Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-04-27
How A. Sidney Johnson Died.
Hnu.ToN. F,b 5, 1867.


cen, i,.ue Of the New Orleans Times,
norire an article speaking of the incidents
attending the death OF Gen. Albert Sid
nev Johnson. thai does great injustice TO
portion Of the Generals staff.
1t states in substance thai Gen. John
son induced his stsH, who were his init
mate personal friends TO remain in ihe
:ear. willis, he, with single member OF
his sratf, and DR.. YandelI, rode forward
and was mcrIaly wounded. Such how
ever is not the case. No doubt lis Mind
and generous heart would have willingly
made sucl. a sacrifice, bot it would be 1T.
tie 10 The credit Of his staff had they per-
United it. can speak positively for my
self. tie had given me his last order. |
can never forget his appearance at the
momen,. He had witnessed the maiden
6ghr of The ID Texas, under Col Moore,
aud oar troops sere driving the enemy IN
every direction. Lieut.. Baylor said
he, go tell Gen. Chalmers 10 sweep 'Or-
ward toward the lefl. and drive the Yam
KEGS lnro the river" With sparkling
eyes aod flushed cheeks, leaning forward
IN Ills saddle, and waving his hand majes'
ucally as he gave The order, he seemed 10
me the persnnalion Of Southern chIvalfy
DR. Ysndell was not with him, or The
Yankees might have been driven into The
river. As the General passed group. he
saw lying PROSTATE and helpless the Con-
tedera.e and F, dersl wounded--in the
mids, aid heat of batle-his great and
noble heat was moved. and he ordered
DR.. Ysudell to stop and dress their
wounds. Perhaps, too, the cid blue unl'
form brought back memo les Of happy
hour. passed with his brother officers,
and he gave that courtesy 10 a fallen Toe
that has been denied his remains.
Governor l. ham G. Harris, Of Tennes-
see. and Captain Leigh Wickham, a, A..
q. NJ, and Msjor O'Hsra. and perhaps
Others OF his staff, we're with him when
wounded Governor Ilsrris, if my mem
ory serves NE right gave me the follow
,ng account Of his being wounded
p(TllbU tI MS SidH "'Ic NolI 'bS ~ w
dprs and were absent. but those have
mentioned we've with him in the charge
" hen he as wounded. "Goy. Harris
asked him alter the charge. General an.
swered, ives, bu, lis only scratch -
and then gave The Governor an order TO
carry. Governor Harris was gore but a
moment, and saw when be returned that
he General looked pale. and asked him
| if he had been wounded again. mo. "
said he, "bul | am more seriously wonn-
ded than | i'm sgined. and will ride TO the
rear and find surgeon' lie began TO
reel in his saddle. and was taken by those
with him from his horse and placed in a
ravne.
In seeking for Gen. Johnson,I met Ma,
jor o Hara. who asked me if l knew
" here he could ge, surgeon and ambu'
lance. thea asked him where the Gen
eIai as; he directed me 10 him, and |
old him, where had seen some sur
6eons al farm house near bv, and we
rode together and found Gen. Johnson
lying speechlfss. took his hand and
spoke 10 hun. but Gov. Harris said 81,
i, useless, Lieutensni, lie has been insen-
sibIe some moments" Gov. Harris then
asked for some brandy, which Gen. Pres.
ton handed him in flask. ] raised his
head on nv knees, and he swallowed the
brandy. but became every moment weak
er. Lieutenant Jack relieved me, as /
had become cramped from being on my
knees. In few moments the General
expired The enemy had now advanced
and our troops were holding them a, bay.
Thus, amidst the whistle Of minnie balls,
the scream Of 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 10 the Federal
wounded This &C, has been misersbly
requiled, but memory can never be made
Infamous by such orders as desecIate the
dead.
Many Of his old companions in arms in
the United States army will drop tear in
memory of Albert Sidney Johnson when
they know how he died.
GEoRGE WyTHE BAYLOR.