DOING
BUSINESS WITH HIS FORMER ADVERSARIES
JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON. Autograph Letter Signed
to General James D. Fessenden, Richmond, VA, 8 February 1866. 1 page,
9½" x 7¼", on his business letterhead.
A high-ranking Confederate general, Joseph Johnston commanded the Army
of Northern Virginia, the Department of the West, and the Army of Tennessee
at various times during the Civil War. In the post-war years, he turned
to business and to politics, and published a number of works defending
his wartime service.
This letter concerns one of Johnston’s earliest post-war business
ventures, and it shows him cooperating with former Union adversaries
to achieve success. His correspondent is James Fessenden, a Union general
from Maine whose father, William Pitt Fessenden, had served in Lincoln’s
Cabinet and was an influential U.S. Senator. Johnston writes here as
President of the “National Express and Transportation Company.”
“The stock of this company,” Johnston explains, “was disposed of before its organization – except 5609
shares which Genl. Wilson is to distribute in Ohio Indiana & Illinois.
As there was no selection of subscribers, I hope that many of those
in the South will relinquish their stock – & enable us to
transfer it to New England – for distribution under your direction.
“I wrote yesterday to Genl. Wilson in relation to wagons,” he continues, “sending him a statement of the contracts made
for them – & the number you may expect from Concord &
elsewhere in the North. According to that statement you will be supplied
soon.
“Five & twenty years ago the British artillery in Canada
was supplied with horses from Vermont; which its officers pronounced
the best they had ever used,” Johnston observes. “They
were just such as we require – I hope that Vermont has that stock
still.” He has signed, “Very respectfully –
Yr. obt. sert. J. E. Johnston.”
The identity of the General Wilson whom Johnston mentions is uncertain,
for there were several Union officers named Wilson who were made brevet
brigadier generals in 1865. Based on Johnston’s reference to the
general distributing shares in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, he may be
referring to James Grant Wilson of Illinois.
The letter is written on stationery that is imprinted, “President’s
Office, National Express and Transportation Company.” The
margins of the sheet have been trimmed slightly, and there is some light
soiling and staining. Overall, however, the letter is in good condition,
with Johnston’s writing dark and clear.
An interesting example of the efforts to re-establish business in the
South during the immediate post-Civil War era. $650.00
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