The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-02-26
Albert Sidney Johnsons

Albert Sidney Johnsone
From recent article by Colonel VIM
Preston Johnson on his father and th'
Shiloh campaign, we quote the following
"Gen. Johnson was with Stratham's brig
ade, confronting HurIbut's left, which
was behind the crest of hill, with {
depression filled with chaparral in it!
front. Tue Coniederates held the paral
lei ridge in easy musket range; and a!
heavy firing as I ever saw during thu
war, says Governor Harris, was kept ur
on both sides for an hour or more. i
was necessary to cross the valley raked
by this deadly ambuscade and assail the
opposite ridge in order to drive the enc.
my from his stronghold. When Gen
johnson came up and saw the situation
be said to his staff: They are offering
stubborn resistance here. I shall have
to put the bayonet to them 1t is the
crisis of the conflict. The Federal key
was in front. If his assault was success
full, their left would be completely turned
and the victory won.
He determined. to charge. He sem
Governor Harris, of his staff, to lead q
Tennessee regiment; and after brie1
conference with Breckenridge, whom he
loved and admired, that officer, followed
by his staff, appealed to his soldiers. As
he encouraged them with his fine voice
and manly bearing, General johnson
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 II
was this plaything, which holding it be
tween two fingers, he employed more
effectively in his natural, simple gestieu.
lation than most men could have used a
sword. His presence was full of inspira.
ton. He sat on his thoroughbred bay
Sire. eater with easy command. His
voice, was persuasive, encouraging and
compelling His words were few; be
said: = Men they. are stubborn; we
must use the bayonet.' When he
reached the centre of the-line he turned.
4 will lead you!' he cried, and moved to
ward the enemy. The line was already
thr ling and trembling with that irresi. t.
ible ardor which in battle decides the
day. With mighty shout the line
moved forward at charge. A sheet Of
flame aud o mighty roar burst from the
Federal stronghold. The Confederate
line withered but there was not an in
stant's pause. The crest was gained.
The enemy were in fight.
General Johnson had passed through
the ordeal seemingly unhurt. His horse
was shot in four places; bis clothes were
pierced BY missiles; his boot soles were
cut and torn by minnie; but if he him
self had received any severe wound, he
did not know it. At this moment Gov.
ernor Harris rode up from the right.
After few words, General Johnson sent
him with an order to Colonel Stratham,
which having delivered, he speedily re:
turned. In the meantime, knots and
groups of Federal soldiers kept up de.
sultory FIRE as they retreated upon their
supports, and their last line, now yield
ing, delivered volIev after volley as they
sullenly retired. By the chance Of war,
minnie ball from one of these did its
fatal work. As he sat there after his
wou I'D. Captain Wickham says that Col
onel O'Hara, of his staff, rode up and
General johnson said to him, 'We must
20 to the left, where the firing is heav
lest and then gave him an order which
O'Hara rode off 10 obey. Governor Har
ris returned, and. finding him very pale,
asked him, General, are you wounded ?
He answered him in very deliberate
and emphatic tone: Eyes, and fear,
seriously These were his last words.
Harris and Wickham led mis- 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 leg, the blood flowing into his boot.
When his brother in law, Preston, lifted
his head and addressed him with passion
ate grief, he smiled family, but uttered
no word. His life rapidly ebbed away,
and in few moments he was dead.
"His wound was not necessarily fatal.
General Johnson's own knowlege of mil.
itary surgery was adequate for its control
by an extemporized tourniquet, had he
been aware or regardful of its nature.
DR.. D. w. Yandell, his surgeon. had at
tended his person during most of the
morning; but finding large number OF
wounded men. including many Federals,
at one point, General johnson ordered
Yandell to stop there, establish q hospit.
al and give them his services. He said
to Yandell; -'These men were our ene-
mics moment ago; they are prisoners
now. Take care of them Yandell re
monstrated against leaving him, but be
was peremptory. Had Yandell remained
with him be would have had little diff
Guilty with tile wound"
THE LAST CHARGE AT SHILOH.
From General Grants account of the
battle of Shiloh, we quote the following
"This day everything was favorable to
the Federal side We now had become
attacking party. The enemy was driven
back all day, as we had been the day be
fore, until finally he beat a precipitate
retreat. The last point held by him was
near the road from the landing to Cor
rinth, on the left of Sherman and right
of McClernaud. About 3 o'clock, being
near that point, and seeing that the enc.
my was giving way everywhere else,
gathered up couple of regiments, or
parts of regiments, from troops near by,
formed them in line of battle and
marched them forward, going in front
myself to prevent premature or long,
range firing. At this point there was a
clearing between us and the enemy favor.
able for charging, although exposed.
knew the enemy were ready to break, and
only wanted a little encouragement from
NO to nm nuickly and inin their. friends