HTP EP 49: “ It is simply country or no country…” Major John Rawlins w/ Melissa Winn

The History Things Podcast

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Heading into the summer, Pat and Matt are joined by Melissa Winn, the now former Director of Photography Research for HistoryNet. Melissa provides the guys with details on a man who is often overlooked by history and was overshadowed by his boss during the American Civil War, John A. Rawlins, aide-de-camp of Ulysses S. Grant himself.
Rawlins, a prewar friend of Grant's, was an influential lawyer and democrat in Galena, Illinois prior to the war. Upon the outbreak of hostilities he famously declared that, "there were no parties anymore" and that he would enlist to fight for the Union. In August 1861 Rawlins was asked to join Grant's staff and was promoted to Captain. In this position he looked after the General, keeping on him about his pledge of temperance and keeping away many who would distract or tempt Grant.
Join us as we learn more about this fascinating man, how he kept Grant on the straight and narrow and what happened to him as the war dragged on.
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