Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-06-11
"Reminiscences of the Private Life of Gen
Albert Sidney Johnston.
BY REV EDWARD FoNTAISE.

From the Daily Mississippian.l ss
| never heard him make public
speech. His modesty made him averse
to any display Of his talents but he was
highly gifted in conversation; and
whether his companions were ladies or
gentlemen, he never failed to amuse and
to instruct them. He spoke iuently but
deliberately; and always used the most
correct and appropriate words toexpress
his ideas In the course OF many years
in camp, in garrison, in his own parlor,
and while travelling with him through the
wids of Texas, never heard him say
rude or silly thing; or utter AN express
sion obnoxious to the most refined Chris
tian lady. Yet his conversation abound
ed with anecdotes, and was splced with
wit and humor. His knowledge OF an
cient and modern history, and especially
that of our country was thorough; and
his acquaintance with every department
of natural science was very extensive
He was particularly fond of discussing
the merits of all the recent discoveries IN
geology, and the various branches OF nat
ural history.
recollect an incident which will give
you some idea of his humor. A clerical
friend who was often his companion in
his angling excursions in the Colorado
bottom, brought upon himself a severe
attack of intermittent fever by indulglng
too freely in this innocent amusement
during the dog days" Wading in the
cold water with an August sun burning
upon his head at noon, and inhaling the
miasmatic vapor from the decaying moss,
and aquatic plants left dead upon the
sand bars Of the river, shrank within its
narrowest limits in the dry season, had
given him "the cbills The General,
with some other friends, called to see
him during his illness One of them
asked him how he had made himself sickY
He replied that he could not account for
the attack, unless it had been caused by
getting wet in Barton's creek, and Colo
RADIO river. General Johnston then said,
81 will answer your question for my
friend. | know his habits well; and l
have been with him frequently lately
and but for very strong constitution, l
would probably be now in his condition
but he is clergyman, and as such, he
does not like to confess that he has made
himself sick by frequen,ing too much
ioio places"
He was very regular attendant at
church, but ! never knew him TO com
mune at the sacrament of the Lord sup
per. His wife was a very pious and use
ful member of the Episcopal church. |
do not recollect ever 10 have heard him
express his opinion upon the subject of
religion except once. / dined With him
one Sunday, after preaching q sermon
upon "The doctrine of Special Proyi
dence," to which he listened with pro-
found attention. After dinner, while con-
yersing with him and Mrs. Johnston, he
remarked: Your sermon to-day inter
ested me very much. believe firmly
the doctrine OF particular Providence
which directs or controls the destiny of
worlds or atoms; and / will relate an
incident in my own life, which, with
MANY others of similar character, has
confirmed me in my belief, and which ]
think will serve TO illustrate the truth of
your sermon. D..
our army. / have for the last four years
visited Fort Croghan, Fort Worth, and
the other garrisons in Texas, regularly
once in every three months to pay our
troops | have generally had the same
escort OF soldiers whom ! can trust
have had the same ambulance, The same
mules, and the same driver; and during
each quarterly trip between Fort Gro
CHAN and Fort Worth, have invariably
camped about one hour before sunset
under a certain post oak tree, near tine