Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-02-02
Leader of the Utah Army.


 naturally excites some curiosity as to the individ- ual charged by the government with the iili- cult and delicate responsibilities of the present Utah expedition. He is not only to exhibit military abilities of high order for the security of hls little army ill its Siberian campaign, but he must be possessed of superior civil pualifca- tions to guide his dealings with the misgoverned people who are represented as denying the au- thor of our constitutions. The following sketch of his past career, which we find in the Press," will, therefore, be read with interest:
 Colonel Albert Sydney Johnston, of the se- cond regiment of cavalry now commanding in Utah. stands little over six feet high, is of a large, bory, sinewy frame, with grave but pleasant face; possesses quiet, unassuming mau- ners forming in all person of attractive and ratherimposing appearance. Born in Kentucky, he was graduated from the military academy at West Point in 1926 at about the age of twenty. Though holding high position in his class, his active ttmperment induces him to waive ap- pOlntment Ill the more scientific but sedentarv branches of the service, and he was gazetted brevet second lieutenant of the sixth regiment of infantry, then engaged in service on our h. dian frontier.
 The settlements of frontier life, though. did not satisfy his aspirations, and in the breaking out of the Texas revolution he resigned his com mission ill the United States army, and proceed ed at to offer his services to the embryo republic Entering Texas without letter or ac- quantanCeS, he mUdestv joined the army as a simple volunteer. Accident one day brought the young volunteer to the notice of the late la- mented Rusk, then holding the office of gen. eral. Struck with the compreheusivencss and clearness 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 generals and in its details, but who possessed profound military knowledge great strategic abli- ties. He at once made him the adiutant- general of his command ard in this grade Johnston shared with his discriminating commander in the victory of San Jaclnto
 The revolution in Texas afforded but a small field for military distinction; yet before its close the adjutant general had attained the rank of a general. The war ended, General Johnston settled upon farm, and literally converting his sword into plowshare, Cincinnatus- like, titled the earth with his own hands. Called from his retirement to fill the office of Secretary of War. he sustained himself with gaeat ability, and gained in his political, as he had done previously In his military career, the respect and affection of the people of Texas
 When Mexico worried us into a war in 1S46 this graduate of West Point adjutant, adiutant- general, general, Secretary of War, again ten- dered his services to his country. Pushing no claims for office, though he might with proprie- ty have sought the highest, he came forward, with his rifle 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. Gen. Taylor, though he parted with the regiment, would not with its colonel; and to secure his valuable aid at tached him to his person as an inspector-gen- eral.
 Sharing with "Od Zack" the dangers and glories of Buena Vista, he returned to the Unit ed States and to his farm. Offered paymaster- ship in the army in l646, he accepted it. In March, 1855, on the raising of four new reg- ments, the Hon. Secretary of War, Mr. Jener- son Davis, who kuew J ohnston's military quali- fcations and services, appointed him colonel of the second cavalry, aud 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.
 In all the relations of life Colonel Johnston, or General Johnston, as he is more generally called, seems to have filled ably every part to which he has been cast. Not only has he been ably, but his ability has been accompanied by the esteem and respect of all the communities, civil or military, into which he has been thrown.