The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-15
TRIBUTE TO JOHNSTON Hero of Shiloh Praised by
 Gen. Oates. A GREAT LEADER OF MEN Lecture On Life and Char
 acter of Johnston.
Speaker Introduced by Captain c. A. Lanier, Recitation by Miss
 Sarah Grace Beale-Under
 Auspices of Camp Lomax.

Gen. William c. Oates delivered an in- structive lecture on the Life a1d Char acter of Gen. Albert Sidney Jonnston, in the City Council Chamber last night to an appreciative audience.
 The lecture was given under the aus pices of Camp Lomax, and the speakers stard was tastefuily decorated with camp banners and flags of the Confederacy.
 Capt. c. A. Lanier, Lieutenant Com mander of Camp Lomax. presided ana ln- troduced the speakers. In his introdlc- tory remarks MT. Lanier said that the veterans of the Confederacy. their sons and daughters, have taken up. among their burdens which are yet the part of a blood bought heritage, the task of pre- serving the truth of history in regard to the Southern Confederacy. MeistersinS- CTS of the Northmen and Troubadours or the Southron related song and story and inspired their children by instances of splendid example. MT. Lanier said that the people of the South elaborate this work of their fathers, they almost sane tify themselves by the respect, homage, and reverence. they pay to the heroism of the past He then introduced Miss Sa- rah Grace Beale. who recited "Appomat- tcx," poem by George R. Ruffin. or Hope. Ark. The recitation of Miss Beale was delivered effectively and she was awarded generous applause by the audi ence. ..- MT. Lanier said the audience was for tunate in having with them a soldier and a statesman; a man who had lost an arm In the service of the South, and Alabama; a man who had rendered his sword to the President of the United States when war was declared; a man who had served his fellow citizens in Congress and the com monwealth of Alabama as Governor. It gave Mir. Lanier pleasure to introduce
 
 General Oates. after thanking Mir. La. nier for his complimentary remarks. pre- faced his discourse by saying that con trary to his usual custom, he would speak from manuscript. in order to have precise ly expressed something of the Life and Character of Albert Sidney Johnston. General Oates first told of the birth of General Johnston, his boyhood and the traits of character which developed dur ing that period.
 His education at Lexington College and his ambition to enter the navy were then described To his entrance into sea ser | vice his parents entertained objection and he was persuaded to enter the United States Military Academy where after hard study. he graduated eighth in his | class and entered the infantry arm of the service He served in the Black Hawk | War shortly after which he married. The subsequent death of his beloved
 wife caused Lieutenant Johnston to re-
 sign his commission and he emigrated to | Texas, where he joined as private the Army of the Republic of Texas. whose belligerency. had just been recognized by the United States. though the independ- ence of the young republic had not been recognized by Mexico.
 His identity as Lieutenant Johnston U. S. A., which General Johnston had con- cealed, was discovered, and he was ap- pointed Adjutant. Colonel of a regular reg" iment and General of the army in quick succession.
 General Johnston's physical prowess and his indomitable courage in the early days of his life were referred to by Gen. eral Oates who cited a number of incl dents of the two named characteristics His service as a staff officer during the Mexican War. his life as farmer on the Brazos River, and as a staff officer in the United States service. were told of General Johnston was appointed Colonel of the 9th Cavalry. which General Oates said Is still the most effective regiment in the army.
 His campaign against Brigham Young which was devoid of fighting. to the dis gust of General Johnston, was next re- ferred 10.
 The secession of Texas caused him to resign his commission. He was after wards appointed General in the Confed- crate Army. ranking Lee. General Oates then told of the difficulties General John ston encountered in organizing his de- partment at Nashville. and his brilliant service for the Confederacy from minor enga gements in Missouri, to his death at Shiloh.
 While discussing the movements of a division of the Army of General Johnston under command of Gen. s. B. Buckner at Fort Donaldson. General Oates decIar- ed that General Buckner never did any thing for the Confederacy worthy of note
 General Oates told effectively of the mobilization of the army of the Confed- eracy under General Johnston at Corinth, the strategic geography of the location. the intentions of General Johnston as to the mode of battle at Shiloh Church. The speaker described eloquently the death of General Johnston.
 General Oates spoke of his charity, ami ability. splendid personal appearance. ad- dress and magnetism, and the idolatry in which he was held by his soldiers.