Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-03-13
miscellaneous,
ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON.
How the Confederate Leader Met his
Death at Shiloh,

From the paper by Colonel William
Preston Johnston on his father and the
Shiloh campaign, IN the Century, we
quote tho following;
General Johnston was with Strath-
ANS brigade confronting Hurlbut's left,
which was behind the crest of hill,
with depression filed with ohaparral
in its front. Tho Confederates held tho
parallel ridge in easy musket range, and
'as heavy fire as ever saw during the
war, said Governor Harris, was kept up
on both sides for an hour or more. II
was necessary to cross the valley raked
by this deodly ambuscade and assail the
opposite ridge IN order to drive the en-
omy from his stronghold. When Gen
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 II was the
crisis of the conflict The Federal key
was in his front II his assault were
successful, their left would bo completely
turned, and the victory won. lie de-
termined to charge. He sent Governor
Harris, of his staff, to lead Tennessee
regiment, and, after brief conference
with Breckenridge, whom DO loved and
admired, that officer, followed by his
staff, appealed to tho soldiers. As he
encouraged them with bis fine voice and
manlybearing, General Johnston rode out
in front and slowly down the line His
bat was of. His sword rested in its
scabbard. In his right hand he held n
little tin cup, the memorial Of an Incl
dent 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 II was this
playthiug which, holding il between two
fingers, he employed more effectively in
bis natural and simple gesticulstion than
most men could have used sword His
presence was full Of Inspiration He
sat his thoroughbred bay, 'Fire-eater,
with easy command. His voice was per-
suasivc, encouraging and compelling -
His words we're few he said Men
they are stubborn; VIC must use the
bayonct. When he reached the center
Of the line he turned. 4 will lead you =
he cried, and moved toward the enemy
The line was already thrilling and ,rcm.
bling with that irresistible ardor which
in battle decides tho day. With mighty
shout the limo moved forward Mt charge
A sheet Of flame and mighty roar burst
from the Federal stronghold. The Con-
fcdcrate line withered, but there was
not an instants pause. Tho crest was
gained. The enemy were in fight.
''Gon. Johnston had passed through
the ordeal seemingly uDhurt. His horse
was shot in four places his clothes were
pierced by missiles bis boot-sole was
cut and torn by a mimic but If he him
self bad received any severe wound, he
did not know II At this moment Gov
ernor Harris rode up from the right.
After few words, General Johnston
sent him with an order to Colonel
Stratham, which having delivered. be
speedily returned. In the mean time,
knots and groups Of Federal soldiers
kept up a desultory fire as they re-
treated upon their supports and their
last line, now yielding, delivered volley
after vollcy as they sullcnly retired
BY the chance Of war, a mimic. ball from
one Of these did its fatal work. As he
sat there, after his wound, Captain Wick
ham says that Colonel OHara, Of hi,
staff, rode up, and General Johnston
said TO him, we must 90 10 the left
where tho firing is heaviest, and thcr
gave him an order, which O'Hara rode
of to obey Governor Harris returned
and, finding him very pale, asked him
General, are you woundodY He an
swcred, in very deliberate and em
phatic tone; Yes, aud, fear, serious
ly. These were his last words. TIar
ris aud Wickham led his horse bacl
under cover Of tho bill. and lifted hin
from IT, They searched at random 70
the wound which had cut an artery il
his leg. the blood flowing into bis boot
When bis brothcr-in.law, Preston, liftc'
his head, and addressed him with pas
sionatc grief no smiled family, but at
tered 40 word His life rapidly obbc
away, and in few moments he wa
dead.
His wound was not necessarily fatal