Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/181

 General Joseph Eggleston Johnston. 181

"No, sir," said Johnston fiercely, rising suddenly upon his un- broken elbow, "The shot that struck me down was the best ever fired for the Southern Confederacy, for I possessed in no degree the confidence of this Government, and now a man who does enjoy it will succeed me and be able to accomplish what I never could."

EMBITTERED HIS LIFE.

The consciousness of wrong done him and of the non-appreciation by his Government bore hardly upon him all through our long war, and was a misfortune for him and for our cause, and embittered his life to its end. Proud and unyielding as he was to injustice, he was quick and gentle in his sympathy for all that were weak and unfor- tunate.

For over fifty years he was the tender, devoted lover of his wife, and was always true and effectionate to his kindred. He loved young people and drew them to him. He yearned for children of his own. He and my children were fervent friends. Only a few months ago he said to me: " You are truly blessed in your children " ; and it will ever be their and my consolation that we enjoyed his affection, for he was the honestest, bravest, and gentlest gentleman who ever gave us his trust and love.

A STUDENT OF HISTORY.

To the end of his life he was a student of history bearing upon his profession. During the past few months I found him reading memoirs of Tamerlane (Timour the Tarter), of which he read me nine striking pages, as on another day he read me, with great feeling, " Thiers 1 narrative of the last days of Napoleon at St. Helena."

And the very last day I saw him the last on which he left his chamber I found him with Du Guesclin open before him.

WE WILL MEET AGAIN.

His disease had then become very grave and distressing. I sat by him but a short time, and expecting to go on a long journey next day I told him so, and said good by. He drew me to him, kissed my cheek, then again kissed my lips tenderly as a father. I said: " We will meet again soon if the yellow-fever don't carry me off." He said, with strong emotion and emphasis: "Yes, we will surely megt again." I never saw him any more.

DABNEY H. MAURY.