The National tribune., 1903-05-21

of his chief, to prevent it; but there is no
evidence in his papers, nor in those of
Lincoln or Stanton, to support this state
ment. 1t is doubtless true that he thought
the time chosen for the march somewhat
premature, and it is well known that he
opposed the transfer of Sherman's army
| by steamer from Savannah to the James
| River, for fear that it would leave the
country open for the march of all the
Southern forces to n junction with Lee in
Virginia before Sherman could reach that
field of action; and it is suggested that the
recollection of these facts has been con-
| fused with such as would justify the
statement above referred to, but which
was not made till several years after his
death. He was devoted and loyal friend
to Gen. Grant, and by far too good dis
ciplinarian to appeal secretly over his
head to his superiors. His whole life is
refutation of this story, and when it is re-
membered that Gen. Grant does not tell it
as of his own knowledge, it may be dis
missed from history"
HIS SKILL IN PROMOTING HARMONY.
Rawlins was man of iron will, inflex-
ible moral courage and austere habits. He
was bold, resolute and Outspoken in ex-
preston of opinion, yet always subordi-
nate and devoted when that opinion was
overruled. He was incapable of jealousies
himself and inspired no jealousy in others.
He brought into military service no tech
nical training, but he brought other quail
ties essential to high success, talent, en-
ergy. fidelity and unwearying industry
He was vehement and earnest; scornful of
| sham and humbug; intOlerant of ineiIicien-
cy and insubordination. His mind was
methoiical in reasoning, but his conclu-
| siOns were rapidly reached. He was the
friend Of every true soldier; the friendeand
adviser Of every worthy officer in trouble;
pre-eminently the peacemaker of the
army.
| To Rawlins was largely due the phe-
nomenal unity of purpose and cordial CO.
operation which distinguished the final
leaders of our cause. The feuds and ha-
treds among military commanders have
become proverbal, practically inevitable
But in 1865, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan,
| Logan, Meade, Thomas, and all the others
in high command were linked together in
bonds of confidence and esteem, such as
no similar occasion has ever witnessed.
And the unseen modest artisan, who
welded all the links of that chain, the ge-
nial personality which gathered these
proud spirits into one companionship of
patriotism, for the country's inestimabe
good and eternal credit, was John A.
Rawlins. He was the comrade and con-
iidant of all; he brought them and kept
them together.
| All his qualities were sublmated and
all his actions were inspired by pure and
lofty ideals. We cannot separate the mo-
tive from the deed, in awarding the final
tiles of eminencc. His life and soul were
he fought. He had no fear that future
generations would confuse the issues or
reverse the verdict. He knew that the
principles he sustained were etcrnally
right; he believed that they would trillm-
phantly prevail; he trusted in posterity's
Il q hot e
the Union and those who fought against
it.
SOME UNPUBLISHED HISTORY.
Rawlins rendered one inestimab.c serv-
ice to Gen. Grant and to the country
which has never found record in any Of
the general annals of the civil war, or in
Grants biographies-indeed, have never
seen 1t in print, except as hereinafter
stated. 1t is n circumstance highly com
plimentary to both, and absolutely neces-
sary to just comprehension of the char
acter of either.
1t will be recollected that during the
first years of Grants service there were
rumOrs and charges of his being again
0vertaken by his old enemy, the drink
habit. These stories were, however, gen.
orally discredited as the invention of his
enemies, and those who envied his rapidly
rising fame. Many will call to mind an
| exquisite jest of President Lincoln, who.
when some one of them brought a hint of
this kind to his notice, requested the ac-
cuser to acquaint him with Grants brand,
that he might send the same kind to some
of his other Generals. But it is un-
doubtedly true, that at one very critical
period there was a lurking demon of
temptation and awakened appetite hant-
ing this great man which again threate
his overthrow.
| Capt. John NJ. Shaw of the 25th Wis,
was fellow law student with Rawlins
and his intimate friend at Galena for
several years preceding 1861. Capt. Shaw
removed to Minneapolis after the war,
! long time Judge Of the District Court,