Georgetown. The Federal officer who read this report seemed to have the impression that the Nashville had sailed direct to Nassau, and so expressed himself to me. On my telling him that I had taken her into Georgetown, he was greatly surprised, and the circumstances of her escape were thus, for the first time, communicated to the Federal Government.
Lieutenant C. S. N.
[From Richmond, Va., Times-Dispatch, February 19, 1911.]
SKETCH OF THE CAREER OF GENERAL JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON "THE VERY GOD OF WAR."
In August, 1910, I was requested by Mrs. Thomas Hardaway, President of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, of Amelia County, Va., to write an extended sketch of General Johnston's life. I submit it now without comment, and hope it will serve the laudable purpose she has in view.
General Johnston was born in Virginia, February, 1807. Died at his residence, Washington, D. C, March 21, 1891. What of him? I shrink from the task to portray the character of such a man.
Of his early life before the war, I know very little. It was spent in Prince Edward and Washington Counties, Va., until he was appointed a cadet at West Point, graduating in the class of 1829. The first time I ever met General Johnston was in the United States Quartermaster-General's office in the summer of 1860. I had just returned from the Pacific coast and brought with me letters from prominent army officers and politicians of California, recommending me for promotion in the Quartermaster's department. In October, 1861, I was ordered to the Army of Northern Virginia, General Johnston commanding. A few days after I was appointed to a position on his staff. From
