The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-12-16
GEN. JOS. e. JOHNSTON.

Gen. Johnston is native of Virginia, and a
little turned fifty years of age. He weighs about
one hundred and sixty pounds, is i've feet ten
inches in height-though he looks taller on ac-
count of his erect carriage-has forid complex
ion, short grey hair and cosely-cut side whiskers
moustache and goatee. His manners are rather
quiet and dgnifed, and his general appearance and
/ department highly military. Indeed, everything
about him-his bearing, style of dress, and even
4 his most careless attitudes-betoken the high
toned and spirited soldier who loves his profess
ion, and whose soul rcvels in the din and uproar of
the battle field. His short hair and beard, high
color, close fitting uniform, striking air and self
possession, remind one of the game cock, the most
courageous of all "the fowls of the air." when
clipped and trimmed and prepared for the ring.
/ Intellectually, General Johnston is the equal of
any of the five Generals in the army, and in the
opinion of many, is superior to them all His re-
ports are written with great vigor and degree of
elegance which shows that in the turmoil of the
camp, he is not unmindful Of the graces of itera-
ture.
AS strategist, he enjoys a very high reputa-
/ tion among military men. In his operations, he
regards masses and general results rather than
isolated bodies and mere temporary effects. And
hence the opinion prevails with some that he lacks
energy and enterprise This, however, is great
mistake. No man is more watchful of his adver-
sary or more ready to strike when the time comes;
and when he does strike, he delivers the blow Of a
giant. He sees but little advantage in picking off
| a man here and there, or in precpitating small
bodies Of men against each other. Instead of
frittoring away his strength, he seeks rather to
husband it until the auspicious moment arrives,
and then he goes to work with an energy and re-
solution that is wonderful
For the same reason he is considered one of the
best fighters in the whole army. Gen. Lee fights
a good deal by maneuvres. One step is made to
lead to another. An advantage gained here is the
prelude to another on different part of the field;
until having attained certain positions and accom-
plished certain results, he presses forward against
the vital point with vigor and resolution that
carry everything before them. Johnston orders
the battle after the same fashion, and enters the
field with the same purposes; but when he gets
fully into the fight and his blood is up, he
strikes right and left and with rapidity and skill
tnat are perfectly irresistible. He is not content
with commanding on the field, but, like the de-
ceased Irshman, when the bottle was passing
around at his own funeral he insists upon taking
a hand himself.
| When Jackson got into position and the bat tie
was fully joined in front Of Richmond, certain
victory was the assured result of Lees mastery
combinations And at the second battle of
Manassas, when Jackson was hard pressed on the
left and asked for assistance, Lee, instead Of send
ing it to him and weakening his forces elsewhere,
pressed Longstreet forward on the right, threw
the enemy's left wing into confuson, and thus re-
lieved Jackson more ctfectualy and in less time
than if he had sent him reinforcements. johnson,
on the contrary, had well-matured plan of battle
at the Seven Pines, but it simple and direct,
II struck right at the centre Of the enemy, in
tending to pierce his lines, capture his force on
this bank of the Chiokahominy, and then drive
the remainder on the East side into the York and
Pamunkey rivers
When Mcclellan moved his army to the PENN
sula last spring, it is said that Johnston, then in
| command of the Army of the Potomac, was in IA
vor of taking up his position behind the Chlcka-
hominy and not going to Yorktown at all. The
President preferred the position at Yorktown,
however, and accordingly the army was moved
down to Magruder's lines. The night of his ar
rival there Johnston held a council Of war, at
which Toombs said: "We must fight tomorrow,
or retreat tonight" ALI our forces had then
come up, whilst McClellan's army, already enor-
nous, was receiving fresh additions every day,
Johnston agreed with Toombs, but kept his army
there fourteen days, chiefly in Difference to the
wishes of the President until Mcclellan got ready
to offer him BATTLE when he broke up his camp
and marched back TO Richmond 1t was during
this retreat that the battle of Williamsburg was
fought by Longstreet, who brought the rear
| Important movements about to be made on
the Rappahannock, but it would be improper to
state what they are Jackson Is in the right
place. and everything is prepared for the enemy
The hawk does not care how many birds there are
in the fock nor does the wolf count the sheer
in the fold When Lee does strike, his blow will
be crushing one.