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'''Joseph E. Johnston''' was born February 3rd, 1809* 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.
'''Joseph E. Johnston''' (born February 3, 1809,<ref>Records also state him to be born in 1804 and 1807, so an accurate date is questionable.</ref> died March 21, 1891) was a [[Confederate]] [[general]] during the [[American Civil War]].
==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.
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.
In fact, while growing up Joseph Johnson experienced an exceptionally agonizing event when his leg broke on a riding trip with his friends. He did not cry out, merely called them back saying:
In fact, while growing up Joseph Johnson experienced an exceptionally agonizing event when his leg broke on a riding trip with his friends. He did not cry out, merely called them back saying:
<blockquote>"Hello boys. Come here and look, the confounded bone has come clean through."</blockquote>
It became apparent that his friends would have to carry him the many long and bumpy trails to the end of their journey. Through it all Joe did not cry out or complain, proving once again his daring and seemingly fearless personality.
It became apparent that his friends would have to carry him the many long and bumpy trails to the end of their journey. Through it all Joe did not cry out or complain, proving once again his daring and seemingly fearless personality.
Joe’s parents, Judge Johnston and his wife**, where 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 kind hearted mother, so he respected their wishes and attended Abingdon Academy.At the age of Nineteen, Joseph Eggleston Johnston was accepted into West point, and made the thirty five mile trip up the from the New York Harbor up the Hudson River to join his fellow classmates (the most noted of which was Robert E. Lee).
==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).
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”.
==Civil War==
===Virginia===
===Service in Virginia===
At the onset of the Civil War, Johnston was a Brigadier Genreal in the [[US Army]], serving as Quartermaster General. When Virginia seceded, he resigned his commission to join the fledgling Confederacy, the highest-ranking officer to do so. He was in command during the [[First Battle of Bull Run]], although he delegated command on the field to his second-in-command, P. G. T. Beauregard, who was more acquainted with the battlefield. In recognition of that victory, Johnston was promoted to command the Confederate forces defending Virginia against the Union Army of the Potomac. His relations to Confederate President [[Jefferson Davis]] were strained, however, when Davis revealed the ranks of the Confederate full generals. Johnston, who considered himself the highest-ranking soldier of the Confederacy because he had outranked his colleagues in the US Army, was placed fourth, behind Samuel Cooper, Albert Sidney Johnston and [[Robert E. Lee]]. Johnston sent Davis an acerbic letter of protest, the beginning of a severe deterioration of their relation that led to a complete breakdown later in the war.
Johnston contested Union general [[George B. McClellan]]'s invasion of the Virginia Peninsula until he was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks. His fellow student Robert E. Lee succeeded him.
===Department No. 2 and Vicksburg===
When Johnston had recovered, he was assigned command of Department no. 2, a vast district containing most of the Confederacy between the Appalachians and the Mississippi, where he was to ensure cooperation between the field armies of [[Braxton Bragg]] in Tennessee and John C. Pemberton in Mississippi.
===Atlanta Campaign===
===Carolinas===
At the end of the civil war, he was forced to surrender under Grant and Lee’s agreement in terms.
==Post-War life==
After the Civil War Johnston remained a Democrat and active participant in the fire insurance business as well as railroad construction. He died of pneumonia on March 21, 1891 in Washington, D.C. after catching a cold while serving as pallbearer during Sherman's funeral.
==Footnotes==
<references/>
==References==
*[http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Joseph_E_Johnston.htm]
*[http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/Joseph_E_Johnston.htm]
*The New Lexicon Dictionary of the English Language, Webster. (c) 1992 Lexicon Publications, INC.
*The New Lexicon Dictionary of the English Language, Webster. (c) 1992 Lexicon Publications, INC.
[[Category:Military Personnel]]
[[Category:American Civil War Commanders]]