The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-31
From the Detroit Free Press.
ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON

From the Detroit Free Press.
ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON.
"A Review Of his Military Career.
BY COL. T.. w. AVERY OF GEORGIA.
In large and varied acquaintance with the
leaders OF the Southern cause in the late CO.
lossal revolution, the writer can recall no
statelier figure than the subject Of this
sketch, Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston. He
was cast in the
HEROIC MOLD OF MEN.
He was OF the grand type otGod's creatures,
physically, mentally and morally. His very
appearance carried the impress OF a strong,
noble manhood. He was very large, OF SYM
metrical proportions. commanding presence,
and with dignity, a bcnevolence and intel
lectual power in his fine face that attracted
alike affection and admiration, and inspired
an idea Of force and intelligence. There..was
also grave, sweet, simple courtesy ever
present with him that, united with his adj
mitted greatness OF intellect and lustre OF dis
tinction, made him one of the most lOyable,
as we'll as one Of the most respected OF men.
HIS ANTE-WAR RECORD.
Gen. Johnston came to the service OF the
South with national reputation. He was
distinguished soldier and diplomatist. lie
had been entrusted with exalted and delicate
missions. He had filled momentous public
trusts. He had been the performer Of large
and important achievements in arms and di-
plomacy. Besides the execution OF great
public duties, his career has been personally
so full of adventure and romance that it was
invested with dazzling glamour OF poetic
coloring.
JOHNSTON IN THE TEXAS REVOLUTION.
In that memorable and ever picturesque
episode of our national history that ended in
the annexation OF the princely empire OF
Texas to the Union. Johnston became the
central figure and the guiding agency. Be.
ginning his illustrious service in the Texas
war of independence as private, he rose to
command her army, succeeding Gov. Hous.
ton, the noted hero, who, envying the tame
that Johnston was winning, treated that ris-
ing and spirited officer with a discourtesy
that resulted in duel between the two fear.
less soldiers. Johnston became the Texan
Secretary of War, and in his high position he
organized and successfully conductedan ex-
pedition that ended the Indian h0stilities.
| Gen. Johnston made climax of his splendid
connection with the splendid bizarre act OF
the Texan drama by throwing; the whole in
| fuence of his great abilities and popularity
| in favor of the annexation of Texas to the
| United States until that great measure so
fraught with large results to the Union was
| consummated.
| JOHNSTON IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
! In the Mexican war the part performed by
Gen. Johnston was brilliant. He rose in
lS49 to the rank of colonel Of cavalry, and
so high was the esteem in which he was held
| by the government that he was uniformly
selected for important missions.
THE MORMON WAR.
| As commander OF the forces sent in 1857
| to bring the Mormons into proper subsection
| to Federal authority, he evinced in striking
degree his solderly qualities. Always do
ing well his duties, always proving himself
equal to any test of his capacities, entering
constantly upon ali enlarging sphere of COM
mand, the tragic year of 1861 the beginning
of the most stupendous civil war OF the
worlds history, found him the commanding
officer Of the extensive and important De-
partment of the Pacific.
IN THE CONFEDERATE SERVICE.
Johnston resigned from the United States
army, and offering his services to the South,
was Immediately made full general and
given the command OF the department con-
sisting of Kentucky, his native State, and
Tennessee. His career in the war, while il
was short-lived and melodramatic in its mill
tary misfortunes and unsuccess. yet showed
in shining degree the grand moral nature
4 as well as the mastery possibilities of gen
eralship of this accomplished officer. Com
ing TO the new service with his record so lus
trous the expectation of his achievements
was proportionately large. Throwing the
weight of his acknowledged abilities ant
broad fame into the hazardous venture o.
Southern independence, the ardent temper
ament of the gratifed Southerner in tina
( seething period Of flaming excitement will
grateful admiration exaggerated beyond pos
sibility of realization both the splendidpow
ers OF the great soldier and the just hope 0
any leaders, achievement. With adequate
resources to do substantial things, Johns tol
in the unnatural reach of Southern ardo
and hope in that feverlsh day must have dis
4 appointed the unreasonable prospect expec
ted OF him. But,lcrippleJ as he was, witt
deficiency Of resources. ridiculously meagr
both in proportion to the forces he oppose
and the constantly boosted and believed mis-
representation Of his strength, the means o
doing anything at all was out OF his power.
JoHNsToN's DISADVANTAGES.
His entire armed force in his large and in
portant department did not reach $4,000 eff
fective men, while lie was opposed by foll
r times as great an organization of well equip
,, ed troops. The Southern people believe
! he had an army of 100000 soldiers and s