On the afternoon of the first day of the fighting, Confederate forces under Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston sought to envelop Grant’s left wing and seize Pittsburg Landing. While leading his men against Union forces barring his way, Gen. Johnston was fatally wounded here.
Johnston, who hand been slightly wounded earlier, was stuck just below the right knee by a stray minie ball. The bullet tore open an artery, causing severe bleeding. Tennessee Governor Isham G. Harris, a volunteer aide, discovered Johnston reeling in has saddle near this point and led him down to the protected ravine on your right. The general died a few minutes later.
The tree trunk to your left stands at the sight of the oak tree under which Gen. Johnston was found mortally wounded.
Attended by Governor Isham G. Harris, General Johnston died quietly from loss of blood. Prompt medical attention could have saved his life, but earlier that day Johnston had dismissed his own surgeon to care for Confederate and Union wounded.
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, a West Point graduate and Mexican War veteran, was highly respected by both sides. Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, wrote “In his fall, the great pillar of the Southern Confederacy was crushed.”
The night before the battle, after some of his officers had advised caution and delay, Johnston announced, “We shall attack at daylight tomorrow. I would fight them if they were a million.”
1 comment:
One of Johnston's aides said that when his boot was removed in the ravine that blood ran almost six feet from the body where it began to pool. The theory that a tourniquet would have saved his life may be wrong. By the time they realized he was wounded, he was already on the verge of passing out. Either way, great blog, thanks.
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