Rawlins, John A. (1831-1869) to Mary E. Hurlbut
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05606 Author/Creator: Rawlins, John A. (1831-1869) Place Written: Chattanooga, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 November 1863 Pagination: 6 p. ; 21 x 13.3 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses his love for her and Ulysses Grant's drinking problem. To his fiancée, with pencil lines between the pen. On Grant's drinking: "The necessity of my presence has made almost absolute, by the free use of intoxicating spirits liquors at Head Quarters which last nights developments showed me had reached to the General commanding. I am the only one here (his wife not being with him) who can stay it in that direction & prevent evil consequences resulting from it. I had hoped but it appears vainly his New Orleans experience would prevent him ever again indulging with this his worst enemy." The "New Orleans experience" may refer to the bad fall Grant took off a horse earlier that year in New Orleans.
Rawlins was on Grant's staff throughout the war, and was always his friend and supporter. He believed Grant's drinking problem to be severe, and saw himself as the only one who could protect the General and his reputation.
John A. Rawlins served under Grant throughout the Civil War, reaching the rank of Major General, and later became Grant's Secretary of War.
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