Richard Woodhouse Johnson (February 27, 1827 – April 21, 1897) was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Life
Personal life
Richard Woodhouse Johnson[1] was born on February 27, 1827, in Smithland, to James Johnson (1785–1837) and Louisa Harmon Johnson (1790–1837).[2][3] Johnson married Rachael Elizabeth Steele (1826–1891). Their sons were Alfred Bainbridge Johnson (1853–1897) and Richard Woodhouse Johnson (1855–1929).
In the midst of the Battle of Utoy Creek, Johnson assumed command of the XIV Corps when the previous commander, John M. Palmer, abruptly resigned due to a rank dispute. Johnson briefly led the corps through the rest of August.
Cavalry service
On August 22, 1864, Johnson was made chief of cavalry of the Military Division of the Mississippi. He commanded a cavalry division at the Battle of Nashville. On the second day of the battle, Johnson was given the brevet rank of major general of volunteers, supplemented on March 13, 1865, by the brevet rank of brigadier general in the regular army, and on the same day was brevetted major general in the regular army for "gallant and meritorious services during the war". Johnson was left behind when Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson began his raid into Alabama in 1865.
Post war
Johnson was mustered out of the volunteer service on January 15, 1866, and became provost marshal general of the Military Division of the Tennessee, and later acting judge advocate in various military departments. He resigned in 1867 with the rank of major, which grade by an Act of Congress (March 3, 1875) was changed to that of brigadier general. He published A Soldier's Reminiscences in Peace and War (1866) and a Memoir of Major General George H. Thomas (1881).
On December 6, 1865, Johnson was elected as a Veteran Companion of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), a military society of officers who had served in the Union armed forces during the Civil War. He was assigned MOLLUS insignia number 99.