The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-01-24
AnSsrsoll ynttuigertter.
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston.
By REV. EDWARD sexrA1NE.


BY REV. EDWARD Fe&TA1NE.
I never heard Sidney Johnston make
nnblic speecfr. His nnodesty made him
averse 10 aay display of his Talents but
he was highly gifted in his conversation !;
and whether his'companlons were ladies
ar. gentlemen, he never failed to amuse
and al instruct them. he spoke fuently
but deliberately, and always used the
most correct and appropriate words to
express has ideas. En- che course of many
years, in camp, in garrison, in his own
parlor, and while travelling with him
Through thewilds of Texas, I never heard
aim say rude or silly thing, OF utter an
expression obnoxious to the most rehned
christian lady. Yet his conversation
abounded with anecdotes, and was spiceda
with wit and humor. His knowledge OF
ancient aad modern history, and espe-
eially that ofeur country was thorough {;
and his acquaintance with every depart
ment of natural science was very exten-
sives He was particularly fond Of dis
eussine the merits of all the recent dis
coyarics in geology, and the various
branches of natural history.
/ recollect an incident which viii give
yeu,some idea of his humor. A clerical
friend who was often his companion in his
angling excursions in the Colorado bot
tom, brought upon himself severe at
tack Of intermittent fever BY indnlging
too freely in the innocent amusement
during the 'dog-days." Wading. in the
cold water with an August sun burning
npon his head ut noon, and inhaling the
Miasmatic vapor from the decaying moss
andAa squatic plants left dead upon the
sand bars of the river, shrank within it's
narrowest limits in the dry season, had
given him sthe chills" The general, with
seme ether friends, called to see him dur
ing his illness. One of them asked him
how be made himself sick? He replied
that he could not account for the attack,
unless ithad been caused by getting wet
inBastion's creek and the Colorado river.
General Johnston then said, 81 will an
swer the question for my friend. / know
his habits, well and [ have been with
him frequently lately; and but for very
strong constitution, ] would probably be
now in his condition; but he is a clergy
man. and as such he does not like to con-
fess that he has made himself sick by fire.
ouenting too much lo,o places"
He was regular attendant at church
but never knew him to commune at the
sacrament Of the Lords supper. His wife
was q very pious and useful member of
TIE Episcopal church. do not recollect
ever to have heard him express his opin-
ION upon the subject of religion except
once. I dined with him Sunday after
preaehibga sermon upon sThe doctrine of
special Providence" to which he listened
with profound attention. After dinner,
while conyersing with him and Mrs. john
ston. he; remarked "Your sermon to-day
interested me very much. / believe firm
" the doctrine of q particular Providence
which directs or controls the destiny of
the worlds or atoms !; and l. will relate an
incident in my own life, which, with many
others of similar character, has confirm
ed me in my belief; and which l think
will serve to illustrate the truth of your
sermon. As the paymaster Of this de-
partmept of our army, / have for the last
four years visited Fort Croghan, Fort
Worth, and other garrisons in Texas,
regularly once in three months to pay
our troops. have generally had the
same escort of soldiers whom [ can trust.
fshave had the same ambulance, the same
mules and the same driver; and during
Zach quarterly trip between Fort Croghan
haiFort Worth, have invariably camp
ed about one hour before sunset under a
certain post oak tree, near fine spring,
at tho end of my first days journey from
Fort Croghan.
TgThe mules were 80 accustomed to the
spot that whenever I reached it, without
waiting for the guidance of the driver or
the command to halt, they went to the
oak Tree, and turned the wagon around
in position suitable for unloading and
pitching the tent under it, I used the
body Of the tree as support for the tent,
one end. of which was fastened to it. In
order to reach this camping place in
proper time wac in the habit Of starting
punctually ut 8 o'clock in the morning,
anda do not remember to have deviated
five minutes from that hour in four years
exception ono occasion. The ambulance
and escort were all ready and waiting for
thsotdert TO march. But + sat conversing
with ,the officers and ladies of the post Ole
hoar later, than usual. remember think
ing Several times that had better be off
but I felt an aversion to starting for which
I could give no good reason. At length
I.feunds that had idled an entire hour,
and gave the order to move. One hour
latersthan usual, travelling four miles an
hour, was at distance OF four miles
from the camping place when met fu-
rious storm from the northwest.
ea.s9hc wind, rain and hail, accompanied