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Background Info
Albert Sidney Johnston (February 2, 1803 – April 6, 1862) served as a general in three different armies: the Texas Army, the United States Army, and the Confederate States Army. -
Private Johnson
In April 1834, Johnston took up farming in Texas and enlisted as a private in the Texas Army during the Texas War -
Promoted to General
One month later, Johnston was promoted to major to General Sam Houston Republic of Texas Army on August 5, 1836 -
Appointed Colonel
In 1855 President Franklin Pierce appointed him colonel of the new 2nd U.S. Cavalry -
Allegheny Mtns
On September 10, 1861, Johnston was assigned to command the huge area of the Confederacy west of the Allegheny Mountains a.k.a western department -
Takes Command
On March 29, 1862, Johnston officially took command of this combined force, which continued to use the Army of the Mississippi name under which it had been organized by Beauregard on March 5 about 40,000 soldiers -
Set in Motion
Johnston started his army in motion on April 3, 1862, intent on surprising Grant's force as soon as the next day, but they moved slowly due to their inexperience, bad roads and lack of adequate staff planning -
Ready to Attack
Johnston's army was finally in position within a mile or two of Grant's force, and undetected, by the evening of April 5, 1862 -
Battle of Shiloh
Johnston launched a massive surprise attack with his concentrated forces against Grant at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862 -
Final Moments
At about 2:30 p.m., while leading one of those charges against a Union camp near the "Peach Orchard", he was wounded, taking a bullet behind his right knee ultimately killing him hours later.