US Army officer (1807-1891) who served in the Mexican-American War and Seminole Wars, and was also one of the most senior general officers in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. ALS signed "J. E Johnston," two pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, July 2, 1885. Handwritten letter 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 a couple of short edge separations to 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.
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