Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-08-19
RICHARD NJ. JOHNSON.
From the Cayiga Patriot.

Editor Ot TINS paper.
Biographical notice Of Col. Richard VI.
Johnson.
Col. r.. NJ. Johnson is the son Of Ro-
bert Johnson, a respectable farmer and
one of the first settlers of Kentucky.j
The subject of this notice was born, as
it were, on the field of battle /; for at the
time of his birth, Kentucky was one con-
tinued and constant scene of savage war
fare. His cradle was surrounded with Pc
ril and difficulty. While an infant, and
when his father was absent in Virginia on
business, he was in a feeble and shattered
Fort, filled with women and children, de-
Tended by only 80 men, against the furi-
Gus assaults of 500 Indian warriors.
AT this period no one was exempt from
danger ;frequently the red savage would
rush from the thicket and dispatch the
defenceless laborer, bearing away his
scalp il triumph, before succoring friends
could interpose to avert the fatal stroke.
The inhabitants were obliged to dwell in
stockades, and cultivate their fields In
armed bodies-some performing the labors
of agriculture, while others were posted as
centinels, or patrolled in quest of the
lurking foe. 1t was thus that the incom-
parably fine country situate between the
declivities of the Allegany and the Ohio
was at first settled.
His early years were distinguished by
the boldness of his enterprises, and an ex-
tr%aOrdinary perseverance in their execu-
ton. His scholastic opportunities for the
first IS years of his life, were limited. At
fifteen he left his fathers house, fora coun-
try grammar school, having left behind
him a character for industry and manage
ment, which produced in his father some
reluctance at his departure. Nor did his
friends seem to encourage any course of
education that would lead to a profession
al pursuit. However, after four years
spent in alternate study and attentions to
his fathers business he commenced the
practice flaw, being then only nineteen
years of age.
He entered upon the theatre of public
life at twenty-one, and has never been out
of civil employ a single day since. After
serving two years lii the Kentucky Legis-
lature, he was elected a member of Con-
gress, in which capacity he has served the
last seven years. His vote has always
been found on the side of his country
His speeches are replete with manly elo-
quence, patriotic sentiment, and persua-
SiYe reasoning.
After voting for the declaration of war
against Great Britain, he raised a battal-
ion of mounted volunteers, which was ul-
timately augmented to a regiment, and
from a private in the ranks he became the
chief of the mounted corps. His services
on the frontiers of Ohio, and upon the
banks of the Thames, have secured him an
ilnperishable military reputation. On the
18th of April, 1914, the ladies of Scott
county presented him an elegant sword
In consideration of his valor and unshak-
en- frmness at the battle of the Moravian
towns.
/ During the recess of congress he de-
votes most of his time to agricultural pur-
suits-haying for a number of years aban-
dOned the practice of law.
Colonel Johnson is in stature rather
above the middle size, well formed, Of
firm but prepossessing aspect ; his words
are few, but always expressed with grace
and energy.
Although a cloud of witnesses could We
rify the fact that he killed Tecumseh in
fair personal combat, still his modesty
would never permit him to proclaim him
self the hero Of that chivalrous feat. HeI
is doubtful whether the Shawanoe chief
tain approached him with a tomahowk, or
sword for this reason, he kept his eyes
full on that of his savage foe, without re-
garding his weapons. This exclusive at
tention to the eye of TecuInseh enabled the
colonel TO fathOm his intentions and anti
Cipate his blow.
Among other excellent traits of cha
racter, is the liberaIity with which he en-
cOurages young men of genius in humble
life for he has on more occasions than
one, by an honorable and munifcent pa
tronage, drawn merit from obseurity and
genius from the cottage.
His whole regiment even to a man, were
enthusiastically attached to him.-They
dreaded nothing so much as his reproof.
The patienceand fortitude with which he
endured the anguish of his wounds, and
the incredible fatigues, seventies and pri-
vatiOns Of his passage from Detroit to San
dusky, and from thence to Kentucky, sur
passed if possible his courage on the field
Of battle. In the boisterous month of No
vember, amid almost incessaut rains-with
five severe wounds whichhad barely began
TO heal, he was conveyed from his lodgings
in De rot, in o boat but lily provided with