The National tribune., 1892-03-17

rested with implicit trust, and mo one knew"
says personal friend of Grant, !. but the great
leader himself how great was Rawlins's in
fuence, and how much it Contributed to his
(Grants1 success" 4"N
.Rawlns," said Grant, % Is no ordinary man.
The fact is, had he startedain this war in the
line, instead of in the staff, there is every
probability he would to-day be one of our
shining lights. . He has served with
me from the beginning of the rebellion.
He comes the nearest being indsp onsable
to me of any officer the service"
In the early excitement of the war, Il. Is.
Washburne Gems. Rawlins and Rowley (both
later on members of Gen. Grants staff, Gen.
A. l.. Chetain, and sometimes Grant, who
never spoke, excepting as a good listener is
sometimes said TO speak in silence" visited
the smaller towns throughout the County, and
reused the people by the stirring speeches they
made.
An amusing incident occurred at Hanover,
IS miles south of Galena, upon one of these
occasions Those present at the meeting often
refer to it, although it was not at all funny at
the time.
The town at that time boosted Of but one
church edifce. The other place of public wor-
ship-a church on Sundays, a school-house dur
ing the week-was used for entertainments,
which in those days consisted of school oxhibi-
tons it was also the voting place Of the town,
and in this event was thrown open for the po-
litical mass meeting. The benches behind the
great wooden desks were crowded. an old-fash-
toned stove with big drum across the top,
such as were once used in tho country school
houses, stood between the two entrance doors,
with its pipe extending the length of the
ROOM fitting into the chmney-hole above the
platform on which the speaker, who happened
to he Rawlins, Stood
Upon his giving vent to sudden burst of
eloquence the audience appauded with their
feet vigorously, added to their cheers, and the
old stovepipe, unaccustomed to such demonstra-
tions of enthusiasm, separated itself and Tell
regardless of best bonnets or bald heads and
wigs, scattering SCOT everywhere, running the
Sunday gowns of the ladies present and causing
n break in the ardor of the speaker and in the
interest of his listeners for the remainder of
the evening.
During his student life in Galena, Rawlins
was a member of the family of Mr.. Stevens.
He was ever enlivening the household with his
ready wit, and bright stories Of everyday hap
pening. He was always the same bright, cheer
full person, never carrying his cares or little
misunderstanding home with him. These
social pleasantries were very much missed when
he married and settled in home of his own
in another part of the town.
His evenings were spent in the Office, where
three or four of his friends and himself would
meet together, read the standard literature, and
discuss the affairs of the Nation and the public
characters of the day. He was never idle
He is described rs at that time being
strong, sturdy looking fellow, with a swarthy
complexion and very large dark eyes, that
at once impressed ono with the idea that
they were the windows Of large and generous
soul. And when he visited his old home, while
holding the office of Secretary of War, when the
"strong, sturdy" look had been suppanted by
the impress of il-health brought on by ex-
posure during the campaigns, and the peoples
hearts were saddened by that racking cough,
which told them that the of his life was
drawing near, there still remained the express
sion in his eyes changed from the merry
twinkle of other days to wonderfully sad
earnestness which no one once seeing him
could ever forget.
While he of course had his faults, they
seemed to be so deeply hidden by his virtues
that they are remembered by none of his friends
Of early days. and should any one attempt to
criticise him there would be found but little
opportunity for censure. His was char
acter where strength and gentleness were most
tremendously blended. He was gentlemanly
and agreeable in his intercourse with his fell
1ow-men and loyal in his friendships He was
a rare man, and his fellow citizens loved him
and deeply lamcnted his death.
He did not enter the service in the earliest
stage Of the war. He said to friend at that
time that if there was a necessity for more
men than the $4,000 first called he should add
his name to the list, bnt his wife being an in
valid, and knowing that she could live but a
little while, he felt that he could not leave her.
A few months later she lied at the home Of her
parents at Goshen. N. Y, whittier he had taken
her and their three little children few weeks
before. 40
Others, besides the people of his native town,
feel that John A. Rawlins has never received
his share of public recognition, and it is mat
TO nj 6nan int fn ia nd mi
friends that work on his life is at present
being prepared by an Eastern writer.
1t is and ever will be subject Of deep regret,
that trunk, containing valuable personal
papers, as well as letters written by himself to
his family at the time of their separation dur
ing the war; was left by his son in his room at
his hotel, aud while temporarily absent from
the place, the hotel, and all of young Rawlins's
personal effects including the trunk and its
contents, were destroyed by fire. The loss was,
of course, irreparable, not only to the family OF
Gen. Rawlins, but to the historian as well, who
could have drawn such stories Of information
from them as from no other source, from tho in
divdual characteristics there shown between
the lines in these finland everyday letters, in
the available material contained in tho private
papers, relating to personal affairs and his
army life, and in the little mcmentoes cherished
by reason OF the histories told in each one OF
them.
Rawlins was twice married. His second
wife was Miss Mary Hurlburt, whom he mar
ried in and who died at Danbury, Conn. His
daughters are married and living, onei in Brook
Ign the other at Newburg. His eldest child is
a son, James, unmarried, and at present living
on the old homestead near Galena.
p Gen. Rawins died at the residence of Gen.
Giles A. Smith, in Washington, ID. c., on the
9th of September, 1869, at the early age of 80
years.
lie Got His Sleep.
NeW York HeeklUl
Doctor see what the matter is. You do not
get sleep enough. Take this prescription to
druggists.