The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-31
his simple but earnest cordially and invited
me to call again. f4.

his simple but earnest cordially and invited
me to call again.
/ SOMETHING ABOUT STAFF OFFICERS.
The members Of General Johnston's staff
were very much like him, and it has been
my observation Of the army that Generals
generally had staff officers who reflected very
faithfully the manners and treatment OF
their leaders. Arbitrary commanders had
arrogant subordinates. And polite and con-
siderate leaders had staff officers that by their
suavity and accommodation. increased the
esteem in which they were held, and en-
HANGED their popularity with the troops.
CAPTIVATING PoLITENEss. De-,
On every occasion and under all circum-
stances the writer found Generals Johnston
the same gentle dignifed, courteous. gen.
tleman, benignant and fatherly, unconscious
of high rank and autocratic authority, and
ready with hearty interest to give kind coun-
sci. The last time the writer ever called to
see him he receiveda characteristic evidence
of his thoughtful consideration. 1t was the
day before his army moved to fight the bat
tie of Shiloh. The General was in consulta-
| tion with his corps commanders preparing
for the. momentous movement. | sent in
my name. The officer in waiting brought
out the petite message that General john |
| ston regretted, but he was so engaged that
it was impossible to see me, but that If |
would call back at another time he would |
| be glad to receive me. That the general of
an army should extend such courtesy to an
humble captain impressed me strongly at !
the time, and have never ceased to remen- |
Der regretfully the kingly spirit that amid !
all the absorbing excitement of preparation |
for a great battle could thus observe the |
amenities OF politencss. l9
qJOHNsToN's DRAMATIC DEATH.
know of nothing more dramatic in the
history of this great war than Johnston's he
roic death. 1T savors ofantique glory. Every |
circumstance was redoient of chivary. 1t
Illustrated alike his military genius and his /
knightly spirit. In planning the campaign
his consummate generalship was displayed.
He was at CorintIl with three corps under
Bragg, Polk and Hardee, aggregatng about
$4,000 men, with Beauregard second in COM
mar d. ,H@
THE PLANS AT SHILOH.
Grant, the Union General, to whom be-
longs the inextingushable glory Of leading
the armies to the grand final victory, was
at Pittsburg landing on the Tennessee Riy-
er, eighteen miles distant, with six large di-
visions. Buell. with five division more was
coming up to join Grant, and when united
their object was to seize and destroy the
railroad junction at Corinth. Johnston's
object was to strike and annihiate Grant
before Buell. could reinforce him and thus
defeat him in detail The Federal force un-
der Grant was between $1,000 and 10000 |
men. =.
THE SUNDAY BATTLE AT PITTsBURG LAM
DING.
On Sunday, the 9Th Of April, 1862, john
ston with his eager army began his fateful
fight. 1t was a complete surprise in the mis-
ty Sabbath morning Of splendid army in
luxurious encampment. unsuspecting dam
ger. Never fought surprised force mole |
gallantry, nor was one ever handled more |
skillfully thus taken unawares. But the at I
tack was irresistible. With supreme daring |
Gen. Johnston urged on the onset. He han
died his army with brilliant impetuosity.-l
Wherever there was pause in the onward |
movement he led the charge in person. 10 |
| those who saw him that day, as the writer |
did, in all the glorious fever of that Gelirious |
success, mounted upon magnificent steed, |
his massive figure seeming to enlarge to gi- |
gantic size with the ardor Of battle, his noble |
face afame with his indomitable spirit of |
fight, he was the ideal embodiment of the |
fiery essence OF war. He threw himself with |
reckless Indifference into danger. The en-
tire line of the enemy was in retreat little !
before noon,
JOHNSTON IN PURSUIT, W
The victory was goriously begun. 1t is in
pushing broken enemy to utter annihila
ton that constitutes one of the chief merits |
of the great General. Johnston pressed the |
fierce pursuit Of the broken foe. Oblivious
of peril from the swarnling bullets of the |
retreating but still fighting enemy, he rode
| swiftly in.advance. 1t was in this supreme |
moment of victorious onset Il decisive tri-
umph seemingly in his eager grasp, that the
! fatal bullet struck him; small wound UNI
der the knee severing an artery. He never
needed it, but sweeping.on in the rush, ex-
claimed to one of his officers, ''We will wa
ter our horses in the Tennessee River to-