Shiloh in Hardin County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

General Albert Sidney Johnston

Johnston Mortuary Monument Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Nick Kurtz

1. Johnston Mortuary Monument Marker

Inscription. C. S.
General Albert Sidney Johnston
Commanding
the Confederate Army,
Was mortally wounded
at 2.30 P.M.,April 6, 1862,
Died in ravine, 50 yards
south-east, at
2:45 P.M.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1862.

Location. 35° 7.812′ N, 88° 19.772′ W. Marker is in Shiloh, Tennessee, in Hardin County. Marker is on Hamburg-Savannah Road. Located near Spain's Field at stop 12, "the Death of Johnston," on the tour road in Shiloh National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shiloh TN 38376, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Conquer or Perish (within shouting distance of this marker); Death of General Johnston (within shouting distance of this marker); 9th Illinois Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named General Albert Sidney Johnston (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named 9th Illinois Infantry (about 300 feet away); Battery A, 1st Illinois Artillery (about 400 feet away); 12th Illinois Infantry (about 500 feet away); 32nd Illinois Infantry (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shiloh.

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1. National Park Service. In all of American history, he is the highest-ranking American military officer ever to be killed in action. (Submitted on April 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

2. A.S. Johnston. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Johnston was the commander of the U.S. Army Department of the Pacific in California. (Submitted on April 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

3. CSA Ranks. "General" is a rank above "Lt.General". CSA still all grades of general had the insignia of three stars (the middle being slightly larger) in an open top wreath pattern. (Submitted on April 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.
1. Johnson's Mortal Wounding and Death
Senator Isham G. Harris, who was Governor of Tennessee in 1862 and was serving as Volunteer Aid on the staff of General Johnston at Shiloh, visited this field in April, 1896 for the express purpose of fixing the place where General Johnston fell. After a careful examination of the ground over which the advance was made, he came to the place now marked by the monument and said: "General Johnston was following the advance of Bowen's brigade; he had sent all the members of his staff to other parts of the field with orders. I was the

General Albert Sidney Johnston Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

2. General Albert Sidney Johnston Monument

The monument features an upright 4.2-inch (or 30-pdr) Parrott Rifle. Visible on the right rimbase is the foundry number 666, matching to registry number 183. The rifle was produced in 1863 by West Point Foundry, and weighed 4,240 pounds.

last to leave him, with an order to put Statham's brigade in motion across the Peach Orchard. When I returned General Johnston was alone, sitting on his horse near a large oak tree (where the monument now stands). I saw him reel in the saddle and rode to his side and asked: 'General, are you hurt?' He replied: 'Yes, I fear seriously.' I supported him in the saddle and guided the two horses to the ravine in rear; then lifted him from the horse and placed him on the ground. He was unconscious and died in a few minutes, at 2.30 p.m." Senator Harris fixed the spot where this tablet stands as the place where General Johnston died.

— Submitted April 9, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

Johnston Marker ( Killed here ) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 1991

3. Johnston Marker ( Killed here )

Gen. A.S.Johnston Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 1991

4. Gen. A.S.Johnston Tree

This tree stump, which is no longer standing, is commonly known as the "Johnston Tree." The oft told story is Johnston died under the tree. In reality, he died in the ravine behind the tree. In the early days of the park, a sign was nailed to the tree indicating the place of Johnston's death. From there, some implied the tree itself was the site of the General's last moments.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,978 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 22, 2008, by Nick Kurtz of Littleton, Colorado. 2. submitted on August 2, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on April 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.