The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-01-15
Gen. r. W. Johnson.


thwarts the calculations of the clearest
and most comprehensive minds, was
GEN Rosecrans' plan of battle defeated
at Murfreesboro. 1t will be remembered
that his plan was to commence the en-
gagement with his right wing, under the
command of Cen McCook, which was to
hold the enemy in check, while his left
wing was swung in the rear of the rebels
at Murfreesboro, and thus annihilate
their entire army by one vigorous blow.
Everything bid fair for the success Of his
plan, and the General and his officers on
Tuesday night were in the highest spir-
its. But, unfortunately for the General,
an imbecile or a traitor commanded the
extreme division of his right wing We
refer to Gen. r. W. johnson. A short
inquiry into this officers antecedents
may throw some light on the disaster
that occurred to his division on that mel
ancholy Wednesday, by which thousands
of brave men sacrificed their. lives, or
were mdlIneu DeyOnu recovery.
We understand that Gen. johnson was
a Captain of cavalry in the regular army
at the beginning of the rebellion. He
was on duty in the Department of Texas,
and was among those whom Gen. Twiggs
so shamefully surrendered into the hands
of the rebels. Captain johnson shortly
after being paroled, visited his relations
in this city, and also at Owensboro.
While here, he gave vent to the most
offensive secession sentiments, and at
different times aroused the Indignation
of loyal citizens who were so unsopbisti-
Gated as to imagine that an officer wear
ing the uniform and drawing the pay of
the United States, ought to bear faithful
allegiance, Or at least resign. On leav-
ing our city for Greensboro, which was at
that time intensely rebel, the Captain
took the wise precaution to leave his
uniform behind.
The next we heard of the Captain was
at Munfordsville. Through an officer
who was present at the time, we learn
that General Johnson sat reading news
paper on the opposite side of the river
from that on which Col Willich's gallant
regiment was struggling against over
tlict with brigade of Texan Rangers.
On being asked to send assistance to
the nearly overpowered volunteers, this
most gallant officer remarked: "Never
m ind the d-n Dutch. Let them take
care of themselves. They had no bust
ness going over there"
We next hear of this ehivalrous COM
mander at Huntsville, Tenn, whittier he
had been sent to intercept and capture
Morgan. Hardly had any shots been
exchanged by the contending forces be-
fore Gen. johnson waved his white hand
kerchief to the rebels and commanded
Col. Stewart, of the I'd Indiana Cavalry,
to form his command for surrender.
Col. Stewart positively refused, and rode
off with his men, arriving at Nashville
without having a man scratched. John
son himself, with large number OF his
men, were paroled. The rebels couldn't
think of depriving themselves of the
assistance of SO valuable friend, who,
as an officer in the Union army, could
place more men within their power than
their own most skiIlful Generals could
capture in the exercise of all their inge-
nuity. ta aatata
How a man who had demonstrated
nothing SO clearly as his entire inca
pacity for command should be assigned
TO the most important position in Gen.
Rosecrans army, is mystery to Us be-
yond comprehension.
Orders had been issued to all the divi-
sion commanders on Tuesday night to
hold themselves in readiness for an
attack on the enemy early in the morn
ing. We understand that Gen. Which
went to Gen. johnson on the same night
and asked permission to have his brig
ade in line Of battle by three o'clock in
the morning, at least johnson abruptly
replied that he would inform him when
he desired his (Willichs) brigade to
form in line of battle. 0
On Wednesday morning, without
warning, while artillery men we're water
ing their horses and the infantry were
cooking their observation-disclosures some
were fairly out of their beds-the rebels
were upon them in front and flank. Bat
terry after battery was captured without
firing shot, and Johnson's entire divi-
sion crumbled to pieces without offering
any resistance worthy to be called such
Some of the officers state that they did
not see Johnson after the first fire. Gen.
Which himself was captured before he
could give solitary order. Johnson's
division converted into a rout, rapidly
threw the other divisions on the right
unto disorder, and Gen. McCooks entire