St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-20
TWO HEROIC OFFICERS
Some Personal Recollections
ofAlbept Sidney Johnston
and Robert E. Lee.
Two Of the Brightest Stars in
the Galaxy Of the Con-
federaey.
Gen. Johnston Killed Before
His Military Tactics Could
Shine.

Gen. Lee Before the War, and
the Comment Down
South.
On the Sd day of March, 1855, while
Jefferson Davis was secretary OF war,
the standing army of the United States
was increased by the addition of two
regiments of cavalry and two Of in
fantry. AT the head of the Second
regiment Of cavalry he placed Albert
Sidney Johnston, promoting him from
major in the pay department. Johnston
had distinguished record. He had
espoused the cause of Texas in the
struggle of its people for independence,
and took a very prominent part, and
after the independence was established
and recognized he became one of >the
leaders In the administration of the civil
affairs Of the republic. In the Mexican
war also he was distinguished for his
gallantry and efficient services, which
were rewarded at its close by his ap-
pointment to the pay corps of the reg
ular army. He was large, square built
man, something over six feet in height, !
erect and as straight as an arrow. A
slight impeachment in his step was due to
a pistol shot wound received in a
duel with Felix Houston, a brother of
Sam Houston. The ball entered near
the surgeon. Years after he felt an
itching sensation in the bottom of his
foot, and it continued so long that he
was induced to ask physician to eX-
anime and ascertain the cause. A slight
inciSiOn
Released the Bullet
from its long confinement, but he never
recovered from his slight lameness. At
the breaking out of the war he was in
command of the Department of Cali
fornia, and the authorities of the gov
eminent suspecting his loyalty, dis
patched Col. E. Y. Sumner with sealed
orders to proceed to San Francisco and
supersede him. Seeing that he was sus-
pected he resigned, and was at once
appointed general in the Confederate
army. He was killed at the battle of
Shiloh, before he had an opportunity of
demonstrating to the world that he was
the ableStand most accomplished soldier
who esp0used the cause Of the South.
AS colonel of the Second cavalry, he
was s4rict dlSciplinarian, and required
every officer to do his duty we'll and
faithfully, but he exacted from others
not more than he was willing to do him.
self. | was his regimental quartermas-
te&, and while he was stationed at Fort
Mason our quarters were separated only
by hall, and | had ample opportunity
to study his private life. He was the
very soul of honor. incapable of doing
anything about which there could be a
question. Prompt in the performance
of his own duty, he expected, and eX-
acted, it OF others.
| remember on one occasion being in
Yited. with a number of others, to dine
with him and his estimable wife. Attic
hour named, one of the invited guests
had not put III his appearance. | no.
ticed that
He Seemed Annoyed.
and heard him say, "Any one should
accept or reject an invitation to dine |
with the same promptnesS that he |
would accept or reject challenge to
fight duel, and be on hand at the |
moment named"
He was somewhat superstItious. prob |
ably occasioned by his early surround !
ings in Kentucky. On one occasion a |
soldier in my company killed Texas |
lion and cut off the claws, giving two Of |
them to me. | gave one to the colonel |
and asked him to carry it "for luck" l |
know that he did so for years, and it is
probable that it was in his pocket when |
he fell on the field of Shiloh.
In his intercourse with the officers of |
his regiment he never un6ended him |
self, but always observed the most rigid |
dignity. He was kind and indulgent |
husband and father, true and warm |
friend, and most excellent commander. |
l have always thought that his services
were lost to the Union cause by the
manner in which he was dep0sed in |
California.
Lee Before the War.
Robert E. Lee, the late distinguished |
commander, was in 1855 captain in
the corps of engineers. AS an engineer
officer he had greatly distinguished
himself in the war with Mexico, under
the eye of Gen. Scott, and was great
favorite of that grand old chieftain.
Lee was appointed lieutenant colonel,
to rank as such from March 8, 1855, and
was assigned to the Second cavalry. He
was in command of Fort Mason, Tex.
in the spring of 1861, when it became
evident that the people OF that state
were widely In favor of withdrawing
from the Union and waging war
against the Federal government.
misunderstanding men in small
SQUADS, well mounted. lowered around
the post, and it became evident to every
one that they designed capturing the
garrison and appropriating the govern
ment property to their own use or to
that of the Confederate states. Col.
Lee, becoming satisfied that the pres
ence of these men signified mischief.
resolved on fortifying the post, but be
fore doing so he thought 1t advisable to
ascertain if he could rely upon the 10y
atty of the officers under him. [ know
that he asked me if intended to stand
by the government or follow the fort
unes of the Southern people. On being
assured that | intended to stand by the
Union first last fand all the time. he
expressed himself as much gratified,
and proceeded to tell me how he pro-
posed to fortify his position. And now
as [ recall his plans, it seems strange to
me that man who was so distinguished
subsequently could have overlooked a
matter Of such vital
Importance I'm a Siege.
viz, how was the garrison to be sup
piled with water? The spring. the only
source of supply. was at least half
mile outside of his intended entrench-
ments. All that the enemy would have
mad to do to insure the capitalization of
the garrison was to take possession of
the spring, for there were neither wells
nor cisterns inside of the fort.
However, before anything was done,
Col. Lee was ordered to report to Gen.
Scott, and it is understood that. had he
remained loyal, he would have sue
ceeded to the command of the federal
army But he could not resist the en-
treaties Of his Southern friends, and so
resigned, and at once identified himself
with the Southern cause.
After having taken his seat in the am
bulance that was to bear him away from
Fort Mason, stepped up to the vehicle
10 bid him good-Dy, and as l held his
hand in mine | asked him it be were