Prince Edward County, VA - Marcus F. Wright's Civil War Bios - Gen. Joseph Eccleston Johnston USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. submitted by Marti Graham ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHNSTON p.580 JOHNSTON, GEN. JOSEPH ECCLESTON, born in Prince Edward county, Va., february, 1807. Graduated at West Point 1829. Served in engineer corps till outbreak of Civil war. Entered Confederate service April 22, 1861. In command of Confederate forces in Virginia during early part of 1862. Wounded at Fair Oaks May 31, 1862. Made lieutenant-general November, 1862, and assigned to Department of Tennessee. Strove to relieve Vicksburg, the besieged by Grant, 1863. After the defeat of Bragg at Chattanooga November 25, 1863, Johnston took command of all the Confederate forces in the Southwest, with rank of general. Resisted Sherman in his campaign from Chattanoog to Atlanta, but without success. Succeeded by General Hood. Assumed command in the Carolinas, with orders to oppose Shernam's northern march. Fought the battle of Bentonville. Surrendered to Sherman at Durham Station, after Lee had surrendered at Appomattox. Retired to private life. Made a commissioner of railroads 1885. Died March 21, 1891.