Johnston enlisted in the Texas Army in 1836 after hearing Stephen F. Austin, who was on a recruiting mission for the young Republic of Texas, spoke in Louisville just one day after the fall of the Alamo. Later, Johnston became Brigadier General and Chief Commander of the Texas Army. He served as Secretary of War in the Republic of Texas from 1836-1840. As a Colonel in the Texas volunteer regiment, Johnston fought at Monterrey in the Mexican War.

In 1849, Johnston was reappointed to the U.S. Army and placed in command of the Department of Texas. In 1857, he led an expedition to Utah and was made Brevet General. He remained there until 1860, commanding the Department of Utah.

When Texas seceded, Johnston resigned his commission in the U.S. Army and was appointed a General in the Army of the Confederacy by Jefferson Davis. He was in command of all Confederate troops west of the Alleghenies and successfully surprised Grant at Shiloh in April 1862. Tragically, he was mortally wounded in that battle and died on the field. Johnston, who wished to be buried "with a handful of Texas earth on my breast", is buried in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas. His gravesite is adorned with a beautiful white marble sculpture created by Elizabeth Ney, which portrays Johnston in repose, as he fell on the battlefield.

[click on picture to enlarge. Thanks to Walter Nass for the pics.]