Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-15

and physicians, and reported for duty.
About this time he was armed with a
new, imported Whitworth rifle, which was
probably the most perfect and up-to-date
gun in existence at that time, and as
signed to special duty as q sharpshooter.
and from that time forth, we saw him
only when he made US an occasional visit.
We heard many thrilling accounts of
Toms daring exploits, but unfortunately,
not having personally witnessed any Of
them, very few are remembered with suf-
flcient distinctness to admit of their por-
trayal with any degree Of accuracy. He
became one OF the most efficient and re-
liable scouts in the service and was fire.
quently sent around in the rear OF the
enemy's lines on important missions. and
being ever faithful to the trusts reposed
in him. he won the unbounded confidence
and esteem Of his superior officers.
1t was claimed. upon apparently good
authority, that a bullet from Toms rife
killed General Sedgewick, and for many
years we heard of no attempt to contra
dict the claim, but more recently the
performance of that important deed has
been claimed for another and the difficulty
of verifying such a claim at this late day.
after the witnesses have probably all pass
ed away, will leave the question in perma-
nent doubt. but Toms friends win always
believe that he killed him or at least as
one Of them has expressed it, I'VE know
that Tom killed him if the opportunity
was afforded him."
We have never claimed that the Tenth
Georgia regiment was present or took any
part in the firing upon the general. Tom
Johnson was, at that time. detached
from our regiment entirely. 1 remember
something OF an account of an encounter
Tom had with two mounted Yankees in
which Tom killed both his antagonists,
and when he visited US afterwards, he
showed us two bright new Colts pistols.
Of the latest improved pattern, which he.
had taken from the bodies OF his victims,
but the details OF that exciting struggle
are not we'll remembered. Tom was killed
September II, 1854, while he and COM
panion were attempting to return through
the famous Chickahominy swamp, from
an expedition in the rear Of the enemys
lines. They were passing near the edge
Of dense thicket OF bushes, when they
were suddenly fired upon by a company
Of yankees in ambush, and Toms thigh
was broken. He hoped rapidly away, on
hts other leg, about forty yards, to a rail
fence, and while attempting to climb the
fence, he was shot again through the
body and fell upon the ground apparently
dead. His companion made good his es-
cape and afterwards related to me these
particulars OF Toms tragic death, al
though his name and much Of story are
forgotten.
In November, 1865. fourteen months af-
ter Toms death, HIS widow received
letter from a man in Virginia who claimed
to have found Tom, after he had been
morta1ly wounded, picked him up, carried
him home with him, and cared for him
till the time OF his death. which occurred
about twenty-four hours after he was
shot. During that time he gave the man
the name and address Of his wife, die
tated a farewell message to her and the
children, and requested that 1t be sent
them as soon as postal communication
should be restored
Tom Johnson's family are still living in
Fayette county. Georgia, near where Tom
left them.