Edward Johnson US Army officer and Confederate Army general Date of Birth: 16.04.1816 Country: USA

1. Early Life and West Point
2. Military Career in the U.S. Army
3. Outbreak of the Civil War
4. Early Battles and "Allegheny" Nickname
5. Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign
6. Command of Stonewall Jackson's Division
7. Gettysburg Campaign
8. Gettysburg and Controversy
9. Later Campaigns and Capture
10. Imprisonment and Release
11. Postwar Career
12. Later Years and Legacy

Early Life and West Point

Edward Johnson was born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, but later moved to Kentucky with his family. In 1833, he enrolled in the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1838 as the 32nd in a class of 45.

Military Career in the U.S. Army

Johnson received a commission as a second lieutenant in the 6th Infantry Regiment and was promoted to first lieutenant a year later. He distinguished himself in the Seminole Wars in Florida and served in the West. During the Mexican-American War, he fought in the battles of Veracruz, Cerro Gordo, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, and Chapultepec. He earned brevet promotions to captain and then major, and received a ceremonial sword from the state of Virginia for his valor.

Outbreak of the Civil War

When the Civil War erupted, Johnson resigned from the U.S. Army. Rumors spread that he had been arrested and briefly imprisoned, but he managed to escape. On July 2, 1861, he joined the Confederate Army as a colonel in the 12th Georgia Regiment.

Early Battles and "Allegheny" Nickname

Johnson's regiment fought in General Lee's first campaign in western Virginia, participating in the battles of Rich Mountain, Cheat Mountain, and Greenbrier River. On December 13, 1861, Johnson was promoted to brigadier general. He commanded six infantry regiments in the Battle of Alleghany Mountain, earning his nickname "Allegheny" or "Allegheny Johnson."

Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign

In early 1862, Johnson's "army" operated in conjunction with General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson during the early stages of the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. At the Battle of McDowell, he was severely wounded in the leg and forced to retreat, spending nearly a year recovering in Richmond.

Command of Stonewall Jackson's Division

After the reorganization of the Army of Northern Virginia following Chancellorsville in 1863, Johnson was recalled to active duty, promoted to major general, and given command of the famed "Stonewall Division" in Richard S. Ewell's corps.

Gettysburg Campaign

Johnson commanded his division during the Gettysburg Campaign. Despite still using a cane to walk, his soldiers nicknamed him "Old Clubby." Johnson defeated Union General Robert Milroy at the Second Battle of Winchester before arriving at Gettysburg on the evening of the first day's fighting.

Gettysburg and Controversy

Johnson's division formed the extreme left flank of Ewell's corps at Gettysburg. Controversy surrounds whether General Ewell failed to take advantage of Johnson's fresh division for an evening attack on Cemetery and Culp's Hills. Some suggest that Johnson himself refused to order the assault despite orders to do so.

Later Campaigns and Capture

Johnson's division played a major role in the assault on Culp's Hill on the second and third days of the battle. He also participated in the final stages of the Gettysburg Campaign at the Mine Run battles. In 1864, Johnson distinguished himself at the Battle of the Wilderness. When General James Longstreet was severely wounded, Johnson was considered a potential replacement as second-in-command. However, he was captured in the Battle of Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864, along with most of his division.

Imprisonment and Release

After being held as a prisoner of war for several months, Johnson was exchanged in August 1864. He was immediately assigned to General John Bell Hood's Army of Tennessee, where he commanded a division in Stephen D. Lee's corps. Johnson was captured again during the Battle of Nashville on December 16, 1864, and held in a prisoner-of-war camp on Johnson's Island in Lake Erie.

Postwar Career

After the war ended, Johnson was moved to the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C., where he was investigated for his potential involvement in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. No evidence of involvement was found, and Johnson was paroled on July 22, 1865.

Later Years and Legacy

Johnson returned to Virginia as a farmer and became active in veterans' organizations, particularly in efforts to erect a monument to General Lee in Richmond. He died in Richmond and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery. Johnson never married.