Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-01-31
WHOLE NO. 1853.
The Death or Albert sidney Johnston

Il The DEATH of Albert Sidney johnston
From the Century Magazine for February.
From the illustrated paper by
Col. William Preston Johnston on
his father and the Shiloh campaign,
IN February Century, we quote The
following: General Johnston was
with Stratham's brigade, confront
ing Hurlbuts left, which WAS be-
hind the crest OF a hill, with a de-
preston tiiled with chaparral in its
front. The Confederates held the
parallel ridge in easy musket range;
and sas heavy fire SIS ever saw dur
ing 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 dead
| ly ambuscade and assail the oppo-
site ridge IN order 10 drive the ems
emy from his stronghold. When
General Johnston came up and saw
the situation, he said to his staffs
They are offering stubborn resist
ance here. i 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 victory
won. He determined TO charge.
He sent Governor Harris, OF his
staff, to lead a Tennessee regiment;
and, after brief conferences with
Breckenridge, whom he loved and
admired, that officer, followed by
his staff, appealed to the soldiers.
AS he encouraged them with his
fine voice and manly bearing, Gem
eral Johnston rode out in front aud
slowly down the line. His hat was
off His sword rested in its scab-
bard. In his right hand he held a
little tin cup, the memorial OF an
incident that had occurred earlier
In the day. Passing through Cap
tured camp, he had taken this toy,
saying, "Let this he my share Of the
spOils to-day" II was this play
thing which, holding IL between two
fingers, he employed more effective
ly In his natural and simple gestic-
ulatiOn than most men could have
used a sword. His presence was
full of Inspiration. He sat hls
thoroughbred bay, .Fire-eater,'
with easy command. His voice was
persuasive, encouraging, and COM
pelling, 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. ~ will lead you ~ he
cried, and moved toward the enc
my. The line was already thrill
ing and trembling with that ire
sisiible ardor which in battle decides
the day. With mighty shout the
line moved forward at charge. A
sheet OF fame and mighty roar
burst from the Federal stronghold.
The Confederate line withered bat
there was not an inslant's pause.
The crest was gained. The enemy
were in flight. trft
"General Johnston had passed
through the ordeal seemingly un-
hurt. His horse was shot in four
places; his clothes were pierced by
missiles; his boot-sole was cut and
torn by mimic; but II he himself
had recei we'd any severe wound, he
did not know il. AT this moment
Governor Harris rode up from the
right. After few words, General
johnson sent him with an order 10
Colonel Statham, which having. de-
livered, he speedily returned. In
the mean time, knots and groups OF
Federal soldiers kept up adesulio-
ry fire as they retreated upon their
supports, and their last line, now
yielding, delivered volley alter vol
ley as they sullenly retired. BY
the chance OF war, mimic ball
from one of these did its fatal work.
AS he sat there, after his wound,
Captain Wickham says that CoioRel
O'Hara, of his staff, rode. up, and
General Johnston said 20 him, 1--WE
must go to the left, where the firing
is heaviest" aud then gave hinl5sn
order, which O'Hnra rode. off 10
obey. Governor Harris returned,
and, finding him very pales atsiEed
him, hGenernI; are you wuuDded9'
He answered, in a very deliberate
and emphatic tone: "Yes, and, L
fear. seriously" These were his
last words. Harris and Wiekhan
led his horse back under ooyerof
the hill, and lifted bin from it.
They searched at random for the
wound, which had cut AN artery In
MS leKs tIlG blOOd iltFWihE AbtO iao
boot. When his broiher-in-law,
Preston, lifted his head; and adj
dressed him with passionate grief,
he smiled family, but uttered no
word. His life rapidly ebbcd away
and in few moments he was dead.
"His wound was not necessarily
fatal. General Johnston's own
OF military surgery was
adequate foriits CONTROL hy an exiem-
porized tourniquet, had he been
aware or regardful of its nature.
Dr. ID. w. .Yandell, his surgeon.
had attended his person during
most of fhe morning but, finding
a large number OF wounded men,
many Federalss AT one
point, General Johnston ordered
Yandell to stop there, establish a
and give them his services.
He said TO Yandell "These inen
were our enimies a moment ago
they are prisoners now. Take care
OF them" Yandell demonstrated
against leaving him, but be was
peremptory. Had Yandell remain
ed with him, he would have had
little difficulty with the wound"