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That is the primarily accepted account. Years earlier, while serving in the Army of the Republic of Texas, Johnston was challenged to a duel for command of the Army. Johnston didn't believe in dueling, but honor "required" him to face his challenger. Johnston was struck in the hip and suffered extensive damage, including nerve damage to his entire leg, but refused to return fire.

His opponent was declared the winner and was named the Commanding General of the Army, but President Sam Houston had the final word and named Johnston the Secretary of War, so he was his antagonist's boss.

Unfortunately, the nerve damage to his leg is suspected of being his ultimate killer, as he apparently didn't feel the hit to his leg.

His surgeon, who had been sent to assist with some Federal casualties, knew of the danger of bleeding to death from wounds to the limbs, so he made Johnston carry a tourniquet in his pocket. Unfortunately the other officers (who included the exiled Governor of Tennessee) did not know of this. He ended up bleeding to death with a tourniquet in his pocket.

There is an interesting what-if short story in the collection Dixie Victorious where Johnston survives his wound and spends the next year recuperating at President Davis's plantation. When Grant starts crossing the Mississippi to encircle Vicksburg, Johnston rushes to the scene, takes command of the Confederate forces, and hits the Union corps while their reinforcements were still on the other side of the river.