Confederate general (1807–1891) who, when Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, resigned his commission as a brigadier general in the regular army—the highest-ranking U.S. officer to do so. Initially commissioned as a major general in the Virginia militia, he relieved “Stonewall” Jackson’s command at Harper’s Ferry and organized the Army of the Shenandoah. ALS signed “J. E Johnston,” two lightly lined pages, 5 x 8, July 2, 1885. Johnston writes to Reverend Jones regarding the Battle of Seven Pines and General Longstreet. In part: “I trouble you again in regard to the Longstreet report of 7 Pines.... As to the question of Memory—It would be remarkable if you receiving thousands of papers in that office, should remember this particular one. And as remarkable if I, having deposited one of much interest to me, should have forgotten what it was. Especially as I had corresponded with Genl. Longstreet on the subject, and he had well filled the margin … with notes confirmatory of the view I took that the list of killed and wounded was an interpolation, and did not belong to the official report. The official report being that made to me, I am the only witness on the subject besides the writer.” In fine condition, with light toning and some minor separations along expected mailing folds. The Battle of Seven Pines took place in Henrico County, Virginia, from May 31 to June 1, 1862, during the Peninsula Campaign. It was the culmination of an offensive up the Virginia Peninsula by Union Major General George B. McClellan, in which the Army of the Potomac reached the outskirts of Richmond. Though the battle was tactically inconclusive, it was the largest battle in the eastern theater up to that time and would mark the end of the Union offensive, leading to the Seven Days Battles and the Union retreat. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
