The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-08


While every days delay added to his own
strength, Johnston decided to attack Grant
before Buell's arrival. The march began on
the Sd, the troops struggling on over bad
roads until they sank exhausted. On the
4th the advance was taken mp, but shortly
after noon a storm broke and drenched the
troops, flooding roads and streams Orders
were given out to fall upon Grant at day
light ON the 5th But for the pelting storm
that would have been done, and Shiloh
might have another history. General John
ston was on the field at the appointed hour
with only Hardee's corps In position. Later
Braggs corps came on, but hour after hour
passed, and Polk and Hindman were not on
hand. Noon came, and glancing at the sun
the commanders long curbed patience gave
way. '"This is puerile." said he. This is
not war" With his staff he rode back
along the road, and by dint of hard work
the line was formed at o'clock. 1t was then
too late to give battle, and a council of war
was called. Some thought delay of one
day would put the enemy alert and late
attack would fail After hearing all sides
General Johnston gave orders for the attack
on the 9th II would fight them il they
were a Million" said he. That night he
visited all the bivouacs and spoke to the
younger leaders and to the men, inspiring
them anew with the enthusiasm they had at
the start.
While the lines were forming on the 9th,
the generals again crowded around his
campfire and urged a retreat. Before he
could reply to their pleas, sound of firing
reached them from the front. '"The battle
has opened, gentlemen" he said and
mounted his horse to hurry to the scene.
From that time until bullet cut short his
life he was where the fight was hottest. He
died after leading a brilliant charge at a
point where his men had been four times
repulsed and hesitated to go in again. He
rode up to brigade OF Tennesseeans and
touched their bayonets with a significant
gesture, saying, These must do the work"
At the center Of the line he stopped and
said: ''Men, they (the enemy are stubborn,
and we must use the bayonets. will lead
you" A mighty shout was the response,
and the men move forward with a resstless
STEP There was a roar of cannon and mus
kerry, storm Of lead and iron, a whitening
Confederate line and field strewn with
their dead but without n pause the brigade
went up the steep to the crest, and the en-
smy was in flight.
Some fleeing Union soldiers turned to
shoot their pursuers. and one of those ran
dom bullets gave Johnston his death
wound. His horse was hit four times, and
he himself received four shots. The mortal
wound was by n mimic ball in an artery of
the right leg. not necessarily fatal. John
bton had some time before that sent his
personal surgeon to minister TO Grants
wounded, whom they passed lying helpless
on the field. The surgeon demonstrated,
but the general was peremptory and said:
''These men were our enemies o moment
ago. They are prisoners now. Take care
Of them" Had surgical aid been near at
the moment OF wounding, Johnston's life
might have been saved.
General Johnston's death occurred about
$3.50 p. M, when Grants whole line was
drifting steadily back to the margin of the
Tennessee river. But with his fall the en-
ergy Of the attack subsided There was n
lull until 4 o'clock, at which time Union
reserves were up, battery planted on the
bluffs 10 protect the landing, and there was
no longer a chance TO drive Grants army
into the river, which was Johnston's well
conceived and all but successful plan.
GEORGE l.. kILMER.