farrargirl
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2017
This park has beautifully done signage, and this one is no exception. I think I have identified these soldiers who attended him, but someone correct me if need be. Standing, I believe, is Gen. William Preston, Johnston’s brother-in-law. Attending him is Tennessee Gov. Isham Harris, who is kneeling. The soldier who is holding him is I think, Alonzo Ridley, who was Captain of his bodyguard staff. Ridley aligned himself with Johnston out West during the earlier Texas campaigns, and chose to follow him to his new command.When Johnston died, he went back to Texas and the Western Territory. When the war was over, he refused to take the Oath, and relocated to Mexico. ( Texas OnLine Encyclopedia, I think ).
His monument with close-up of signage:
I wanted to see his place of death so I walked down this path:
This was rather sad....
Climbed back up the path and realized how easy it was to imagine this tragedy unfolding in the midst of a ferocious battle...
What a life this General lived! With the experience of 4 or 5 previous war commands, one cannot help but wonder what the outcome of this battle may have been.....if only....
LOC image, colorized by me.