Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/447

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420
CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY.

Fourth Alabama and was with that command at Manassas and in its other service in Virginia until January, 1862, when he was commissioned major of the Twenty-fifth Alabama. On the fall of Colonel Loomis at Shiloh, April 6, 1862, he became lieutenant-colonel. From that day he was with his regiment in every encounter, leading it a great part of the time. In the great battles of Murfreesboro and Chickamauga he maintained fully the high reputation which he had gained at Shiloh. On October 27, 1863, he was commissioned colonel of his regiment, a promotion richly deserved. In the constant fighting of the Atlanta campaign he was ever with his men, setting them an example of courage and endurance. In the battle of July 22, 1864, at Atlanta, he led the regiment in a charge which forced the enemy's lines, capturing more men than he led, bearing off as trophies two flags and 350 stand of arms. Before this he had been recommended for promotion by Gens. J. E. Johnston, Hood and Hindman. Now his promotion was again urged by Generals Bragg, Hood, Cheatham and Brown. Just four days after this battle he was commissioned brigadier-general, and received notice of it on July 28th. Three hours after being notified of this appointment his leg bone was fractured by a bullet, but, supporting the wounded limb in his bridle rein, he continued in command of the brigade (Deas') until exhausted. During the campaign into Tennessee he was on crutches much of the time. After General Quarles, commanding a brigade of Walthall's division, including the First Alabama, had been wounded at Franklin, General Johnston was assigned to that command, in which he served efficiently at Nashville. His brigade was one of those selected for the famous rear-guard of infantry, under Walthall, during the retreat. In 1865 he was in the campaign of the Carolinas, still commanding Quarles' old brigade. On the second day of the battle of Bentonville he took command of Walthall's division and led it until the reorganization at Goldsboro, just before