Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-05-01
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston

Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, whose death thn whole Confederacy now nouns, was not cut of in his early manhood but had lived to quite an avan- ced age of honor and usein ness. He was born of respectable rarentage, in Mason county. Kentucky ill the year 1893, and WAS consequently, tifty-nne years old at the time of his death. After passing through his prepal aory studies he entered the il- itary acadamy at West Point in lS22 ss cadet from the State of Louisi ma. He doubtless owed his appointment the influence of his distinguished brother the Hon Josiah $. Johnston at that time representative, and after senator in Congress, from this State. A. cadet must reside in the district from which he is appointed, Gen. Johnston was for short time at least citizen of Louisiana lie graduated with distinction in lS26 He was in the academy two years with President Davis who graduated ln lS2S, and one year with Gen. Lee and Joseph F.. Johnston, who graduated in 1899 I'm nediately after leaving West Point he entered the army as lieutentant in the 9th infantry. A few years later he say his first service in the Black Hawk war, in which he displayed that undauntei courage and aptitude for conmand which dis tingulshed him in after years. In the same war was his friend, Lieut.. Jefferson Davis, and Cant. Abraham Lincoln, now President of the United States. About the year 1896 Gen. Johnston left the army and emigrsted to the province of Texas, at that time engaged in her war of independence with Mexico. He was soon made general in chiet of the army of Texas, and in $50 became mem
 
 war. In ls40 he retired to private life, and Gevo- ted himself to agriculture, until the commencement of fbostilites with Mexico and the United States. in le41 when he again entered the servicts colonel of a regiment Of volunteer riflemen from his adop- ted State. He was subsequently, inspector general of Gen. Wm. C. Buffers division. For his servi. at the siege of Monterey he received the especial thanks of the commanding general. h le49 he was appointed paymaster with the rank of Major. and soon afterwards Colonel of the 2d cavalry In lS47, on the breaking out of the Mormon insurrec. ton, he was appointed brigadier general, and sent to tah to restore quiet in that territory He performed this delio ate duty ill satisfactory man. ner, every vestige of insnbOrdination disappearing as soon he arrived at his destination From that time until the commencement of the present var Gen. Johnston was in command of the military dj. tret of the Pacific.
 As soon as it became eyiden. that the triumph of the abolition party would involve tho Soutt in a bloody war, Gen. Johnston did not hesitate to cast his fortunes with tRe land of his birth. Ht known secession opinions caused h m to be watch ed and dogged by the emissaries of the federal gov ernment, and it was with the greatest difficulty tha he could elude their grasp and make good his es cape fi0m California 10 Texas. On his arrival al Richmond he was appointed general in the regular army Of the Confederate States, ranking all the other generals except Adjutant General Cooper who ranked nm in the old army of the Unitet States.
 The acts of Gen. Johnston since that time oc cured too recently and are too well known 10 ueet recspitulation. He was intrusted with the defeAs. of the West, and though he was censured somevha for the fall of Fort Doneson, yet he probably diC all in his power, with the means at his disposal tc prevent that disaster to our At any rate, nc one ever questioned his bravery and patriotism the best evidence of both of hich Is found in the fact that he lost his life in the midst of the battle in defense of his couutry's rights. H. died as 2 brave soldier and patriot delights to die, with hi. face to the foe, leading his faithful columns on tC victory. He died with 8 consciousness of having done his duty to his afflicted country, and whei the dawn of peace shall break again upon our beau tful land approaching people will do full justice 10 his memory N O. DsLa