Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-01-21
THE DEATH OF ALBERT SYDNEY JOHNSTON.

From the illustrated paper BY Col. WIN.
Preston Johnston on his father and the Shi-
loh campaign, in February Century, we
quote the following:
Gen. Johnston was with Sta;ham's bri-
gade confronting Hurlbut's left, which was
behind the crest of hill, with n depression
filled with chaparral in its front. The
Confederates held the parall el ridge in easy
musket range; and as heavy fire as ever
saw during the war; says Gov. Harris, was
kept up on both sides for an hour or more.
Ii was necessary to cross the valley raked
by this deadly ambuscade and assail the OPP
poSite ridge in order TO drive the enemy
from his stronghold. When Gen. Johnston
came up and saw the situation, he said to
his staff: They are Offering stubborn re-
sistanco here. shall have to put the bay
onet to them 1t was the crisis of the con-
aict. The federal key was in his his front.
If his assault were successful, their left
would be completely turned, and the victory
won. He determined to charge. He sent
Gov. 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 bis
fine voice and manly bearing, General Johu-
ston rode ont in front and slowly down the
line. His hat was of, His sword rested in
its scabbard. In his right hand ne held a 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
spois to day 1t was this plaything which,
holding it between two fingers, he employ
cd more effectively in his natural and SIM
pie gesticulatiou than most men could have
used sword. His presence was full Of in
spiraton. He sat his thoroughbred bay,
Fire. eater, with easy command. His voice
was persuasive, encouraging, and compel
ling His words were few; he said Men
they are stubborn We must use the bayo
net When he reached the centre of the
line, he turned I will lead youn be cried
and moved toward the enemy. The line
was already thrilling and trembling with
that irresistible ardor which in battle de-
cdes the day. With mighty shout the
line moved forward at charge. A sheet
of flame and mighty roar burst from the
federal stronghold. The Confederate line
withered; but there WAS not an instant's
pause The crest was gained. The enemy
were in flight.
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 MIME; but if lie himself had
received any severe wound, he did not
know it, 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 deliver
ed, he speedily rotnr#ed. In the mean
time, kuots aud groups Of federal soldiers
kert up Il desuitrry fl" a. they retreated
upon their support, ab1 their last line,
now Welding, delivered voilcy after volley
as they sulenly retired. l., The chance of
war, . minie bali rraln one II these did its
fatal work As lie sal here. afttr lis wound,
Captain Wick hahn sayS hat Enlouel 0 Hara,
OF his staff, rode up, and General Johnston
said to bin, We mu>i go 10 the left, where
the firing is heaviest and then gave him
an order, which O 'Hara rode off to obey.
Governor Harris rc;urEed, aud, finding
him very pale, asked him. General, are
YOU wounded? p He answered, in q very de-
liherasc aud emphatic tone: Yes, and ] fear,
seriouslv.' These we're his last words. Har-
ris and Wickbam led his 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 passionate grief, he
smiled family, but uttered no word. His
life rapidly ebbed away, and in q few me-
ments he was dead
His wound was not necessarily fatal.
Gen. Johnston's own knowledge of military
surgery was adequate for its control by ali
extemporized tourniquet, had he been aware
or regardful Of its nature. DR.. D. W. Yam
dell, his surgeon, had attended his person
during most of the morning; but, finding
large number Of wounded men, including
many Federals, at one point, General john
ston ordered Yandel to stop there, estaD-
lish hospital, and give them his services.
He said to Yaudell These men were our
enemies a.moment ago; they are prisoners
now. Take care of them.' Yandell remon.
strated against leaving him, but he was
peremptory. Had Yandell remained with
him, he would have had little difficulty with
the wound"