BELKNAP, WILLIAM WORTH American soldier and politician, was born at Newburgh, N.Y., on Sept. 22, 1829. Entering the Union army in 1861, he took part in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg, as major of the 15th Iowa volunteers. In the Atlanta campaign under Sherman he gained distinction, rising to the rank of brigadier-general in 1864 and major-general in 1865. Until 1869 he was collector of internal revenue for Iowa, leaving that post to become secretary of war. In 1876, because of unproved accusations of corruption, he re signed. He died at Washington, D.C., on Oct. 13, 1890.