The National tribune., 1892-03-17

JUST aCIOSS tuo par
terre rises tall granite shaft, monument TO
the "ever-Iiving memory" of the sons of 10
Davies County, who served their country IN
the late rebellion Among the illustrions names
carved upon its surface is that of Ma. Gen.
John A. Rawlins.
Far away from this his home, at the Capital
of the Nation, has been erected a bronze statue
of Gen. Rawlins. We pass from one OF these
works of art to the other, each beautiful III It's
every detail and the poets words come TO our
minds as our eyes are turned toward them:
"This mon ment 10Th not make thee famous,
but thou makest this monument famous.
In tho National Cemetery at Arlington await
ing the final orders of the Great Commander,
sleep the thousands for whom the "mufiled
drums sad roll has beat the soldiers last
tattoo" aud, with the rest, ready to obey the
summons. rests all that is left to earth OF John
A. Rawlins.
There are those who will ever hold place in
the memory of the American people, and among
those who knew them best, the names aud
characters of Grant and Rawlins stand side by
side.
In the Autumn of 1927 James D. Rawlins set
tied in 10 Daviess County, and at the age OF VI
years still lives on the farm which he took up
as q claim in the early days of the County.
There were at that time but few people IN
Galcna, and the town boosted of but few houses
or cabins; two taverns, three groceries aud
trading house, aside from three or four smelt-
ing furnaces. He erected a substantial dwell
ing house on his farm, and to this brought his
Kentucky bride, who lived to share the veal
and woe of life with him for over 60 years, and
died in. the Summer of 1891.
Mrs. Rawlins was Of Scotch.Irish extraction.
Her grandfather was soldier in the Reyou-
tionary war, and was with Washington at
Valley Forge.
When the Black Hawk war broke out, in
1892 James Rawlins, while not actively en-
gagged in fighting the Indians, was in constant
danger of being ambuscaded while carrying
supplies from Galena to points in Southern
Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. where the
different forts were located. He often passed
within gun-shot of the savages and has an IN
exhaustibe fund of "reminiscences stored IN has
mind relating to those early days
John Aaron Rawlins was born on the 18th OF
February, 1881. His early days were spent on
the farm. When old enough he attended the
district school in the Winter, working on the
farm in the Summer time. He assisted his
father in burning charcoal and hauling it to
the market in Galena.
In lSa9 his father, who had come TO Galena
through the mining excitement. like many
others wild for new adventure, went to Cali
fornia for year or more. During his absence
his eldest sons managed the farm. fhe life
grew more and more irksome to John, whose
naturally bright mind. added to his ambitious
nature, was not conteHted with the idea Of
spending his life as a farmer. -
After exhausting the small stock of litcra-
ture which constituted the farm library, John
entered the seminary at Mount Morris, in Ogle
County. ILL.,, p ing his own expenses from
what he had saved from his scanty earnings
His money giving out, he resumed his occupa
ton as a charcoal-burner in the hope of attend
ing another term at school, but instead of re-
turning to Mount Morris, he entered the law
Office of the late Hon. l. p. Stevens. at Galena.
In October, 1854, he was admitted to the bar,
and taken into partnership by his preceptor
Mr.. Stevens later on retired from practice
leaving a lucrative business in the hands OF
Rawlins.
In 1857, Rawlins was elected City Attorney
for Galena. and in 1860 was nominated for the
Electoral College on the Douglas ticket. Dur
ing the contest that followed he held series of
Joint discussions with the Hon. Allen c. Fuller
the Republican candidate and added greatly
to his reputation as controversies.
The Hon. David Sheean, who for many years
has stood at the head of the legal profession of
the Northwest, was a law student and alter
ward a partner of Rawlns, and from boyhood
was his friend and companion. He says that
Rawlns's own opinions were always strongi y
opposed to human slavery. He looked upon it
as an evil protected within certain limits Of
The first war meetings held in Galena were
remarkable gatherings, and the impression
made upon those in attendance will never be
effaced. Sumter had been fired on, and when
the news ran over the country that tho officers
in command had been forced to surrender, and
the people were made to realize that war was
inevitable the good citizens of Galena with
all the rest of the North, were startled from
their dreams of the future" and from all
half completed undertakings. They turned
out en- masse to the meetings, each one at the
outset wondering in what attitude his neigh
bor who had been as reticent as he himself
stood in relation to the great question concern
ing the union of our land.
Heretofore, as one had declared his senti-
ments, even to his nearest friend, no little sur
prise was occasioned when one after another,
who from the fact of being Democrats and were
by their party associates supposed to be in
sympathy with the South, rose aud declared
himself ready to obey the call, not BECAUSE he
loved war but because the love of union was
the master sentiment of his soul.
Perhaps no one more surprised his friends at
this time than did John A. Rawlins, who,
reused by that attack on Sumter made q
| bringing speech that made the walls of the old
| courthouse re-echo, thrilled the hearts of all
| who listened as mems hearts have rarely bGo.a
| thrilled, and voiced not only his own noble
sentiments but the thoughts and feelings of
| the silent Gfant, VINO sat before him" and who
on this occasion presided at the meeting.
IL have been a Democrat all my life" said
| Rawlins, "but this is no longer question of
politics; it is simply country or no country. /
have favored every honorable compromise but
the day for compromise is passed. Only one
course is left for US we will stand by the flag
of our country and appeal to tho God OF
battles. Idont know anything about
party now. All do know is that traitors have
fired on our flag"
From that time Grant took him to his heart
and they were never parted until parted by the
untimely hand of death. The first act of Gen
Grant after he had been assigned to the com.
mand of brigade in August, 1861, was to offeI
Rawlins the post of Aid-de-Camp on his staff
and in less than month, when Grant received
the appointment of Brgadier- General of Vol
unteers. Rawlins was made Captain and Assist
ant Adjutant-G General, to date from Aug. 80
1861. After joining Grant at Cairo Sept. Is
1861, he was with him constantly to the end O
the war, with the exception of absence on sicl
leave, from Aug. / to Oct. ], 1864.
He was promoted Major April IA. 1862
Lieutenant Colonel Nov. !, 1862; Brigader
General of Volunteers Aug. IL, 1868; Breve
Major General United States Army March 13
1865, aud March 8, 1869, Secretary of War
which Office he held until his death.
He had natural genius for war, and up Il
the time of his entry into the army had neve
seen company'of uniformed soldiers nor reat
book OH tactics or military organization
but he soon developed rare administrative ant
| executiye abilities