Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-02-19

possible ruin. He saw his lustrous
fame fading into derision under
this misconception. He was stung
to the depths of his proud soul at
this seemingly irreparable sacrifice
of his hard-earned, lifelong, SUI
preme reputation. Yet without
faltering in the difficult path of
this grim duty, he marched to the
end Of it. The enemy learned his
condition.
The fall of Fort Donaldson, the
loss of half his force by an unnec'
essary surrender by subor;iinates,
the evacuation of Nashville, the
breaking of the Confederate line
of warfare, the loss of Kentucky
and Tennessee, anu the mastery
retreat of johnson, " I'll his little
remnant of about twelve thousand
men, and the hazardous junction
of forces with Beauregard, came III
swift succession, revealing the true
state of things to the world.
In the whole of Johnst0n's ca
reer he made no grander exhibit of
his greatness than in this calami-
tous campaign, and when the real
ity was revealed his bright fame
gained an increased lustIe. Writ
ing to Mr.. Davis in explanation of
the matter, one of the most touch
ing letters in its simple frankness
aud nnintended pathos ever penned,
the truthful old hero used these no.
BILE words:
AZ observed silence as it seemed
to me the best way to serve the
cause and the country s.
1 refrained, well knowing that
heavy censures would fall upon me,
but convinced that it was better TO
endure them for the present. " -"
The test of merit in my profession
with the people is success. 1t is n
hard rule, but think it right"
This plain statement of his high
motives, tn is unboasted denuncia-
ton of his heroic conduct, this
stern recognition of cruel criteri-
on of Judgment, was his sole COM
mentary upon the appalling injus-
tice lie mad suffered. The reyela-
ton was like a thunder clap. The
public was ashamed. The revulsion
came swiftly. 1t is the god-like
quality of the popular heart, that
| If prone to misjudge, it is quick to
| own and remedy its wrongs. The
army, always devoted to Johnston,
never lost faith in him moment,
and the war of the critics but made
him the idol of his soldiers.
1t was the Fall of 1861, while
Gen. Johnston had his headquar-
tors at Bowling Green, Kentucky,
that the writer first made the ac-
quaintance of this officer, and the
memories connected with that ac-
quaintance have the most touch
ing interest of any linked to the
war. Under the peculiar practice
of the Confederacy, the writer
raised a company of Georgia cav
airy for service during the whole
war. A young civilian lawyer, I'M
educated in military matters, but
ardent in the cause and eager for
service, l was Il type of the volun-
teer material of the Southern army.
There was no leader of the South
that understood better how to uti-
lize, to mould and discipline this
Quixotic material than did Gen.
Johnston.
He won every heart. He yelled
the iron authority of the general
under the gentle politeness of the
gentleman. The writer applied fol-
arms, and Gen. Johnston directed
an immediate imission to hi:
presence. l recall that initial in
terview wildly. 1t was the Gus
tom of many old army officers tt
hedge themselves with much di
vinlty of rank. They assumed al
austerity that chilled. Johnston
had none of it. His unpretentiou;
manner and his courteous greeting
removed every feeling of awe,
while in no way lessening the re.
spect he inspired. L had expert.
enced some of the arrogance OF au'
thority. l had expected in thi:
leader of the department some 6
the wonted reserve. The disap
pointment was delightful and EN-
couraging. impulsively told The
General my experience, my desires
my zeal. Listening most patiently
taking an evident interest, using ;
fatherly kindness, he took tn,
trouble to inform, instruct, and ell
courage me; and l was deepl.
grateful for it, and as he purposed
was stimulated, if possible, Il
higher zeal in the cause. L Learned
that this was his way. He was TIL,
most approachable general office
in our army. He was accessible t
the humblest private. He turned
no one away unheard, if he coull
spare the time for hearing. Apar
from the kindliness of his natur,
his conscientious interest in th,
promotion of the service led him tt
give careful hearing to all WHIT
sought him about the service.
had served short time as
private in infantry, and in that eX
perience | had learned som
practical things of the need
of the practical soldier and wha
was required to secure the mos
willing and efficient duty from on
volunteer army. In this new an
unaccustomed role of Captain O
volunteers, had given considera
bic reflection to The question {
their best management and tn
propriety of folio wing out the rul
for regulars. Gen. Johnston enter
ed fully into the subject an,
concurred with me that the ordinar,
regime used with regulars woul,
not apply to volunteers. 1t wa
necessary to recognize the volun
| lAtt
not paid machine to fight, VIII
voluntarily took low wages becaus
he was untitled by education or ca
pacity for higher things. The vol
unteer was a patriot willing to serv
in the ranks rather than not serv
at all. His motive of enlistment
was ennobling, and, therefore, hi
discharge of duty was an act o
high sentiment. The army disci
pline was only to be used so far q: