Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-22
Death Of General Johnston.

~ lenglu IL idlu lho OyS0 '''''N '
seen more than eiehty-four years ana
dashed in scores OF battles have looked
their last upon earth. The Great Battle
has been fought and we trust victory won
His account with this world is made up.
and over the grave which is soon to receive
Dis mortal part many will stand and weep
for the good friend gone and recall those
traits that in the home circle made MN
ono of the most lovable of men. While
che great world will think OF him as a
famous commander these will emoalm
memories which exhibit him 80 the hum
BILE Christian, the affectionate husband,
and the wise counsellor. These had pene-
trsted the reserve which to some, indeed.
seemed to deserve the name OF GOODNESS.
These know better than all Others how
warm heart was concealed beneath sol
dier's habitual reticence, and how con-
siderate and affectionate he was TO those
who had even the slightest claim upon him.
With him a majestic figure passes into
history. With him dies the last of the
great commanders Of our late war. Al
pERr SIDNEY JOHNSON. SToNKwAtL JACKSON,
and LEE arc gone from our side; GRANT,
SRERIpAs, and SHERMAN from the other.
Generals still survive who made great
names, but none of equal fame as these.
General JOHNSTON was born before any OF
those we have named. yet was the last to
90. He owed his immunity so long from
disease to a strong constitution inherited
from O robust ancestry and to ludicious
habits of life. TO these were happily
Soined an even temperament. great will
power, and much practice in selt-com-
mand.
His figure and appearance were those OF
the typical soldier. His height was not
great, but he bore himself with perfect
erectness and at the same time bad an easy
carriage. He had passed four-score before
the weight of years began to bend him,
and bis natural powers were but little
abated when the signal sounded from an
other shore summoning him to cross the
river over which LEE and JACKSON had long
before passed. That he who had faced
death upon so many fields of battle. that
he who had survived so many bullet
etorms, should meet death at last with the
Christian soldiers courage and hope was
to have been expected.
General JOHNSTON was born February 3,
1907. His grandfather was O Scotchman,
who came to this country in 1927 and set
tied in James City. Subsequently he re-
moved to Prince Edward county and gave
20 the trustees of Hampden-Sidney College
the land on which that institution was To-
Gated.
The Generals father was PETER JOHN
sToS, Jr., who was born at Osborne's
landing in 1863. He joined LEES legion
at the age of sixteen and led the forlorn
hope at the storming of Fort Watson,
"and 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,
land was Speaker of the House at the
! time of the passage Of the resolutions OF
I7eSJ99." In 1909 he removed to Washing
ton county, having been elected judge OF
new judicial circuit, and resided there un-
al his death IN 1871. tie married MARY
WOOD, O niece of PATRICK HENRY
General JOHNSTON was born at Cherry
Grove, near Farmville, and was but two
wears old when he was removed with
his fathers family TO Washington county.
He was graduated from West Point III 1923
In the same class with LIE and was COM
rnissioned second lieutenant in the Fourth
artillery.
He was in the Black Hawk expedition in
1882; was aide-de-camp to General WIN
,rrr1p SooTT in the Seminole war; was
brevetted captain for gallantry in the war
with the Florida Indians. and in the war
with Mexico displayed such skill and gal
lantry that he was rapidly breyetted major,
lieutenant-colonel, and colonel. At Cha
pultepec September, IS, 1s47, he was 1.-The
first TO plant regimental color on the
ramparts of the fortress" He was quarter
master general of the United States army
in 1861, when he resigned his commission
70 offer his sword to Virginia.
General JoHSsToN's service In the Con-
federate army belongs to recent history.
The forces of BRAUREoARD and JOHNSTON
fought the battle of Manassas, and the con-
polidated army with JOHNSTON as CON-
msnder remained at Manassas junction un-
CIxILAs's advance ON the Peninsula. On
the retreat of the Confederates towards
Richmond the battle Of Williamsburg was
fought. On May 81, 1862, JoHNsToN at
Hacked MCCLELLAN at Seven Pines. and a
bloody but undeclsiye battle was fought
that and the following day. On the first
day General JOHNSTON received wound so
severe that he was incapacitated for duty
for several months. and soon afterwards
General LEE took command of the army
and held it until the surrender ut Apo
mattox.
Five full generals were created by act Of
the Confederate Congress and these were
commissioned by the President in August,
1861. in tho following order: Samuel
CooPsn. ALHrRr SIDNEY JOHNSTON. RoBrRI
Y. LEE, JOSEPH T.. JOHNSTON, and g. T.
BxAuRRoARD.
l The frrnds of General JOHNSTON insisted
that this was gross injustice TO General
Josrxsrps and that according TO his OLD
army rank he should baye been first, moi
fourth. General JOHNSTON himself pro.
tested against this action as illegal and
ss in violstion Of the understanding
and pledges given those who quit.
ted the old army service as be
did. Here opened tho breach between
Genera, JOHNSTON aud President DAVIS.
For some reason not generally known
there may have been an absence of cor
dislity between them before this. but
henceforth they ceased 10 be friends.
Several times there were serious misunder-
standing and sharp correspondence be-
tween them. We shall not attempt to ap-
portion the blame We are we'll satisfied
that both were thoroughly honest and sim
cere. but both were men Of strong con-
viction&-
In the spring of 1868 General JOHNSTON
was assigned to tho command of the
Southwest. His efforts to relieve PExBER-
TON ct yicksburg failed by reason Of
PsxgrRTos's disobedience 10 his orders. II
has been claimed. Next JOHNSTON was
transferred TO the Army Of the Tennessee,
and be bad organized 9 enc army at Dali
teA TaRs- whAs In JULY leA. hs YEA re-