A. S. Johnston
Johnston, Albert Sidney (1803–1862), a United States and Confederate army officer. At the opening of the Civil War, Johnston was made a full general in the Confederate army, with command of the western department (Kentucky and Tennessee). In early 1862, his forces lost Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. On April 6, 1862, at Shiloh he launched a bold surprise attack on the numerically superior forces of General U. S. Grant. The attack almost succeeded, but Johnston died in the battle.
Johnston was born in Washington, Kentucky. He graduated from West Point in 1826, and after serving in the army until 1834, he resigned and moved west. Johnston was commander of the Republic of Texas army, 1837–38, and Texas secretary of war, 1839–40. After serving in the Mexican War as a volunteer, he rejoined the United States regular army in 1849. Johnston commanded troops in Texas, Utah, and California before joining the Confederate army.