The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-11-29
COL. RICHARD M. JOHNSON.

thus speaks of this distinguished gen.
tleman, who died, after short illness,
on the 18th:
The death Of Col. Johnson is an
event of interest to the whole Amcri.
can people. No public man Of our
country has been more before the
public eye, or more distinguished Tor
services in war and peace, than the
deceased. Born in Kentucky, and
having the interesting fact attached
to his person Of being the first male
child born oftte pioneers OF that noble
region, his affections were warmly
fixed upon the West as his native
land. while his patriotic aspirations
embraced the whole Union. lie was
not sectional either in feelings or SER
vices to his fellow citizens.
He was educated in his native State,
and grew up among her hardy sons as
a cultvator of the soil. Early mark
cd for his energy of character and.
earnes,ness Of purpose, he was always
selected by the Partially and conf
dence of his fellow citizens to repre-.
sent them in the legislature OF his
native State and the halls OF the fed.
craI Congress. A large portion OF
his life has been spent in this city as
member OF the House of Representa-
tives and of the Senate. When MIR.
Van Buren, was elected President,
Col. johnson filled the second office.
Now that he has departed, and neither
motive OF llaltery nor interest can
influence his bographer, we may
speak freely of his public life, rs it
was spent in the eyes Of al. men-
From the testimony. therefore, of
hundreds who were cye'witnesses OF
his conduct, we feel authorized in say.
ing that Col. Johnson, during his con-
grcssionaI life. rendered more person.
al service to the masses. in the business
transactions OF the government in this
CITY, than any other man. No labor
in the cause o! the people-cspecially
for the soldier who had peri|Ied his
life for his country. and his widow
and orphans-could fatigue him. NO
hours were held too guarded by etl'
quette or private comfort for the
admission OF the petitioner who sought
his assistance. When appearing be-
fore the Congress or the departments
of the government, his perseverance
and courteous manners were always
irresistible; and often, when the best
business men would fail of success,
the appearance of Col. Johnson, adj
voca,ing the cause Of the suffering
claimant for the justice Of his country,
would thaw the official ice. and carry
everything before him. He was not
controlled by party or personal ties
in such matters. He served and aid.
ed the suffering of all parties and
circles.
The lovers Of military merit, how,
ever, regard Col. Johnson's service in
the army as the most brilliant portion
of his history. We confess it warns
our blood and excites our highest
admiration when we look back to his
achievements at the head Of his ia
NOUS "Johnson's Mounted Regiment"
1t was a hardy band Of thousand
back woods marksmen-fearless horse.
men, prompt for battle whenever and
bv whomsocver offered, and whose
military service was closed by an
achievement not excelled by any OF
the glorious acts Of that war. The
battle of the Thames is known 10 all.
Its details are in every Iogcabin Of
the Far West. All have in their
minds eve the movements OF the
amounted Regiment" from the time
the trumpet.call of their leader sum.
moned them to his standard till, in the
closing scene of the ariuous campaign.
they were placed in order Of battle in
front OF the allied forces of Proctor
and Tecumseh. Col. Johnson assign
ed to his brother the command OF the
second battalion. to be led in an inn
pctuous charge against the British
line, whilst he reserved to himself the
stern and deadly conflict with the lndl'
an force. led on by the greatest native
warrior this continent has ever seen.
In that conflict he led the van of his
troops in person into the hottest fire,
himself receiving five balls and Ibis
horse sixteen, until-having in single
combat received the fire OF the great
Tecumseh, and in return slain him by
his own reserved fire-he was borne
from the scene Of strife to the rear
the blood flowing from his blanket IN
streams, and every moment expected
10 be his last. To the surprise OF the
army he survived. long to enjoy the
gratitude Of his countrymen.
We will not refer to the almost
;nnumerable testimonials of affection
N IN q no fnWaI