Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-03-23
GEN. JouysToy's CAREER.


General Johnston was the last, save
General Beauregard, of the six full gen.
erals Of the Confederacy. He was born
at Cherry Grove, Va, iu 1907, and was
graduated from West Point in 1929 in
the same class with General Robert +.
Lee. He was appointed second lieuten-
ant of the Fourth artillery and first saw
active service in the field in 1892 in the
Black Hawk Indian expedition. He
was promoted in 1886 and was an aide
de-camp on General Winfield ScOtt's
staff in the Seminole war. He partici-
pated in all the important battles con-
nected with General Scott'S campaigns
in Mexico, from the taking of Vera
Cruz 10 the capture OF the City of Mex
leo. He was thrice brevetted for
galantry during this war, and in
ls4s was mustered out of the
service as a Lieutenant colonel
of volunteers, only be reinstated
by Congress with his original rank OF
Captain OF typographical engineers. He
was commissioned Quartermaster Gen
eral of the United States army in June,
1860, but resigned the following April
to enter the Confederate service, in
which as a Major General of Volun-
teers he assisted General Lee in the
work OF organizing the men who were
pouring into Richmond. Subsequently
he was commissioned Brigadier Gen
eral in the regular Confederate service,
and was placed in command of Harper's
Ferry. He joined forces with Beau
regard aud remained in command of
the consolidated troops until 1862.
At the battle Of Seven Pines
he was wounded and incapacita-
ted for duty for about six months.
His next service was as commander Of
the Army of Tennessee, employed the
winter OF 1868 to reorganize his COM
mand, which had become demOralized
by the defeat at Missionary Ridge. He
was relieved OF this command in July,
1864, by order OF the authorities at
Richmond, General Hood succeeding
him. Early in 1865, General Lee again
assigned him to the command from
which he had been relieved and ordered
him TO drive back Sherman. General
Johnston urged Lee TO abandon Rich
mond, join forces with him and 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
Johnston declining a decisive engage
ment, hung on Sherman's flanks, annoy
ing the latter and impeding his march
from Atlanta toward Richmond as much
as possible. Lee surrendered at APP
pomattox and Johnston, obtaining the
consent OF President Jefferson Davis
that the war should not be further pro-
longed, entered into negotiations with
sherman. The first agreement framed
was disapproved by the federal govern
ment and on April %, second agree
ment was concluded.
General Johnston after the war be-
came successfully president OF rait-
road company in Arkansas, OF an ex-
press company in Virginia and an insur-
ance agent in Georgia. He was elected
to Congress from the Richmond district
to 1877, and next saw public life as
commissioner OF railroads, which office
he held under President CleYeland's ad-
ministration. He had lived in the city
under the present administrations In
person General Johnston was man of
slender build, OF not more than medium
height and with a kindly, pleasant face.
He was unobtruSiye in manner and in
yariably courteous TO all persons with
whom he was brought in contact.