Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-03-17
CROWDING MEMORIES.
Recollections Brought Back by "Joe''
JOhnStOn's Interview.

JOhnstOn's Interview.
Apropos of General "Joe" john
ston's plain statement about the Bar
bara Freitchie poem that has so long
imposed upon the world, the TINES
recalls an incident:
In the spring of 1852, Johnston
commanded the confederate forees
that during May retreated from York
town to the Chickahominy line below
Richmond. On May 31st and June
LIST occurred the engagements known
as Fair Oaks or Seven Pines. During
these battles the writer happened to
be on General Johnston's front, and
witnessed on or near the "Nine Mile
Road" the wounding of the General.
AS he was being assisted by soldier
Immediately after receiving the
wound, he said in his quiet way:
"The ball that shoots me down will
shoot Lee up"
Prophetic words these were. The
wounded officer was taken to the
home of Mr.. Crenshaw, Of Richmond,
where he was tenderly cared for. The
command was given to r. E. Lee,who
faithfully carried out Johnston's plans,
with the result to Mcclellan known to
the world. Johnston was transferred
to distant department, and went on
making history; but he held to the
end place in the hearts of the old
Virginia army barely, if at all, second
to "Bob" Lee, the consummate flow
or of the old States glory.
Another incident comes stealing
back as memory strikes upon the Sc
pulcher of Past, and is refreshed b,
reading the anecdote about Alecl
Stephens "big overcoat," as told by
General Grant on Lincoln, on the oc
casion OF the Hampton Roads confer
ence.
Upon the return of these "neac
commissioners" to Richmond, an i'm
mense mass meeting was called in tn
African Church, and distinguish
speakers were announced for the oc
casion-Jeff Davis, the president
among them. 1t became known "ou
on the lines" and "6eld officer,
from each brigade was 'grante
"a hours leave to visit the capital
The writer was one from Longstreet
command. Arrived in the city, has
was made to secure seat in the ra
idly filing edfce. At the doorws
the writer noticed little body close
pressed and unable to get IN.
moment after he recognized Vic
President Stephens, and taking
hand piloted him to the front of t
hall near the platform. .
Several distinguished orators we
heard upon the situation, but t
audience awaited anxiously the a
pearanee of President Davis. Aft
time he arose, and erect as &C
umn, advanced to the front. He sto
for moment surveying the immen
throng assembled in the largest h
in Richmond. Spies and preache
few females, and crowds of "boI
proof" soldiers we're there. About
little groups were men from
front, wearing their stained unifor'
and many their swords, fresh from
trenches and outposts.
The silence was painful, for Da
was about to speak what might be
garded as the life or death of !
ton. Clear as bell rang out
first words, a quotation from Britai
great statesman, "Where liberty
there's my oountry!" Davis wa
superb orator, second barely to
man OF his time. On this occasion
the energy of the man
aroused. His address was
mosaic of pathos, appeal, argum
defiance and historic drawings. His
dience was almost unable to brea
AS he reached the climax of
speech and pictured the past and
terrors Of surrender, men with ne
of iron gasped for breath, so powe
was the effect. At this instant
Stephens, who sat beside the wri
placed his thin hands upon his
with grip seemingly too severe
ona an fra;l rs he leaning over TOW