Brigadier General John A. Rawlins (USA)

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Brigadier General John Aaron Rawlins (USA)

John Aaron Rawlins was born on 13 February 1831 in East Galena, Illinois. In 1849, his father James migrated to California during the Gold Rush staying for three years. John became the primary caretaker of his mother, sister, and six brothers. James did not strike gold and returning home halfheartedly devoted his time to his family farm and timber lands. John blamed his father's lifestyle and lack of attention on strong drink, and he became a teetotaler.

He had scant early education becoming a "self-made man" by studying individually to make up for his lack of formal education. He studied law in the office of Isaac P. Stevens of Galena and attained admission to the bar in 1854. He practiced in partnership with Stevens, and later with David Sheean, who had studied under Rawlins. Politically Rawlins aligned himself with the Democratic Party and supported the presidential campaigns of Stephen A. Douglas.

On 5 June 1856, Rawlins married Emily Smith. They had a son and two daughters. Mrs. Rawlins died of tuberculosis in August 1861, shortly after Rawlins began his service with the Union Army. He feared he would someday die of the same disease. On 23 December 1863, Rawlins married Mary Emma Hurlburt. During the winter of 1863, Rawlins developed a persistent cough that was later diagnosed as tuberculosis.

After Fort Sumter fell, the Galena townspeople held a town meeting; the featured speakers were U.S. Congressman Elihu B. Washburne and Rawlins. Rawlins made his pro-Union sentiments clear when he stated: "I have been a Democrat all my life; but this is no longer a question of politics; It is simply country or no country; I have favored every honorable compromise; but the day for compromise is passed; only one course is left us. We will stand by the flag of our country, and appeal to the god of battles."

In 1861, Rawlins took an active role in the organization of the 45th Illinois Infantry, in response to President Abraham Lincoln's call for troops. Ulysess S. Grant, who was in charge of the regiment, requested that Rawlins become Grant's aide-de-camp. Rawlins accepted and on 30 August Rawlins was appointed Captain in the regular Army and Assistant Adjutant-General of Volunteers. On 14 September, Rawlins reported to Grant's headquarters in Cairo. Rawlins would remain by Grant's side for much of the rest of the war as his most influential staff officer, advisor, and closest friend.

As Grant rose in rank and responsibility, Rawlins was likewise promoted in roles of increasing responsibility and rank, including Chief of Staff of the Army of the Tennessee and Chief of Staff of the Military Division of the Mississippi. He was known for his great attention to detail, as well as being a stickler for proper protocol. On 14 May 1862, Rawlins was promoted to Major, and on 1 November, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. He was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on 11 August 1863. When Grant was promoted to general in chief of all the Union armies, Rawlins became Chief of Staff of the General Headquarters of the United States Army. He was promoted to brevet major general on 24 February 1865, to brigadier general in the regular army on 3 March, and brevet major general in the regular army on 9 April.

As Grant's Chief of Staff, Rawlins served as his emissary to Washington D.C. He also acted as Grant's protector when it came to alcohol. Rumors of alcohol use surrounded Grant from his time in the Regular Army. However, Grant only drank alcohol a few times during the war.

In 1867, during Reconstruction, Rawlins accompanied the military escort that traveled with Grenville M. Dodge's expedition to explore the proposed route of the Union Pacific Railroad. Dodge was chief engineer for the Union Pacific, which was responsible for building the railroad from east to west, while the Central Pacific Railroad built from west to east. He accompanied Dodge as far as Salt Lake City, Utah in hopes that the dry air of the plains would help cure his tuberculosis. Dodge later named one of the expedition's Wyoming campsites Rawlins; this site was later incorporated as a town. After four months, Rawlins returned to Washington, D.C., but his health had not substantially improved.

When Grant became President, Rawlins' doctors recommended he go to Arizona, where they believed the dry desert climate would allow him to live longer. Grant wanted to appoint Rawlins military commander of the Southwest, but Rawlins refused, wishing to stay at Grant's side. Grant instead appointed Rawlins as Secretary of War. During his five months in office, Rawlins was at odds with Secretary of State Hamilton Fish over whether to recognize and support a revolution against the Spanish government in Cuba; Rawlins favored providing military aid and other assistance; Fish was opposed. Grant finally sided with Fish and the U.S. did not intervene. On the question of dealing with the Mormons in Utah Territory, Rawlins convinced Grant to adopt a confrontational approach to ending their practice of polygamy, including the use of the military if necessary. Rawlins' health continued to deteriorate; he was bedridden before he died in office on 6 September 1869 in Washington D.C.