Albert Sidney Johnston: Soldier of Three Republics

Pacific Service and Desert Anabasis

Pacific Service and Desert Anabasis XTER A SEPARATION of almost three years, Johnston joined his wife and . children in Louisville in the" spring of 1860. Granted an extended leave of absence from duty, he remained there for the next seven months. Little is known of how he occupied himself while on leave, but he must have found this one of the most gratifying periods of his entire career. Not only was he again with his own beloved immediate family; he was also reunited with his eldest son, William Preston, and his son's wife and children, and with his own daughter Henrietta. Besides these, he was surrounded in Louisville by numerous kin and associates of bygone years. Among them all, Johnston was a hero returned from a difficult and distant mission admirably pursued. Johnston's reputation in the United States Army was now at its zenith; superior and subordinate alike looked upon him as perhaps the foremost officer of the service. Both publicly and in private, General in Chief Winfield Scott commended Johnston's ability, and expressed his intention to place Johnston in command of a military department as soon as a vacancy should occur.l From New York 1 Fitz John Porter to Johnston, August 7, 1860, Johnston Papers, Barret Collection. Pacific Service and Desert Anabasis 239 wrote Major Fitz John Porter, now assistant adjutant general of the Army: I think your services will be regarded as so essential to the country that ,your anticipated rest will be denied you-The ambition which stirs your soul will not permit your declining what may be offered, while we think you should sacrifice much that the great aim may be attained of being General Scott's successor, which all wish you.2 SendingJohnston a dress sword as a testimonial of friendship, Porter expressed his "esteem, admiration and love for one whose rare virtues can only be fully known and appreciated by those, who, like myself, have fortunately been as intimately associated." 3 "Take care old fellow," wrote a Texas friend, "or you will be President after awhile, a station no honest man in these desperate days ought to hold."4 Abidirig in the love of family, in the admiration of friends, and in the commendation of colleagues, Johnston found his cup of happiness overflowing. Johnston and Major Porter continued to exchange letters of friendship and information; Porter was in the confidence of General Scott, and thus was in excellent position to support Johnston 's professional advancement. Porter relayed news from the army in Utah, including gossip about indiscretions between certain officers and their housekeepers. With a measure of vindictive satisfaction, Porter quoted to Johnston a statement by Governor Cumming saying that Utah was in near anarchy. "I hope thorns are not only in the crown he [Cumming] wears," said Porter, "but in a certain part of his unmentionables." 5 When Johnston ran afoul of Army bookkeeping, Porter came to his rescue. After Johnston had left Utah he received notice from the United States Treasury Department that he owed money for horses and equipment turned over to B. F. Ficklin, a civilian, for Ficklin's mission to the Indians during the winter at Fort Bridger.6 Irritated at what he considered penny pinching, Johnston complained to Porter. The faithful former subordinate wrote Johnston not to be vexed by the affair; he would go down to Washington, said Porter, 2 Ibid., May 4, June 10, 1860. 3 Ibid., December g, 1860. 4 James Love to Johnston, June II, 1860, Johnston Papers, Barret Collection. 5 Porter to Johnston, May 4, 1860, ibid. 6 P. J. Morris to Johnston, November 1'4, 1860,ibid. Albert Sidney Johnston and prevail upon Secretary Floyd to take care of it. "I have engineered worse. matters than that through the Treasury," Porter assured his onetime chief. "If you have nothing worse than this ever to trouble your pillow, you will have the rest I and many friends wish you." 7 Presumably, Porter "engineered" this charge to Johnston's satisfaction. Uppermost in Johnston's mind was the question of his next assignment . Rumor said that he was now to become quartermaster general of the Army and that General Scott had filed a recommendation for Johnston to succeed him as general in chief.8 Johnston's ever-faithful supporter, N. J. Eaton, urged Johnston to turn down the quartermaster post and to remain a commander in the line. Eaton...