Hi, Mike--nice to hear from you. I'm in the awkward spot of not being able to identity where I got the info. on Johnson's possible affiliation with the Lexington Battalion---my notes, alas, are currently boxed up, and I submitted the query some time ago. In reading it over, though, I apparently wasn't too sure, and was hoping that someone on the forum with knowledge of the KY state militia could clarify this point. I think it unlikely that Johnson saw service, or at least action, in the war. I can't find him on either the Soldier and Sailors or Footnote databases, so when the militia was incorporated (if that's the right word) into the Confederate organization, my guess is that he stayed home to run his plantation in Georgetown. I do recall seeing a SF Herald article in 1854 indicating that he was returning to his native Kentucky for a visit---probably to marry (Laura Miller, July 20, 1854, in Georgetown), as his first child, Frener, was born in SF in 1855; his other three children were all born in Georgetown (1857-60). As to his species of politics, I'm not sure. Hays, I believe, was married to the Collector himself, Richard P. Hammond (leader of the Southern or "Bolter" wing of the Democracy), though I think Gorham was a native of Maryland or Virginia himself (though staunchly pro-Union, if I recall); I don't think I was able to learn much about Gorham---I think I tracked him to NYC about 1869, but that's about it. It's been a while since I was on the trail. Which book exactly has the photo of Johnson? I would be curious to see it. My focus is on the Walker/Crabb filibustering expeditions launched from CA in the 1850s; at one point, Johnson was charged with obtaining the release of Walker's first ship, the Arrow, seized by General Hitchcock--at one point Johnson and a military officer were both on deck awaiting a legal resolution. The point became moot when Walker slipped off in the Caroline. I think I tried to find out exactly when Johnson died but had no luck---he's listed in the Georgetown Cemetery database, but alas there are no dates. Attempts to contact the local library for some leads were fruitless, but I didn't push real hard. Now that you've revived my interest, I may try again.