The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-02
TIE HERO OF THREE WARS
a Sketch of the Life and Distinguished
Services OF Gen. Joseph Z.
Johnston.

Judge Peter Johnston and grandson OF
Scotch emigrant of the same name,
was born in Longwood, near Farm
vile, Virginia, on the Sd of February,
1907, and was graduated from the
United States Military Academy in
1929 in the same class with Robert +.
Lee, and was commissiond second lieu
tenant in the 4th artillery.
He served in garrison at Fort Colum-
bus, n. Y, in 1S30-31, at Fortress Mon
roe, Va, in 1912, was in the Black
Hawk expedition in 1892, in garrison
at Washington in 1928, at Fortress
Monroe in 1898 81 at Fort Madison, n.
c., in 1884; and on typographical duty
in1S33+335. He was made first lieuten-
ant 4th artillery, 31st July, 1886, aide
de camp to Gen. Winfield Scott to the
Seminole war in 1868 and resigned
in May, 1887. He was a civil engineer
in 1S37-3S and was appointed first lieu
tenant in the corps of typographical
engineers in July, 1888, and brevetted
captain for gallantry in the war with
the Florida Indians.
On one occasion having been sent
under the escort of party Of Infantry
and sailors to make survey or recon-
noissance Of region around lake,
and having crossed the lake in boats,
the party fell into an ambuscade, and
nearly all of its officers were killed or
disabled at the first fire, the men were
thrown into confusion, but Lieut..
Johnston took command, subdued
: what was fast becoming panic and
conducted the retreat for seven miles.
A ball struck him above the forehead,
and ranged backward, grazing the
skull the whole distance. The troops
repelled the enemy and carried off
their wounded in safety to the boats.
The uniform worn by Lieut.. Johnston
on this occasion was long preserved by
AK .SFienGsz IS a curiosity, being perforated
bullets.
He served in the Typographical bu-
reau, and in 1914 on the survey of the
boundaries between the United States
and the British Provinces. From 1S44
to 1s46 he was engaged on the coast
survey.
In the war with Mexico he partici-
pated in the siege of Vera Cruz and the
battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras; Chu-
rubusco. Molino del Rey, Chapultepec
and the assault on the City of Mexico,
and was brevetted major, lieutenant
colonel and colonel on 18th of April,
iS47, for gallant and meritorious con-
duct on accommodating duty at Cerro
Gordo. He was severely wounded at
Ce1ro Gordo and again at Chapultepec,
where he led a detachment of the
storning party.
He was mustered out as lieutenant
colonel Of volunteers in lS4S, but he
was replaced in his former rank as cap
tain in the army. From 1858 to 1855
he was in charge of Western river i'm
provements. He was subsequently,
employed in various duties in Kansas
and elsewhere, and in 1858 was acting
inspector general in the Utah eNpedi-
ton. In June, 1860, he became quar-
termaster general, with the rank Of
brigadier general of staff. This post he
resigned on April %, 1861, to enter the
Confederate service.
HIS CAREER AS A CONFEDERATE.
He was commissioned major geners- :
volunteers in the Army of NcI+c>>srrh
Virginia, and with Gen. R. F95: Lee
ganized the voluntee5fasss of that Sta
who were then poQg5;-tng into Richmo
On being sur~ttsAhoned to Montgome
pre- ,italJ q of the Provisional Confed
ysTernment, he was appointed {
-The four brigadier generals, ii
commissioned, and was assigned to
Z te command Of Harper's Feerry, G
Patterson commanding the FEEDER;
: was then approaching from the no
Of the Potomac and Gen. Johns
withdrew from the cul-de-sac at Ha
er's Ferry and took position at W
chester with his army, which '
called the Army of the Shenandoah
HE SAVES THE DAY AT MANAsSA A.
When Gen. Beaureguard was
tackled at Manassas by Gen. McDc
ell, on July is, 1861, Johnston, COY
ing his movement with Stuart's cav
~, left Patterson in the valley and r
, idly marched to the assistance Of Be
regUard. On reaching the field he
Beaureguard, whom he ranked, in t
tical command Of the field, and
sumed responsibility and charge Of
battle then about to be fought. O.
Johnston remained in command of {
consolidated forces until the spring
1852, when, finding Mcclellan about
advance, he withdrew to the Rap
hammock, whence he moved to m
Mcclellan. He was wounded at S
en- Pines, May 81, 1852, and incapa
tated for duty until the following :
tumn. In August Gen. Johnston, ,
der an Act of Congress, WAS appoint
one of five full generals in the Conf
crate armies, Of whom Gen. Beau
guard now alone survives.
In November he reported for dc
= and was assigned to the command
Z the Departments Of Tennessee and NJ