Who Killed General Johnson [Johnston-mm]?
Narrow Escape #21
Ironton Register 7 April 1887
Submitted by Karen Carlyle
In reply to a request for a Narrow Escape, Peter Kingry, formerly of Co. G. —– (illegible) Ohio Volunteer Infantry, said:
“On the 6th of April 1862, we were encamped near Shiloh Church at Pittsburgh Landing. Just at daybreak, we were called from our slumber by the long roll. The rebs were already formed in the timber to the front of us when we formed our line in the field. The rebs advanced steadily on our front.
“They were firing on us terribly. Our Colonel gave his only command, “Every man take care of himself,” and the regiment ran according to orders. I ran a short distance when Lieut. Cutter of my Company told me to stay and shoot with him. I stayed and fired two shots while he fired eight with his revolver.”
“Then the rebs were within twenty-five steps of us, and we left. I ran about thirty yards across a little —-(illegible) when I dropped in with an Illinois regiment and fired one volley when orders were given to retreat. We retreated about one hundred yards and formed again; we were ordered to lay down. I laid down flat on my face; I had been there a short time when a musket ball struck the ground right under my face. Golly, but I was scared. I raised up and got behind a small tree and had four bullet holes shot in my blouse.”
“Then the regiment was ordered up, and I formed with them, and we fired three volleys and were then ordered to retreat again and did not make another stand for about a quarter of a mile toward the Landing. We were then about a quarter of a mile from the rebs. Here we fired about fifteen rounds, and the enemy got so close to us that we had to retreat again. The bullets were flying so thick that they sounded like a swarm of bees just out of the hive. Comrades were falling, killed and wounded on all sides, but I remained unhurt.”
In 1837, Albert Sidney Johnston survived a duel against Texas Brigadier General Felix Huston. Unfortunately, the effects of his wound probably contributed to his death at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. Johnston has the unfortunate distinction of being the highest-ranking general – on either side – killed during the Civil War.
Source: Battlefields.org
“We retreated again across a field toward the river. We formed again there in an about one-half mile of the river. It was then about 1 o’clock in the afternoon, and as I was called out before breakfast and was firing and retreating all day, I had nothing to eat till night.
“We formed this time in the timber. Myself and three I was separated a short distance from the regiment. There was an open field between us and the rebs in the woods opposite. We saw a horseman ride on the edge of the field opposite us.
“We fired all four of us at once, and [General] Albert Sidney Johnson [Johnston] fell. We did not know who killed him, but it was one of us. The rebels tried to flank us on both sides, but we repulsed them both times and held our ground till night.”
“Well, you had several Narrow Escapes altogether.”
“Yes, and that was just in one day.”
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