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On this day in 1803, Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston is born in Washington, Kentucky. Johnston was considered one of the best Confederate commanders until he was killed at the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, the first major engagement in the West.
Johnston grew up in Kentucky and received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1822. While there, he became acquainted with Robert E. Lee and future Confederate President Jefferson Davis, two men who shaped Johnston’s career. After graduation, Johnston served in the Black Hawk War of 1832 and resigned from the service in 1834 to care for his invalid wife. After her death, he moved to the new Republic of Texas and enlisted in the army as a private. Within three years he rose to general of the army, then secretary of war for his adopted country. After Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845, Johnston served in the Mexican War (1846-48) and was commended for bravery at the Battle of Monterrey.
Johnston retired to his Texas plantation after the war, but struggled financially. He returned to themilitary as paymaster for the forts in Texas, and in 1857 was appointed to lead an expedition against members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (otherwise known as the Mormons) in Utah Territory. The Mormons disagreed with the government on issues of the territory’s governance, and some officials thought a rebellion was in the making. Johnston arrived and found no opposition, andspent the next three years occupying the territory.
When the Civil War erupted, Davis appointed Johnston commander of the Confederate department that stretched from the Appalachians to Texas. On April 6, 1862, Johnston attacked Union General Ulysses S. Grant’s army at Pittsburgh Landing (Shiloh), Tennessee. The Confederates enjoyed great success initially. Grant’s army was surprised and nearly destroyed until the afternoon, when the 59-year-old Johnston rode forward to supervise the battle. He was mortally wounded, and the tide turned against the Confederates. The armies struggled into the next day but the Union held the field.
Johnston and Union General James McPherson were the only two army commanders killed in action during the Civil War. Johnston’s death left a void in the leadership of the Western armies that was never effectively filled.
Johnston grew up in Kentucky and received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1822. While there, he became acquainted with Robert E. Lee and future Confederate President Jefferson Davis, two men who shaped Johnston’s career. After graduation, Johnston served in the Black Hawk War of 1832 and resigned from the service in 1834 to care for his invalid wife. After her death, he moved to the new Republic of Texas and enlisted in the army as a private. Within three years he rose to general of the army, then secretary of war for his adopted country. After Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845, Johnston served in the Mexican War (1846-48) and was commended for bravery at the Battle of Monterrey.
Johnston retired to his Texas plantation after the war, but struggled financially. He returned to themilitary as paymaster for the forts in Texas, and in 1857 was appointed to lead an expedition against members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (otherwise known as the Mormons) in Utah Territory. The Mormons disagreed with the government on issues of the territory’s governance, and some officials thought a rebellion was in the making. Johnston arrived and found no opposition, andspent the next three years occupying the territory.
When the Civil War erupted, Davis appointed Johnston commander of the Confederate department that stretched from the Appalachians to Texas. On April 6, 1862, Johnston attacked Union General Ulysses S. Grant’s army at Pittsburgh Landing (Shiloh), Tennessee. The Confederates enjoyed great success initially. Grant’s army was surprised and nearly destroyed until the afternoon, when the 59-year-old Johnston rode forward to supervise the battle. He was mortally wounded, and the tide turned against the Confederates. The armies struggled into the next day but the Union held the field.
Johnston and Union General James McPherson were the only two army commanders killed in action during the Civil War. Johnston’s death left a void in the leadership of the Western armies that was never effectively filled.
Albert Sidney Johnston born - Feb 02, 1803 - HISTORY.com
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Albert Sidney Johnston served as a general in three different armies: the Texian Army, the United States Army, and the Confederate States Army.He saw extensi...
Thanks TSgt Joe C. for letting us know that on February 2, 1803 is the anniversary of the birth of career United States Army officer Albert Sidney Johnston who served in the Black Hawk War of 1832 and resigned from the service in 1834 to care for his invalid wife. After her death, he moved to the new Republic of Texas and enlisted in the army as a private. Within three years he rose to general of the army, then secretary of war for his adopted country. After Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845, Johnston served in the Mexican War (1846-48) and was commended for bravery at the Battle of Monterrey. He resigned as a BG in 1861 and then became the second most senior general officer in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
He graduated from USMA, West Point in 1826 as graduate number #436. His classmates included MG Samuel Heintzelman who was wounded at Bull Run as a BG and MG Silas Casey who served in the Civil War.
Rest in peace Joseph Eggleston Johnston
Images: 1861-08-31 CSA Generals Samuel Cooper, Albert Sidney Johnston, Robert E. Lee, Joseph E. Johnston, and P.G.T. Beauregard; CSA_Gen_Albert Sydney Johnston; 1862-04-06_General Albert Sidney Johnston's death at Shiloh.
"When the Confederate States Army was first established its highest rank was brigadier general. It quickly became apparent that the large size of the armies being created would need larger units and higher ranks to command them.
On May 16, 1861 the Confederate Congress authorized the rank of full General for five officers. This would be the highest rank established for the Confederate Army.
On August 31, 1861 President Davis submitted to Congress a list of the five men to be given the rank of General. He also provided the dates their rank were to be effective, which established seniority for the officers.
Samuel Cooper – May 16
Albert Sidney Johnston – May 30
Robert E. Lee – June 14
Joseph E. Johnston – July 4
Pierre G.T. Beauregard – July 21
Albert Sidney Johnston was mortally wounded at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862. On April 12 Braxton Bragg was promoted to General, taking Johnston’s place.
civilwarintheeast.com/things/rank-of-general-in-the-confederate-states-army/
"Albert Sidney Johnston served as a general in three different armies: the Texian Army, the United States Army, and the Confederate States Army.He saw extensive combat during his military career, fighting actions in the Texas War of Independence, the Mexican–American War, the Utah War, and the American Civil War.Considered by Confederate President Jefferson Davis to be the finest general officer in the Confederacy before the emergence of Robert E.Lee, he was killed early in the Civil War at the Battle of Shiloh."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlyTxOkDuoQ
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Wayne Brandon Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Robert Ruck SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SGT Robert George CPL Eric Escasio SPC (Join to see) MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see)
He graduated from USMA, West Point in 1826 as graduate number #436. His classmates included MG Samuel Heintzelman who was wounded at Bull Run as a BG and MG Silas Casey who served in the Civil War.
Rest in peace Joseph Eggleston Johnston
Images: 1861-08-31 CSA Generals Samuel Cooper, Albert Sidney Johnston, Robert E. Lee, Joseph E. Johnston, and P.G.T. Beauregard; CSA_Gen_Albert Sydney Johnston; 1862-04-06_General Albert Sidney Johnston's death at Shiloh.
"When the Confederate States Army was first established its highest rank was brigadier general. It quickly became apparent that the large size of the armies being created would need larger units and higher ranks to command them.
On May 16, 1861 the Confederate Congress authorized the rank of full General for five officers. This would be the highest rank established for the Confederate Army.
On August 31, 1861 President Davis submitted to Congress a list of the five men to be given the rank of General. He also provided the dates their rank were to be effective, which established seniority for the officers.
Samuel Cooper – May 16
Albert Sidney Johnston – May 30
Robert E. Lee – June 14
Joseph E. Johnston – July 4
Pierre G.T. Beauregard – July 21
Albert Sidney Johnston was mortally wounded at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862. On April 12 Braxton Bragg was promoted to General, taking Johnston’s place.
civilwarintheeast.com/things/rank-of-general-in-the-confederate-states-army/
"Albert Sidney Johnston served as a general in three different armies: the Texian Army, the United States Army, and the Confederate States Army.He saw extensive combat during his military career, fighting actions in the Texas War of Independence, the Mexican–American War, the Utah War, and the American Civil War.Considered by Confederate President Jefferson Davis to be the finest general officer in the Confederacy before the emergence of Robert E.Lee, he was killed early in the Civil War at the Battle of Shiloh."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlyTxOkDuoQ
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Wayne Brandon Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown 1stSgt Eugene Harless SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Robert Ruck SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright SGT Robert George CPL Eric Escasio SPC (Join to see) MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see)
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