Year: 1869

Bliss told the President the hour at which the Secre
tsry had died and then said. "Ar. President
towards the last he inquired constantly for you az
indeed he aid all the time" The President
said he would like to have seen General
Rawlins, and then explained TO DR.. Bliss the
obstacles which lay in the way Of his
reaching here sooner. He next inquired whether
any message had been sent to the wife OF General
Rawlins. and was informed that despatch had been
sent merely announcing his death. The President
then sat down and wrote the following telegram to
Mrs. Rawns:-


Mrs. MARY Il. RAwIINs, Danbury, C0nn.:-


Your beloved husband expired at twelve minutes
after four O'Clock this afternoon, to be mourned
personal worth and services TO his country
and nation who acknowledge their debt


ens aetermneS @ tSSt he snail wse be
buried in the Congressional Burying-ground as the
most appropriate place, unless you have other sug
geStlOns TO make. The time Of the funeral is not
arranged but probably VIII take place on Thursday
next u. s. GRANT.
Soon after Secretary Rawlins died his body was
embalmed under the supervision Of DR.. Bliss, In the
same room where his last moments were spent. On
the conclusion Of this process he was arrayed in his
old army uniform and taken down stairs to the draw
ing-r0om, where his body was laid out.


Journey of President Grant from Saratoga to


Washington for the Purpose Of Seeing Gen.


eral Rawljns-He Arrives After the Gem


erals Death.


The President, accompanied by General Porter,
arrived here this evening at ten minutes before five
O'Clock. At the depot he was mes by General W. T.
Sherman, Secretary Cox and General Dent From
these distinguished gentlemen the President re-
ceived the first tidings of the death OF his faithful
Secretary adjutant and friend. On Saturday morn
ing last the President received q despatch
before
announcing the serious physical condition Of
General Rawlins. Arrangements were at once
made for the departure OF the President the same
day, as he expressed strong desire to reach Wash
ngtOn ana see General Rawlins before his decease,
the President having from the tenor Of the despatch
given up all hopes Of his recovery from his last at
tack. Soon after the receipt OF this despatch
another was brought in, saying that Gen.
eral Rawlins had revived and the symp-
toms were decidedly encouraging. The
despatch bore such cheerful aspect that the Presi
dent thought that he would have time to visit Sena.
tor Conkling, as he had promised some time before.
and then In the event Of Secretary Rawlins indica
Ting no positive change for the BETTER would return
to Washington. 1t was the second despatch OF Sat.
urday that changed hts determination Of repairing
to Washington Immediately. Nothing more except
Of favorable character was heard on Saturday. On
Sunday through the courtesy of Mr.. E. 8. Sanford,
OF the telegraph company, the Saratoga ONCE was
kept open all day, and communication was kept up
without interruption with Washington, order that
should any dispatches arrive they would be imme-
diately delivered. AT twelve O'Clock Sunday,
while Mr.. Sanford and your correspondent were
waiting in the telegraph Office, o despatch
was received announcing that the con-
dition Of General Rawlins was not as
favorable as was anticipated. This despatch was
handed the President by Mr.. Sanford he and Gen.
eral Porter were returning from church. The Presi-
dent read the despatch and at once proceeded his
rooms and addressed the letter to Senator Conk-


ling, who had arrived In the city the night BEFORE in
which he expresses all that warmth Of feeling which
has existed between himself and General Rawns for
80 many years. The President now seemed to realize
the true condition OF General Rawlns In the letter
to Senator Conkling he expressed his f0rebodings,
saying that "The most recent dispatches scarcely
leave hope that may see him alive.n Owing to
the day being the Sabbath 1t was found impossible
to get special train to carry him directly through
The only resource, therefore, was to take the
regular train which would bring him to New YORK
early In the morning to take the Washington train
or special II ready, as requested by telegraph. At


fifteen minutes before four O'Clock IN the afternoon
another despatch ras received stating that
General Rawlins was rapidly sinkng and
had expressed urgent desire to see the Presi-
dent. The mental anguish now suffered by
the President was intensely increased by the
necessary delay in his having been detained
from his dying comrade and friend. At halrpass
five O'Clock, bidding farewell to his wife and family,
who were to follow far as New York this morning
and there remain, in company with General Porter,
he left the Union Hotel for the depot. Here
private apartment had been set apart
for him In one Of the regular drawing room
a.. x,n
Conklng and Ward Hunt, Chief Justice Of the Court
OF Appeals OF New York. On the way he seemed
oppressed by the most melancholy feelings. He
talked Of little else than the close relations that had
long been held between himself ana General Raw
Inns and expressed sincere wish that the General
might be spared until his arrival. To Senator
Conkling he said, ~ could not feel the loss OF
a near and dear relative more keenly than the loss
Of General Rawlins" Arriving at Albany soon after
seven O'clock Senator Conkng and Chief Justice
Hunt left the President to take the train to their
home. IL was here found that no special train was
to be had and the regular train would 10y over
until two O'Clock In the morning. This would
occasion o delay Of seven hours. In order to
avoid the curious gaze Of the crowd, as well
the annoyance Of the less consderate the Presi-
dent determined to take the steamer, which would
bring him to New York early as by the cars From





steamer Vanderbilt, Captain Hancock which was
lying at the wharf. BY eight O'Clock the
steamer was under way. The President
took very light supper, and, after spending
about half an hour on the after deck, uttering
scarcely word but evidently chafng under the delay
and his anxiety to finish his painful journey, he re-
tired. Upon rising this morning at halfpast six
O'CLOCK he said that he had passed sleepess night.
As soon as the steamer reached her dock he landed
and taking a carriage rode to the Astor House,
where he breakfasted, and proceeded directly
to the Washington depot at Jersey City.
at Jersey City another delay was encountered The
President here certainly anticipated that special
train would be in readiness, but 1t was discovered
that the time had been too short to make the neces-
sary arrangements. He therefore took the regular
train. At Wilmington he received a despatch saying
that General Rawlins was sinking more rapidly
than before and that he was losing all knowledge