A California correspondent of the Chicago Tribune says the news of General A. Sidney Johnston’s death caused great joy at San Francisco. It will be remembered that he was in command at the latter place when the rebellion broke out, and had connived with the secessionists to deliver over the forts at the entrance of the harbor, and to seize the 60,000 stand of arms which the thief Floyd had sent there for the purpose. The city was swarming with cut-throats and traitors; Johnston had privately sent forward his resignation to the war department; the hour for the consummation of the treachery had almost arrived, when the unexpected advent of Gen. E. V. Sumner frustrated the scheme. He was put on board the California steamer at sea, and no intimation of his coming had reached the coast when he landed. On his arrival he walked up from the steamer to the headquarters of the Pacific department, and inquired for commander Johnston. Having been shown into the presence of that individual, he announced himself to the astonished traitor as his successor in command, showing his papers, and demanded immediate possession! In half an hour he had control of both forts, and run out their guns, double shotted on the land side. The same evening the 60,000 stand of arms at Benicia were secured, and California was saved. The sagacity that dispatched General Sumner secretly was creditable to the new government. But for that California would have been lost.
Worcester Daily Spy, Worcester, MA