JOHNSTON, ALBEIT SIDNEY. 1803-62; educated at West Point, graduated 1826„ and entered the U. S. army in the Sixth infantry. He fought in the Black Hawk war, but resigned from the service shortly after its close, and emigrated to Texas, then struts gling for its independence, which was declared in 1836. Johnston enlisted in the Texan army after the battle of San Jacinto, and was appointed commander-in-chief in place, of gen. Felix Houston, with whom he fought a duel in consequence. In 1838 gen. Johnston received the appointment of secretary of war, but two years later retired from the public service, and became a planter. When the war broke out between the United. States and Mexico gen. Johnston raised a Texan rifle-regiment, of which he took com mand, and at the siege of Monterey was acting iuspector-general on the staff of gen. W. O. Butler. He was appointed by president Taylor a paymaster in the army in 1849, and in 1855 col. of the al U. S. cavalry. In 1857, the Mormons having defied the U. S. authority, a military expedition was sent against them, more with the design to overawe than to assume the offensive by positive action. This mission required great coolness and judgment, and gen Johnston was chosen for its command. He led the expedition across the plains to Salt Lake city, and succeeded in effecting the purpose of the government without bloodshed, His success in this difficult enterprise was rewarded by a brevet brigadier-generalship. At the outbreak of the rebellion gen. Johnston was.
in command of the military division of the Pacific, but in May, 1861, resigned his commission, and, proceeding to Richmond, entered the service of the confederate gov ernment, being appointed a gen. and placed in command in the west. Iri the autumn of 1861 he held Bowling Green, Ky.; the capture of fort Donelson in the following spring forced him to evacuate this stronghold, and he retired with his army into Ten nessee, and made a stand at Corinth, Miss., where he joined gen. Beauregard. With. an army of 50,000 men he attacked gen. *rant, April 6, 1862, at Pittsburg Lauding, and fought the battle of Shiloh. Gen. Johnston was killed by a rifle-ball on the first day of this engagement. He was esteemed by the confederates as amonp. their bravest. and most skillful generals. Gen. Grant has highly commended his ability; and Horace Greeley said of him (American Conflict) that he " was probably the ablest commander at. any time engaged in the rebel service."