The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-24

or Joseph T. Johnston has been contribute
BIZ ROBERT NJ HUGnEs. who was designate
Tor tho purpose by tho subject OF the bogr'
fliy inst before the latter's death. Tho boo
before US supersedcs n more elaborate wor
Sriioh tho author had originally planned. A
1htfc reference as possible Is made to Cor
Jobpston's personal narrative. published som
twenty years ago. the main source OF the in
formation embodied IN this biography Ia
boon the official war records which have bee
published by tho Government and the Gen
q erals private papers, which are now in th
possession OF the author
:, It, Is a notable fact that the basis OF tn
friendship between Lee and Johnston wa
\ laid in the last century by the fathers Of the
two great Southern captains OF the civil war
Joseph Eggleston Johnston was the eight
son of Peter Johnston. who. in 1883
married Mary Wood niece OF Patrick
Henry Peter Johnston at the age OF -
San away from Hampden Sidney Colleg,
and enlisted in the legion OF Light Horse
Harry Lee. BY the end OF the war he
had risen. Notwithstanding his youth. from
the ranks to the grade Of Lieutenant and had
become q favorte with his commander. Peter
nam cd his eighth son. who was born at Cherry
Grove. in Prince Edward county. Feb. 3. 1907,
after Joseph Eegleston. who had been the
Captain Of the company Of which he had been
himself Lieutenant In 1911 Peter Johnston.
Who.at the end Of the Revolution had applied
himself to the study OF the law. was
appointed Judge OF the General Court
d Virginia. and. having been assigned
40 the Abingdon Circuit removed to his
new field OF labor. 1t was in the heart OF
4&he mountainous and densely wooded country
;sAt FIRST known as the Wolf Hills that Joseph
:3ohnston's early years were passed. His edu-
9eation was begun at homo by his parents. and
tcarTied on by them until he became old
Hcnough to enter the academy at Abingdon.
(which 10 described as a fair classical school.
31n 1S25. at the age Of Is, he obtained the ap:
apointment OF cadet in the Military Academy at
West Point One OF the nine Virglnians who
,entered the academy at that time was Robert
i..E. Lee. There seems to be nothing specially
noteworthy In Johnston career at West Point.
except the fact that an affection OF the eyes
which debarred him from using them at night
Il probably made his graduation mark lower than
sNwoufd otherwise have been. When he COM
Spleted his course. In 1922 he was No. 10 in a
3elass OF forty six. the place next the head hav-
t0ng been secured by Lee.
'!Johnston's first military service was as Sec
hond Lieutenant in the Fourth Artillery: the
sAext. In garrison at New York. followed by SINH
hrservce at Fortress Monroe. This perod.cov-
sring three years. was uneventfu. being main
~ employed In acquiring knowledge Of the
Boldier's duty. His first experience in actual
campaigning was in the Black Hawk expedi-
zion OF 1882. under Gen. Scott. in which he
participated. though without any opportunity
.l1or distinction. In the autumn OF the same
Year, when the notification troubles In South
Carolina were at their height. Johnston was.
with a small body Of United States troops. sta
STONED at Charleston by President Jack son for
fh0 or prasarynp orIa ri ha
ensuing three years he was stationed at For
tress Monroe. and at Fort Macon North Caro-
TINA. and he was also assigned to topograph
acal duty. In the beginning Of 1896 Gen. Scott
was ordered to Florida to take charge Of oper-
ations against the Indians.a Johnston ac-
tcompanied him as member OF his staff
Scott's failure to achieve any substantial re-
suit caused much unfavorabe comment and
eventually the convocation Of a court OF in
Quiry. before which Johnston was summoned
asa witness. The result OF the investigation
was com plete vindication OF Scott. but Johns
Lob. whose military ardor may have boon
chilled by observing the dissensions among
his superiors. and who. during the seven years
succeeding his graduation. had attained only
che rank OF First Lieutenant. determined to
leave the army. and rendered his resignation.
TROUBLES again breaking out In Florida, he |
Thought better OF his purpose to enter civil !
assigned as a typographical engineer to the |
expedition under Lieut.. Powell. which was
defeated by the Indians but the survivors Of |
which Johnston. although himself twice |
wounded. contrived to rescue The fact thaS |
his clothing had thrty-two bullet holes in it |
made him known throughout the country. and. |
what was more to the point. gain cd for him the |
bfeyet Of Captain. as we'll as the appointment |
or First Lieutenant in the topogr phical en-
wi, S-Vkt -I, II
rnnk. and prevented him from losing anything
by his resignation. After serving in Florida
during part OF 1888 he was assigned TO yari-
Gus duties devoying upon tho corps OF topo-
graphical engineers. first in river mprove-
ments. then with the party marking the
boundary between Texas and the Unitod
States. afterward with the party making
. survey OF the great lakes In 1912
he was ordered to report to Gen.
Worth. who then commanded In Florida
ana sWRo had the good fortune to end the p,o.
fraeted war against the Scminoles which is
estimated to have cost the United States two
thousand lives and twenty millions of dollars.
Sln bis nnal return from Florida. Johnston was
attached to the Geographical expedition
which had In charge the survey OF the boun-
dairy between the United States and the British
provinces. On the completion OF this work he
was attached to the coast survey. in which he
was engaged until the outbreak OF the Mexi-
can war; 1t was during this period OF com
narrative rest that he married Lydia McIane.
daughter OF Lewis McLane. and sister of
Robert Al. McLane whose intimacy with Johns
1on continued without interruption during
bis long life The union was n particularly
happy one. the absence of offspring serving
only to draw the married pair closer together.
800 H.
2 On the outbreak OF the war with Mexico.
Johnston. who had meanwhile become Cap
tain OF Typographical Engineers. secured an
Aseignment to the expedition against Vera
Cruz under Gen. Scott. On April 9. lS47 less
Ehan fortnight after the surrender OF the city
and castle. Johnston was appointed Lieuten-
ent-Colonel Of Votigeurs, n new regiment OF
regulars raised for the war. and forming part
Of Cadwallader's Brigade. In this capacity he
aeenm naniad tie III vi sian Of I,.isxs.a he I.i