Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-04
ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON.
"Reminiscences of an Interview with
Him.

Him.
From the Augusta Constitutionalist.
He was very large and massive in
hgule and finely proportional. He
measured six feet, two inches in
height, and had flesh to give him
perfect symmetry. His face was
large, broad and high, and beamed
with look of striking benignity.
His features were handsomely
moulded. He was very straight,
and carried himself with grace and
lofty and simple dignity. He dress
ed neatly, but always in full Con-
federate gray generals uniform,
that suited him admirably. His
whole appearance indicated, in
marked degree, power, decision, Sc
renity, thong bit and benevolence.
We thought him then, at first flush,
and thought it unyaryingly after
ward, and think now, in the hallow-
ing memory Of his noble manhood,
made sacred by the conservation of
his thrilling and heroic death for
the Southern cause, that he was
one OF the sweetest and most au.
gust men We ever met. His char
acter was enhancing in its pure
nobility. There was something in
his manner that emboldened conf.
dence, and when we got through,
nothing could exceed the fatherly
manner with which he replied, en-
couraging, instructing, and assuring
US OF his kindness. He proffered
to help us, with his counsel or
otherwise; invited us to call on him
at any time, and, giving us the nee
essary orders, we left.
1t was that gentle politeness that
won every body that approached
him, and endeared him to his peo-
pie. Often afterward, we met him
at his headquarters, and in the field,
and he always was the same affable,
considerate, fatherly gentleman,
inspiring the gravest reverence,
winning the fondest regard, and
exciting the highest admiration.
But we must hasten to our interr
view with him. 1t was at Corinth,
Mississippi, few days before the
bloody battle of Shiloh. We had
some important business, and rode
to his headquarters. He met us
with his usual cordially, but
stated that in consequence of pres
sing matters he would be unable to
give US personal attention, and
must, for once, refer US to his Ad-
Jutant General, but that we must |
not feel sighted, and he would also |
be glad to see US hereafter with the |
same freedom.
The consideration of his manner
and remarks amid the engrossing
occupation of preparing that great |
movement to Shiloh, upon which he |
depended so much to retrieve the
disasters of Donelson and Nash,
vile, prove how thorough a gentle
man he was, and how kindly was his
heart. He babe us good morning
with friendly grasp of the hand,
and we never spoke to him again.
That mighty struggle at Shiloh
came on. We saw him once in the
dread carnage, flashing across the
field, the incarnation of the splendid
warrior. He always rode large
and magnificent horses. His favor
lite steed was a gray. And when
he was mounted upon the noble
animal he was the beau ideal of
General. His firm, graceful seat in
the saddle, his majestic proportions,
his soldierly carriage, his handsome
uniform, his noble countenance,
the radiant bearing of knightly
chivalry that marked every moves
ment and feature, all leave q proud
remembrance of gallant and striking
manhood for those to dwell upon
who knew and loved him.
He was killed about Il o'clock in
the first days fight.
When the historian sits to write
what will be the chronicle Of the
turbulent war of those times, he
will lovingly dwell upon no char
acter more shining, illustrious and
exalted--upon no hero moro lumi-
nous for chivalry, patriotism,
genius and sublime manhood--than
Albert Sidney Johnston.