Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-05-08
GENERAL, 7 JOHNSTON PETfIaREw.

IL
very much tn live for. Had he survived the cr"e'
war he went forth to subdue. his future lay oeo!e
him refIlpent with the richest promise. NO one III
the limits of the Conederacy' o. ms age, PoSse no
limits: the fruits thereof were without measure.
He had ransacked not only the sources OF Know
ledge contained in the modern languages; he was !
net only familiar with all that makes the accom- |
pshmept of q scholar in its widest acceptatlon; !
but into the more hidden arcana he had penetrated,
and brought to light the hidden wealth which gennls
only, when united to patient industry, can succeed
in possessing Nor was his the mere acquisition OF
curious knowledge; the enjoyment OF that mental
wealth which fails to benefit his race however mucn
it adorns its His talents were Industrious
ly employed in the application of what he had
gained the practical uses of life and the good Of
his race.
His desire for the acquisition of knowledge was
exhibited in every department where it could be
found. The studies which often repel, seemed to
him. because they involved mental exercise, to be
invested with fascination which irresistible.
His success in mastering the languages, was ex-
changed for. the control he acquired of the mos:
difficult branches of mathematics and mechanics;
and these would be relieved by that fervid enthu
siasm, with which his soul was lighted; and of
which he has left SO interesting a specimen in his
portraiture of Spain and the Spaniards.
He was jurist Of remarkable ability. Quick in
his apprehension courteous in his style; cogent in
his argument; close in his deductions; he but re-
QQlTeU the concentration OF powers
Gus mistress, the law, to have reached the highest
distinctions it confer.
He loved his family, his friends, his studies. But
| more than all he loved liberty. He was passionate
in his admiration of the blessing of constitutional
freedom. He sympathized in every struggle for
| freedom; but he felt that to love liberty was an
| empty mackery, unless that love was exhibited IN
the sacrifice which its acquisition requires. With
him, to be free, to be prepared for and to en-
gage in the struggle it ever demands. To arms,
therefore, he gave much of his attention His sym
patty for those who would peril all in such strug
gle were not confined to localities And when, under
tie lead of Sardinia Italy for deliverance be
fOrsook ease and comfort, friends and family, and
crossed the to offer his services in that
rable struggle. He arrived at its termination, too
date to assist in the battes but not too late to re-
ceve the recognition OF his offer from Count Cavour,
and to know that but for the peace of Villa Franca
| he would have received the appointment he
sought
His ever active mind led him thence to Spain.
To his book should reference be made for the
tnzing gaze with which, as a traveller, he
dered through that interesting land. The charms
of Spanish romance had the greatest attraction for
him, who nurSed as his guide in life, spirit of
more than Castilian honor.
In passing through France, where journeying
homeward he spent some time, he perfected himself
in many of the accomplishments of the soldier. 1t
was not sufficient for him to know how anything
should be done; he vas only satisfied when he
knew that he could do il himself And it was here
that he acquired that practical knowledge of the
drill in different arms which enabled him in his
brief military career to be so useful to those whom
he commanded
When the State of South Carolina seeded, and
he citizens were summoned to arms, he was called
to the command of the rifle regiment of this city.
1t his lot to seize upon Castle Pinckey in this
harbOr and restore it to the possession Of the State
His services were arduous snd unrem;tting. At
Srlli lei riaf T,la A.
where his command was from time to time placed
he united his soldiers to him by the strong ties
which are produced by the sympathy of the officer
with the soldier, and the confidence of the soldier
in the officer. His bed as hard as that Of the
poorest man who obeyed him-his fare as coarse as
that which any soldier had. And if the attention
of friends heedtul Of his comforts would send him
supplies for his own USE the hospital other
mode in which all could share its good, was the dis
position he would make Of the kindness intended
for himself
When general war was no longer to be avoided
he sought the most active service. His regiment
was more than ready to follow him But it was
not deemed prudent to withdraw it from service in
! this vicinity, aud his request was not granted.
But the expectation of future activity could not
compensate with him for present inactivity Before
US now lies in his own handwriting sketch Of the
modes of defence he considered necessary for the
safety Ct the city. And great would have been the
benefit, if any position could have been secured for
him, by which his active service could have been
here employed
Unable to resist the attraction which the most
active service ever presented TO him. he resigned
his command of the Rife Regiment, and becane a
private in the Washington Light Infantry Vo!un-
teeFs.
But his merits were widely known North. Car
DINA was sending her into the field and with
out his knowledge or solicitation, and without the
acquaintance of those " no composed it he was
elected Colonel of one of the regiments of that State
With 1t he went into service in Virginia, and his
regiment soon gave evidence Of the ability of the
officer who commanded it
1t was not, however, merely as the Colonel of
regiment of infantry that his usefulness was felt
His abilities as an engineer his skill as q soldier
were acknowledged and exhibited the aid he afford
| ed in the location and completion CT the batteries
| which, for a time, constituted the blockade of the
/ Potomac.
| He was deeply sensitively alive to all that con-
cerhed' the honor of South Carolina When the dis
aster at Port Royal gave for time free rein =;
the tongue of scandal it affected our Site moth
ing could be more touching han ;ls manly letter,
so earnest IN his inquiries to know the truth salts
ned that Eh::: 20 heard could not be the truth
I IL was supposed by some in the State that his
presence here would be of great use p the prepare
ton for the emergencies which were then being
rapidly developed Application to that effect was
made but the reply was that he was in position
| too important to admit Of his change.
! After this the President offered him the commits
| sion Of Brigadier General He declined it. The
reasons were such as might be supposed to infu-
ence his conduct His regiment he said lie believed
was attached to him, and he to it: it had given him
its command, without his solicitations, and he could
not leave it. Besides this, he said he had never
been under fret was yet to DO seen how he would
behave. There were others who had been frequent
ly tried, and such places should be given to those
| who had been proved worthy of them.
|. Subsequently, this the offer AGAIN
upon him. He felt it his duty no longer to dechne;
but at the same time expressed the reluctance with
which he left his regiment
His death is that which, If we had the power to
select would have been desired by him lie fell at
! the head OF his command-hs sword bared-his
breast the bulwaIk for the capitol of his country.
Around him sleeps hundreds Who with the like gen
erOns spirit and PATRIOTIC nurnnSe haue rnldnd I'M