George Doherty Johnston

George Doherty Johnston was born in Hillsborough, North Carolina. In 1834, his father moved the family to Greensboro, Alabama, where he died less than a year later. His mother then moved the family to Marion, Alabama. Johnston received his education from private tutors before attending Howard College.

He then studied law at Cumberland School of Law at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee. After graduation, he returned home and began his practice in Marion. Johnson was elected mayor of Marion in 1856 and to the state legislature in 1857.[1]

Johnston joined the Confederate Army as second lieutenant of Company G of the 4th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Johnston fought with this unit at the First Battle of Bull Run. In January 1862, Johnston was commissioned major of the 25th Alabama Infantry Regiment. In September 1863 he was promoted to colonel of the same regiment.

Johnston was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Ezra Church two days after promotion to brigadier general. He was on crutches during the Franklin-Nashville Campaign and he took command of Brigadier General William Andrew Quarles' Brigade following the Battle of Franklin. Johnston took part in every battle of the Army of Tennessee from the Battle of Shiloh to the Battle of Bentonville.[2]

Johnston served as commandant of cadets at The University of Alabama following the War. He then moved to South Carolina to serve as superintendent of the South Carolina Military Academy (now The Citadel). He was appointed by President Grover Cleveland to the position of United States Civil Service Commissioner. He was elected to the state senate after returning to live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.[3]

Johnston died in Tuscaloosa on December 8, 1910, and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Tuscaloosa.[3]

• List of American Civil War generals (Confederate)

• Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 978-0-8047-3641-1.
• Sifakis, Stewart. Who Was Who in the Civil War. New York: Facts On File, 1988. ISBN 978-0-8160-1055-4.
• Warner, Ezra J. Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1959. ISBN 978-0-8071-0823-9.

• "George Doherty Johnston". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
• The Citadel Archives: Johnston, George Doherty, 1832-1910
• George Doherty Johnston papers, University Libraries Division of Special Collections, The University of Alabama