
peated hemorrhages and the severe coughing, was
too great and soon began to snow its effect.
Everything that could be done for him in the
shape OF medical aid was done. DR.. Bliss
remained constantly with him, and, in addition, Sur
geon General Barnes and DR.. Norris his assistant,
were called In consultation. Yesterday morning it
became evident that General Rawns could not re-
cover. He expressed this opinion himself, and 1t
was confirmed by his physicians. He set about to
prepare for death with much caimness and delib-
Grafton as II he were going a short and pleasant
journey. He dictated his will to General
Parker with the most lawyer-like precision,
and then gave some directions about his
personal and public papers, Up TO very late
hour last night the residence of General Giles A.
Smith, where Secretary Rawlins lay, was thronged
with anxious, inquiring friends. Seven Of Ills old
comrades who served with him in the Army of Ten
nessee stood around his bedside at once To one Of
them, General w. r. Clarke, Of Texas, he said
'Well, General, this puts me In mind OF OLD times to
zee 30 many OF you." Dr. B. II. Peterson, of New
Orleans who has been stopping at the house OF
General Smith. and was an Old friend OF the Secre.
tary, was among the most devoted Of those who
tended by the bedside and rendered great service
the regular physicians.
About nine O'Clock this morning. while General
Sherman, Colonel Parker, DR.. b. H. Peterson and
As
his side, General Rawlins suddenly reused himself
and inquired what time 1t was. General Sherman
took out his watch and told the hour.
HAS the President yet come ~ said Rawlins, with
an eager glance at those about him.
"N0,n said Sherman, "but expect he will be here
In about ten minutes. / will go now myself to the
train to meet him."
II hope may see him before all is over, mur.
INJURED Rawlins.
"You shall my dear friend, you shaln was the
reply from all present.
Poor Rawlins' thoughts in those last hours seemed
devoted to Grant, his wife and his God His desire
to have one last talk with his old chief was very
deep. ana no doubt kept him alive many hours But
II was not to be SO. sherman's assurance that the
President would be by the bedside in ten minutes
was only an afectionate evasion to hold the delicate
thread OF life unbrOken little longer perhaps until
Grant really would return to brighten the last mo-
ments.
AS the day wore on and death approached he be-
came more anxious to see the President and in
quired every now and then If he had arrived. He
said to Dr. Bliss who asked him If he had any mes
sage for the President II would like to have seen
him, but I'll no matter"
When it became evident to him that he was about
10 die Secretary Rawlins manifested great concern
about the welfare Of his family. He had not been
able to save much money, and he had little to leave
them Those around him noticed this, and Senator
Morton, who happened to be at the bedside at the
time said, "Gve yourself no uneasiness about your
family, General, the country win that they are
taken care Of" General Giles A. Smith said 10 him,
General, will you allow the Society or the Army of
the Tennessee to adopt your children ana take care
Of your wifer
The dying man replied, with tears in his eyes,
eyes, General and know my brave comrades viii
DO it.v
Early this afternoon the following despatch was
received from Attorney General Hoar and read to
Secretary Rawlins:-
CONCORD, Mass, Sept. G. 1862
II General Rawlins Is living convey to HIM the as
surance OF my respect and Affection and OF the
row with which learn The condition Of friend so
highly valued and a man so upright able and faith
ful. God bless and keep him. L. r. HOAR
Soon afterwards the following despatch was re-
ceived by General Sherman from General sher-
DAM
Will you please give my love to Rawins. All the
p. SHERIDAN.
This characteristic despatch was read to secretary
Kawlins by General Smith shortly before three
O'Clock. The Secretary on hearing, frightened up
and said In low voice, "Oh, If could only get wei
from the love OF my friends how should ever re.
pay them !" General Sherman before sending this
despatch to be read to Rawlins, on the margin
to General Smith,
Please read this TO Rawlins II his attending phys
clan approves. send me word how he ls ] expect
to meet Grant at ten minutes past five.
SHERMAN.
About four O'Clock Secretary Rawlins raised him.
self upon his right elbow and leaned his head upon
his hand as II TO ease himself He remained In this
position but q few seconds, when he lay down
again and turning over on his left side gave long
sigh Moton-ing to DR.. Bliss who stood near him. he
said, "Lift me up little" These were his ast
words DR.. Bliss and DR.. Peterson gently raised
him and adjusted the pillows at his back. Almost
Immediately q change came over his countenance.
1t was the change preceding dissolution. His eyes
assumed vacant look, his head fell back little,
his face turned to deadly paor and the last faint
struggle occurred. 1t was faint to be scarcely
visible to other than medical eyes. When the breath
lett his body he reclining upon the left arm Dr.
HllsA NlQ hold q dx