Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1866-03-24

They hoped by securing his person.
TO prevent tho ConledoratVs from
receiving the benefit Of his services
Gaining information Of this By nc.
cidcnt. Gen. johnson determined
not to travel TO the South by sea,
but TO proceed br the overland route.
In company with II few devoted
friends. he set out across the noun
tains and plains, on n journey OF
nearly (if not fully two thousand
miles. These facts being known 10
President Davis, he at once commls.
stoned the gallant soldier a General
in the regular army Of the Coniede-
rate States,
On tho lst Of July, 1861, Gen,
Johnston arrived at Mesilla, in Ari-
zoma Territory, accompanied by
azzassl5. ihs1a .ciiizens Of California,
He was welcomed with great enthu-
siasm. The Commander Of the Con-
fedorato force "a mere handiuD in
that region, at once sought his adj
vice us to the proper course to DC
pursued, and, in accordance Will,
Gen. Johnston's suggestion, declar'
cd Arizona a Territory OF the Con.
iadorate Ststes.
From Mesilla Gen. Johnston con-
tinued his journey, and on 9th OF
September arrived at Richm; nd,
where he was received with joy.
His great reputation, and the re-
mariabIe proof Of his devotion to
the South, which he had so recent,
ly given, placed him high upon the
list OK Southern soldiers. His arri-
val was at Il fortunate moment. The
first efforts of the enemy had been
baiiled at Bethel and Manassas, and
the people of the South were anx-
iously awaiting the next act Of the
great drama. Lee, Joseph Johnson
and Beauregard were already in the
field, and Sidney Johnston would
prove a powerful coadiutor in the
STRUGGLE. Public sentiment de-
that he should be given the
command of the troops assembling
for tic defense of the Valley Of the
Mississippi. The great theatre af-
forded ample scope for the cNecu-
ton Of vast and brilliayt concep-
tions, and great commander was
for it. President Davis
was not slow to perceive the wish
es of the people, and ct once ap-
pointed Gen. Johnston to the com
mand Of the Department Of Ken
tuclly and Tennessee. Without
pausing for rest, he Immediately set
out for the West. 1t was the privi-
lege of the writer to sec him on the
of his departure from
Richmond, and never will he forget
the unaffected simplicity with which
Gen. Johnston submitted to Il series
OF annoyancos which would haye
ruGied the temper Of man Of more
than ordinary patience.
When Gen. Johnston left Rich
mond he was charged with the du-
ty Of deciding whittier to enter
Kentucky, or take position on the
bordero Tennessee. The occupa-
tion ofa positionon the sol OF Ken
tucISy involved serious political as
well as military considerations
The State of Kentucky with tim
idity unworthy of her ancient fame,
hestated to enter the contest on
eitheir side, and avowed herself in
favor of neutrality. 1t was evident
to all but the most infatuated that
in such a struggle no State could be
neutral, and the Federal Govern
ment resolved to take the initiative,
to throw aside the wishes Of Ken
lucky, and iorce her 10 aid It Home
guards were organized by the Fed
eral partisans, ostensibly for the
protection of the State, but really
for service in the Federal army. At
last throwing Off the garb of neu-
trality the Legislature of Kentucky
the enlistment OF men,
and placed the State on the side OF
the Union.
The Confederate authorities had
RETAINED from entering
kentucky, through respect for its
avowal of neutrality, but now, the
mask boing thrown of. it was i'm
portant to act promptly and with
vigor. Accordingly, in September,
1861. Gen. Polk entered Kentucky,
and occupied the town of Columbus
on the Mississippi river, and Gen.
Buckner took possession Of fBowling
Green. in the central and southern
Of the State, thus deciding
the onesfion of entering Kentucky
before the arrival Of Gen. Johnston.
At this time matters stood thus
Gen. Polk held Columbus, which
place he fortified heavily. He es-
an enirenched campat Fc-
liciana. thirty miles east of Colum-
bus. which held the enemy at Padu-
cah in check. These points consti-
tutsd the left Of the defensive line.
The centre was at Bowling Green.
under Gen. Bnclsnor whose COM
mand was originally about fouI
thousand streng. principally Ken
tuclxy refugees. This force was IN
a short time increased TO twelve
n susand-tIse right rested on the
Mountains. near the
celebrated Cumberland Gap and was
held by General Zollicofcr Through
This line passotthe Cumberland and
rivers. both navigable for
steamboats,. To protect the former
stream. Fort Donclson was erected,
while the latter was defended by
Fort Henry. Both Of these works
were hastily erected, and neither