On the afternoon of April 6, General Johnston ordered his reserves to go
into action and advance on the right flank in an attempt to drive a
wedge between the Federal troops and their base of supplies at Pittsburg
Landing. He also hoped to make it impossible for reinforcements to come
to Grant’s assistance from across the river. While personally directing
his reserves, he was struck in the right leg by a Minié ball which cut
the large artery.
[Illustration: _Johnston’s Mortuary Monument._]
At the time General Johnston was struck, he was sitting on his horse,
“Fire-eater,” underneath the large oak tree now enclosed by an iron
fence. He was taken to the ravine about 100 yards south of this
monument. There, beneath the tree now protected by another iron fence,
he died from loss of blood, a few minutes later.
Four other mortuary monuments are located in the park, marking the spots
where Generals Gladden and W. H. L. Wallace and Colonels Peabody and
Raith fell in action.