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Johnston, A. Sidney

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Johnston, A. Sidney
DEMO LOT
Johnston, A. Sidney (1803-1862. He served as general for the Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America. He was killed at the Battle of Shiloh. Document signed as Secretary of War for the Republic of Texas, 1 page, 7� x 5� in., Department of War (Austin, Tex.), 3 June 1839. Resolving a dispute over back pay: "This certificate entitles Wm. Keiser to the difference between the pay of Sergeant & first Sergeant from the date of last payment made to him to the first day of October 1834--as he served during the time specified in Capt. Harry's Co. I, 1st RegtVolunteers." Minor holes to a few letters due to acidic ink.

Johnston graduated from West Point in 1826. He enlisted as a private in the Texas Army in 1836 during Texas' War of Independence against Mexico and soon rose to brigadier general but was unable to assume his post due to wounds suffered in a duel with the commander he was to have replaced. He served as Texas' Secretary of War from Dec. 22, 1838 to Feb. 1840, then resigned. He fought with the U.S. Calvary in the Mexican War, commanded the Department of Texas in 1856, led the Utah Expedition escorting the Mormons to Salt Lake City between 1858 and 1860, and was serving at San Francisco when the Secession movement erupted in 1861. He declined a post as Winfield Scott's deputy and accepted the invitation of his longtime friend Jefferson Davis to command the Confederate Army of the Mississippi. Johnston fought Grant at Corinth and Shiloh, where he was wounded and died from internal bleeding. When Jefferson Davis received the news of Johnston's death, he wept, and vowed that "the cause could have spared a whole State better than that great soldier." (W.C. Davis, Jefferson Davis: The Man and His Hour, p. 404).
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.