Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-04-12
Gen. A. 8. johnston.

The death of this distinguished General in the
late battle, cxcites universal SORROW. Appropriate
resolutions were adopted by both Houses of Con-
gress, and they adjourned in respect to the occa-
sion. During the speech of Mr. Barksdale of Miss,
he read private letter from Gen Johnston to Presi-
dent Davis, explaining the reasons for his in
eVacuating Bowling Green and Nashville, which ex-
honerates Gen. J. from. all blame. We regret that
we have not space for the letter in this issue On
the sth President Davis sent in to Congress the fol-
lowing message:
To the Senate and House of Representatives
Of the Confederate States Of America:
The great Importance Of the news Just received
from Tennessee induces me to depart from estab.
lished usage, and to make to you this communica-
ton in advance of official reports.
From Geographic dispatches received from off.
cial sources, am able to announce to you, with en-
tire confidence. that it has pleased Almighty God to
crown the Confederate arms with glorious and de.
cisiye victory over our invaders.
On the morning of the 9th instant the converging
columns of our army were combined by its Com
manderin-C Chief General A S. Johnston, on an as.
sault on the Federal army, then encamped near
PittSburg, on the Tennessee river. After hard
fought battle of ten hours the enemy driven in
disorder from his position and pursued to the Ten
nessee river, where, under cover of his gunboats,
lie WaS at the last accounts, enQeaYoTln5 TO effect
his retreat by aid Of his transports.
The details of this great battle are yet too few
and incomplete to enable me to distinguish with
merited praise all of those who may have conspicu.
ously earned the right to such distinction; and
prefer to delay my own qualification in recommend
ing them to your special notice rather than incur
e risk of wouuding the feelings of any, by failing
to include them in the list Where such victory
has been won over troops as numerous, well dis.
ciplined, armed and appointed those which have
just been SO signay routed, We may we'll conclude
that one common spirit of untiching bravery aud
devotion TO countrys cause must have animated
every breast, from that of the commanding General
to that Of the humblsst patriot who served il the
ranks.
There is enough in the continued presence Of ill.,
vaders on or soil to chaSten our exultatIon over
this brilliant SUCCESS and to remind of the grave
duty of continued exertion until we shall extort
from proud and vain-glorious enemy the reluctant
acknowledgement OF our right to selfgovsrument
But all-wise Creator has been pleased, while
vouch saleing to us His countenance in battle, to
afiict US with severe dispensation to which We
must bow in humble submission. The last linger.
ing hope has disappeared, ard it is but too true
that General Albert Sydney Johnston is no more.
The tale of his death is simply narrated in dis
patch just received from Col. William Preston; in
the following words:
General Johnston fell yesterday, at halfpast
oNS~SooLeA
ing the enenys right and gaining brilliant victory.
minnie ball cut the artery of his leg, but ne rode
on till from loss of blood he fell exhausted and died
without pain in few moments. His body has been
entrusted to me by General Beauregard, to be taken
to New Orleans and remain until directions re-
ceived from his family"
My long aud close friendship with this departed
chcftain and patriot forbid TO trust myself in
giving vent to the feelings which this sad intelli-
gence has evoked. Without doing injustice to the
living it may safely lie asserted that loss is If
reparable and that among the shining hosts of the
great and the good who cluster around the ban
of our country, there exists purer spirit, no
heroic soul, than that of the illustrious man
whose death / join you in lamenting.
In his death he has illustrated the character for
which through life he was cons2icuous-that Of
singleness of purpose and devotion to duty. With
his whole energies bent on attaining the victory
which he deemed essential to his country's cause
he rode ON to the accomplishment Of his object for
getful of self while his very lhebood was fast ebb
ing away His last breath cheered his comrades tc
victory. The last sound he beard was their shout
of triumph His last thought was bis country's
and long and deeply will his country mourn his
loss. JEFFERSON DAVIS.