The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-04-12
Gen. Belknap's Career.

Gen. William w. Belknap WR5 ap-
pointed secretary of war in 1859, soon
after the death Of Gen. Rawlins. he
was born in 1929 in Newburgh, N. Y,
although some accounts give Hudson,
N. Y, and others Georgetown, D. O.,
as the place of his birth. This latter
mistake doubtless grew out Of the fact
that young Belllnap studied Law with d.
Oaperton, Esq, at Georgetown. His IA
the was a distinguished citizen of New
York State. Heserved in the war of 1872 |;
was some time instructor of infantry tao
tics at West Point served III the Flori-
da war, and again in tue war with Meu-
co, where he was brevetted brigadler
general for gallant conduct at the battle
of Buena Vista. He died in 1851. On
the death of his father, MIR. Belknap
sought home with his family in the
then new State Of Iowa, where he en-
tered into the practice of law. At the
breaking out of the civil war he entered
the army as major OF the Fifteenth Iowa
infantry. Soon after he was detailed as
provost marshal on Gen. MoPherson's
staff, figuring oonspicuously In all the
campaigns in Tennessee. He was with
GEN. Sherman in the Georgia campaign
and was promoted to be brigadier gem
eral. Subsequently he marched with
Sherman to the sea, and when the army
reached Savannah was brevetted major
general. When the war was ended
Gen. Belknap was offered field off,
GERS commission in the regular army,
but declined it, and in 1855 was made
collector of internal revenue for the first
Iowa district. During his incumbency Of
this Office he earned great credit for tho
faithful, honest, and fearless manner III
which be performed his duty. The re-
forms he instituted in his district gained
for him the highest commendation of
the department. It was while occupy
ing this position that he was selected by
President Grant to FILL the cabinet seat
vacated by the death of the lamented
Rawlins. -...
Gen. Belknap was graduated from
Princeton College in the class Of 4S.
He was contemporary Of Hiester Cly-
mer. OF Pennsylvania, and of George
M. Robeson, the present secretary of
the navy. In personal appearance he is
a fine type of Sa1on-American manhood.
He is over six feet in height, weighs
two hundred pounds, has fair hair and
whiskers and blue eyes, and is con-
sidered possessed of generous mental
endowments. He has been thrice mar
ried. His first wife was the sister Of
Mrs. Hugh T. Reid, Of Iowa ; his second
a Miss Tomlinson, of Keokuk. His pres
ent wife was Mrs. Amanda T. Bowers, OF
Harrodsburg, KY, to whom he was mar
ried December II, 1873. At the time
of the wedding the fact was made promi-
nent that "the bride was given away
by her distinguished kinsman, Hon.
George H. Pendleton, of Ohio" On
their return to Washington Gen. Bel
KNAPP rented largehouse, built by Gen.
Babcock, on G street, where he lived in
extravagant style. Previous to the war
the general was an active Democrat,
having serving one term in the Iowa
Legislature as representative OF that
party. During the civil war he was
known as war Democrat, his first Re.
publican vote being cast for Mr.. Lincoln
in 1864.
His latest and most prominent public
venture was in the late Senatorial con-
test in Iowa. The State Legislature
was importuned to elect him as the sue
cessor of Senator Wright, whose term
expires in 1877. The general himself
was present with large crowd of friends,
two Of the largest hotels being occupied
by his adherents. Everything possible
was done to secure Belknap's election.
It was even intimated that the govern
ment wished him elected, butall in vain.
The result was in favor Of Gov. Kirk
wood, the secretary of war receiving
only twelve votes.-NeW York Times.