Frank W. Johnson

Francis White Johnson
Frank W. Johnson
Nickname(s)Frank
BornOctober 3, 1799
Leesburg, Virginia, United States
DiedApril 8, 1884(1884-04-08) (aged 84)
Aguascalientes, Mexico
Buried
AllegianceRepublic of Texas Republic of Texas
Service / branchTexian Army
Republic of Texas Army of the Republic of Texas
Years of service1835-36
RankCo-commander
Battles / warsBattle of Anahuac
Siege of Bexar
Battle of Goliad
Battle of San Patricio
Other workConstable
Delegate
Surveyor
Author

Francis White Johnson (October 3, 1799 – April 8, 1884) was a leader of the Texian Army from December 1835 through February 1836, during the Texas Revolution. Johnson arrived in Texas in 1826 and worked as a surveyor for several empresarios, including Stephen F. Austin. One of his first activities was to plot the new town of Harrisburg. Johnson unsuccessfully tried to prevent the Fredonian Rebellion and served as a delegate to the Convention of 1832.

During the early part of the Texas Revolution, Johnson served as the adjutant and inspector general of the Texian Army. During the final assault of the siege of Bexar, Johnson led one of the two divisions which fought Mexican troops and was a member of the committee that negotiated the Mexican surrender. Following the battle, Johnson became commander of the volunteers. In late December 1835, the Texas provisional government named him co-commander of an expedition to invade Mexico. By late January, the provisional government had named several others as heads of the Texian Army, and there was confusion in the army and the general public over who was in charge.

Johnson and his men were surprised at the Battle of San Patricio on February 27, 1836. Most of his men were killed, but Johnson escaped. During the next three decades, Johnson alternately lived in Texas or traveled the United States. He settled permanently near Austin, Texas, in 1871 and spent the rest of his life researching Texas history. In 1914, thirty years after Johnson's death, historian Eugene C. Barker edited Johnson's manuscripts into a book, A History of Texas and Texans.