The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-09-02
Albert sidney johnson.
REMrSrcENcEs OF AN INTERVIEW WITH HIM,
From the Augusta COnstitutionalist.

From the Augusta Constitutionalist.
He was very large and massive in figure,
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 dressed neat
Iy but always in full Confederate grey Gen
erals uniform, that suited him admirably.
His whole appearance Indicated in marked
degree power. decision, serenity, thought,
and beneVolence. We thought him then at
first flush. and thought it unvaryingly after
wards and think now in the hallOwing
memory of his noble manhood, made sacred
bv the conservation of his thrilling and he
roic death for the southern cause, that he
was one of the sweetest and most august
men we ever met. His character was en-
Grancing in its pure nobility. There was
something in his manner that emboldened
confidence and when we got through, moth
ing could exceed the fatherly manner with
winch he replied, encouraging, instructing,
and assuring us of his kindness. He prof.
fered to help us with his counsel, or OIL err
wise; invited us to call on him at any time,
and giving us the necessary orders, We left.
1t was that gentle politeness that won
every body that approached him, and en-
deared him to his people. Often afterward,
we met him at his headquarters. and in the
field, and he always was the same affable,
considerable, fatherly gentleman. inspiring
the gravest reverence, winning the f0ndest
regard, and exciting the highest admiration.
But we must hasten to our interview with
him. 1t was at Corinth, Mississippi, a few
days before the bloody battle of Shiloh.
We mad some important business, and rode
to his headquarters, lie met us with mis-
usual cordiality, but stated that in eonse-
quence of pressing matters he would be I'M
able to give us his personal attention. and
must, for once refer us to his Adjutant Gen.
eral, 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 re-
marks amid the engroSsing occupation of
preparing that great movement to Shiloh,
upon which he depended so much to retrieve
the disasters of Donaldson and Nashville.
prove how thorough a gentleman he was.
and how kindly was his heart. He bid us
good morning with a friendly grasp of the
hand. and we never spoke 10 him again.
That mighty struggle at Shiloh came on.
We saw him once in the dread carnage, fash
ing across the field, the incarnation of the
splendid warrior. He always rode large
and magnificent horses. His favorite steed
was gray. And when he was mounted up
on the noble animal he was the beau ideal
of a general. His firm, graceful seat in the
saddle, his majestic proportions, his soldierly
carriage, his handsome uniform, his noble
countenance, the radiant bearing of knight
1y ehivalry that marked every movement
and feature, all leave proud remembrance
of gallant and striking manhood, for those
to dwell upon who knew and l0ved him.
He was killed about II o'clock in the first
days fight.
When the historian sits to write what
viii be the chronicles of the turbulent war
of those times. he will lovingly dwell upon
no character more shining, illustrious and
exalted-upOn no hero more luminous tor
ehivalry. patriotism. genius and sublime
manhood, than Albert Sidney Johnson