Major John Johnson, Fort Sumter Defender of Charleston-- Part 2: Of Engineers and the Church

The Rev. John Johnson, rector emeritus of St. Philips Episcopal Church in Charleston, Confederate Major of Engineers in charge at Fort Sumter,  and author of "The Defense of Fort Sumter" and other historical works, died last night at the age of 78.

He studied civil engineering, to which for ten years he devoted his energies in railroad constructing and other large engineering work throughout South Carolina.  In 1853, he published the largest map of this state ever undertaken.

In 1860, he studied for the ministry at the Camden University in South Carolina, but at the outbreak of the war, he entered the engineering  corps of the Southern army  with the rank of Lieutenant of Engineers and rose rapidly through the ranks to major of Engineers.

He was mostly engaged  on the fortifications of several towns and was at Fort Sumter for fifteen months of its bombardment.  During this time, he was wounded twice by shells which left him crippled for life.

After the war, he was paroled as senior officer in the engineers and resumed his his ministerial studies, being ordained in 1866.   In 1872, he was appointed rector of St.Philips.

--Old Secesh