The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-02-20
Tho Death Of Aieer, sidney Johns.

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William Preston Johnston on his father
and the Shiloh campaign. in February
Century, we quote the following:
General Johnston was with Strait
hams brigade, confronting Hurlbut's
left, which was behind the crest of
hill, with depression filed with chap
arral In its front. The Confederates
held the parallel ridge in easy musket-
range; and as heavy fire as lever saw
during the war; says Governor Harris,
was kept up on both sides for an hour
or more. II was necessary to cross the
valley raked by this deadly ambuscase
and assail 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. i shall have to put the bayonet to
Them 1t was the crisisof the conflict.
The federal key was in his front. II
his assault were successful, their left
would be completely turned. and the
victory won. He determined to charge.
He sent Governor Harris. OF his staff,
to lead a Tennessee regiment; and. af-
ter brief conference with Brecken.
ridge, whom he loved and admired,
that officer, followed by his staff. APP
pealed to the soldiers. As he encour-
aged them with his fine voice and man.
ly bearing, General Johnston rode out
in front and slowly down the line. His
hat was of. His sword rested in its
scabbard Iu his right hand he held
little tin cup, the memorial OF an Incl
.lnnk that ,lto,. -. he d.,
Passing through a captured camp, he
had taken this toy, saying, Let this be
my share Of the spells to-day It was
this plaything which, holding 1t be-
tween two fingers, he employed more
effectively in his natural and simple
gesticulation than most men could
have used sword. His presence was
full of inspiration. He sat his thor
ough-bred 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 us the bayonet.'
When he reached the center of the line,
he turned. i will lead you!' he cried,
and moved toward the enemy. The
line was already thrilling and tremb-
ling with that irresistible ardor which
in battle decides the. day. With
a mighty shout the Inc moved forward
at a charge. A sheet OF flame and a
mighty roar burst forth from the Feder-
stronghold. The confederate line with
cred; but there was not an instant's
pause. The crest was gained. The
enemy we're in fight. ..l ........
General Johnston had passed
through the ordeal seemingly unhurt.
His horse was shot in four places; his
clothes were pierced by missiles; his
boot-sole was cut and torn by mimic;
but If he himself had received any SEE
we're wound, he did not know it. At
this moment Governor Harris rode up
from the right. After n few words,
General Johnston sent him with an or
der to Colonel Statham, which having
delivered, he speedily returned. In the
meantime, knots and groups OF FEEDER
al soldiers kept up desuitory tire as
they retreated upon their supports, and
their last line, now yielding, delivered
volley after volley as they sullenly re-
tired. By the chance of war, a mimic
ball from one OF thrse 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 Johnston said to him, we
must go to the left, where the firing is
heaviest and then gave him an order,
which o Ham rode off to obey. Gov
ernor Harris returned, and, finding him
very pale. asked him, General, are you
woundedp He answered, in deliber-
ate and emphatic tone: Yes, and.
fear, seriously These were his last
words. Harris and Wickham led his
horse back under cover of the hill and
lifted him from 1t. They searched al
random for the wound, which had cut
an artery in his leg, the blood f%-wing
! into his boot. When his ,brother-in,law
/ P.eston, lifted his head, and addressed
him with passionate grief. he Eliled
faiutly, but uttered no word. ~ life
rapidly ebbed away, and in afew mo-
ments he was dead. ~
"His wound was not necessarily IA
tai. General Johnston's own knowl-
edge of military surgery was adequate
for its control by an extemporiZed
tourniquet, had he been aware or re-
gardful of its nature. DR.. ID. w. Yam
dell, his surgeon, had attended his per-
SON during most of the morning; but,
finding large number of wounded
men, including many Fcderals, at one
point, General Johnston ordered Yam
dell to stop there. establish hospital,
and give them his services. lie said to
Yandell: These mon were our enc
mics moment ago; they are prisoners
now. Take care of them Yandell
remonstra cd against leaving him. but
he was eremptory Had YandelI re-
manned with him, he would have had
little difficulty with the wound"