He disclosed that Jefferson Davis had already sent Sidney
Johnston a Major-General's commission. Though he finally follows
the course of his native State, Randolph rendered priceless service
to the Union cause in the West. General Edward V. Sumner is already
secretly hurrying westward. He is met at Panama by the Unionist
messengers. They turn back with him. In every city and county
the Unionists and Southerners watch each other. While Johnston's
resignation flies eastward, Sumner is steaming up the Mexican coast,
unknown to the conspirators.
In the days of March and April, 1861, one excited man could have
plunged the Pacific Coast into civil warfare. All unconscious of
the deadly gun bellowing treason on April 12th at Charleston, as
the first shell burst over Sumter, the situation remained one of
anxious tension in California. The telegraph is not yet finished.
On April 19th, General Sumner arrived unexpectedly. He was informed of
local matters by the loyalists. General Sidney Johnston, astonished
and surprised, turned over his command at once. Without treasonable
attempt, he left the Golden Gate. When relieved, he was no longer
in the service. Speeding over the Colorado deserts to Texas, the
high-minded veteran rode out to don the new gray uniform, and to
die in the arms of an almost decisive victory at Shiloh.
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