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 Western Department, making him the second-highest-ranking general in the CSA. On April 6, 1862, as he led the fierce Confederate charge at Shiloh, he took a bullet to the knee; though the wound did not appear serious, the bullet had struck a major artery, and Johnston bled to death, becoming the highest-ranking casualty of the war. Rare ALS signed “A. Sidney Johnston,” one faintly lined page, 7.75 x 9.75, August 1, 1851. Johnston, as paymaster at Austin, writes to Paymaster General Colonel B. F. Larned. In part: “I have the honor to transmit herewith duplicate ‘Abstracts,’ ‘Accounts Current,’ and vouchers for the payment of the troops of this district for the months of May & June 1851 as far as completed. No payment of the companies at Fort Graham was made in consequence of the absence of the Commanding Officer of the Post, Major Sibley, with one of the companies, and his omission to sign one of the pay rolls of the company present. Subtle toning along folds, otherwise fine, bright condition. An outstanding, beautiful example from one of the rarest of Civil War figures! LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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