The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-04-02
AN OLD HERO GONE.
GEN. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON DIES SUD-
DENLY IN WASHlNTON.

WASHINGTON, March 21.-Gen. Joseph
II. Johnson died shortly after II o'clock
tonight at his residence on Connecticut
Avenue. The General has been suffer-
ing Tor the past three weeks with an af-
fectlon of the heart, aggravated by cold
caught soon after Sherman's funeral at
New York. His physician has been
trying 10 keep up his strength for some
days, but his advanced age has given
little hope for his recovery from the be-
ginning of his illness.
The General did not seem to suffer in
the least and was conscious to the last.
AT his bedside were Ex-Governor Nc
Lain, of Maryland, the Generals broth
er-1n-laW, and the nurse. The imme-
diate cause Of death was heart failure,
the result of fatty degeneration of the
heart, due in a measure to a cold con-
tractsd some weeks ago, but more par
tlcularly due to extreme old age. At
times for about two years, General John
ston has shown uumistakable signs of a
general breaking down. His mind often
became bewildered SO that he could not
tell where he was or how he came
there. Some days after Sherman's fun
era! the General one night got up out
OF the bed, while in a state of profuse
perspiration, which greatly aggravated
The slight cold with which he was then
suffering: This brought on severe at
tack OF his old heart trouble, which com
pletely Frustrated him. Ills physician,
Dr. Lincoln, succeeded, however, with
much difficulty, in arreSting the disease
for time, and for day or two prior to
aWeek ago yesterday he seemed to be
really improving. On that day, however,
he went down stairs without assistance,
as he had done before, but it proved too
much for his strength, and only with the
ald OF Governor McLain could he again
reach his bed or even rise from the sofa
where he was sitting. From that tirlo
he continued to grow worse until about
o'clock this evening, when DR.. Lincoln
found him perfectly comfortable and
apparently little better. While his
friends and attendants knew that he
might pass away at any time, yet they
had had no warning that the end was
so near. Governor McLain entered the
room at little after II o'clock, and as
he approached the Generals bedside, he
heard an almost inaudible sigh, and the
General was dead. General JohnsOn's
nearest living relative is Il sister, Mrs
Mitchell, who lives III this city. The
funeral services will be held in this city,
although tue day has not been fixed up
on. The interment will be made at
Green Mount cemetery, Baltimore.
Gen. Johnston was the last, save Beau
1CSTiu, VI Ille Din 1till 1ellerdlS OF the
Confederacy. He was born at Cherry
Grove. Va, in 1907, and was graduated
from West Point in 1929, in the same
class with General Robert +. Lee. lie
was appointed Second Lieutenant of the
Fourth Artillery, and first saw active
service in the field in 1882 in the Black
Hawk Indian expedition. lie was pro-
NOTED in 1886, and was an aide de camp
on General Winfield Scott's staff in the
Seminole war. lie participated in all
the important battles connected with
General Scotts campaign in Mexico,
from the taking Of Vera Cruz to the
capture OF the city Of Mexico. He was
thrice breveLted Ior gallantry during
this war, and in 1913 was mustered out Of
service as Lieutenant Colonel of volun-
teers only to be reinstated by Congress
with his original rank Of Captain of
Typographical Engineers. lie was
commissioned Quartermaster General
of the United States Army in June,
1850, but resigned the following April
to enter the Confederate service in
which, as Major General of volunteers,
he assisted General Lee in the work of
organizing, the men pouring into Rich
mond. Subsequently he was commits
stoned Brigadier General in the regular
Confederate service and was placed in
command at lIarper's Ferry. lie joined
forces with Beauregard and remained
IN command Of the consolidated troops
until 1862. AT the battle of Seven Pines
ne was wounded and incapitated for
duty for about six months. His next
service was as commander of the army
OF ""'enesseo and he employed the Win
tty = -oG3 in reorganizing his command,
which hau become demOraliZed by the
defeat at Missionary Ridge. lie was
relieved OF this command in July, 1854,
by order of the authorities at Rich
mond General Hood succeeding him.
Early in 1865 General Lee again as
signed him to the command from which
ne had been relieved and ordered him
TO drive back Sherman. General john
Ston urged Lee to abandon Richmond,
JON forces with him ana fight Sherman
before Grant could come up, but Lee
replied that it was impossible for him
TO leave Virginia. AS his force was
small General Johnson declined deci-
slVe engagement and hung on Shcrmans
hanks, annoying the latter and impe-
dlng his march from Atlanta towards
hlchmond as much as possible. Lee
surrendered at AppomattoX and John
Ston obtaining the consent Of President
Jefferson Davis that the war should not
pc Iilrther prolonged entered into nego-
tlatlons with Sherman. The first agree
nenC framed was disapproYed by the
Federal Government, and on April 2G
tle second agreement was concluded.
General Johnson, after the war, became
successfully president of a railroad
company in Arkansas, of ar express
company in Virginia and an Insurance.
agent In Georgia. lie was elected to
Congress from the Richmond District
in 1877, and next saw public life as.
Commissioner of Railroads, which Of
flee he held under President Cleveland's
administration. He had lived in this
city since he lost his Office under the
present administration. In person Cen
eral Johnston was II man of slender
build, OF not more than meGirm height
aud with kindly, pleasant lace. He
was unobtrusive in manner and invari.
bly, courteous to all persons with whom
he was brought in contact.
Gen. Johnston's Funeral.
WASHINGTON, March 24.-Funeral
services were held at II o'clock Tues
day morning over the remains of the
~Foxl