From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

Johnson was born a slave in Kentucky about 1836. In 1864, while the Civil War raged, Albert left slavery to become a soldier in the Union Army. He made his way to Camp Nelson, where he enlisted as a private in Company C of the 116th US Colored Infantry Regiment, then later in Company B, where he was promoted to corporal.

The 116th was organized between June 6 and July 12, 1864, attached to the Military District of Kentucky. It remained on duty at Camp Nelson until September, at which time it set up defensive positions at Nelson and Hickman's Bridge against Nathan Forrest's attack. On September 27, 1864, he reported to General Butler's Army of James River in Virginia, seeing duty in the Siege of Petersburg and Richmond from October 23, 1864 - April 2, 1865, and was at the Battle of Hatcher's Run March 27-28 as well as the Fall of Petersburg April 2, 1865.

Johnson was also active in the pursuit of General Lee and was at Appomattox Court House for the surrender of Lee's army on April 9.

The regiment was then dispatched to Texas, arriving there May 25, 1865; it remained on garrison duty in Texas and Louisiana till January 1867, when it was sent back to Kentucky and mustered out of service at Louisville on January 17, 1867.

After the war Albert Johnson lived in Anderson County, where he was married August 1, 1869 to Miss Harriett Hale. He is listed on the 1870 Anderson County Federal Census as a 34-year old man.