Changes

==Early life==

==Early life==

Johnston was born in a house settled between the Appalachian frontier and the Abingdon society. This small town in [[Virginia]] was also named ‘Wolf Hills’ by [[Daniel Boone]] when a wolf pack allegedly attacked his dogs. It was in this town that Joseph, or Joe, learned the fundamental skills such as hunting and riding with a bold courage and faceless determination he soon applied to day to day life.

Johnston was born in a house settled between the Appalachian frontier and the Abingdon society. This small town in [[Virginia]] was also named ‘Wolf Hills’ by [[Daniel Boone]] when a wolf pack allegedly attacked his dogs. It was in this town that Joseph, or Joe, learned the fundamental skills such as hunting and riding with a bold courage and faceless determination he soon applied to day-to-day life.

Those who met young Joe would not have thought him to be extra ordinary, with a simple 5’7, thin frame and dark eyes. His hair was cropped short, his expression serious. Despite his appearance, Joe had a stout heart that did not sway from hardship.

Those who met young Joe would not have thought him to be extra ordinary, with a simple 5’7, thin frame and dark eyes. His hair was cropped short, his expression serious. Despite his appearance, Joe had a stout heart that did not sway from hardship.

==Education and early military service==

==Education and early military service==

Joe’s parents, Judge Johnston and his wife,<ref>Remains unlisted.</ref> were very strong in their views on education. There was no doubt that Joe and his brothers would go to school. Joseph respected his father and adored his kindhearted mother, so he respected their wishes and attended Abingdon Academy.At the age of Nineteen, Joseph Eggleston Johnston was accepted into [[United States Military Academy|West Point]], and made the thirty-five mile trip from New York Harbor up the Hudson River to join his fellow classmates (the most noted of which was Robert E. Lee).  

Joe’s parents, Judge Johnston and his wife,<ref>Remains unlisted.</ref> were very strong in their views on education. There was no doubt that Joe and his brothers would go to school. Joseph respected his father and adored his kindhearted mother, so he respected their wishes and attended Abingdon Academy.At the age of Nineteen, Joseph Eggleston Johnston was accepted into [[United States Military Academy|West Point]], and made the thirty-five mile trip from New York Harbor up the Hudson River to join his classmates (the most noted of which was Robert E. Lee).  

Upon graduating West Point in 1829, he joined the Fourth Artillery where he served for seven years (until 1836). Two years later and throughout the [[Florida]] war, he accepted the title of First Lieutenant of Topographical Engineers. While there and during the [[Mexican War]], he obtained the brevet<ref>A commission promoting an officer to a higher nominal rank than that for which he is paid.</ref> of Captain. Afterwards he gained two more brevets for “distinguished conduct”.

Upon graduating West Point in 1829, he joined the Fourth Artillery where he served for seven years (until 1836). Two years later and throughout the [[Florida]] war, he accepted the title of First Lieutenant of Topographical Engineers. While there and during the [[Mexican War]], he obtained the brevet<ref>A commission promoting an officer to a higher nominal rank than that for which he is paid.</ref> of Captain. Afterwards he gained two more brevets for “distinguished conduct”.

By June 27, Johnston and Sherman had reached Kennesaw Mountain, one of the last mountains of north [[Georgia]] before Atlanta. Again Johnston assumed a fortified position, but here Sherman believed Johnston had streched his forces too thin and ordered a frontal assault. The battle of Kennesaw Mountain was a bloody repulse for Sherman, but it did not suffice to cancel Sherman's numerical superiority, and when he resumed outflanking, Johnston once again retreated.

By June 27, Johnston and Sherman had reached Kennesaw Mountain, one of the last mountains of north [[Georgia]] before Atlanta. Again Johnston assumed a fortified position, but here Sherman believed Johnston had streched his forces too thin and ordered a frontal assault. The battle of Kennesaw Mountain was a bloody repulse for Sherman, but it did not suffice to cancel Sherman's numerical superiority, and when he resumed outflanking, Johnston once again retreated.

Meanwhile Jefferson Davis became alerted by Johnston's repeated retreats and inquired about Johnston's plans for the defence of Atlanta, an important railroad hub. Johnston's explanations were unsatisfactory for Davis, partly because Johnston believed he had to remain on the defensive and to adapt his actions to the enemy's, partly because Johnston was secretive and did not like to reveal his plans to politicians who, in Johnston's opinion, could not be trusted to keep a secret. Finally Davis dispatched Braxton Bragg, then the President's military advisor. When Bragg reported that he couldn't tell whether Johnston had any plans, Davis dismissed Johnston on July 17, 1864 and replaced him with John Bell Hood, after Polk's death in battle the Army of Tennessee's senior corps commander and renowned for his aggressiveness.

Meanwhile, Jefferson Davis became alerted by Johnston's repeated retreats and inquired about Johnston's plans for the defence of Atlanta, an important railroad hub. Johnston's explanations were unsatisfactory for Davis, partly because Johnston believed he had to remain on the defensive and to adapt his actions to the enemy's, partly because Johnston was secretive and did not like to reveal his plans to politicians who, in Johnston's opinion, could not be trusted to keep a secret. Finally Davis dispatched Braxton Bragg, then the President's military advisor. When Bragg reported that he couldn't tell whether Johnston had any plans, Davis dismissed Johnston on July 17, 1864 and replaced him with John Bell Hood, after Polk's death in battle the Army of Tennessee's senior corps commander and renowned for his aggressiveness.

===Carolinas===

===Carolinas===