In this connection an extract from a short sketch of General Johnston's life, written by Captain Geo. F. Price, late of Second California Cavalry, afterwards Captain of Fifth Cavalry, U. S. A., is given:
The beginning of the war of the Rebellion found Colonel Johnston (assigned on his brevet rank) in command of the Pacific States. While he was not a politician, he was committed to the doctrine of State allegiance. He declined the command of the Southwestern Department, because he held, if Texas should secede, that he would be bound in honor to surrender the public property intrusted to his care to the national authorities. He was incapable of betraying a trust; but, being persuaded that his adopted State had a permanent claim upon him, he would not consent to be placed in a position where he might be compelled to antagonize it.
The letters written by him about this time showed that he viewed with alarm the threatening dissolution of the national Union. It is believed by many who are familiar with his views, that he asked for an assignment to the Department of the Pacific so as to be removed from any participation in the impending issue. It was his openly avowed judgment that the sword was not the remedy for the existing difficulties, and he always congratulated himself that he had never contributed in any way to bring on the conflict. When he learned that Texas had seceded he tendered his resignation, April 9, 1861, and it was accepted May 3, 1861. He was relieved from command by Brigadier-General Edwin V. Sumner, April 25,1861, and thus was severed forever his connection with the United States Army. A dictionary of American biography charges him with having engaged in a conspiracy to surrender the State of California to the Confederates, the consummation of which was only frustrated by the timely arrival of his successor in command. No statement could be farther from the truth. When he was informed that a plot existed to seize Alcatraz, he removed several thousand muskets from the Benicia arsenal, where they were greatly exposed, to the island, and then informed the Governor that they could be used, if necessary, by the State militia to suppress insurrection.
His integrity was so universally recognized that he was not approached upon the subject of establishing a Pacific republic, which was favored by many in the event of a dissolution of the national Union. His resignation was withheld from the newspapers until after he had been relieved from command, to guard against any bad effect which his act might have upon others, and he declared that so long as he held his commission he would maintain the authority of the Government to the last extremity. He informed the Governor of California that he had devoted the greater part of his lifeto the service of the country, and that while he held his commission he would serve her honorably and faithfully; and he afterwards said to his friends, referring to the command he had held, "If I had proved faithless here, how could my own people ever trust me?"
The order directing General Sumner to relieve Colonel Johnston also ordered him to report in Washington. He was advised by letter that he enjoyed the confidence of the Secretary of War, and that upon arrival he would be assigned to an important command. When General Sumner was informed of his resignation he urged him to recall it, and conveyed to him the message of General Scott, "that he desired his presence for active service;" and in the report to the Adjutant-General of the Army, dated April 28, 1861, he said: "It gives me great pleasure to state that the command was turned over to me in good order. General Johnston had forwarded his resignation before I arrived, but he continued to hold the command, and was carrying out the orders of the Government."
When the President (Lincoln) was made acquainted with these facts, he executed a Major-General's commission for Colonel Johnston, but having been informed that he had already started for Texas the commission was canceled.
General Johnston accepted a General's commission in the Confederate Army, and was killed while in command at the battle of Shiloh.
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David Upton