The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1869-09-04
Albert Sidney johnson.

he was very large and massive
in figure, and finely proportioned.
He measured six feet two inches
in hight, and had flesh to give
him perfect symmetery. His face
was large, broad and high, and
beamed with a look ofstriking be.
nightly. His features were hand.
somely moulded. He was very
straight and carried himself with
grace and lofty and simple digni-
ty. He dressed neatly but always
IN full Confederate grey Generals
uniform, that suited him admifa
bly,. His whole appearance indi-
Gated in marked degree power,
decision, serenity, thought and
benevolence. We thought him
then at first flush, and thought it
unvaryingly afterwards, and think
now in the hallowing memory Of
his noble manhood, made sacred
by the conservation of his thrill
ing and heroic death for the South.
ern cause, that he was one of the
sweetest and most august men we
ever met. His character was en-
trancing in its pure nobility
There was something in his man
ner that emboldened confidence,
and when we got through, moth.
ing could exceed the fatherly man
ner with which he replied eneour-
aging, instructing and assuring
us of his kindness. He profered
to help US with his counsel, or
otherwise; invited US to call on
him at any time and, giving ns
the necessary orders we left.
1t was that gentle politeness
that won everybody whoapproach
ed him, and endeared him to his
headquarters, and in the field, and
he always was the same affable,
considerate, fatherly gentlemen,
inspiring the grayest, winning the
fondest regard and exciting the
highest admiration. But we must
hasten OH to our interview with
him. 1t was at Corinth, Missis.
sippi, q few days before the bloody
battle of Shiloh. We had some
important business, and rode to
his headquarters. He met us
with his usual cordiality, but stat
ed that in consequence OF pressing
matters he would be unable to-
give ue his personal attention;
and must, for once, refer us to his
Adjutant General, but that we
must not feel slighted, and he
would also be glad to see us here
after with the same freedom.
The consideration of his manner
and remarks amid the engrossing
occupation Of preparing that great
movement of Shiloh upon which
he depended so much to retrieve
the disasters of Donaldsonville
and Nashville, prove how thor.
ough a gentleman he was, and
how kindly was his heart. He
bid us good morning with a friend
" grasp of the hand, and we
never spoke to him again. That
mighty struggle at Shiloh came
on. We saw him once in the
dreadful carnage, flashing across
the field the incarnation of the
splendid warrior. He always
rode large and magnificent horses.
His fovorite steed was q gray
And when he was mounted upon
the noble animal he was the beau
ideal of a general. His firm;
graceful seat in the saddle, his
majestic proportions, his sodierly
carriage, bis handsome uniform,
his noble countenance, the radi-
ant bearing of knightly chiyalry
that marked every movement and
feature, all leave a proud remeis1-
brance of gallant and striking
manhood, for these to dwell upon
who knew and loved him. a5N
He was killed about 12 o'clock
in the first days fight.
When the historian sits to wFitB
what will be the fair chronicle of
the turbulent war of those times,
viii lovingly dwell upon no char
acter more shining; illustrioas
and exalted--upon no hero more
luminous for chivalry, patriotisrng
genius aud sublime manhood
than Albert Sydney Johnson
augusta C0nstitationdIist.