Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1885-05-05
GEN. jos JOHNSTON.
HIS Peculiar Powers Of Observable and
other characteristics.
lcor. st. Louis Republican,

Cor. ~. Louis Republican,
Here arc a few anecdotes OF Con. Joe
Johnston, illustrative Of his peculiar powers
Of observation AMI other characteristics Of
mind which have not appeared in print:
After assuming command OF the army Of
the Tennessee, at Dalton, a grand review
was ordered, and GEN. Johnston, superby
mounted ON magnificent thoroughbrei
bay, came sweeping down our line, followed
by the usual cavalcado Of general ami staff
officers. He would halt n moment in front
OF the colors OF each regiment, face Go the
line and raise his cap with martial grace
never excolled In passing our regiment
his quick eye caught the gallant bearing Of
our boy colonel, John +. Murray, then
about 81 years OF age, who had been a
cadet at West Point for two years, and was
notably distinguished for what tho boys
called "gallus salute After thu parade
Gen Johnston sought our brigodcr, Govan.
and inquired the name OF his young colonel
Of the grand martial salute;' aud after
hearing Of his proud achievements as the
tho boy hero of tho brigade be invited him
10 his headquarters and entertained him for
a week The colonel used O. say that she
picked up more solid chunks of wisdom
that week than he had ever done in his lie bo-
fore The brilliant career OF this gallant boy
closed with the campaign in the last battle
around Atlanta, where he foremost nght-
ing fel' with a bullet-holo through his
commission OF brigader general in his
breast-pocket.
During this Georgia campaign Gen
jackson would often inspect the hastily
constructed line Of riae-pits and in riding
down tho limo at full speed he would some
times halt suddenly and beckou an officer Of
his stan, ana with a few rapid motions OF
his hand order an angle reversed Or the limo
advanced or retired in conformity with ths
contour Of the ground in front; and ON one
Of these occasions the writer, WHO was
Longing on the ground with his comrades
some thirty paces in the rear, made a wager
that he could attract the generals attention
by a salute. Upon arising and facing
toward the general rs he rushed by, looking
in the opposite direction, the writer
modestly raised his "coonskins.' When toe
generals white hat shot up in the air In
graceful recognition, the boys all remarked
that the "old man could see rs well in the
rear as no could in front
In passing through jackson, Miss, % take
command Of the army. a large crowd OF
citizens and furloughed soldiers insisted on
his presenting himself on the platform Of the
car and making them n speech. He said:
III all the able-bodied men see before ne
were IN limo at the front there would DO no
occasion for a retreat Of the army
When he was relieved Of command az At
lanta his soldiers literally shed tears Of hope
less sorrow, and when Gen. Hoods pan
OF swinging around % Gen. Sherman's rear
was fully detailed 70 him by a staff officer
and his opinion asked as 20 the wisdom Of
the plan, be replied with sadness in the pro
pho;ic words, TOO brilliant"
In social conversation with his staff, onf
Of thom asked him how many time, he hal
boon wounded, Eight tines The staff re
marked that he was the most unfortunate
general in this respect he had ever known
No. sir said he, ~the most fortunate
Tor il wa, only by the mercy Of God va
not killed upon either occasion