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

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 L.
Lee, and was commissiond second lieu
tenant in the 4th artillery.
He served in garrison at Fort Colum-
bus, n. Y, in 1S30-3l, at Fortress Mon
roe, Va, in 1882, was in the Black
Hawk expedition in 1882, in garrison
at Washington in 1928, at Fortress
Monroe in 1888 1884, 81 at Fort Madison, \.
c., in 1884; and on geographical duty
in1s3+335. He was made first lieuten-
ant 4th artillery, 31st July, 1886, aide
de camp to Gen. Winfield Scott to the
Seminole war in 1S36-3S and resigned
in May, 1887. He was 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 4 survey or recon
noissance of a 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
friend as a curiosity, being perforated
by thirty 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 1914
to 1916 he was. engaged on the coast
survey.
Inrthe 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 10Th of April,
1S47, for gallant and meritoriou5 con-
duct on accommodating duty at Cerro
Gordo. He was severely wounded at
Cerro Gordo and again at Chapultepec,
where he led a detachment of the
storming party.
He was mustered out as lieutenant
colonel of volunteers in 1918, but he
was replaced in his former rank as cap
tain in the army. From 1858 to 1855
ne 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 eXpedi-
ton. Ia 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 general
of volunteers in the Army of Northern
Virginia, and with Gen. r. f. Lee Or
ganized the volunteers of that State,
who were then pouring into Richmond.
On being summoned to Montgomery,
the capital Of the Provisional Confeder-
ate Government, he was appointed one
of the four brigadier generals, then
commissioned, and was assigned to the
command of Harper's Feerry, Gen.
Patterson commanding the FederaIs,
was then approaching from the north
of the Potomac and Gen. Johnston
withdrew from the cul-de-sac at Harp
er's Ferry and took position at Win
chester with his army, which was
called the Army Of the Shenandoah
he SAVES THE DAY AT MANASSAS.
When Gen. Beaureguard was at
tackled at Manassas by Gen. McDow-
ell, on July Is, 1861, Johnston, cover
ing his movement with Stuart's caval-
ry, left Patterson in the valley and rap
idly marched to the assistance Of Beau
regaard. On reaching the field he left
Beaureguard, whom he ranked, in tao
teal command Of the field, and as
sumed responsibility and charge Of the
battle then about to be fought. Gen.
Johnston remained in command Of the
consolidated forces until the spring of
1862, when, finding Mcclellan about to
advance, he withdrew to the Kappa
hammock, whence he moved to meet
Mcclellan. He was wounded at Sew
en- Pines, May 81, 1862, and incapaci-
tated for duty until the following au-
tumn. In August Gen. Johnston, I'M
der an Act Of Congress, was appointed
one of five full generals in the Confed-
crate armies, Of whom Gen. Beaure-
guard now alone survives.
In November he reported for duty
and was assigned to the command of
the Departments OF Tennessee and Mis-
sissippi. During Grants Eicksburg