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Contributed by: Diane Siniard Name: Robert Daniel Johnston State Served: North Carolina Highest Rank: Brig-Gen Birth Date: 1837 Death Date: 1919 Birth Place: Lincoln County, North Carolina Army: Confederacy Promotions: Promoted to Full Captain (Co. K 23rd NC Inf) Promoted to Full Lt Colonel ((est day)) Promoted to Full Brig-Gen Biography: Brigadier-General Robert D. Johnston, of North Carolina, at the time of the secession of his State, was second lieutenant in the Beattie's Ford rifles, State troops. He entered the Confederate service as captain of Company K, Twenty-third North Carolina infantry, July 15, 1861. His regiment was on the peninsula during 1861 and the spring of 1862, and participated in the battle of Williamsburg. On May 21, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant- colonel. He was wounded at Seven Pines while gallantly leading his men, and at South Mountain and Sharpsburg fought with conspicuous bravery in Garland's brigade. In describing the fighting on his part of the field near the center of the Confederate line at Sharpsburg, Gen. D. H. Hill reported the fact that the Twenty-third North Carolina was brought off by "the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston" and put in position in the sunken road, and he especially commended Johnston among the officers distinguished on that bloody field. At Chancellorsville, when Major Rowe, leading the Twelfth North Carolina, was killed, Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston took command of that regiment. This regiment and the Twenty-third were both in Rodes' gallant division, which was in the front of Jackson's brilliant flank attack. In this battle the North Carolinians under Johnston captured a stand of the enemy's colors. After Gettysburg Johnston was promoted to the rank of brigadier- general, to date September 1, 1863, and assigned to the command of his brigade, formerly led by Samuel Garland and D. K. McRae. It was composed of the Fifth, Twelfth, Twentieth and Twenty-third regiments and Second battalion of North Carolina infantry. This command fought under its gallant leader in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, at which latter battle General Johnston received a severe wound. He was again in command during the valley campaign under Early, participating in the series of severe battles which ended with that of Cedar Creek, a victory in the morning, a defeat in the afternoon. He was with his men in the subsequent weary winter, watching and fighting in the trenches around Petersburg, and was included in the surrender at Appomattox. After the close of hostilities General Johnston practiced law at Charlotte for twenty years from 1867 as a partner of Col. H. C. Jones. Source: Confederate Military History, vol. V, p. 320 |