American Civil War Union Major General, Presidential Cabinet Secretary. Born of Scotch-Irish descent, he studied law and in 1854 he was admitted to the bar and in 1857 he became the Galena, Illinois city attorney. At the outbreak of the American Civil War in April 1861, he helped to form the 45th Illinois and was commissioned a major. In August 1861, he become aide-de-camp to Ulysses S. Grant, then a colonel. As Grant moved up in ranks, Rawlins was assigned as assistant adjutant and as chief of staff to General Grant in August 1863. He ran Grant's staff throughout the war and was appointed to the rank of brigadier general in March 1865. For his indispensable service to General Grant, he was brevetted to the rank of major general in April 1865. After the war, he was appointed as Secretary of War by President Grant in March 1869. His most significant contribution in that position was the approval of construction of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. He suffered from tuberculosis most of his later life and he died as a result while in office at the age of 38. Originally interred in a friend's vault at Congressional Cemetery, his remains were later transferred to Arlington National Cemetery.
American Civil War Union Major General, Presidential Cabinet Secretary. Born of Scotch-Irish descent, he studied law and in 1854 he was admitted to the bar and in 1857 he became the Galena, Illinois city attorney. At the outbreak of the American Civil War in April 1861, he helped to form the 45th Illinois and was commissioned a major. In August 1861, he become aide-de-camp to Ulysses S. Grant, then a colonel. As Grant moved up in ranks, Rawlins was assigned as assistant adjutant and as chief of staff to General Grant in August 1863. He ran Grant's staff throughout the war and was appointed to the rank of brigadier general in March 1865. For his indispensable service to General Grant, he was brevetted to the rank of major general in April 1865. After the war, he was appointed as Secretary of War by President Grant in March 1869. His most significant contribution in that position was the approval of construction of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. He suffered from tuberculosis most of his later life and he died as a result while in office at the age of 38. Originally interred in a friend's vault at Congressional Cemetery, his remains were later transferred to Arlington National Cemetery.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
See more Rawlins memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
