The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-01-28

active as an athlete, he made soldier
raise him on his shoulders.
Having personally led troops in
action, as staff officer having directed
an army in the field, as engineer hay
ing selected and prepared lines Of de.
fense, he had been trained in the
largest and severest school Of the sol
dier, physically and intellectually
and | do not claim too much when
assert that in the year 1861 he wa:
! the best equipped soldier in the Army
of the United States accomplished in
all the knowledge of the Art of Wal
and capable of directing great affair:
and great armies"
| Add to the foregoing the testimo ny
of Col. Archer Anderson, who deliv-
cred brilliant eulogy upon Gen. Lee
at the unveiling of his statue in Rich
mond, which all competent critics
pronounced unsurpassed and un'
equalled:
! "There was surely a rare union in
Gen. Johnston of physical and mental
vigor. .,ever was healthie. mind lodged
in healthier body. Though that body
was riddled with bullets, no unsound
spot was developed in it till the labor
of fourscore years was done.
He was, at all times, the very type
of a hardy soldier and the idea would
often come into the minds of those
about him, that the men who, with
the Roman short sword, conquered
the world, must have looked like him.
1t was this martial bearing that at
once won the hearts of the soldiers.
The flashing of his eye and the move
ments of his body were more potent
commands than any spoken words.
Never was war-like temper more visi-
bly, stamped on face, gesture and bear
ing, than in the person of this grand
! leader in the crisis of action. To see
him then was to receive new impulse
to battle.
Such were some of the elements out
of which that rare product-a man
fitted to lead armies-was formed.
Only a feav such men are born tn d
century. x Even if affection
and pride were dead in US such soldier
should not lack enduring commenda-
ton. The safety of the country can
never be assured if each generation
shall not produce one such hero to
lead her armies in the day of peril.
| Referring to the Atlanta campaign,
Colonel Anderson says: "The Army
of Tennessee was demoralized by re-
cent disaster at Missouri Ridge. When
| Johnston assumed command conf
dence and military spirit instantly re-
vived-and all this came without any
display or boastful promises on the
part of the commander. The army
felt that bold heart and a penetrating
mind would bring to bear upon its
fortunes the highest military skill and
the most patriotic DEVOTION
If this was the effect he produced
upon his own troops the respect he al
once inspired into the enemy's rank:
was equally marked. Nothing is more
striking than the uniform testimony o.
Sherman and all his officers to John.
ston's signal merits as a commander
| And the same opinion has prevailed
amongst the best foreign military
critics.
Bradley Johnson quotes the follow
ing passage from Northern authority
Il, would be inviduous to single ou1
any one on either side for coolness il
: action; nevertheless the peculiar lido
syncracies of the Confederate general
]. E. Johnston, were conspicuous. He
was noted for absolute indifference to
; lead. sYou can't see things in theil
proper light, he would say to his staff
sunless we get much closer-qultt
close, in fact'-an6 close to the lin
of fire he aOoald go. 1t looked as Il
he never remembered that he had
been hit, or that there was any risk
, to run"
And yet he was more frequently
sshit' during his long career than any
other officer. In the Seminole Wa
Lieutenant Johnston Commanding
was wounded in the head. The Goa
he wore was long preserved as a curl
osity in the command. 1t had thirt!
+ bullet holes in it." Up. ~. "His indi
viduality, his dash, at Manassas were
beyond estimation. When the line:
were falling bark before the over
whelming onset, General Johnston
, seized the colors Of the Fourth Ala
brma, and rode cut in front, and raj
: lied the retreat, and re-establlshec
order. His gallantry gained the vic
tory more than any one incident o
the day (p. SD.
And this was the illuminated " fall
ing back general"
One word more from a person who
knew him we'll
; He was the most afectionate mar
Of men.
During the war he patriotlcall.
maintained absolute silence. The Mar
rative OF His Campaigns was modes
contribution to history, resembling il
many respects Naplers Peninsula
War, especially in the matter Of self
efacement.
But ample materials are found il
: official records, as in the case Of TIT
illustrious Lee. for the extension anc
' perpetuatiOn Of his fame.
4 FRIEND.
Take care Of the pennies and tn
dollars will take care of themselves