Existing comment:
Death of General Johnston
On the afternoon of the first day of fighting, Confederate forces under Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston sought to envelop Grant's left wing and seize Pittsburg Landing. While leading his men against Union forces barring his way, Gen. Johnson was fatally wounded here.
Johnston, who had been slightly wounded earlier, was struck just below the right knee by a stray minie ball. The bullet tore open an artery, causing severe bleeding. Tennessee Governor Isham G. Harris, a volunteer aide, discovered Johnston reeling in his saddle near this point, and led him down to the protected ravine on your right. The general died a few minutes later.
The tree trunk to your left stands at the site of the oak tree under which Gen. Johnston was found mortally wounded. |