Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-08-27
From the Augusta Constitutionalist.
A'oeF' sidney JOhnstOn-tccTsinircC %
an Interview with HIM,

lie was very large and massive in figure.
ant hnvly proportloacl. He measured
SIX feet two inches m height aud had flesh
10 gave min perfect symmetry. His face
N't3 lN;G". broad ana hlgh, aud beamed
with l"oi> uf striking hrulgnity. His
feature" Mrro htnheunely munacd Hc
WI" very Sirm"ht and carricj himself with
&rtno and lofty nnd simple dignity. He
dressed neatly, hat always m iuIl Con-
t"d''r:tt" gay G"uurol'a umIiu,lu, that
HuI'"d hInt admirably. III. whuio appear
thre lhdi'htod, III Il marked dtrsrrc, power
decision, serenity, thought. henuvOlence.
We Thought hun th>n at first flush. and
thought 1t unVRryingly afterwards, and
think now In tho haliowing memory of his
noble manhood, made sacred bv the con-
secration of his thrilling and heroic death
for the Southern cause, that ho was one of
the sweetest and most august men we ever
met His character was enhancing in it's
pure nobility. There was something in
his manner that eInbOldened confidence.
and when got through, nothing could ex-
ceed the fatherly manner with which he
replied, encouraging, instructiug, and as
suring us of his kindness ao Broflered
to help us with his counsel, or otherwise
invited us to call on him at any .ime, and
giving US the necessary orders we left
1t was that gentle politeness that won
everybody who approached him, and en-
deared him to his people. Often after
ward we met him at his headquarters and
in the field, and he always Was the same
affable, considerate, fatherly gentleman,
inspiring tho gravest reverence, winning
the fondest regard, and exciting the
highest admiration. Bat we must hasten
to our interview with him. 1t was at
Corinth, Mississippi, few days before
the bloody battle of Shiloh. We lad some
important business, and rode to his head
quarters He met Us with his usual cor
diality, but that in consequence Of pressing
matters he wonld be unable to give us his
personal attention, and must, for once,
refer us to his Adjutant General, but we
must not feel slighted, and he would also
be glad to see us hereafter with the same
freedom.
The consideration of his manner and re-
marks amid the engrosSing occupation of
that great movement to Shiloh,
upon which he depended SO much to re-
trieve the disasters of Donaldson and
Nashville, prove how thorough q gentle
man he was, and how kindly was his
heart. He bid us good morning with q
friendly grasp Of the hand, and We never
spoke to him again. That mighty struggle
the dread carnage, flashing across the
field, the incarnation Of the splendid war
rior. He always rode large and magnificent
horses. His favorito steed was gray
And when he wGs mounted upon the noble
animal he was tho beau ideal of O general.
His firm, graceful seat in the saddle, his
majestic proportions, his soldierly car
riage, his handsome uniform, his noble
countenance, the bearing of knightly
chivalry that marked every movement and
feature, all leave proud remembrance of
gallant and striking manhood, for those
to dwell upon who knew and loved him.
He was killed about twelve o'clock in
the first days fight.
When the historian sits to write what
will be the fair chronicles of the turbulent
war of those times, he will lovingly dwell
upon no character more shining, illustrious
and exalted-upon no hero more lumi
nous for chivalry, patriotism, gonious and
sublime manhood, than Albert Sidney
Johnston.