Johnston, Joseph Eggleston (1807-1891) to Jubal Early
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02461.13 Author/Creator: Johnston, Joseph Eggleston (1807-1891) Place Written: Centreville, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 February 1862 Pagination: 1 p. ; 23 x 14 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses "preparing your division for action," removal of officers wives, enemy at Harper's Ferry, and makeup of the Confederate Cabinet. Wishes to have "the necessary instructions now" for preparing the troops for battle, and if he should go "beyond the removal of the sick." Believes "Officers wives should be regarded as the greatest incumbrance - & ordered away from our camps entirely. Hears the enemy are "occupying Harper's Ferry in force." Also relates the contents of a telegraph from "Mr Banks." It conveys a list of "what is confidentially known to be the composition of the new Cabinet." Listed for the posts are Judah B. Benjamin as Secretary of State, Robert E. Lee as Secretary of War, Christopher Memminger as Secretary of the Treasury, George W. Randolph as Secretary of the Navy, Herschel Vespasian Johnson as Attorney General, and Henry as Postmaster General. In fact, only one of these men would end up ever holding the cabinet post which the letter predicts. Five days earlier Jefferson Davis had been officially elected President of the Confederacy, previously he had been provisional president.
I am uncertain whether, in our conversation in relation to preparing your division for action. Motion. I went beyond the removal of the sick. If not, please give the necessary instructions now. For at least as little baggage as the Yankee's allow in their "light machinery order". Officers wives should be regarded as the greateset incumbrance. & ordered away from our camps entirely.
The enemy is reported by Genl Jackson to be occupying Harper's Ferry in force.
Mr Banks gives me, by telegraph, what is confidentially known to be the composition of the new Cabinet. Benjamin State. Genl Lee - War. Mr Mep[ as Treasury. Genl Randolph Navy. H.V. Johnson, A. Genl. Henry P.M. Genl
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.