Albert Sidney Johnston
Albert Sidney Johnston was a prominent American military figure whose career spanned several key conflicts in the 19th century. He began his military education at the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1826. Johnston participated in the Black Hawk War and played a significant role in the Texan War of Independence, eventually rising to the position of brigadier general in the Army of the Republic of Texas and serving as its secretary of war. In 1845, he was recommended for leadership in the U.S. Army, participating in the Mexican-American War and later holding various command positions, including that of army paymaster and commander of the Second U.S. Cavalry. His military career took a pivotal turn during the American Civil War when he joined the Confederate Army, becoming a major general. Johnston's life was cut short when he was killed in action at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. His legacy is marked by his involvement in multiple conflicts and his leadership roles during a transformative period in American history.
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Albert Sidney Johnston
Armed Forces Personnel
- Born: February 2, 1803
- Birthplace: Washington, Kentucky
- Died: April 6, 1862
- Place of death: Shiloh battlefield, near Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee
Born: February 2, 1803; Washington, Kentucky
Died: April 6, 1862; Shiloh battlefield, near Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee
Principal wars: Black Hawk War, Texan War of Independence, Mexican-American War, Mormon Expedition, American Civil War
Principal battles: Monterrey (1846), Shiloh (1862)
Military significance: In 1861, Confederate president Jefferson Davis appointed Johnston to command Confederate Department No. 2, encompassing the entire region west of the Appalachian Mountains.
In the fall of 1821, Albert Sidney Johnston became a cadet at the United States Military Academy. After graduating in 1826, he fought in the Black Hawk War (1832) with the Sixth U.S. infantry and in the Texan War of Independence (1835–1836). In 1837, he served as brigadier general in the Army of the Republic of Texas. In 1838, he became the secretary of war for the Republic of Texas. In 1845, General Zachary Taylor recommended Johnston for command of the U.S. Army’s First Texas Infantry. After six months, he became inspector general of the army. He fought at Monterrey (1846) during the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). He resigned from the army in 1846.
Johnston returned to military service in October, 1849, as army paymaster for the Department of Texas. In March, 1855, he became commander of the Second U.S. Cavalry and in 1856 commanded the Department of Texas. In 1857, as a breveted brigadier general, he led an army expedition to Utah to deal with the Mormon rebellion. Briefly in 1861, he commanded the Department of the Pacific.
On September 10, 1861, after the American Civil War (1861–1865) began, he again resigned from the U.S. Army and became a major general in command of the Confederate western district. He died in battle at on the battlefield at Shiloh, Tennessee, on April 6, 1862.
Bibliography
Johnston, William Preston. The Life of Albert Sidney Johnston: Embracing His Service in the Armies of the United States, the Republic of Texas, and the Confederate States. 1878. Reprint, New York: Da Capo Press, 1997.
Roland, Charles P. Albert Sidney Johnston: Soldier of Three Republics. 1964. Reprint. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1994.