Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-01-31
rHE DEATH Of SIDNEY JOHNSTON.

THE DEATH OF Sidney JOHNSTON.
From the illustrated paper By Col.
William Preston Johnston on his
father and the Shiloh rsmpaign. in
February Ceatxry, we quote the fol
lowing: aGenrrai Johnston was
with Stratham's brigade, confront
ing Hurlbuts Isff, which WAS he
hind the cr,xs Of q liil', With a de-
pressiaa al. d n s,ss ssa 81 :. rs
irune. Tine Gonfe,Ier&ss'~ held the
psrallsJ ridge in sass nln,ket
s.xng< Alhl sas lls...s ne ~ 1 ever
saw during the war, says Governor
Harris, was kept up on both sides
for an hour OF more. 1t was peces-
sary TO cross the valley raked by
this deadly ambuscade and assail
the opposite ridge N order 70 drive
the enemy from his stronghnld.--
When General Johnston came up
sud saw the situation, he said to his
staff: They ara Offering stubborn
resistance here. IshaH have to put
the hayonet to them It was the
srisis Of the conflict. The Federal
key was in his front. II bis assault
~ere successful, their left would DO
completely turned, and the victory
won. He determiued TO charge
He sent Governor Harris, Of his
taft, to lead . Tennessee regiment
and, after . brief conference with
breckenridge, Whom be loved and
admired, that officer, followed BY his
staff, appealed to the soldiers. AS
he encouraged them with his fine
voice and manly bearing, General
Johnston rode ontinfrontan aud slowly
down the line. His bat was off,
His sword rested in its scabhard.---
IN his right hand he held little tlr
up, the memorial Of an incident
hat had occurred earlier IN the day.
Passing through captured camp,
he had taken this toy. saying, Let
hrs be my share of the spoils to-
day It was this plaything which,
holding it between two fingers, no
employed more effectively In his nat
nrai and simple gesticulation than
most men could have used = sword.
His presence WAS full of inspiration.
He sat his thoroughbred hay, Fire
eater with easy command. His
voice was persuasive, encouraging,
snd compelling. His words were
'ew be SAID: Men they are stub.
'nrn; we must use the hayonrt.'--
When he reached the center OF the
line, he turned. Il will lead you y
ne cried, and moved toward the
enemy. The line was already thrill
ing and trembling with that irresis.
tible ardor which 10 battle decides
the day. With q mighty shout the
line moved forward at a charge. A
sheet Of fame and o mighty roar
hurst from the Federal stronghold.
The Confederate line withered; but
there was not an instant pause
The crest was gained. The enemy
were in digit.
"General Johnston had passed
through che ortieai seemingly uuburt.
His horss was shot N four places;
his clothes wers pierced by missiles
his boot-soIe Tas cut and torn by q
mime; but ifhe himself had recpiv.
cd any severe wound, he did not
knew it. Atthi moment Governor
Harris rode up from the right
After few words, General Johnston
sent him With IN order to Colonel
Strathain, which having delivered,
hs speedily returned. In the mean
time. knots and groups of Federal
soldiers kept up a desultory FIRE AZ
they reiterated upon their supports,
and their last line, now yielding, de-
livered yolley after volIcy as they
sullenly retired. BY the chance Of
war, a mimic ball from one OF these
did its fatal work. AS he sat there,
after his wound, Captain Wickham
says that Colonel O'Hara. Of his
staff, rode up, and General Johnator
said to him, we must goto the left,
whore the firing is heaviest and
then gave him an order, which
O'Hara rode off 10 obey. Governor
Harris returned, and finding him
very pale, asked him, General, arc
you woundedP BE answered, In
very deliberate and emphatic tone:
: Yes, and, fear, seriously. These
were his last words. Harris and
Wickham led his horse back under
cover of the bill, and lifted him from
it. They searched at random for the
wound, which had cut an artery in
his lrg, the blood flowing into his
boot. When his brother in Law.
Preston, lifted bis head, and ad,
dressed him with passionate grief,
be Amilei family, but uttered nc
word. His life rapidly ebbrd away,
and in few moments he was dead.
.1His wound was not NECESSARILY