The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-23

stv of a good book which makes you re-
gret when you have reached the conclu-
sion that there is not more of it.
But enough is told to convince the read
.er that Joseph E. Johnston was the ablest
general who lived in his generation, as
he was the most unjustly treated. 1t can
be said of him that in all of his long and
active life he was pre-eminent above all
other commanders, and all other men en-
gassed with him in military operations,
small or great.
Jospeh Eggleston Johnston came of a
race which for generations has given jur-
lists statesmen and soldiers to their coun-
erv-no stain has ever furnished their
brave and honest shield. Our great gen
eral was the bravest, ablest and truest
of them all.
For many years this battle-scarred
body was in the front of his country
wars. He had fought more battles, had
received more wounds, and won more
victories than any general of his time and
mas left lessons of strategy and patriot
ISM which will be always studied and en-
ulated.
Soon after graduating at West Point
Lieut.. Johnston was engaged in the Sem
anole war; and was specially distinguish
ed. When a party under command of an
officer of the navy were beset and over
4 awhelmed by the Indians he came to the
rescue, interposed his command, drove
N the Indians back and received his first
baptism of blood. While only five bullets
a made holes in his body, thirty left holes
h in his coat.
In the war with Mexico, few days
a previous to the battle of Cerro Gordo,
Lieut.. Col. Johnston was again wound
a ed, very seriously, while making a daring
Il reconnaissance of the Mexican defenses.
A few days afterward the battle of Cerro
Gordo was fought, and this writer received
a severe wound, which caused him to be
borne to the same Mexican hut where Col.
Johnston was lying, and where, through
the thin, reed partitions the wounded Off
i GERS, Johnston, Stevens, Mason and Lieut..
Derby John Phoenix could chat as cheer
fully as their condition permitted-all save
Johnston, whose grievous wounds and inn
patience at his absence from the field
made him silent and irritable.
One day he found considerable relief by
an explosion occasioned by Derby, whose
coarse jests had been a source of daily
increasing annoyance to Johnston, until
he found opportunity to explode when he
heard Derby order his servant to rob a
passing flock of kid and prepare it for
his dinner: eff you dare to do this, sir,
III have you court-martialled and shot, "
Numbered "Old joe" AS the penalty
might have been grave, John Phoenix
was sllenced-for a time.
Old Gen. Scott was a very humane
man, always considerable of his soldiers,
and so soon as his army was quartered in
TaIa l., e
and comfortable transfer of his sick and
wounded to that beautiful and salubrious
city. A strong escort with filters and
ambulances were sent down for us, and
we were tenderly cared for upon our two
days march to the city.
My old friend, Kirby Smith, who had
been greatly distinguished in several bat
ties was in command of the escort guard
ing my litter, and was devoted in his care
of me. During all of the second day s
march we were in sight of the beautiful
city Of Jalapa, nestled amidst the rich
foliage of the mountains, 5000 feet OF
more above the sultry seacoast we had left
at Vera Cruz.
Here Col. Johnston rapidly recovered
from his wounds His devoted attendant
was young Preston Johnston, his nephew
and loving friend, and as soon as 1 could
walk about Lieut.. Coppee daily gave me
his help to walk around to see how our
great colonel was faring. / remember well
that walk. 1t took US through the main
plaza, and by a street to the colonels
house, and on the way we daily found a
beautiful maiden, awaiting our coming
past her window, in which she stood-a
most beautiful Mexican lady of IS sum-
mers. expectant and gentle and lovely
she had a salutation ready for me. am
sure 1t was for me, because Copee was an
ugly fellow and had no wounds, while
was quite the reverse-at that time; fol-
that was over fifty years ago--and she
never stands in that window any more.
She was the favorite daughter OF Gen
Santa Anna, whom any gentleman in the
country would have been glad to marry
IL he could, although her parents mar
rage was STANDARDIZATION mattered
little when the offspring was so beautiful
and the dowry so generous as hers.
was sent out of the country soon after
this. and Col. Johnston and his bright
young nephew were both shot In the valley
at Chapultepec.
The joyous young nephew was killed
while bravely serving his guns. Not lone
before our generals death he told me thai
he heard of his boys death from Lee, who
showed great emotion, and wept as he
gave him the story
At Chapultepec Col. Johnston command
ed his regiment and was conspicuous fol
the shoulders of one Of his men and 50
was the first who was seen and shot by
the enemy. This was his ninth wound re-
ceived In battle, and closed his active SER
vice until the great war between the states
took place
Two or three years before that war broke
out two regiments OF cavalry were added
10 the regular army Of the United States
Col. Johnston was appointed Lieutenant
colonel Of the First Cavalry, and Lee leu
tenant-colonel OF the Second Cavalry.
Col. Sydney Johnston was appointed col
onel Of the First Cavalry. Not long after
wards Lieut.. Col. J. r.. Johnston was ap
pointed brlgadier general United States
army and quartermaster general OF thu
army which rank he az once accepted
ana resigned his lieutenant colonelcy Of
cavalry TO which the senior major o.
cavalry George Thomas, or Earle Var
Dorm, was promoted. Col. Cooper was ad
Jutant general unitgd States army. Thui
When war between Che states was dccar
rank:
Bngadler General-J. Il. Johnston.
Colonel-Samuel Cooper.
Colonel-A. 8. Johnston.
Lieutenant Coionei-R. y. Lee.
Ma1or-G. 4. Beauregard.
a. FrI 20 49, "a