Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-03-27
DEATH OF GEN. JOSEPH E.
JOHNSTON.

n -
heart failure at his residence in this
city at Ills o'clock tonight. With
him ct the last moment was ex.Gov-
ernor McLane, Of Maryland, and the
nurse. His death was very sudden,
and a few moments before dissolu
tion there was no outward appear.
ance to Indicate it. He then gasped
feebly once or twice, aud the great
leader of armies had himself obeyed
the last summons.
General Johnston had been con-
fined to his room for several weeks
past and during the last few days
had gradually grown weaker. Dur
ing the past twenty-four hours he
had remained in semi i-comatose
condition and was aroused with diff
Guilty. His death was SO peaceful
that Governor McLane, who was ut
his bedside, could not for several
moments believe that the General
was dead. There was not o sign, not
a movement; his heart ceased to beat
and he sank to rest as peacefully
and quietly Us babe to sleep.
In addition to his heart trouble
the General had contracted severe
cold when he recently acted as pail
bearer at the funeral of Admiral
Porter and General Sherman.
General Johnston was the last,
save Gen. Beaureguard, of the six
full generals Of the Confederacy.
he was born at Cherry Grove, Va.
in 1909, and was graduated from
West Point in 1927, in the same
class with Gen. Robert q. Lee. Hc
was appointed secoud lieutenant
of the Fourth Artillery, and first
saw active service in the field in.
1882 in the Black Hawk Indian
expedition. lie participated in
all the important battles connect
ed with Gen. Scott's campaign in
Mexico, from the taking Of Vera
Cruz to the capture of the city of
Mexico. He was thrice brevetted
for gallantry during this war. He
was commissioned quartermaster
general Of the United States army
i'll Juno 1850, but resigned the fol
lowing April to enter the Confed-
crate service, in which as major
general of volunteers he assisted
Gen. Lee in the work of organic
ing the men who were pouring into
Richmond.
subsequently he was commits
stoned a brigadier general in the
regular Confederate service.
At the battle of Seven Pines lie
was wounded and incapacitated for
duty for about six months.
Lis next service was as COM
of the Army of Tennessee,
and he employed the winter of
1868 to reOrganize his command,
which had become demoralized by
the defeat at Missionary Ridge.
He was relieved of command in
July, 1864, by order Of the author
tiles at Richmond, Gen. Hood sue
ceeding him. Early in 1864 Gen.
Lee again assigned him to the
command from which he had been
relieved, and ordered him to drive
back Sherman.
Gen. Johnston urged Lee to
abandon Richmond, join forces
with him, and fight Sherman be-
fore Grant could come up; but Lee
replied that it was impossible for
him to leave Virginia, as Ills force
was small. Gen. Johnston, dur
ing decisive engagement, hung
on Sherman's fianks, annoying the
latter and impeding his march
from Atlanta to Richmond as much
as possible.
Gen. Johnston after the war be-
came successiveiy president of a
railroad company in Arkansas, of
an express company in Virginia
and an insurance agent in Geor-
gia. He was elected to Congress
from the Richmond district in 1877
and next saw public life as com
missioner of railroads, which Of
flee he held under President
CIeyeland,s administration. He