White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-02-25
COL. JOHNSTON.
-nr LEADER OF our Array ~ UTAH; "a

The interest attached to the Mormon question
naturally excites some curiosity as to the indi,
viduaI charged by the government with the diff
icult and delicate responsibilities of the present
Utah expedition. He has not only 70 exhibit
military abilities of high order, for the securi-
~ Of bis little army in its Siberian campaign,
but he must be possessed Of superior civil quail
ifcations to guide his dealisgs with the Inisgov-
erBed people who are represented as denying
the authority of our constitution We have, in
consequence, made some inquiries among our
army friends as to the antecedents Of the conf
mander of the Utah expedition, and are enabled
to lay before our readers brief sketch of his
past career. "I --
Col. Albert Sydaey Johnston of the second
regiment Of cavalry, now commanding in Utah,
stands little over six feet high, is of a large,
bony, sinewy frame, with grave, but pleasant
face; possesses quiet, unassuming manners
forming in all person Of attractive and rather
imposing appearance. Born in Kentucky, he
was graduated from the Military Academy at
West PoiAt, in 1896, at about the age Of twenty.
Though holding high position in his class, his
active temperament induced him to waive ap-
pointment in the more scientific but sedentary
branches of the service, and he was gazet.ed a
brevet second lieutenant of the sixth regiment
of infantry, then engaged in service on OR In
dian frontier. ....-4
The excitement Of frontier life, though, did
not satisfy his aspirations, and in the breaking
out Of the Texas revolution he resigned his com
mission in tho United States army, and proceed.
ed at once to offer his services to the embryo
republic. Entering Texas without letters or ae-
quaintances, he modestly joined the army as a
simple volunteer. Accident one day brought
the young volunteer to the notice Of the late
lAmented ,Rusk, then holding the Office of
General. Struck with the eomprehensiyencss
and elearness Of his remarks, the General made
/ some inquiries in relation TO him, and sending
for him, found that he had in his ranks a man
not only conversant with military organization
in its general and its details, but who possessed
profound military knOalodgc with great strate-
gio abilities He at 0nce made him the adju.
tant general Of bis command, and in this grade
Johnson shared with his discrimie ating eomman-
der in the victory of san Jaeinto. D.,
The revoiutioniin Texas Afforded but small
field for military distinction yet, before its
close, the adjutant generaIhad attained the rank
of a General The war ended Gen. Johnston
settled upon farm and literally converting his
sword into plonghshare, Cincinnatus- like, till
H. Rbo aa,Sh ,r;,b Ne 49,, ko,J.t chi
his retirement to fill the Office Of Secretary of
War, he sustained himself with great ability.
and gained in his political, as he had done pre-
viously in his military career, the respect and
affection Of the people of Texas
When Mexico worried us into a war in 1916,
this graduate Of West Point, adjutant, adjutant
general, general, Secretary Of War, again ten
dered his services to his. country. Pushing no
claims for office, though he might With prOpriety
have sought the highest, he came forward, with
his rife on his shoulder, as private soldier.
The regiment, however, made him its Colonel,
and in that capacity he served until disbanded
by expiration Of service. General Taylor, though
he parted with the regiment, would not with its
Colonel; and to secure his valuable aid, he at
tached him to his person as an Inspector Cen
eral.
Sharing with cold lack {" the dangers and
glories of Buena Vista, he returned to the Uni
ted States and to his farm. Offered a paymas-
tership in the army in 1916, he accepted it. In
March, 1855, on the raising Of four new regi-
ments, the Hon. Secretary Of War, Mr.. Jeffer
son Davis, who knew Jotnson's military qualif-
cations and services, appointed him Colonel Of
the second cavalry, and soon after ordered him
to the military command Of the department of
Texas. The present administration have as
signed him to the command of Utah. g. ,eei
In all the relations of life, Colonel Johnston,
or General Johnston, as he is more generally
called, seems to have filed ably every part to
which he has been cast. Not emily has he been
able, but his ability has beOn accompanied by
the esteem and respect of all the communities
civil or military into which he has been thrOWn.
-PhiIGdelpRis Press. .- f-.--