Albert Sidney Johnston: Soldier of Three Republics

Invasions, Politics, and Romance

Invasions, Politics, and Romance JOHNSTON LEFT the Texas War Department , but he could not free himself of anxiety over the security of the Republic. For years after quitting office he clung to the vain hope of striking a blow at Mexico. Relations between Texas and her foes remained unsettled as invasions and rumors of invasion by Mexicans and Indians continued to disturb the tranquillity of Texas officials and private citizens. For the next three years Johnston was torn between his desire to be with loved ones in Kentucky and his urge to assist Texas in establishing security against Mexico. In April of 1840 he heard of a new Mexican threat against San Antonio and of Comanche concentrations near Austin; the people of Texas began to mobilize for the defense of their frontiers. Johnston was then in Galveston preparing for a visit to his family in Kentucky. Friends implored him to stay and defend Texas. From Austin, Inspector General Hugh McLeod wrote of deplorable conditions in the west. The government was without information about the Mexicans; the capitol was barricaded against the Comanches; and General Felix Huston was on his way to take over the Army. "I wish Genl, you had not left us," McLeod said plaintively. "You must Invasions, Politics, and Romance be here, to throttle him [Huston]-:-We are all willing to attack the demagogue, but we cant destroy him-he's too slippery for us." 1 Johnston replied that he would not leave Texas until her security was assured; he would lead a Galveston volunteer company in the war, if no higher command should open to him, he said.2 But soon the immediate dangers to San Antonio and Austin disappeared, and Johnston went on his trip. Hardly had he reached Kentucky before his Texas friends were begging him to return. Again the Mexican Federalists had sought the aid of Texas against the Centralist government; this time President Lamar had indicated he was willing to support such a venture. "The war is at hand," wrote one influential Texan to Johnston.s Johnston rushed west from Kentucky, hoping to see his dream of the invasion of Mexico at last come true. By early August he was in Galveston, where he wrote to President Lamar: I infer ... that yr Exclly contemplates a movement against Mexico, under certain contingencies, as soon as the requisite arrangements can be made. Should such be yr. design I will be much gratified to contribute to its success and with much pleasure place myself at your disposition for that purpose.' But after a season of confusion and patriotic rhetoric the prospect of war again abated, no campaign occurred, and Johnston returned to Kentucky, this time to remain away from Texas for an entire year. During this period he was adrift, his next move undecided, but relishing being once more with his children and kin in Kentucky. Doubtless he enjoyed the relaxation that came with freedom from responsibility; part of the summer of 1841 he spent at Newport, Rhode Island, and other fashionable eastern resorts, escorting a party of his young relatives on vacation. But he never lost his interest in Texas, nor changed his intention of returning there as soon as personal affairs permitted or the situation in Texas demanded. Texas was now his true home.5 1 Hugh McLeod to Johnston, April 17, 1840,' Johnston Papers, Barret Collection . 2 James Love to M. B. Lamar, April 14, 1840, in Gulick. and Elliott (eds.), The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, III, 371-372. 3 Love to Johnston, June 27,1840, Johnston Papers, Barret Collection. , Johnston to Lamar, August 6, 1840, in Gulick. and Elliott (eds.), The Papers of Mira beau Buonaparte Lamar, III, 427. 5 Johnston, Life of Johnston, p. 123. 106 A lbert Sidney Johnston Meantime he kept in touch with political and military develop- . ments in Texas. For years a group of friends there had looked upon him as the best candidate to oppose Sam Houston for the Presidency upon the expiration of Lamar's term. Foremost of these supporters was James Love of Galveston, onetime United States congressman from Kentucky, and recently a Texas agent to the United States. Sharing Love's views we~e Albert T. Burnley, James S. Mayfield, Thomas F. McKinney, Judge B. C. Franklin, and Generals Kelsey Douglass and James Hamilton-all men of influence in the civil and political affairs of Texas. In the spring of...