The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-19
WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
The True History of the Death of General al
bert Sidney Johnston is Told.

To the Editor: | read recently in what
Turported to be a school history of the
United States that General Johnston was
Killed while leading charge at the bat
tie of Shiloh. This statement does Gen
eral Johnston great injustice and ought
to be corrected. None knew better than
he the proper duty of a commanding
general. Leading a charge is certainly
not one of them more especially when the
enemy has given way at all points and
is in rapid and disorderly retreat. At
the date of the battle of Shiloh Isham G.
Harris was the duly elected Governor of
Tennessee. The Federals held possession
OF his capital city at Nashville and he
made his headquarters with the Confed-
crate army and acted as volunteer aid
to General Johnston Harris was after
wards elected United States Senator from
Tennessee and died holding that posi-
tion having obtained to an unusual de-
gree the confidence and respect of his
fellow Senators. He was with General
Johnston throughout the BATTLE of
Shiloh and is my direct personal authority
for the following statements: The battle
of Shiloh began very early in the morn
ing and was to some extent a surprise
to the Federals They soon recovered
themselves, however, and there was very
fierce fighting during the day. The Con-
federate, however, continually gained
ground and about the middle of the at
ternoon had captured one entire division
(Fentiss), all the Federal camp and camp
equipments, many prisoners, cannon and
small arms All organized resistance had
practically ceased and the Confederates
were eagerly pressing forward TO COM
plete victory. General Johnston had, dur
ing the day, passed from point to point,
of his line, encouraging and directing the
movement. About this time he was on
his left and decided to go to the right.
! Accompanied by Governor Harris and one
orderly ne rode at a gallop towards his
! right wing. When about opposite the
center of his right wing struggling shot
was fired from the direction of the
enemy. Harris saw the General reel in
| his saddle and riding rapidly alongside.
/ inquired, General, are you hit?' Yes,
| and l fear seriously" replied Johnston.
| Aided by the orderly Harris succeeded
I in getting tho General from his horse
and placed him in a reclining position at
/ the foot of a tree. At Johnston's request
| Harris went to bring surgeon. and
when he returned, Johnston was dead.
Harris set out to hunt UP General Beau
regard, next in command, and in doing
| so met some of our troops preparing to
| bivouac demonstrating with the gener-
al the general replied that how
| ever distasteful to him it was
| in obedience to positive order;
I from General Beauregard. Harris finally
came up with Beauregard who gave as
his reason for the order ,Iat the troops
| had been engaged all day and needed
rest and rcfreshment The victory could
| be completed tomorrow.
| To those fond of conjecture what a
| limtless field is here open. With Grant S
army captured. which one hour more Of
JohnstoG's life would have secured
! Tennessee and Kentucky with their limit
less supplies. would have belonged to the
| Confederates. The advance to Richmond
might not have occurred