[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, July 24, 1862, p. 1, c. 4

The death of Capt. Thos. J. Johnson, quartermaster of Col. Sweet's (Texas) regiment, is much to be deplored. He was as brave a man as ever drew breath, and was shot through the heart while leading a dozen men to attack a hundred or more of the enemy. Col. Sweet, with a small force, not exceeding one hundred and fifty available men, was sent up to Izard county, to protect the citizens and cut off foraging parties. Before Curtis left Batesville, Col. Sweet learned that the enemy pickets were getting saucy, and determined to take them in out of the wet. Sweet moved up to a mill, within two miles from town, where Capt. Johnson, with only twenty men, [illegible] around so as to come upon the Yankee [illegible]. Two, who were in advance, were in citizens' dress, but as soon as discovered to be pickets, were shot, one falling dead and the other so badly wounded that he died before reaching Batesville. A few rods further, they found seven pickets, five of whom they killed, one they mortally wounded and one they took prisoner. After this slap in the face of the Yankee army the patriots retired. Some four hours after the Yankees, with cavalry, infantry and cannon reached the scene of conflict, but concluded to go no further. In this and like encounters and skirmishers, Capt. Johnson kept the enemy [illegible] and was noted for his dash and daring.