The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-15
SOME NEW HOOKS.


pctuns.l Much OF the informant On presented
In this work is now for the first time made ac-
ccssiblc. and the literary execution Is altogether
above the level Of most books, dealing with this
or cognate topics. Neither has the close tie
between the biographcr and his subject
narred to any material extent the artis-
tie effect Of the performance or less'ned
It's substantial worth. No doubt n natural bias
may sometimes be discovered In the discussion
81 controvcrted points. but the author while
pnting his own conclusions, is careful TO give
the evidence on which they rest. There Is no
effort to make Gen Johnston the central figure
Of his times or to drag into the memoir mat
trs cNtrancous tu his career. Whore any phase
Of life however. or series Of events was inter.
woven with 1t. the facts are recouned as sue
einctly mr. possible. and with an earnest striving
sitter accuracy which cannot be too heartily
commended.
II is doubtful II the civil war produced moro
interesting figure or more dramatic career
than thnt Of Albert Sidney Johnston. This was
Tho man whose death at Shiloh. by the concur
rent testimony Of fellow soldiers and opponents.
made all tho difference between victory and de-
heat. and whose loss Jefferson Davis. in mes
,agc TO the Confederate Congress pronounced
totally lrreparable. Years aftcrward the cx-
President OF the Coniedcracy. looking back over
iober and long pondcred Judgments said that
had Gen. Johnston lived. the Federal move
mont down the Mississippi Valley would have
been fatally checked at Corinth. lie did not
hesitate to pronounce that officer his ideal Of
perfect commander large in view, discreet In
council. silent rs to his own plans. ohservant
aud pcnctrative Of the cnrmy's. sudden and
lmpetuous in action yet Of a nerve and balance
ri judgment which no heat Of danger or COM
pexity Of manpuvre could disturb. In u word.
what Napoleon said OF Dessaix and kltber.
might. In the deliberate opinion ofhis official SUI
pcrior. be affirmed Of Albert Sidney Johnston.
To vindirate such appreciation. and to- explain
The temporary eclipse Of his fathers reputation
In the interval between the evacuation Of
Bowling Green and the assault upon Grant at
rittshurg Landing. is the object of this memoir.
In view oi All the evidence brought forward. both
from the Generals private cores pondcnco and
from the Confederate archives. We are bound to
pny that the authors end is. in large degree.
attained; that the high place which the subject
Of this biography occupied in the esteem and
expectation Of our southern couutrymcu. and
which he still holds in their regret and sympa-
My. was not undeservcd.
Like many other resolute uphoders OF
secession. Albert sidney Johnston was the
ion Of Yankee. his father. Doctor John
ron, having emicrated from Connecticut
10 Kentucky in 17sS one Of the Doctors
sons 10y first marriage. namely. Josiah
Boddard Johnston. settled in Louisiana and
represented that State for many years in the
United States Senate. II was through this
brother that Albert secured. AZ the age Of nine
teen and in the year 1892. au appointment TO the
Military Academy. At West Point Albert John
sion seems to have made a marked impression
upon his classmates and intimate friends.