Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1869 — Incident of the War. [ARTICLE]

Incident of the War.

The New York Timex recalls the following historical incidents of 1861: When the flag was lowered on Sumter, a meeting of the citizens of Galena was held, and a prominent Democrat took the chair. He had begun to talk of “ Republican responsibility for the war," and of “ compromises,” when E. B. Washburne rebuked him by exclaiming, “Mr. Chairman, any man who will try tostir up party prejudices at this time is a traitor?’ At the same moment Rawlins entered the hall, and loud cries called him to the stand. He advanced and made a spirited speech, ending with these words. “ Lhave 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 evcry'iiQijprable compromise; but the day for coinpromise is passed. Only one course is left us. We Will stand by the flag of our country, and appeal to the god of battles.” Two evenings later Rawlins and Grant, who had a slight acquaintance, met at another meeting, and Rawlins half jestingly proposed to Grant that they should raise a company of volunteers for the war. “ As yon have seen service you shall be captain,” he said; “and Rowley and I will toss up to see which shall.be first lieutenant.” The Galena company was raised, but Grant was not elected captain nor Rawlins lieutenant. WJhen, however, some months later, Grant was made colonel and subsequently brigadier-general, one of his first acts was to procure a conw mission as captain and assistant > adjutant-’ general for Rawlins, and on Sept. 15,1861, the latter reported for duty on Grant's staff Nor did he ever leave it until he was confirmed as Secretary of War. ■ : „ ~ A gloomy octogenarian was complaining to Auber of the hard necessity of growing old. “ Hard as it is,” replied the veteran composer, “it seems to me the only means yet discovered of enjoying long Ufa*