American military officer (1803-1862) who fought with distinction in the Mexican-American War. Upon hearing of the secession of Texas in 1861, he resigned his Army commission and became Confederate commander of the Western Department, making him the second-highest-ranking general in the CSA. ALS signed “A. Sidney Johnston, Pay Master U. S. Army,” one page, 7.75 x 9.5, August 1, 1854. Addressed from the “Ringold Barracks” in Austin, Texas, a handwritten letter to Lieutenant Col. Daniel Ruggles, in full: “I have this day transmitted to Pay Master H. Hill my official receipt in duplicate for one hundred and eighty dollars 60/100 (being the amount received by me from Lieut. A. D. Free 2’d Dragoons for you) and have requested him to pay that amount to you or your order.” The second integral page is professionally inlaid into a slightly larger sheet. In fine condition. Johnston was the highest-ranking officer, Union or Confederate, killed during the entire Civil War, and given his early death at the Battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862, his signature is excessively scarce in any form.
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