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 [decorative delimiter] Class of 1835

Vol. I
p611 813

(Born O.)

Abraham R. Johnston

(Ap'd O.)

28

Abraham Robinson Johnston: Born May 23, 1815, Upper Piqua, OH.a

Military History. — Cadet at the Military Academy, July 1, 1830, p612to July 1, 1835, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to

Bvt. Second Lieut., 1st Dragoons, July 1, 1835.

Served: on frontier duty at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., 1837‑39,b — Expedition

(Second Lieut., 1st Dragoons, Mar. 31, 1836)

(First Lieut., 1st Dragoons, June 15, 1837)

to Grand River, 1839‑40, — Ft. Gibson, I. T., 1840, — and Ft. Wayne, I. T., 1840; on Recruiting service, 1840‑42; on frontier duty at Ft. Gibson, I. T., 1842‑43, — March to Ft. Washita, I. T., 1843, — Ft. Washita, I. T., 1843‑45, — and March to Ft. Wayne, I. T., 1845‑46; as Adjutant, 1st Dragoons, June 17‑30, 1846; on frontier duty at Ft.

(Captain, 1st Dragoons, June 30, 1846)

Leavenworth, Kan., 1846; and in the War with Mexico, 1846, being engaged as Aide-de‑Camp to Brig.‑General Kearny in the Combat of San Pasqual, Cal.,c where, while gallantly leading a charge against the enemy's Lancers, he was

Killed, Dec. 6, 1846: Aged 31.

Buried, Johnston Cemetery, Upper Piqua, OH.d

Thayer's Notes:

a A series of six very detailed and very interesting pages on "Robinson" Johnston, as he was usually called, can be found on Marla Fair's site. They include a page devoted to his time at the Point.

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b So Cullum: of the time from his graduation to 1837, not a word.

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c For Capt. Johnston's actions at San Pasqual, see pages 3 and 5 of the battle narrative at the San Pasqual Battlefield website. Note the likely discrepancy with the official cause of death.

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d There are serious doubts as to the whereabouts of his remains and as to what his grave may contain; the curious story is told on Marla Fair's page, and in the newspaper article linked there.

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Page updated: 9 Mar 13