Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-03-06
HOW GEN. JOHNSTON DIED.

UOObTOht reUIuhIy " loOts f1uttof
Telegraph In recent issue Of the New
Orleans Times, notice an article speak
ing Of the incidents attending the death
of General Albert Sydney Johnston, that
does great injustice to portion Of the
Generals staff.
1t states, in substance, that Gen. john
ston induced his staff, who were his init.
mate personal friends, to remain in the
rear, whilst he, with q single member Of
his staff and DIR. Yandell, rode forward
and was mortally wounded. Such, how
ever, was not the case. No doubt his
kind and generous heart would have viii.
lingly made the sacrifice, but it would be
little 10 the credit of his staff had they
permitted it.
can speak positively for myself He
had given me his last order l can never
forget his appearance at the moment.
He had witnessed the maiden fight Of the
I'd Texas, under Col. Moore, and our
troops we're driving the enemy in every
direction. Lieut. Baylor" said he,
go 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, and waving his hand majesti.
cally as he gave the order, he seemed to
me the personfcation of Southern chiv-
airy.
DIR. Yandell was not with him, or the
Yankees might have been driven into
the river. As the general passed
group, he saw, lying PROSTATE and help
less, Confederate and Federal wounded
in the midst and heat of battle-his
great and noble heart was moved, and
he ordered DR.. Yandell 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 courtesy to a
fallen foe that has been denied his re-
mains
Gov. Isham G. Harris, of Tennessee,
and Capt. Leigh Wickham, A. A. Q. NJ,
and Major o. Hara, and perhaps others
of his staff, we're with him when wounded
Gov. 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 were
with him in the charge when he was
wounded. Gov. Harris asked him after
the charge. General, are you wounded2"
The General answered, Yes, but tbs
only scratch" and then gave the Gov
ernor an order to carry. Gov. Harris
was gone but moment, ard saw when
he returned that the General looked
pale, and asked him if he had been
wounded again. "No," said he, "but |
am more seriously wounded than j i'm
agined, and will ride to the rear and find
surgeon" he began to reel in his
saddle, and was taken by those with him
from his horse, and placed in a ravine.
In seeking for Gen. Johnston, met
Major o Hara, who asked me if l knew
where he could get surgeon and an
ambulance. then asked him whore the
General was he directed me to him, and
told him where had seen some sur
geons at farm house near by, and we
rode together and found Gen. Johnston
lying speechless. | took his hand and
spoke to him, but Governor Harris said
ut is useless, Lieutenant, he has been
insensble some moments Governor
Harris tnen ASkeu lot bOUe Dranuyi
which Gen. Preston handed him in flask.
/ raised his head, and he swallowed
the brandy, but became every moment
weaker. Lieut.. Jack relieved me, as |
had become cramped from being on my
knees. In few moments the General
expired The enemy had nowadvanced,
and our troops were holding them at bay.
Thus, amidst the whistle of mimic balls,
the screaming shells, and the shouts of
contending hosts, this noble spirit passed
away, and his last act, which cost him
his life, was pity and help to the Federal
wounded This act has been miserably
requited, but his memory can never be
infamous by such orders as desecrate
the dead.
Many of his old companions in-srms
in the u. S. A., will drop a tear in mem
ory of Albert Sydney Johnston, when
they know how he died.
GEO. WYTHE BAYLOR.