John Aaron Rawlins

Who was John Aaron Rawlins?

John Aaron Rawlins was an United States Army general during the American Civil War, a confidant of Ulysses S. Grant, and later U.S. Secretary of War. During the Civil War, Rawlins was primarily known for protection of Grant's reputation against charges of insobriety. Allegations of Grant's insobriety during the Civil War, however, were proven to be exaggerated. Rawlins was considered a loyal, talented, and tireless officer who rose in rank along with Grant's victories on the field of battle. In April 1865, towards the end of the Civil War, Rawlins had reached the rank of Brevet Major General of the Union Army. Rawlins during this time had contracted an infection of the lungs known as tuberculosis. In 1867, after the Civil War during Reconstruction Rawlins traveled West in hopes of regaining his health in hot dry air of Utah. Rawlins accompanied Grenville M. Dodge, Chief Engineer of the Union Pacific Railroad, on a trip that followed the path of the proposed route with a military escort. In 1869, President Grant appointed Rawlins Secretary of War, due to Rawlin's service and friendship during the Civil War.