The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-17
GEN. A. S. JOHNSTON.
INCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH THE
CONFEDERATE LEADERS, DEATH.
Recollections Of an Ex-Confederate stan
Oficer-The Last Charge at shiloh
The Commander Sfortal1y
Observation-Disclosures Scene.
Mai. Dudley NJ. HaYdon. |


had been the bearer of several orders
during the day, and in the intervals had not
much TO do but witness the scenes hourly
shifting before me. One of the principal
duties of staff officer is to bear orders and
rally troops; but our troops were SO eager to
strike the enemy on that day that my time
was not much occupied in That way; conse-
quently, | was, with slight intervals, by the
side of Gen. Johnston during the morning
up to the time Of the charge. Feeling lit
tie neglected / said to him: "You keep all
of your staff on the wing, flying to and fro
on their hor es; Why do you retain me by
your side! l want more to do"
He replied: "You will have plenty Of
work to do yet"
In less than forty minutes messenger
came dashing up to him aud said that
Breckinri ige was sorely pressed and wanted
help. He turned at once and said to me:
"Your chance has come. Go as tSst as you
can and tell Gen Bowen to move up and
prepare for action" Preston, / think, had
received an order just before to select the
ground.
Cen Bowen's brigade was held as a re-
serve. / soon found them partly under
cover, where they had been awaiting orders
all the morning. So soon as l delivered the
order Bowen gave the word, and l shall
never forget the quick glance of delight that
Illuminated his face and all the officers and
men of the brigade, which was one Of the
best drilled of tho whole army. AS they
moved forward our path was strewed with
the dead and wounded. Breckenridge had
suffered a repulse. Shells were bursting,
cannon booming, and volley after volley of
artillery and infantry were all laundering
at the same time. Gen. Johnston came
daShing up almost before Bowen'S troops
had been aligned and stopped his horse on
the crest of the hill that Preston hal
selected. Governor Harris and myself were
the only members of his staff at that moment
by his side. Gen Breckinridy re came riding
up under great excitement and said: "Gen
eral, l have regiment of TeneSseeans who
refuse to fight l have been doing my
utmost to rally them and get them in"
Gen. Johnston did not answer him, but
turned suddenly to Governor Harris, saying
"Did you hear that, GOVERNOR and repeated
Breckinridge's words to him. Harris
galloped forward after saying: 81 will see
what l can do" Breckenridge followed, but
returned in a few moments and said again:
"Gen Johnston, / cannot get my men to
make the charge" To which he replied
"Then will help you"
1t was then Gen. Johnston bowed to him
and rode instantly into Bowen's lines. not
many PAGES off, and motioned with his right
hand for an opening to be made. followed
him, and stopped by the side of Bowen, in
position Immediately behind his brigade
The general then turned to the left and
rode up and down the line, returning near
the spot where he entered it Here he halted
and saluted. On one Of his fingers hung q
bright lineup, which had been handed
him by Preston during the morning. and
which had served him for drinking water
as we crossed the ravines | was within
twenty PAGES of him, and according to my
recollection these were his words: Men o.
Texas and Arkansas, the enemy is stubborn
! want you now to show Gen. Beauregari
and Gen. Bragg what you can do with your
bayonets and your toothpicks. l wis lead
you. ForwariI' The men went in with q
yell.
Turning around to see If all the men were
advancing in the fire, l saw about 100 fine
looking troops crouching along the line of Q
fence, and, riding up to them, found that
they were part of the regiment that Gov.
ernor Harris had attempted to rally anc
could not put them into the fight To then
appealed, but to no purpose.
All these incidents happened, 1 am sure,
within thirty minutes. Putting spurs to nv
horse l galloped few yards and was me
by Preston who told me he had just placed
Rutledge in position near the ravine, and hi
battery was delivering a sweeping fiv
through the disordered and rstreating ranks
of the enemy.
He asked me: "How is the battle going
on, and where is Johnstonf" Just then Col
Theodore O'Hara approached us with sad
face, and said: 81 fear Gen. Johnston 4.
MORALLY wounded. Where can / got a sur
geonP We hurriedlv rode in the direction
of the crest of the hill on which the charge
was made. A few moments brought US t<
where our chief was lying in reclining
position, supported in the arms of Governo,
Harris. A mimic ball had torn of part o.
the sole OF his boot. from which the blood wa
oozing. He was deathly pale, though hi
eyes were open, but without luster.
Preston lifted him in his arms opened
rapidly his clothing, but could find NJ
wounds on his body. He then OK
claimed with great emotion, and
loudly called out: Johnston, dom.
you know mea" No response followed, anG
Preston cried, "Give me some whisky
Maj. Wickham handed me canteen
which he had picked up on the battlefield
and being also on my knees and nearer his
head, poured few tablespoonfuls dow
his throat but he could not swallow, and il
flowed over his chin. / saw that there was
no hope, AMI putting my hand to his side an
nounccd to Pre- ton that his heart had ceased
to beat
Preston Strengthened up, and, casting his
eyes to the heavens, cried out in the NOS
thrilling tones of anguish / ever heard
"My Coll my Godi Hayden, is it sop A
moment after, recovering his self-command,
he drew out his notebook Of the battle ane
read to those of the staff, who were stand
ing around. this dispatch, which he asked
Governor Harris to bear instantly to Gen
Beauregard. The words were in substance
as follows:
aRAvINE, 2 80 o'clock. Johnston hal
just fallen, MORALLY wounded, after a victo
rious attack on the left of the enemy. L
now devolves on you to complete the
victory"
Preston turning to rs said. al will or