The New York herald., 1876-03-03
COMMERCIAL EFFECT OF BELKNAPs
DISGRACE.
CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE sHAKES-PRE-
DIcrroN OF AN EMINENT IRON MANuFAc-
TURER.

! CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE sHAKEN-PRE-
DIcTIoN OF AN EMINENT IRON MANuFAc.
TURER.
PiTrsBURo March ., 1875
The news Of Secretary Belknap's disgrace fell upor
this community to-day like thunder clap and il was
! the theme Of discussion at all public places OF resort
Following closely the discovery Irregularities
and the removals in the Custom House at th.
city il will have the eject IN a certain
measure Of disturbing the confidence OF the people IN
/ everybody holding public positions prominent
/ iron manufacturer said tonight that Belknaps
would not only humble the people OF the United
States in their estimate OF their government but
would add materially to the present depression in
camille affairs. He expected that the iron industrIe:
would feel IL suddenly for though confidence was being
slowly 1t required nothing than blow
like this to let II down into the rut again
SKETCH OF GENERAL BELKNAP.
William Worth Belknap, whose Official ant
public life TO such unexpected and dsgracefu
end yesterday, of military family. His father
was William BeIknap brave and distinguished officer
OF the OF 1912 and of the war with Mexico. He
belonged TO the old OF Newburg, the Hudson,
where his family on both sides, had been engaged in
the wars OF the Revolution The elder Belknap dis
tinguished himself in the attack Fort Erie in 1914
and so eminent were his services that after the wal
with England he retained in the regular army He
was SO systematic in habit that he was appointed
one OF the professors West Point.
AT Resaca de la Palma, during the war with Mexico
the father of the Secretary OF War distinguished him
self for recklcssness OF courage that il-co imported
with his usual stad and mathematical habits At the
battle of Buena Vista he served on General Taylora
STAFF The citizens Of his own State IN honor OF his
bravery, presented him with sword His portrait
adorns the old headquarters at Newburg. He be.
came a brigadier general In 1851 General W. G. Bel
KNAPP, while proceeding to his post in Texas, died OF
fever One of the evidences of the OF respect in
which he was held is that he presided a court
martial which investigated the conduct OF Genera
Scott
The particular friend of the elder BeKnap was Con-
cral William Worth the named William Worth
Belknap
Young Belknap was born at Hudson, y. " Septem.
ber - 1929 His early life was passed IN his native
place, but he educated at Princeton College, from
which he graduated in 1s4s. Among his class
mates were George NJ Robson who has been so long
associated with him in General Grants Cabinet, and
Holster Clymer of Pennsylvania, before whose commit
the exposures made which led to his
and downfall He subsequently read law in the Office
of II. Caperton at Georgetown, D. c., and then
moved to Keokuk, Iowa, where he practised his pro-
fcsson in connection with Ralph P. Lowe, aterward
Court He began the practice of the law in 1851, and
pursued his profession until he entered the army after
the breaking out of the rebellion During one term,
that of 1873, he was member OF the Iowa Legisa-
ture He was elected as democrat, but he opposed
the OF the Lecompton wing OF his party,
and in the subsequent political movements of the time
he identified himself with the fortunes OF stephen A.
Douglas. His sympatnies were entirely with the
Union and 1t not long after the beginning Of the
the war with the South.
William W. Belknap entered the army major
the Fifteenth Iowa Volunteers, under Colonel Hugh T.
Reid and served with bis regiment in the Army of the
Tennessee throughout its various campaigns Major
Belknap in the battle OF SHILOH which will be
membered as one of the earliest struggles of the war;
Grant being driven back the river army only
saved from destruction by the fortunate arrival OF
Buell. Later Major Belknap participated in the
siege and battle of Corinth and In the long campaign
against vicksburg During these arduous campaigns
his merits a soldier brought into prominence
and he to be the colonel of his regiment such
he participated in the siege and battles OF Atlanta in
1864 He in all of the battles of July 2l, % and
2s and in the remarkable battle of the ed when parts
of General Bairs corps used both sides of the
works he had the pleasure OF capturing rebel colonel
and four i've OF his (a he could get follow him
of his whole regiment who had actually taken position
on the opposite side OF the work. One OF
the had pointed his gun over the para
pet TO shoot Colonel Belknap but he adrotly
pushed II away aud boldly demanded tho surren-
der Of the whole party. After the capture OF
Atlanta Colonel Belknap, who promoted to be
brgader general for his bravery the action OF the
22d marched with Sherman TO the sea and finally tc
Washington, participating in all the actions OF that
brilliant campaign. Not only his special gaantry
in the memorable battle OF Atlanta recognized and re-
warded, but he breveted major general March 13
1865, for meritorlous conduct during the After
leaving the army upon the close OF the General
Belknap returned to Keokuk where he was appointed
by President johnson Collector Of Internal Revenue fol
the First district of Iowa
General Beknap held this insignificant office at the
time when General Grant inaugurated President
the United States In his mind there a doubt
whether he would be permitted to hold It longer anc
he made journey TO Washington to endeavor secure
the place during the next administration. The result
of that visit that he became Secretary OF War
The President recognizing his merits a soldier and
believing In his worth citizen, first offered him the
post Of Collector OF Customs at New Orleans which he
was compelled TO decline for personal reasons Subse.
quenty General Grant named him Secretary OF War,
succeed General Rawlins The appointment was
made October IL, 1862 and the Sd of November fol-
lowing the Secretary said in reply address from
the citizens Of Iowa:-'IIonored as have been by
the President with a. position conferred upon me
without solicitation II will be my endeavor, with the
enforcement OF rigid economy, to conduct its affairs
to command the approval OF the country, rely.
ing that patriotism which has ever guided the
American people, with the great examples a
Stanton and Rawlins before Ifthe result should
indicate that your kind congratulations have been
misplaced shall be satisfied" For long time such
result seemed likely, and the Secretary in public
consideration and esteem The literary societies OF his
Alma Mater asked him deliver their annual address
in 1871 and the and the subsequent year he
addressed the graduating classes Of the Military
Academy at West Point In many ways during his
terms OF service as Secretary ofwar he seemed 10
merit that approval which he was anxious to receive