368

Joseph E. Johnston

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Joseph E. Johnston

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2015 May 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS signed “J. E. Johnston, General,” two pages, 4.25 x 7, April 22, 1865. Letter to Confederate Secretary of War John C. Breckinridge. In full: “In expectation of the conclusion of Peace very soon, Major General Wheeler desires to be prepared for foreign service. He has, as you probably know, long commanded a corps of cavalry. He thinks that the evidence of that fact might be of advantage to him in obtaining Military rank hereafter—& that the simplest evidence would be the corresponding rank—or rather the appointment of Lieut. General. I believe that it is needless to remind you of the fidelity zeal courage & success with which general Wheeler commanded his corps.” Wade Hampton adds a lengthy endorsement on the reverse, signed “Wade Hampton, Lt Genl,” in full: “I must Resp’y & earnestly recommend this appointment. Not only will it assist Genl. Wheeler in his proposed object, but it will be a fitting mark by our Government of its appreciation of his long & gallant service.” In fine condition, with central vertical and horizontal folds, toning to the left edge of the first page, and light soiling.

This dates to just four days before Johnston and Wheeler surrendered to William T. Sherman at Bennett Place near Durham Station, North Carolina on April 26, 1865. General Lee had already surrendered at Appomattox Court House, and at the time of writing Wheeler was attempting to cover Jefferson Davis’s flight from capture—yet another demonstration of Wheeler’s “zeal” in protecting the Confederacy, although both he and Davis would end up caught. Had Wheeler not been captured and imprisoned, he hoped to connect with Edmund Kirby Smith out west and continue resistance against the Union. A supremely desirable letter from the close of the war associating three important Confederate officers.