HISrORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.



ters with them in the years 1855 to 1861, he was compelled to exer-
cise unceasing care, precaution and strategy to preserve not only the
safety of his companions, but his own life. The keenest vigilance,
which he found absolutely necessary, soon became a second nature
with him, and it was in this school that he learned the lesson which in
the days of the great war between the States, proved so valuable to
him while acting in the capacity of a scout or partisan. His entire
frontier life up to and including a part of the war, was filled with wild
adventure that no one but a man of unquestioned nerve and intelli-
,gence could have so successfully contended with.  The war coming
on, General Johnson was not long in deciding with whom he should
fight. He visited Kentudky, and, for a time, his old home in Hen-
derson, where he was gladly welcomed, although the entire family
were strong for the Union of the States. During his brief stay in
Henderson, the town was occupied by Federal soldiers, and yet it
was not known that he was a Confederate scout.  Becoming' a little
uneasy of his position, Johnson determined to return South, and, to
this end, started on foot, hoping to cross Canoe Creek below the fair
grounds and make his way to Mrs. Jordan's, on the Madisonville road,
where he had a horse. Reaching the creek, it was found to be at
flood height from back water from the Ohio River and impassible.
Thinking he had passed the Federal pickets, he pushed on down the
stream in search of a drift pile or fallen tree, and, as he reached the
summit of a hill, to his amazement, only a. few yards away from him,
there stood the advanced outposts, who saw him about as soon as he
saw them. He ivas heavily arme4, and this was evidence against him.
He determined, as quick as thought, to retrace his steps, and did so,
but was pursued by one of the soldiers on foot. He hurried on to the
roots of a great tree that had fallen down, thinking there he could
secrete himself, or perhaps the pursuit would be given up. Hardly had
he gotten behind this ambush, when he observed the soldier, with has-
tened tread, following on. There was but one question then, life or
death, and, as the soldier approached the tree, Johnson fired, and the
soldier fell dead in his tracks and rolled over the bank into the creek.
Johnson then returned to the town and remained but a day or two,
when he made another and successful effort to reach the Confederate
lines. Two days afterwards he reached Hopkinsville.
    Subsequent to the battles of Fort Donelson and Corinth, Johnson
returned to Kentucky, and his first military venture in Henderson Coun-
ty was the capture of U. S. Surgeon Kimbly, of Owensboro, near Heb-
ardsville. His next adventure was in company with Colonel Robert



714