Johnston, Joseph Eggleston (1807-1891), was a Confederate general in the American Civil War (1861-1865). He commanded the main Confederate Army in Virginia in 1861 and early 1862. In 1863, he was sent to relieve Vicksburg, Mississippi, which was besieged by General Ulysses S. Grant. But Johnston attempted little, believing he had too few troops. In December 1863, he took charge of the Army of Tennessee and in 1864 began a long retreat in front of General William T. Sherman’s advance toward Atlanta. Johnston was relieved by President Jefferson Davis, who believed he was afraid to fight. He did not command again until 1865, when he fought at Bentonville, North Carolina. He surrendered his army to Sherman’s troops in April 1865. Johnston was born on Feb. 3, 1807, in Prince Edward County, Virginia. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and became quartermaster general of the U.S. Army just before the Civil War. He died on March 21, 1891.
See also Atlanta campaign .
