Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-03-22


HousroN, Feb. 5, 1867.
Mr. EDrroR In q recent issue OF the
New Orleans Times I noticed an article
speaking of the incidents attending the
death of General Albert Sidney Johnston
that does great injustice to portion OF the
Generals stall.
It states, in substance, that General
Johnston induced his staff, who were his in
innate personal friends, to remain In the
rear. whilst he, with single member OF his
staff and Dr. Yandell, rode forward and
was MORALLY wounded. Such, however, Is
not the case. No doubt his kind and ge-
nerous heart would have willingly made
the sacrifice, but it would be little TO the
credit of his staff had they permitted it.
can speak positively for myself. He
had oiyen me his las; order. l can never
FORGET his appearance at the moment. ne
had witnessed the raaiden fight Of the I'd
Texas, under Colonel Moore, and ourtroops
we're driving the enemy in every direction;
Sc Lieutenant Baylor" said he, Ego tell
Gen. Chalmers to sweep forward toward
the left, and drive the Yankees into the
river" With sparkling eyes and flushed
cheeks, leaning forward IN his saddle, ana
waving his hand maiestically as he gave the
order, he seemed to me the personadoh OF
Southern chivalry.
| DIR. Yandell was not with h IN, Or the
Yankees might have been driven into the
river, AS the General passed group he
saw, living PROSTATE and helpless, the Con
federate and Federal wounded-in the
midst and heat of battle-his great and no.
bic heart was moved, and he ordered DIR.
Yanden to stop and dress their Wounds
Perhaps, too, the old blue uniform brought
back memories Of happy hours passed with
his brother officers, and he gave that cour-
tesy to O fallen foe that has been denied his
remains.
Governor Isham G. Harris, of Tennes-
see, and Captain Leigh Wickham, A. A Q,
NJ, and Major O'Hara, and perhaps others
of his staff, were with him when wounded.
Governor Harris, if my memory serves me
right, gave me the following account Of his
being wounded A portion of his staff
were carrying his orders and We're
absent, but those | have mentioned
we're with him in the charge when
he was wounded. Governor Harris asked
him after the charge, g General, are you
wounded 2" The General answered, Eyes,
but it's only a scratch" and then gave the
Governor an order to carry. Gov. Harris
turned that the General looked pale, and
asked him if he had been wounded again.
No" said he, S'but am more seriously
wounded than | imagined, and will ride t.
the rear and find surgeon, He began tc
reel in his saddle, and was taken by those
with him from his horse and placed III G
rayine.
In seeking for General Johnston [ met
Major O'Hara, who asked II knew where
he could get q surgeon and ambulance. y
then asked him where the General was lie
directed me to him, and told him where
I had seen some surgeons at q farm house
near by, and we rode together and found
General Johnston lying speechless. took
his hand and spoke to him, but Gov. Harris
said cit is useless, Lieutenant, he has
been insensible some moments, Govern
} or Harris then asked for some brandy
! which General Preston handed him i'll Z
flask. l raised his head on my knees, and
he swallowed the brandy, but became every
moment weaker. Lieutenant Jack relieved
, me. as 7 had become cramped from being
on my knees. In few moments the Gen
eral expired. The enemy had now ad
vanced, and our troops were holding then
at bav. Thus, amidst the whistle of min
| ME balls, the scream Of shells, and thG
shouts of contending hosts, the noble spin
passed away, and his last act, which COS
him his life, was pity and help to the Fed
eral wounded This act has been misera
bly, requited, but his memory can ne7e
be made infamous by such orders as desc
crate the dead.
Many of his old companions in arms IL
the United States army will drop tear /,
. memory of Albert Sidney Johnston, whel
they know how he died.
Q GEORGE WYTHE BAYLOR.
t E.rchanqe PAPER.