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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 US 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. War-dated ALS signed “J. E. Johnston,” one page, lightly-lined, 5 x 7.5, August 22, 1861. Letter to General P. G. T. Beauregard. In full: “I wrote the endorsement on Genl Longstreet’s letter, when hurried to go to dinner. I may have forgotten his request in deference to the employment of a person to ascertain the enemy’s intentions at Fall’s Church or elsewhere. Money will be furnished him to defray any expenditures he may find necessary for such an object.” Letter has been inlaid to a slightly larger off-white sheet. Two vertical folds, pencil line along left edge, some mild toning, and light show-through from docketing on reverse, otherwise fine condition.
Johnston’s army was situated at Fairfax Courthouse at the time of this letter, one month following the Confederate victory at Bull Run. Longstreet’s men were positioned closest to the enemy lines and skirmished at the Confederate pickets near Falls Church, where Union forces were encamped. Here, Johnston corresponds with Beauregard regarding Longstreet’s request to furnish a scout to learn the "enemy's intentions." At the time, the Union army had the competing priorities of preparing to fight and defending the capital, a position which maintained the status quo for several months. Spies had already served the Confederacy well and, in July, Beauregard successfully applied intelligence regarding McDowell’s troop movements to prevail at Manassas. A remarkable piece of correspondence between three rebel legends which provides insight into intelligence gathering during the Civil War. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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