The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-25
Death of Albert Sydney Johnston.

February Century.
General Johnston was with Strathams
brigade, confronting Hurlbuts left which was
behind the crest of a hill, with a depression
filled with chaparra in it's front. The confed-
crates held the parallel 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 neces-
sary to cross the valley raked by this deadly am
buscade 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. 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 Tennessee regiment, and after a
brief conference 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
General Johnston rode out in front and slowly
down the line. His hat was off. His sword
rested in it's scabbard. In his right hand ne
held little tin cup, the memorial of an incident
that had occurred earlier in the day. Passing
through captured camp, he had taken this toy,
saying, Let this be my share of the spoils to-
day. It was this plaything which, holding it be-
tween two fingers, he employed more effectively
in his natural and simple gesticulation than
most men could have used a sword His pres
ence was full of inspiration. He sat his thor
oughbred bay, 'Fire-eater,' with easy command.
His voice was persuasive, encouraging and
compelling. His words were few he
said: Menu they are stubborn we
the center Of the line he turned I will lead
your he cried, and moved toward the enemy
The line was already thrilling and trembling
with that irresistible ardor which, in battle, de-
cides the day With mighty shout the line
moved forward at a charge. sheet of flame
and mighty roar burst from the federal strong
hold. The confederate line withered; but there
was not an instants pause The crest was gained
The enemy were in flight.
General Johnston had passed through the or
deal 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 severe wound, he
did not know 1t. At this moment Governor
Harris rode up from the right. After few
words General Johnston sent him with an order
to Colonel Statham, which having delivered he
speedily returned. In the meantime knots and
groups of federal soldiers kept up desultory
fire as they reiterated upon their supports and
their last line yielding, delivered voley after
vollev as they sullenly retired. By the chance
of war, q 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 Johnston said to
him, We must go to the left, where the firing is
heaviest and then gave him an order which
O Hara rode off to obey. Governor Harris returned
and finding him very pale, asked him, General
are you woundedP He answered, in very de-
liberate 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 it. They searched
at random for the wound, which had cut an
artery in his leg. the blood flowing into his boot
Whom his brother-in-law, Preston, lifted his