Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-03-30

Alter lapse OF nine years the follow
ing interesting letter will be read with
interest by the Southern people, andthe
defenders Of the Lost Cause:
In a recent issue of the New Orleans
Times. l notice an article speaking of
the incident. attending the death of
General Albert Sidney Johnston. that
does great injustice to a portion of the
Generals staff.
1t states, in substance, that General
Johnston. induced his staff, who were
bis intimate personal friends, toremain
in the rear, whilst he, with a single
member of his staff, and DIR. Yandell,
rode forward and was wounded. Such,
however, is not the case. No doubt his
kind and generous heart would have
willingly made the sacrifice. but it would
be little to the credi. of his staff had
they permitted it.
l can speak positively for myself He
had given me his last order. can
never forget his appearance at the mo-
ment. He had witnessed the maiden
fight of the 2nd Texas under Colonel
Moore. and our troops were driving the
enemy in every direction. "Lieut. Bay
lor," !" said he, sso tell Gen. Chalmers to
sweep forward towards the left and
drive the Yankees into the river
With sparkling eyes and flushed cheeks,
leaning forward in his saddle, and wav-
ing his band majcstically as he gave
the order. he seemed to me the person.
ifcation If Southern chivalrv.
DIR. Yandell was not with him, or the
Yankees mi ght have been driven into
the river. As the General passed
group. he Saw. living PROSTATE and help
less. Confederate and Federal wounded
in the midst and heat of battle-his
great and noble heart was moved, and
he ordered DR.. Yandell to stop and
dress their wounds. Perhaps. too. the
old blue uniform brought back memo
ries of happy hours passed with his
brother officers, and he gave that cour-
tcsy to a fallen foe that has been de-
MED his remaius.
Gov. Isham G. Harris, Of Tennessee,
and Capt. Leigh Wickam, A. A. Q. NJ,
and Major O'Hsra, and perhaps others
Of his staff. were with him when wound
ed. Gov Harris. if my memory serves
me right, gave me the following account
of his being wounded: A portion of
his staff were carrying his orders. and
was absent. but those have mentioned
were With him in the charge when he
was wounded. Gov. Harris asked him
after the charge, General. are you
wounded 2" The General answered,
ives, but tits only a scratch and then
gave the Governor an order TO carry
Gov Harris was gone but q moment,
and saw when he returned that the
General looked pale, and asked him if
he had been wounded again. No
said be, but am more seriously wound
ed than l imagined, ani will ride to the
rear and find surgeon He began to
reel in his saddle, aud was taken by
those with him from his horse, and
placed in n ravine.
In seeking for Gen. Johnston. I met
Mai. O'Hars, who asked me If | knew
where he could get surgeon aud am.
bulance. then asked him where the
General was; he directed me to him.
and I told him where / had seen some
surgeons at farm house near bv, and
we rode together and found Gen. John
ston lying speechless. took bis hand
and spoke to him, but Gov Harris said:
1T is useless, Lieutenant, he has been
insensible some moments Gov. Har-
ris then asked for come brandy. which
Gen. Preston handed him IL a aask. /
raised his head on nv knees, ard he
swallowed the brandy. but became weak
er everv moment. Lieut.. Jack relieved
me, as had become cramped from be-
ing on INV knees. In few moments
the General expired. The enemy bad
now advanced. and our troops were
holding them at bav Thus. amidst the
whistle Of mimic balls, the scream of
shells, aud the shouts of contending
hosts, this noble spirit passed away and
his last act, wh;ch cost him his life. seas
pity and help to the Federal wounded :
This act has been miserably requited,
but his memory caa never be made in.
famous by such orders rs desecrate the
dead.
Many Of his old companions in arms
in the q. s. A, will drop a tear in
memory of Albert Sydney Johnston,
when they know how he died.
GRo WYrHr BArLoR.