Blogging Through the Alphabet: J is for Johnston (Part II)

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Considered one of the finest commanding officers leading on either side of the American Civil War, Albert Sidney Johnston is still not as well known as Ulysses Grant or Robert E. Lee. He fought in numerous wars before the American Civil War, including the Black Hawk War, the Texas Revolution, and the Mexican-American War. 

Albert Sidney Johnston (February 2, 1803 – April 6, 1862) graduated eighth in his class of forty-one from West Point in 1826. Twelve other men who graduated in 1826 would go on to serve in the American Civil War for both the Union and the Confederacy. After graduation, he was appointed to posts in New York and Missouri and then served in the Black Hawk War. This was a short-lived conflict in 1832 between the United States and the Sauk, Meskwaki, and Kickapoo Native Americans. He resigned in 1834 to take care of his first wife, Henrietta Preston, who was dying from tuberculosis. 

Texas Revolution 

In 1836, Johnston moved to Texas and soon became involved in the Texas Revolution. He quickly rose to the rank of senior brigadier general, replacing General Felix Huston. This promotion angered Huston and a duel occurred between them on February 5, 1837, at the Dueling Oak in Jackson County. Johnston was wounded in the hip as a result of the duel but served as the general. After the Texas Revolution, Johnston was appointed Secretary of War for Texas (while it remained independent) but resigned in 1840. 

Mexican-American War 

Johnston would join the US Army again to serve in the Mexican-American War where he was cited for bravery at the Battle of Monterrey. He would continue to serve after this war in Utah and then as the commander of the Department of the Pacific in California. When Texas seceded from the Union, he resigned from the position but stayed on duty until his successor arrived. Then he was free to make his way back to Texas.

American Civil War 

As the top commander of the Western Theater for the Confederacy, Johnston needed to secure the defenses for the area beyond the Appalachians. His goal was to secure a line of defense from Kentucky's Cumberland Gap to the town of Columbus. It was successful for a while, but eventually, the Union progressed and began seizing more and more territory. Johnston had to move his men because it became impossible to hold the original defensive line. He moved his men to Corinth and then set his sights on stopping the Union supply train.

Shiloh 

In early April 1862, Johnston marched 44,000 recruits into Tennessee. He wanted to mount a surprise attack on Ulysses Grant at Shiloh (there was a meetinghouse where the Union was camping). Unfortunately, Johnston's force was not quite a disciplined army yet. They were a group of rowdy men who cheered or yelled at each passing officer much like it was a parade and not a march. The rain caused problems and slowed the men down. And the men also would fire their muskets to test if the powder was dry or if they saw a deer. There was a lot of noise coming from these green troops. Confusion seemed to reign supreme as they took wrong directions and became delayed getting into position. Johnston's officers told him a surprise attack would be out and cautioned against it. The Rebels had caused such a racket. But somehow, they led a surprise attack on April 5, 1862, on Sherman and his Union men. At dawn, the Union army was completely surprised. 

Both Southern and Northern troops were seeing the elephant for the first time (experiencing combat for the first time), which led to difficulties. Because of the difficulties, Johnston went to the front to rally the troops. He had even addressed his men prior to the assault, saying he would lead them to victory. During the afternoon, Johnston was struck in the back of his knee and the bullet hit an artery. Due to the dueling wound in 1837 that had caused nerve damage, Johnston probably didn't realize the depth of his injury. He quickly bled to death on the battlefield.

The battle of Shiloh would be won by the Union, and Johnston's death remain the highest ranking general killed during the entire American Civil War. As Albert Sidney Johnston was considered the best general in America during the Civil War, I can only imagine how things might have turned out differently if he had not died in 1862.