Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-03-25
Heath &c Gen. los. e. Johnston.


him at the time. His death WAS very sud
den, and few moments before dissolution
there was no outward appearance TO indi-
cate it. He then gasped feebly once Of
twice, and the great leader of armies had
himself obeyeG the last summons.
General Johnston had been confined to
his room for several weeks past, and DUR
ing the last few days had gradually grown
weaker. During the past twenty -four hours
he had remained in semi-comatose con-
dition and was aroused with difficulty.
His death was SO peaceful that Gov.
McLane, who was at his bedside, could not
for several moments believe that the gen
eral was dead. There was not sigh, nor
movement, his heart ceased to beat and
ne sank to rest as peacefully and quietly as
babe to sleep.
| In addition to his heart trouble, the
general had contracted severe cold when
he recently acted as pall-bearer at the
funerals Of Admiral Porter and Gen. Sher-
man.
The Dispatch gives good sketch of his
history and distinguished career which we
quote as follows =
"With him a majestic figure passes into
history. With him dies the last of tho
great commanders of cur late war. Albert
Sidney johnson, Stonewal jackson, and
Lee are gone from cur side Grant, Sheri-
dan, and Sherman from the other. Gen.
erals still survive who made great names,
L e fo,,
Johnston was born before auy of those we
have named, yet was the last to go. He
owed bis immunity so long from disease to
a strene constitution ipherited from a robust
ancestry and to judicious habits Of life
To these were happily joined an even
| temperament, great wili-poWer, and much
practice in selt-command.
| His figure and appearance were these of
the typical soldier. His height was not
great. but he bore himself with perfect
erectness and at the same time had an easy
carriage. He had passed fouT-score before
the weight of years began to bend him,
and his natural powers were but little
abated when the signal sounded from an
other shore summoniDg him to cross the
river over which Lee and jackson hEd long
before passed. That he who had faced
death upon so many fields Of battle, that
be who had survived so many bullet storms,
should meet death at last with the Chris
tian soldiers courage and hope was to have
been expected.
| General Johnston was born February 3,
| 1907 His grandfather was Seotchman,
who came to this country in 1927 and set
tied in James City. Subsequently he re-
moved to Prince Edward county ard gave
to the trustees CT Hampden- Sidney College
/ hat it,-tf IL
Gated.
| The Generals father was Peter John
| ston. Jr., who was born at Osborna's Land
| ing in 1868. He Joined Less legion at tho
age of sixteen and LED the forloIn hope at
the storming Of Fort Watson, sand was
publicly thanked in the presence of the
army for his conduct After the war he
entered upon the practice of the law at
Farmville, and represented Prince Edward
county in the General Assembly, SANG YES
Speaker Of the House at the time of the
/ passage of the resolutions of 1798-'99." In
1909 he removed to Washington county,
having been elected judge Of a new judicial
circuit and resided there until his death in
1S41. He married Mary Wood, q niece of
Patrick Henry.
/ General Johnston was born at Cherry
Grove, near Farmvilie, and was but two
years old when he was removed with his
fathers family to Washington county. He
was graduated f1om West Point in 1929 in
the Same class with Lee and was commits
eioned second lieutenant in the Fourth ar
tillery.
he was in the Black Hawk expedition in
1889: was aide 1e.csmp to General Win
field Scott in tho Seminole war; was
breyetted captain for gsllantry in tie war
| Tr1 in hO nm p
with Mexico displayed such skill and gal
lantry that he was rapidly bEevetted major,
Ilieutenant-coonel, and colonel. At Cha
pultepee September, 10, 1947, he was ''the
first TO plant regimeltal color ON the
ramparis of the fortress" He was quarter
z1aster-general Of the United States army
| in 1861, 9hen be resigned his commission
to offer his sword to Virginia.
General J9hnston's service in the Con-
| federate army belongs to recent history
The forces of Beauregard and Johnston
| fought the battle Of Manassas, and the con.
solidated army with Johnston as comman-
der remained at Manassas Junction until
| 1862, when it Withdrew TO meet McClellan's
advance on the Peninsula. Oa the retreat
of the Confederates towards Richmond the
battle Of Williamsburg vas fought. On
| May 81, 1862, Johnston attacked Mcclellan
at Seven Pines, and bloody but undecisive
battle was fought that and the following
day. On the first day General johnston re-
ceiyed a wound so severe that he Was in,
capacitated for duty for several months,
and soon afterwards General Lee took CON-
nard Of the amy and held it until the
surrender at Appomattox.
Five full generals were created by act of
the Confederate Congress aid these were
commissioned by the President in August.
1861, in the following order: Samuel
Cooper, Albert Sidney Johnston, obert
E, Lee, Joseph E. Johnston, and G, T.
Beauregard.
In the spring OF 1863 General Johnston
was assigned to the command CT the South
west. His efforts to relieve Pember'on at
Vicksburg failed By reason of Pemberton's
disobedieuca TO his orders, it has been
claimed. Next Johnston was transferred
to the Army Of tie Tennessee, and he had
organized fire army at Dalton, Team,
when in july, 1864, he was relieved and
Hood put in his place. After Hoods dis
astfous defeats Johnston was in 1860 re-
stored to command. This order came from
General Lee, who had meanwhile been
made commander-in chief of all the armies
of the Confederate States.
All that IL was possible IOr OeneI8i
Johnston to do was to delay and obstruc.
Sheyman's march. He had not the force
to overwhelm him. He met the difficulties
Of the situation with ability and energy,
but the end soon came, and on the 18th OF
April, 1865, be surrendered to Shermap.-
He secured admirable terms, but these the
Washington authorities repu0iated and
new terms we're arranged GA the bases of
those made at Appomattox
Thenceforwsrd General Johnston was a
civ ilian. His life was useful and busy
one. He represented this district in Con-
rress for Cna term Ha WAS the United