Major John Johnson Obituary-- Part 2: Sheathed His Confederate Sword and Drew His Sword for the Lord

It is fortunate that the defense of Fort Sumter has had an eminently fair, impartial, unimpassioned  and scientific history from both contestants --  Gilmore writing  as to the attack and Johnson as to the defense.  Major Johnson's most valued historic contribution is remarkable  in its entire accuracy, its completeness of detail, and, above all, for the supreme modesty of its author.

Forever the name of Major John Johnson will be linked with the fame of the historic defense of Fort Sumter.

After sheathing in honor his Confederate sword, he drew bright and fair the sword of the Lord, and for many years the beloved rector of St. Philips Church, Charleston.  Brave in the struggle of life, consistent in every action, persistent in every duty, loving and tender  to all around him, he was in a long life of peace devoted to all that was pure, lofty, and enobling as true as when, amidst war's alarums  (old word for alarm),  he was coolly and skillfully rebuilding the ramparts of Fort Sumter.

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson, Obituary-- Part 1

From Confederate Vets.com.  From the Confederate Veteran magazine of the United Confederate Veterans.

REV. JOHN JOHNSON D.D.

Tribute by Gen. Cornelius Irvine  Walker, Charleston, S.C.

The most obstinate , prolonged and gallant defense of the whole war was that of Fort Sumter in Charleston, S.C. Harbor. There the first Confederate flag was planted in victory, and there almost the last was lowered in disaster.

For two years the vast resources of the United States, its navies and its armies, were in vain expended against the fortress.  Shot and shell from the most powerful armaments of the day were thundered against its ramparts; but it never yielded to a front attack, and was abandoned only when Sherman flanked the Confederates out of Charleston.

The heroic men who so gallantly held the fortress won an imperishable glory.

The man who, by his skill, patience, untiring energy, and superb courage, made possible the prolonged holding of the fort was its chief engineer, Major John Johnson.  His genius converted the crumbling ruins  of Fort Sumter into an impregnable stronghold.

So preeminent and  and well-known were these services that  all unite in yielding him credit.

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson-- Part 6: Surrendered With Johnston, Religious Pursuits and a Book

John Johnson was promoted to Major of Engineers in October 1864.  Upon recovering from his wounds, he joined Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army in eastern North Carolina and took part in the battles of Averasboro and Bentonville.  He was paroled as senior officer of engineers at the surrender of the army at Greensboro in April 1865.  (Probably Johnston's surrender at Bennett Place in Durham, N.C..)

After the war, he resumed his ministerial studies  and in January 188, was ordained  to the Episcopal ministry and assumed charge of Grace Church in Camden, South Carolina.  In 1871, he returned to Charleston and became assistant minister of St. Philip's Episcopal Church.  he was made rector the following year, at age 43, and served in that capacity for the next 34 years.

In July 1890 he published his work "The Defense of Charleston Harbor, Including Fort Sumter and Adjacent Islands 1863-1865."  This book received high commendation from the best literary and military critics.

In the summer of 1891,  he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee,  and a few years later the College of Charleston conferred on him the degree of LL.D..

The Reverend John Johnson died  in Charleston at age 78 on April 7, 1907, the 44th anniversary of his posting to  Fort Sumter.  he was survived by his wife of  of 42 years, Floride Canteyand eight children.  he is buried at St. Philip's Church Cemetery..

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson-- Part 5: Fifteen Months Under Fire

John Johnson was posted to Fort Sumter on April 7, 1863,  in time to witness the U.S. Navy attack on that place and then served for 15 months as engineer-in-charge of the fort's severest bombardment.  Applying his expertise and constant attention to detail, he oversaw daily repairs to damage and reinforcement efforts to sustain the fort throughout the devastating  rain of shellfire  from Union guns.

On July 28, 1864, he received his second and most serious of two wounds which left him a cripple for the rest of his life.

General Beauregard said to Major John Johnson was due  the masterly defense of Fort Sumter:

"It did not end in triumph, but it has left behind a setting of glory as of the western skies, a blazonry of heroism where gold and purple serve to tell of valor  and endurance, and the crimson hue is emblem of self-sacrifice in a cause  believed to be just."

--From the concluding sentence of Major John Johnson's book "The Defense of Charleston Harbor, Including Fort Sumter and Adjacent Islands 1863-1865."

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson, CSA-- Part 4: Engineering and Divinity

Born in Charleston on December 25, 1829, he received his academic  education in engineering and pursued that for ten years where he was employed in surveys, railroad construction and water-works.  In 1853, under the patronage of the state, he prepared and published a large map of South Carolina.  He continued his academic studies at sessions offered at the University of Virginia 1858-1860.

In addition, he decided to enter the ministry  of the Protestant Episcopal Church and began  preparation at Camden, South Carolina,  under the direction of Bishop Thomas F. Davis until the war broke out.

He entered the engineering corps of the Confederate Army in August 1862 at age 33 with the rank of Lieutenant of Engineers, then Captain in 1863 and Major in 1864.  He was initially engaged in the construction of defenses at several towns (including Wilmington).

--Old Secesh

Major John Johnson of Fort Sumter-- Part 3: Also Saw Service at Wilmington

From the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie NPS.

Joined Confederate Army in 1862 and rose through ranks from lieutenant, captain to major in the Corps of Engineers.  Saw service at Savannah, Wilmington (another Fort Fisher-Wilmington person) and especially noted for his time in Charleston and at Fort Sumter.

He was twice wounded at Fort Sumter  where he served as engineer in charge for the 15th months of the severest Union bombardment of that place.

Survived the war and authored "The Defense of Charleston Harbor, Including  Fort Sumter and Adjacent Islands 1863-1865."  It was published in 1890 and is still considered the one of the best historical and technically detailed accounts of that bombardment.

--Old Secesh

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

Major John Johnson, Fort Sumter Defender of Charleston-- Part 1

In the last post, I mentioned four young ladies who dedicated the Confederate defenders of Charleston statue in 1932.  One of them was Alicia Rhett, who was in the movie "Gone With the Wind" and whose name inspired that of the Rhett Butler character in that movie.

Unfortunately, the site I went to for the statue did not list the names of the four young ladies but I will do some research on their ancestors who were among the defenders.

The granddaughter of this man was one of the four young ladies.  He was listed as a Confederate engineer and author of a book on the defense of Charleston.

From the Find-A-Grave site.

REV. JOHN JOHNSON

BIRTH:  December 25, 1829  Charleston, S.C.

DEATH:  April 7, 1907  Charleston, S.C.

BURIAL:  St. Philip's Episcopal  Church Cemetery,  Charleston, S.C.

Alicia Rhett and her father Edmund Moore Rhett and mother Isobell Murdoch Rhett are buried there as well.  Also, John C. Calhoun is buried there.

--Old Secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston-- Part 4: The Four Young Ladies

The monument was unveiled by four young ladies, all descendants of members of the Confederate Defenders of Fort Sumter:

**  The granddaughter of Colonel Alfred Rhett, the first commanding officer of Fort Sumter.  (Alicia Rhett)

**  The granddaughter of Captain Thomas A. Hueguenin,  the last Confederate commander of Fort Sumter

**  The grandniece of Major Stephen Elliott, the second in command under Colonel Rhett

**  The granddaughter of Major John Johnson, a member of the Confederate Engineers and author of "The Defense of Charleston."

Two ushers placed on the monument the last Confederate flag that flew over Fort Sumter.

"The young ladies," the News & Courier reported, "then placed on the base of the monument  two wreaths of red and white carnations."

--Old Secesh

Col. William Robert Greer-- Part 2

Not only was William Robert Greer one of Fort Sumter's 1863 Defenders, but, he was captured at Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865 and held prisoner for the remainder of the war at Elmira, New York.

Of course, anything involving Fort Fisher immediately sparks my interest.

He was a private when captured at Fort Fisher, so the "Colonel' title must have been an honorary one.

--Old Secesh

An Added Little Nugget for Col. William Robert Greer and a Roadtrip Through History-- Part 1: A War of 1812 Trip

As I usually do when I come across names while researching a topic, I look them up to see if there is any more information as part of my Roadtrip Through History and I found a piece of information about this man that really made my day.  He was the featured speaker at the dedication of Charleston's "Defenders of Charleston" statue in 1932.  At the time, he was the last living of those defenders who held onto Fort Sumter during the tremendous Union attacks in 1863.

Right now, I am doing research on the disappearance of Theodosia Burr Alston in my Not So Forgotten War of 1812 blog.  And with a middle name like Burr, well, I just had to know.  Aaron Burr?  That scamp of American history who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel, had been a former U.S. vice president and later attempted to cause a rebellion in the South?  That Burr?  Well, she was his daughter.

I arrived at the name Theodosia while researching about the HMS Nimrod which captured a whole lot of American ships during the War of 1812 and bombarded two Massachusetts towns.  There had been an earlier HMS Nimrod (1799) which had formerly been a French privateer, was taken into British service, which had captured a French privateer in 1807.  This one was also taken into British service  as the HMS Venturer which later had its name changed to HMS Theodosia.  This was why I came across the name Theodosia and how I ended up with Burr's daughter.

I also found out that there was a HMS Venturer submarine during WW II, that became the first submarine to sink another submarine (a German U-boat) with a torpedo while both were submerged.  I wrote about this in my Tattooed On Your Soul: World War II blog.

And, Theodosia, Burr's daughter, disappeared while on a ship during the War of 1812, and to this day, no one knows what happened to her.  I have been writing about her and her disappearance in that blog.

Now, yesterday,  I found out that she had a song about her in the popular musical "Hamilton."  I didn't see it, so this was news to me.  In it, Aaron Burr sang to his just-born daughter while Alexander Hamilton sang to his just-born son, Philip.  Both saw great things in store for their progeny.  The song was "Dear Theodosia."

But, as I said, Theodosia disappeared and Philip Hamilton was killed in a duel three years before his dad met a similar fate.  And, I found out that both Hamiltons were killed at the same place.

This is what my Roadtrippin' Through History is all about.  I start at one place and see where it takes me.

And, you're probably wondering about that nugget of information I found out about Col. William Robert Greer.  Well, I found out this information by Roadtrippin'.  You'll have to wait until the next post.

And, I wonder why it takes me so long to do these blogs.

A Road Tripping Through History I Go.  Or, If Your Name Is Hamilton, Don't Duel.  --Old Secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston Statue-- Part 3: "In Perpetue With Love and Veneration"

The last living Confederate Defender of Charleston in 1932 (the dedication date), Col. William Robert Greer, attended the ceremony.  He described Fort Sumter's ordeal and praised Andrew B. Murray, the philanthropist who donated $100,000 to the city to fund the monument.

There was never "at any time  and lack of courage,"  Col. Greer said, "but a determination unalterable that this great Gibraltar of Charleston should never be captured or  surrendered.... There were many flags shot down in the fort during the siege...

"But before the force embarked for the city, the commander, the gallant and intrepid  [Thomas A.] Huguenin, removed the standard and consigned it as a scared  relic to the care of the Sumter Guards, where it has been held in perpetue with love and veneration."

--Old Secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston Monument-- Part 2: Dedicating the Monument in 1932

The monument is topped by two figures, that of a woman representing Charleston and a young man representing the Confederate defenders.  The young muscular man is wearing nothing but a strategically placed fig leaf.

On October 20, 1932, some 8,000 people gathered for the statue's dedication in White Point Gardens, the Battery, for the Confederate defenders of Fort Sumter.  Many of those present had fathers, uncles and  grandfathers who fought  in what many still called "The Confederate War."

The statue's sculptor, Hermon A. McNeill, said of the monuments:  "The motif in brief, is that of a stalwart youth, standing in front with sword and shield symbolizes by his attitude the defense not only of the fort, but also of the fair city behind the fort in which are his most prized possessions, wife and family.

"And she, the wife,  glorified into an Athena-like woman, unafraid, stands behind him with arms outstretched toward the fort, this creating an inseparable  union of the city and Fort Sumter."

--Old secesh

Confederate Defenders of Charleston Monument-- Part 1

In the last post, I mentioned this monument as being one that Alicia Rhett helped dedicate in 1932.

Hopefully, it will be allowed to remain in place with all that is going on with Confederate monuments these days.

From HMdb.

Inscription:  "To the Confederate Defenders of Charleston   Fort Sumter 1861-1865."

Around the bottom of the base:  "Count Them Happy Who For Their Faith And Their Courage Endured A Great Fight."

Erected 1932 by the Fort Sumter Memorial Commission.

It is in Charleston, S.C., in White Point Garden.

The monument was erected  with the major portion of a $100,000 bequest of Andrew Buist Murray.  The artist was Hermon A. MacNeil, 1866-1947, sculptor.  Dawson Engineering Co. set the base.

--Old Secesh

Edmund Moore Rhett-- Part 3: A Du Pont Connection and a Statue in Charleston

**   Edmund's sister Marianna Rhett Du Pont ((1875-1967) married Francis Irenee Du Pont (1873-1942).  He was one of the famous Du Pont family and this is who Edmund was working for when he died in 1918 of the Spanish flu and Wilmington, Delaware.

No doubt his family relationship helped with the job.  Although in the past, only the top West Point graduates got into the Army Corps of Engineers so Edmund must have been very talented.

**  From Ancestry boards.

**  Alicia Rhett

On October 20, 1932, Alicia and three  other young ladies, all descendants of members of the Confederate garrison of Fort Sumter, unveiled the Confederate Defenders of Charleston monument.  (Hopefully it will be allowed to remain.)

In June 2019, this statue was "vandalized." (Hate Crime)   Two people were arrested, one of whom was a white person.

--Old Secesh