General Rawlins was born in Galena, and was a personal friend of General Grant before the outbreak of the war.

He was a lawyer, but had held no civil position, and entered the Cabinet with only a military experience.

He was in ill health, and died in the following September, when General Sherman succeeded him as Secretary _ad interim_, and administered the affairs of the War Department until the appointment of General Belknap at the close of October.
Mr.Borie, though gratified with the compliment of being called to the Cabinet, had no aptitude or desire for public affairs.

He urgently requested General Grant to accept his resignation, and in June, three months after his appointment, he was succeeded by Mr.George M.
Robeson.

Mr.Robeson was connected with some of the old families of New Jersey that became especially distinguished in the Revolutionary war.