American Folk Figure. He became legendary as a frontier "Mountain Man." Born in New Jersey. he reportedly joined the United States Navy in 1846 during the Mexican- American War but deserted after striking an officer, changing his name to John Johnston and heading west. In Wyoming he made his living as a hunter, trapper and woodhawk. He moved on to Montana in 1862, and in 1864 he joined the Union Army as a sharpshooter in Company H, 2nd Volunteer Colorado Cavalry, serving in Missouri. Wounded in the October 28, 1864 2nd Battle of Newtonia, he was honorably discharged and returned to Montana, where he assisted settlers in hostile Indian territory. In 1877 he served under General Nelson A. Miles as chief of scouts, participating in more raids than any other Indian fighter. Eventually, in failing health and with dwindling finances, he was forced to accept financial help from friends. Unwilling to be an object of public charity, he reluctantly consented to move into the National Soldiers' Home at Santa Monica, California, where he was admitted as an "inmate" in December 1899. He died there on January 21, 1900, and was buried the following day in the nearby Sawtell National Cemetery. The 1972 film "Jeremiah Johnson," loosely based on his life, starred Robert Redford in the title role. When Johnston was reburied in Old Town in Cody, Wyoming, on June 8, 1974, Redford also served as one of the pallbearers.
American Folk Figure. He became legendary as a frontier "Mountain Man." Born in New Jersey. he reportedly joined the United States Navy in 1846 during the Mexican- American War but deserted after striking an officer, changing his name to John Johnston and heading west. In Wyoming he made his living as a hunter, trapper and woodhawk. He moved on to Montana in 1862, and in 1864 he joined the Union Army as a sharpshooter in Company H, 2nd Volunteer Colorado Cavalry, serving in Missouri. Wounded in the October 28, 1864 2nd Battle of Newtonia, he was honorably discharged and returned to Montana, where he assisted settlers in hostile Indian territory. In 1877 he served under General Nelson A. Miles as chief of scouts, participating in more raids than any other Indian fighter. Eventually, in failing health and with dwindling finances, he was forced to accept financial help from friends. Unwilling to be an object of public charity, he reluctantly consented to move into the National Soldiers' Home at Santa Monica, California, where he was admitted as an "inmate" in December 1899. He died there on January 21, 1900, and was buried the following day in the nearby Sawtell National Cemetery. The 1972 film "Jeremiah Johnson," loosely based on his life, starred Robert Redford in the title role. When Johnston was reburied in Old Town in Cody, Wyoming, on June 8, 1974, Redford also served as one of the pallbearers.
Bio by: O'side Native
Inscription
Jno. Johnston
Co. H
2nd Colo. Cav.
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