Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-03-30
correspondence Hepderson tKy3 News j
Albert Sidney Johnston.

n
ropose side by side. However gatifying to
the two Generals, hostile in life, but like
brothers in the repose of the grave, the facts
do not warrant the statement. Their graves
are far apart.
After the death of Gen. j Johntson, on the
battle field of Shiloh, hislbody was conveyed
to New Orleans, where it received the honota
accorded to a Lieutenant G General-lay in
state several days in the City Hall, and was
entombed in one of the mAusolea in the Gem
etery of ST. Louis The whole city attended
the sepulture, under the, e,greatest oppression
of sorrow.
A glowing panegyric was penned by sol-
dier of Shiloh, inserted into glazed frame,
and hung in front of the niche, into which
the body had been walled. This was copied
into most Of the papers in the Confederacy,
and was deemed just tribute to the VIRTUES
and deeds of the illustrous hero.
In January, 1867, committee of the Tex
as Legislature arrived in New Orleans, to OBJ.
tain the remains of General Johnston, and
convey them to Texas; as their final resting
place. And, this because he had been citi-
zen of that State. His bereaved widow and
children still reside there.
The committee applied to Gen. Sheridan,
the military Commandant of the Department,
for permission to remove the body. He gave
a reluctant and ungracious consent, prohibit
ing any manifestations of public regard for
the departed chieftain. He even intimated
that any gathering of the people, more than
the immediate friends, would be highly dis
pleasing Accordingly only the friends of
Gen. Johnston were invited to attend.
So, on balmy sunshiuy evening, an i'm
tneuse multitude gathered in and around the
walls of the ancient cemetery, which of it.
self, is one of the greatest curiosities of New
Orleans.
The tomb was unsealed with solemn, rei-
gous rites, similar to those held at the dsin-
tcrmcnt Of the body of the Great Napoleon
in st. Helena, A D., 1341.
The coffin, which FIVE years before had
been so carefully deposited, was found caushed
and torn to fragments. 1t was then recol>
lected that the Infamous vdndal, Gen. Butler,
had caused the tomb to be violated and the
coffin torn to pices, under the suspicion that
it might contain treasure. arms or ammunition.
The remains were gathered into casket,
but alas! how few aud meager the remains
Of the great commander. A few bones, to
which adhered fragments of shriveled flesh,
baked in its narrow house by the odors of
tropical sun. But there was that large skill,
that noble dome of thought, that had been
the abode Of that mighty mind, which made
him pre-eminent among renowned generals,
as a great commander.
And this was all that remained of that ma
jestic form, which on the morning of the 9th
of April, 1862, led u mighty host into bat
tie and to victory Oh, God ! earth is not
mans abiding place!
T. y, Iolo that {Io ooffiD aonl1
be conveyed along the intricate paths that
wind between the irregular tombs of this
strange old cemetery. At length it was placed
beneath the black pail and nodding plumes
Of poudcrous hearsc, drawn by four white
horses, led by liveried grooms
BY the sides of the hearse there walked, as
pail bearers, several distinguished Confederate
Generals. There was Beauregard, trim and
erect and the 1.-the; tall form of Bragg and
Buckner with his majestic port; and Long
street and Wheeler, and Harry Hays and
jeff Thompson. The only carriage in that
long procession followed Immediately after
the hearse and conveyed Hood, too much
manned to be able to walk.
Behind came, first, long procession OF
ladies, the elite of the city. For high posi-
tion, intelligence and refined manners, they
could not be surpassed by any equal number,
upon earth. Albeit, accustomed to ride in
sumptuous carriages, they now walked in
the middle of the street. They trod un-
fnchingly the slum of the street, because
they were doing honor to the ilustrious hero.
The procession moved on slowly and sadly
amidst the most awful stiffness and solemnity.
''Not bell was tolcd. nor funeral note"
The occasion was too solemn and awful for
tears. Indeed in the minds of many, the de-
parted chieftain whose obsequies were now
celebrated for the second time, was deemed
happy and fortunate, for he had passed away
in the full tide of victory, while we, the sur
vivors were suffering the ignominy inflicted
by coarse and insolent tyrant, who had learned
ed how to insult and Cypress free and noble
people, from the outrages of British tyranny
inflicted upon his Irish brethren in his own
native land.
Indeed, it was momentarily expected that
Phil. Sheridan would from his military den
in Coliseum Place order the procession to be
dispersed by Federal bayonets, and those bay
onets in the hands of negro troops.
However, the procession moved on, gaining
accessions the whole of the way, until it
reached the bank of the Mississippi dis
tance eff nearly two miles.
The casket was.then taken from the hearse
and placed on board of boat, which imme-
diateIy started for Texas. After watching
the vessel out of sight, the immense concourse
returned solemnIy and sadly to their homes
Upon the arrival at Galveston. the commit
tee experienced much detention. The citi-
zens of Galveston were prohibited by the
military authorities from manifesting the least
respect for the remains of Gen. Johnston
But at length they were conveyed to his for
mer home, and now repose in their last rest
ing place in the soil of Texas. d. S.
WEAR THIS IN Your HAT.-Pay your
debt as soon as you get any money in your
pocket. Do without what you don't need
Speak your mind when necessary. Hold your
tongue when prudent Speak to friend in