The Portland daily press., 1869-03-22

Monday Morning, March 20, 1859.
Correspondence Of the New York Evening POst.l
The Family of Andrew johnson.
INTERESTING PERSONAL PARTICULARS.
WAGufNcron MI n .aoo
PORTLAND

WASHINGTON, March DISCO.
The family OF Mr.. Andrew johnson was
the least ostentatious Of any that has vet in
habited the White House, and lis mcmbers
preserved at the capital the simple manners
of their former state. The retirement and
quiet OF their life was SO great that many
are curious to know Of them. and a few
words OF description may be interesting to
your readers.
During her occupancy Of the Executive
Mansion Mrs. johnson has lived almost as
secluded as a nun. This has been In part
owing to a bronchial difficulty and a con-
sumptive tendency, with which she was first
afflicted at the beginnine OF the rebellion.
This physical trouble was subsequently, AZ.
eravated by the loss OF her eldest and iavor-
ite son, who was thrown from his horse and
instantly killed, at the beginning Of the war,
whilst on his round OF duty, a. surgeon Of
the First Regiment Tennessee Infantry.
Very lew American women have suffered
more than Mrs. johnson In behalf OF the
Union. She has known what Il was 10 an
with her own hands the basket Of bread and
mea. that was to be stealthily couveved to
hiding-place tn the mountains, % keep from
starvation her daughters husband. IL was
a ehastened spirit she brought 10 the White
House, and though her presence was seldom
denied TO her personal friends, with the Ait
Mrs. Andrew johnson, whose maiden name
was Eliza hcCardel. was born In 1911, and
VIII be tityeight yrars Of aes en- her next
birthday. She Is two years younger than her
husband and not older, as the newspapers are
in the habit OF telling the story. She was
married in Greenville, Tennessee, when she
was IN the eighteenth year Of her age. Her
young husband at the time was not twenty
The honeymoon was spent in teaching the
future President the rudiments OF education,
Mrs johnson says "sheaaught him the letters
but he was an apt scholar, and acquired an
the rest himself.s With the exception of 4
few months in the early part of Mrs. john
sons married life, her home has always been
ia Greenville, Tennessee. 1t was here that
her i've children were born-three sons and
two daughters-of whom Mrs. Patterson Is
the eldest. This daughters name is Martha,
and she was married to Judge Patterson in
december, 1865. Soon after their marriage,
Mr. Patterson-who was practicing law at
the time-was appointed Judge of the first
Judicial district of East Tennessee. During
most OF the time of President Johnson's adj
mnistration he has occupied seat in the
Senate.
Mrs. Johnson's second daughter (Mary)
married Mr.. Stover in April, 1852 Col. Ste
yer was one of the leaders who headed the
Union men of East Tennessee. His patriot
ic course attracted the attention of the reb-
els at once, and without a moments prepara-
tion he was driven to the mountains of East
Tennessee. During the inclement months of
November, December and January, 1851, he
was hunted fugitive, hiding in the holes and
caverns OF the rocks. 1t was during this
awful winter that Mrs. johnson filed the
basket with meat and bread, when her daugh-
ter, the sorrowful wife, was SO smitten with
anguish that she had not the strength to per-
form the task. Every man who tapped at
the door of the lonely farm house was sup
posed to be coming to bring the news that
the son and husband was hanging to forest
tree.
At last, through the efforts of some old
personal friends who were strong rebels, he
was allowed to go home; but he brought with
him sharp, raspmg cough. Soon after he
was allowed to pass through the rebel lines in
company with his family and Mrs. johnson
He proceeded at once to Kentucky, where he
raised regiment which was afterwards
known as the Fourth Tennessee Infantry.
No braver regiment served during the war,
and but very few. did the country more efec-
tive service; but before this gallant band had
time to distinguish itself in any great battle
its brave energetic Colonel had passed away
at the early age OF thirty-fve.
3 Visitors at the White House during the
past two or three years may retain the MEM
ory of dignified, statuesque blonde, with a
few very fine points, which a fashionable but
terfly once said would make any women
belle If she only knew how to make the most
OF them. Mrs. StOYer never became star in
fashionable circles, and now that she has iefta
the gay capital, perhaps for a lifetime, she is
remembered by those who knew her best as
the charming companion of the domestic fire
side, truedaughter and judicious mother.
Robert johnson, the Oldest living son, en-
tered the army as volunteer while still
young boy; and was given a position among
cider men, on account of his father. 1t was
at this time that he formed the fearful habit
of intemperance. As soon as Mrs. johnson
was settled at the White House, she sent for
this son, hoping that his responsible position
as private secretary to the President, and the
personal influence of his sisters and herself,
could reclaim him; but alas she found his
new position, in its surroundings, still heay-
ier death-weight to her hopes. Clever, gen.
ial "Bob," the young man who had the ear of
the President at any time, was everybodys
friend. A crowd followed him wherever he
went The choicest viands of Willard's and
Welcker's were set before him, and miniature
rivers were made to float with wine. Robert
johnson is now in an asylum, hoping and
trying to overcome this vice. During the
few months of his soiourn in Washington he
provoked no enmity, and left many true per-
sonal friends.
Andrew johnson, Jr., the youngest child,
who makes the fourth and last of Mrs. John
| sons children, is boy of fifteen, attending
| the college for young boys in Georgesown,
ID. C.