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. Uncommon ALS signed “A. S. Johnston, Colonel 2d Cavalry, & Bvt. Brig. Gen’l., Commanding,” one lightly lined page, 7.75 x 9.75, May 18, 1858. Johnston writes from Camp Scott, Headquarters, Department of Utah, to the Adjutant General of the Army. In full: “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the following communications, books, and blanks from your office since my last report: General orders No. 2, current series; Special Orders No. 35 and 46 [ditto]; 10 copies of instructions for making muster rolls, mustering into service &c, of volunteers or militia; 36 blank post returns; 34 [blank] company muster and pay rolls; 48 [blank] hospital [muster and pay rolls]. with great respect….” At the time of writing, Johnston commanded the recently formed Second Cavalry in the Utah War of 1857–58, during which federal troops were deployed to quell a perceived uprising by the state’s Mormon population. After a year of mostly bloodless confrontations, negotiations resulted in a full pardon for the Mormons (conditional upon full acceptance of federal authority) and the replacement of Brigham Young as governor with non-Mormon Alfred Cumming. Faint intersecting folds (a few tiny separations) and a very subtle hint of soiling and handling wear, otherwise fine, clean condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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