# Joseph E. Johnston — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant character guide

> Joseph E. Johnston in Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Johnston, General Johnston, General Joseph E. Johnston, Joe Johnston

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

The Confederate general who arrived at Jackson by night to take command in Mississippi, a wary opponent Grant had to anticipate at every turn.

## Who they are

Johnston assumes command of all Confederate troops in Mississippi on the night of the 13th, expecting reinforcements from the south and east while Grant's corps converge on Jackson. His presence shapes Grant's calculations about Pemberton, rear attacks, and the timing of the thrust against the state capital. He matters because he is the opposing mind Grant must outmaneuver, and his decisions set the tempo of the Vicksburg campaign's middle phase.

## In the story

### [Return of the Army—Marriage—Ordered to the Pacific Coast—Crossing the Isthmus—Arrival at San Francisco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xiv)

Mentioned as a Confederate general known from the Mexican War.

### [Movement Against Jackson—Fall of Jackson—Intercepting the Enemy—Battle of Champion's Hill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxv)

Arrives at Jackson on the night of May 13 and assumes command of Confederate forces in Mississippi; orders Pemberton to attack Grant's rear.

### [Battle of Black River Bridge—Crossing the Big Black—Investment of Vicksburg—Assaulting the Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Confederate general in Grant's rear; Grant fears Johnston may reinforce Pemberton.

### [Retrospect of the Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxxix)

Evacuates Jackson after Sherman's approach; his army's deserters are mentioned.

### [The Military Situation—Plans For the Campaign—Sheridan Assigned to Command of the Cavalry—Flank Movements—Forrest at Fort Pillow—General Banks's Expedition—Colonel Mosby—An Incident of the Wilderness Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xlvii)

Johnston commands the Confederate army at Dalton, Georgia, opposing Sherman's advance.

### [Commencement of the Grand Campaign—General Butler’s Position—Sheridan’s First Raid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xlviii)

Confederate commander at Atlanta, an important secondary objective.

### [Sherman's Campaign in Georgia—Siege of Atlanta—Death of General McPherson—Attempt to Capture Andersonville—Capture of Atlanta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xlix)

Confederate commander defending Atlanta, forced to fall back repeatedly.

### [The Campaign in Georgia—Sherman’s March to the Sea—War Anecdotes—The March on Savannah—Investment of Savannah—Capture of Savannah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lix)

Relieved by Davis; Grant defends his cautious strategy.

### [Sherman's March North](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxii)

Put in command of Confederate troops in the Carolinas to oppose Sherman.

### [LXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxix)

Confederate general in North Carolina; surrenders to Sherman after Lee's capitulation.

### [Report of Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, of the United States Armies 1864–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/report-of-lieutenant-general-u-s-grant-of-the-united-states-armies-1864-65)

Confederate commander who surrenders to Sherman following Lee's capitulation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/joseph_e_johnston
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se
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