The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-01-28
Select Mistellanp.
The Death of Albert Sidney Johnston.

lam Preston Johnston on his father and
the Shiloh campaign, in the February
Century, we quote the following Gen
eral Johnston was with Stratham's bri-
gade, confronting Hurlbut's left, which
was behind the crest of hill, with
depression filled with chaparral in its
front. The confederates held the par
allel ridge in easy musket-range; and
as heavy fire as / ever saw during the
war; says Governor Harris, was kept
up on both sides for an hour or more.
1t was necessary to cross the valley
raked by this deadly ambuscade and as
sail the opposite ridge in order to drive
the enemy from his stronghold. When
General Johnston came up and saw the
situation, he said to his staff: 'They
are offering stubborn resistance here.
l shall have to put the bayonet to
Them 1t was the crisis of the conflict.
The federal key was in his front. If
his assault were successful, their left
would be completely turned, and the vic
tory won. He determined to charge.
He sent Governor Harris, of his staff,
to lead Tennessee regiment; and, after
brief conference with Breckenridge,
whom he loved and admired, that Off
GER, followed by his staff, appealed to
the soldiers. AS he encouraged them
with his fine voice and manly bearing,
General Johnston rode out in front and
slowly down the line. His hat was off.
His sword rested in its scabbard. In
his right hand he held little tin cup,
the memorial of an incident that had
occurred earlier in the day. Passing
through a captured camp, he had taken
this toy, saying, Let this be my share
of the spoils to-day 1t was this play
thing which, holding it between two
fingers, he employed more effectively
in his natural and simple gesticulation
than most men could have used a
sword. His presence was full of in
spiration. He sat on his thoroughbred
bay, Fire-eater,' with easy command.
His voice was persuasive, encouraging,
and compelling. His words were few
he said: Men! they are stubborn; we
must use the bayonet.' When he
reached the center of the line, he
turned. Il will lead you'll he cried,
and moved toward the enemy. The
line was already thrilling and trembling
with that irresistible ardor which in
battle decides the day. With mighty
shout the line moved forward at a
charge. A sheet of flame and mighty
roar burst from the federal stronghold
The confederate line withered; but
there was not an instant's pause. The
crest was gained. The enemy were in
flight. General Johnston had passed
through the ordeal seemingly unhurt
His horse was shot in four places; his
clothes were pierced by missiles; hi:
boot-sole was cut and torn by mimic
but if he himself had received any Sc
we're wound, he did not know it. Al
this moment Governor Harris rode w
from the right. After few words
General Johnston sent him with an or
der to Colonel Stratham, which having
delivered, he speedily returned. II
the meantime, knots and groups of fed
eral soldiers kept up desultory fir'
as they retreated upon their supports
and their last line, now yielding, de
livered volley after volley as they sui
lenly retired. BY the chance of war,
minie-ball from one of these did it
fatal work. AS he sat there, after hi
wound, Captain Wickham says tina
Colonel O'Hara, of his staff, rode up
and General Johnston said to him
We must go to the left, where tn
firing is heaviest and then gave hin
an order, which O'Hara rode off to obey
Governor Harris returned, and, findin
him very pale, asked him, General
are you wounded?' He answered, in
very deliberate and emphatic tone
yes, and l fear seriously Thes
were his last words. Harris and Wick
ham led his horse back under cover @
the hill, and lifted him from it. The
searched at random for the wound
which had cut an artery in his leg, tn
blood flowing into his boot. When hi
brother-in-law, Preston, lifted his heaC
and addressed him with passionat
grief, he smiled family, but uttered n
word. His life rapidly ebbed away
and in few moments he was deaC
His wound was not necessarily fata
General Johnston's own knowledge {
military surgery was adequate for il
control by an eXtempOriZed tOurnique
had he been aware or regardful of il
nature. DIR. d. w. Yandell, his SUI
geon, had attended his person durin
most of the morning; but, finding
large number of wounded men, inclu(
ing many federals, at one point, Gel
eral Johnston ordered Yandell to sto
there, establish a hospital, and civ
them his services. He said to Yandel
'These men were our enemies MI
ment ago; they are prisoners nov
Take care of them Yandell remol
strated against leaving him, but he W;
peremptory. Had Yandell RENAME
with him, he would have had lit
difficulty with the wound"