giments were added to
the United States army in 1854, and to the colonelcy of one of these
Johnston was appointed. Subsequently, a brigadier by brevet, he
commanded the expedition against the Mormons in Utah.

Thus he brought to the Southern cause a civil and military experience
surpassing that of any other leader. Born in Kentucky, descended from an
honorable colonial race, connected by marriage with influential families
in the West, where his life had been passed, he was peculiarly fitted to
command western armies. With him at the helm, there would have been no
Vicksburg, no Missionary Ridge, no Atlanta. His character was lofty and
pure, his presence and demeanor dignified and courteous, with the
simplicity of a child; and he at once inspired the respect and gained
the confidence of cultivated gentlemen and rugged frontiersmen.

Besides, he had passed through the furnace of ignorant newspapers,
hotter than that of the Babylonian tyrant. Commanding some raw,
unequipped forces at Bowling Green, Kentucky, the habitual American
exaggeration represented him as at the head of a vast army prepared and
eager for conquest. Before time was given him to organize and train his
men, the absurdly constructed works on his left flank were captured. At
Fort Donelson on the Cumberland were certain political generals, who,
with a self-abnegation worthy of Plutarch's heroes, were anxious to get
away and leave the glory and renown of defense to others. Johnston was
in no sense responsible for the construction of the forts, nor the
assignment to their command of these self-denying warriors; but his line
of communication was uncovered by their fall, and he was compelled to
retire to the southern bank of the Tennessee River. From the
enlighteners of public opinion a howl of wrath came forth, and Johnston,
who had just been Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, Napoleon, was now a
miserable dastard and traitor, unfit to command a corporal's guard.
President Davis sought to console him, and some of the noblest lines
ever penned by man were written by Johnston in reply. They even wrung
tears of repentance from the pachyderms who had attacked him, and will
be a text and consolation to future commanders, who serve a country
tolerant of an ignorant and licentious press. Like pure gold, he came
forth from the furnace above the reach of slander, the foremost man of
all the South; and had it been possible for one heart, one mind, and one
arm to save her caus