"Mrs. M. L. Binckley Dies at Age of 92" (January 1930)

[Newspaper clipping, Washington, D.C., January 19, 1930.

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing a scan of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]

MRS. M. L. BINCKLEY DIES AT AGE OF 92

Niece of Gen. Johnston, She Was Long Prominent in Society Here.
KNEW HAMILTON'S WIFE

Mrs. Mary Louise Binckley, long among the most prominent women in Washington society, died yesterday at the age of 92 years. She was the widow of John M. Binckley, Assistant Attorney General during the Johnston administration, and at one time an editor of the National Intelligencer.

When she was only 10 years old Mrs. Binckley, then Mary Louise Michel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Michel, enjoyed the intimate friendship of Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, who, then 90 years old, was in Washington to assist Edward Johnston, at that time editor of the Intelligencer, in editing the Hamilton papers. Binckley was a niece of Mr. Johnston, and also of Gen[.] Joseph E. Johnston.

Several years ago Mrs. Binckley started to write her impressions of old Washington, but the task was never completed, although a paper she prepared was read before the Columbia Historical Society in 1928 by John B. Larner.

Mrs. Binckley is survived by three children, Col. George S. Binckley, of Los Angeles, and Miss Nellie F. Binckley and Mrs. Thomas Armat, of Washington.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning by the Rev. H. H. D. Sterrett, rector of All Souls' Espiscopal Church, at the chapel of Oak Hill Cemetery, where burial will be made. 

[Mary Louisa/Louise Mitchell/Michel Binckley (February 16, 1838-January 18, 1930).
Mrs. Alexander Hamilton = Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (1757-1854).
Edward Johnston = Edward William Johnston (1799-1867). Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Michel = Harvey Mitchell/Michel (1799-1866) and Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892).
John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).
Mrs. Thomas Armat = Mary "May" Binckley Armat (1875-1969).
Thomas Armat (1866-1948).
Miss Nellie E. Binckley = Ellen/Nellie/Nella Fontaine Binckley (1860-1951).
Colonel George S. Binckley - George Sydney Binckley (1870-1941).
Rev. H. H. D. Sterrett = Henry Hatch Dent Sterrett, Sr. (1880-1953). ] 

July 15-19, 1998: Seneca Falls and Auburn, New York

July 15-19, 1998: Seneca Falls and Auburn, New York.

150th anniversary of the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments. Key speakers included Hillary Rodham Clinton and George Pataki . . . Women's Rights National Historic Park . . . League of Women Voters and the National Women's Party. At the latter booth a former officer of the NWP recounted her meeting in the 1970s with Alice Paul, one of the most forceful twentieth century suffragists and equal rights advocates . . .

[V]isiting several historical sites relating to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, Frederick Douglass, and other major historical figures. I was struck by the size and ornamentation of the Victorian homes, buildings and canals, and by the geographical proximity of so many prominent abolitionist and reformist leaders. 

I also explored Auburn ("home of the Baldwin brothers") and saw the modest Harriet Tubman House and its adjacent learning center and the [far] more elaborate and artifact-packed home and grounds of William Seward, Secretary of State under Presidents Lincoln and Grant most famous for his negotiations for acquiring Alaska from Russia just after the American Civil War. The Seward house impressed me more than any other site because of its vast holdings and rich interior.

The trip . . . enhanced my ability to visualize the interaction of so many important people living in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. 

Then there was the beautiful scenery of the area. I came away impressed with the cultural richness of western New York, the natural splendor and variety of its lakes, [vineyards,] forests, vast rolling terrain.

Summer Grant Report
Erik [Donald] France
September 25, 1998 
  

Edward William Johnston to John Warfield Johnston, January 2, 1848

[Edward William Johnston at Washington, D.C., to John Warfield Johnston, Virginia Senate, at Richmond, January 2, 1848. Box 26, folder 9, Robert Morton Hughes Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library, Old Dominion University Libraries, Norfolk, VA 23529. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers.]                 

                                   Washington D.C. Jan’y 2, 1848

My dear John,

Robert McLane (now M.C. from the Baltimore district) whose statement of Joseph’s services I send you, was himself Joseph’s comrade in the Florida war, a graduate of West Point, and a lieutenant of Artillery, in the reinforcement which came to the relief of Powell’s detachment, after its narrow escape at Jupiter Inlet. He speaks of that affair, therefore, from a personal knowledge of the particulars. Yet he has by no means stated them in their whole reality, as I have heard them from Joseph himself. Possibly McLane never did; for Master Jo., as you are probably aware, is not the most communicative gentleman alive; and is apt to be utterly restive about his own performances. I drew the details of this one from him, by a course of Interrogations.

When, in the course of their retreat, the Marines had given way and made pell-mell for the boats, the little body of Regulars was all that was left to save the entire party from being either cut off while regaining their boats, or destroyed as they were making their way down the narrow inlet. These Regulars were covering the escape as well as they could, when the fall of their last officer left them without any leader. It was there that Joseph assumed the command of (I think) the 28 men left. Perceiving at once that a resolute stand must be made, or that they would be completely if they over-powered if they waited until the gathering rush of the Indians was poured upon them just as they reached the boats in confusion, he at once formed his handfull [handful] of men around; brought them into line within some thirty yards of the cover from which the Indians (ten times their number & arriving in additional parties every moment) were pouring their fire and preparing to burst; and, confronting them, with fixed bayonets, determined in this way to hold back their charge (which would else be fatal) until the Marines could rally, or the boats be regained. You may see that nothing but his high reputation through the Army for soldiership could have induced the men to execute a maneuver so daring. It was done, however, with the greatest coolness & steadiness: not a man flinched from the bold piece of work; and they thus stood close up to the Seminole rifle, long enough to secure the retreat of the rest, and then fight their own way, inch by inch, backwards to the boats,

While making this first stand, Joseph stood on the left of his men, the mark of God knows how many guns, at half what may be considered point blank. He received seven balls through his clothes & hat. One raked all the hair off the top of his head & knocked him down; while two others just touched his body above the waist, one on the right side and the other on the left, besides which, a sapling against which he leant his right arm, merely to support himself (for it was too small to be thought of for its shelter & moreover stood out of the line of the main firing) happened to cover the center of his body from a marksman at one side, who shot at him repeatedly, and hit the tree several times. I have seldom heard of such an escape from deliberate close firing.

As to his previous withdrawal from the Service, it was induced by discouraged professional pride. He saw repeated civil appointments into the Army, and men advanced as politicians & intriguers; and seeming all promotion to be got in that way and despairing of all honour or soundness in an army administered by favouritism or controlled by party-influence, not merit, he coolly made up his mind, without any individual injustice or affront, to betake himself to the occupation of a Civil Engineer, for which he was excellently qualified. He had hardly taken this step, however, when Mr. Poinsett, of whose character & abilities Joseph had a high idea, was placed at the head of the War Department. Auguring a better state of things under him, Joseph sought to return to his profession; and had no difficulty in getting himself sent back to Florida, in the staff service where the affair at Jupiter Inlet found him.

On Scott’s return from Florida, he told me that no young officer in the Army exceeded Joseph as a capable & useful man; and that he had served him with the highest efficiency. He had previously been of his Staff, in the Black Hawk war.

As a Topographical Engineer also, he has been much employed; in the reconnaissances made with a view to ascertain the true Maine boundary; afterwards  in running, under Major Graham, the line of the Ashburton treaty; and for two successive years on the Coast Survey. He also conducted a part of the Survey of the line between us & Texas. I do not believe that any officer of his years has performed in greater quantity or variety of active & important duty, or labored more to make himself, as he is considered, the master of every branch of his profession. He has equally applied himself to the whole theory & history of the Military Art; and is I think, the best-read soldier that I know, of every thing that can throw a light upon Strategy, from the campaigns of Hannibal down to those of Napoleon.

I should have gotten Powell to give a statement of the Jupiter Inlet business; but reasons of delicacy forbade it. He would have done it, I am sure, with great pleasure.

You must not allow either of these papers to be used for that inconsiderate machine the Press; which, provided it can get something “exclusive”,  cares for nobody’s feelings.

                                              Ever affectionately,

                                                    Yours

                                              Edward Wm. Johnston

[Edward William Johnston (1799-1867).
John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889).
Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891).
Robert Milligan McLane  (1815-1898).
Powell = Levin Minn Powell (1803-1885). 
Jupiter Inlet = Janary 15, 1838, during the Second Seminole War.
Poinsett = Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779-1851). 
Scott - Winfield Scott (1786-1866).]

[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration; in this case, specifically to William for providing a scanned copy of the original document.]

"Edward William Johnston And Roanoke Female Seminary" (1969), Part 2

[Notes from studying Margaret P. Scott and Rachel Wilson, "Edward William Johnston And Roanoke Female Seminary," Journal of the Roanoke Historical Society. Roanoke, Virginia. Volume 5, Number 2 (Winter 1969), pages 15-25. Scott and Wilson, Hollins Class of 1912, were emeritus professors at the time of publication. They worked with Professor Louis Decimus Rubin, Jr. (1923-2013) at Hollins; I worked for him for a couple of years at Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill before becoming a professional librarian, and he often spoke of Hollins-connected writers.]

With the breakup of the Roanoke Female Seminary in the early 1840s, Edward William Johnston resumed his work as a writer and newspaper editor. At some point, he acquired a residence in Washington City.

So it is with some surprise to read that in the 1840s, Edward "spent several years at 'Lauderdale,' the house of his cousin, Judge Edward Johnston. This farm is about twenty miles from Hollins College. We have in the Hollins Archives a letter written by Edward William Johnston from 'Lauderdale' on Feb. 14, 1844, to Dr. John H. Griffin of Salem about the recurring illness of his wife, Estelle . . ." (page 21).

"In 1848, Edward William Johnston was made a corresponding member of the Virginia Historical Society, along with Lt. Matthew Fontaine Maury and other distinguished Virginians. After the death of his first wife, Johnston married a Mrs. Woolley of Louisville, Kentucky, and just before the outbreak of the Civil War went to St. Louis, where he served as librarian of the Mercantile Library . . ." (pages 21-22).

Other Johnston family connections to Hollins down the generations: 

Caroline Hughes Neal, Hollins Class of 1953 (Edward William Johnston's great great niece). [Caroline Wright Hughes, b. 1931, may still be alive. She was married to John Jenette Neal, Jr. (1927-2006)]
Alice Johnston Williams, Class of 1892
Virginia Williams Lee, A.B. 1928
Jane Williams, B.M., 1930
Eloise Johnston [(1872-1943)], attended 1888-1890. Sister of the novelist Mary Johnston [(1870-1936)]
Helen Converse Putzel, A.B. 1963, granddaughter of Agnes Hughes Johnston hailing from Abingdon (page 22).

In the Bibliography: "Papers marked 'Literary Remains.' These seem to be class lectures. Some are in Johnston's own handwriting, others were copied for him by a member of his family. The subjects are literary and historical" (page 24). Presumably these are held by Hollins University.

[Edward William Johnston (1799-1867)
Estelle = Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) Johnston (circa 1802-1848).
Estelle's mother = Joséphine Labarrière (1776-1858). Her first husband was Dr. Paul Valentine Costar (d. by 1805); her second, Jerome De Cressac Villagrand (1776-1845). Jerome died on September 2, 1845, in Washington City, undoubtedly while living in the Edward William Johnston household there.
Harvey Mitchell/Michel (1799-1866)
Jane = Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892)
Judge Edward Johnston (January 10, 1807-May 1, 1853) died of pneumonia. He was married to Emeline Sophia Bowyer (1809-1893).
Dr. John Hook Griffin (1803-1878) was the brother of Elizabeth Hook Griffin (circa 1801-1829), Harvey Mitchell/Michel's first wife and mother of Charlotte Elizabeth Griffin Mitchell (1829-1921)]


[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration.]

Joseph E. Johnston to Robert Milligan McLane, February 28, 1848

[Joseph Eggleston Johnston at Tacubaya, Mexico, to Robert Milligan McLane at Washington City, February 28, 1848, Box 3, Louis McLane Correspondence (1795-1894), MSS 57083, Library of Congress. This is my rough transcription. Added paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]

My dear Bob

Col. Andrews was desired by the officers of his regiment to try in Washington to get the prescribed uniform of the regt changed -- from grey to dark blue or green-blue being generally preferred. I have just received from the adjt genl a copy of a long report of his to the Sec: of War accompanying a letter of Col: A's on the subject. The report is adverse, & as the Adjt. Genl's opinion is probably influential, I want you to counteract its effect. Wise men in general regard the color of coats & trousers as unimportant matters, & doubtless they are so, but in the army uniformity of dress is admitted to be desirable, & the argument against grey among the Voltigeurs is that it has never been furnished by the U.S. to the men & we can't obtain it here, so that the Qr Mrs [Quarter Master's / Quartermaster's] dept is having nothing for the army made in Mexico was compelled to give us dark blue. The officers have all attempted to wear grey, but as they have purchased their clothing in different parts of the U.S., no two wear the same shade. It was to enable the officers to wear uniform that a change in the prescribed dress was proposed, after it had been ascertained that in Mexico at least, without such change, they can not appear in uniform, or in a dress corresponding to that of the soldiers.

The adjt genl's argument is that the dress of "Foot riflemen or light corps has always been green or grey" & that "blue has always been the distinctive color of uniform for Infantry, Artillery or Dragoons" & that "it is believed to be the opinion of the army generally that the dress of light corps should be peculiar & easily distinguished from that prescribed for heavy troops of the line." He adds that the change would involve heavy pecuniary loss to the govt, supplies of grey clothing having been sent to Vera Cruz. In regard to the first argument our whole army previous to this war for at least 15 years, has worn blue. Cavalry Md Riflemen & light arty are all light troops. In regard to the other, the clothing in question has been issued to volunteers -- a large supply just arrived for the army, from Vera Cruz has in it no grey -- & in addition, the whole army laughs at the color.

I write to you on this subject because you know it is useless to attempt to change the A Genl's opinion on any subject -- after he has put it on paper -- so I want you, if it has not been done, to go to the Sec: of war on the subject.

I am infinitely disgusted to find that my Col: so far from resigning, as he pledged himself to do, is retaining his commission in order to come here as fiscal agent -- a perfect fifth wheel, the disbursing officers say. This of course prevents the possibility of my promotion. For this civil appn will be held during the war. So I lose the object for which I joined this regiment -- a colonelcy.

Every body here is now confident of peace. You know more of it, however, than we here. I am just ordered with my regiment to join Cadwalader at Toluca, about 40 miles to the S.W.  

My love to Georgine & the little ones.

As ever J. E. Johnston

[Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)
Robert Milligan McLane (1815-1898)
Col. Andrews = Timothy Patrick Andrews (1794-1868), creator of the flexible Andrews or Voltigeur Hat. 
Adjutant General = Roger Jones (1787-1852)
Secretary of War = William Learned Marcy (1786-1857)
George Cadwalader (1806-1879)
Georgine = Georgine Urquhart McLane (1813-1899)
Little ones = Mary Emma McLane (1843-1869) and Georgina Urquhart "Jennie" McLane (1846-1915). The latter lived in Paris from 1885 until her death in 1915.]

Map closeup from: Hardcastle, Edmund L.F. (engineer). Map of Battle of El Molino del Rey (issued 1850). Philadelphia, Penn.: P.S. Duval Lithographers, 1850. From Rice University.  http://hdl.handle.net/1911/21772
  
[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Susan Davis for their ongoing research collaboration.]

    

Joseph E. Johnston to Robert Milligan McLane, January 12, 1848

[Joseph Eggleston Johnston at Tacubaya, Mexico, to Robert Milligan McLane at [Washington City?], January 12, 1848, Box 3, Louis McLane Correspondence (1795-1894), MSS 57083, Library of Congress. This is my rough transcription. Added paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]

My dear Bob,

I found yours of the 5th Nov. on my table this morning, on my return from our friend Irwin's funeral. He died on the 10th after an illness of a few days, universally lamented. I need not make his eulogy to you, as far as personal qualities & personal worth are concerned. But may tell you that no one in this army has gained more reputation in the last campaign.

As the mail goes tomorrow I saw general Worth immediately, & he promised to send you by the British carrier who will beat our mail by 10 days, a copy of a letter of his to the Sec: of War giving his views on the manner of conducting our operations in this country. He showed me the letter. I disagree with him only in regard to the force necessary to carry out his plan. He names 40000. I name 100000. Because if the govt names 100000 we may get 40000 or 50000 for service in Mexico, & after throwing that force into this country a degree of energy not often exhibited by an executive of our[s] will be required to keep the Army up to the standard. Notwithstanding all we have seen in the news papers concerning large reinforcements & the activity of recruiting not half so effectives. It is said that the Sec: of War reports General Scott's Army, from Vera Cruz to Mexico, at 32,000. We estimate it at about 15000 or 16000 many of whom are in hospital, & our people leave the hospitals only to go home as unfit for military service. 

So you see what provision you must make, in Congress, if you determine upon occupation -- not defensive, for that would be a farce, & an interminable one. No one here believes the "conquest of peace" feasible. The Mexicans have undoubtedly been much encouraged by the apparent eagerness of our govt. to treat. I believe myself that the presence of a commission with our army took away whatever chance of peace might have been. You will have, I think, two places to choose between -- the first disgraceful, viz: to purchase the boundary you indicate, for about $30,000000. Instead of receiving the additional territory as indemnity, & it is generally supposed that some such proposition has been transmitted to Washington by our late comr, & that he is waiting here for a new appt. & authority to treat on such terms. I hope not. 'Twould be worse than an armistice. The Mexicans will leave you no other resource [recourse] than occupation -- offensive occupation you term it. For of course even fanaticism wouldn't, by a quiet withdrawal of our troops, confess a failure, & agree that so much brave blood should have been shed in vain.

This occupation would be no more expensive to the U.S. than the present system. By occupying in force the capitals of all the states, & the richest mining districts, disregarding at present the sections of country, yielding little revenue, we could maintain a large army & civil gov. at the same time on the resources of the country, & at the same time diminish by half the burdens upon the inhabitants. This would gradually strengthen a party friendly to us, & as that party grew, we might, like the British in India, make a sepoy force. With no Mexican officers. At the same time the U.S. would derive immense commercial advantages from such a state of things -- taken in connection too, with the condition of England. We should have almost a monopoly of the rich trade of this country, & the influx of gold & silver would make us instead of England. We should have almost a monopoly of the rich trade of this country, & the influx of gold & silver would make us instead of England, the Bankers of Christendom, & the first commercial nation in existence. Might not such probabilities reconcile our northern brethren to the idea of conquest & extension to the South? The scheme of defensive occupation would be far more expensive to the U.S. than the foregoing -- because we should depend upon home for every thing. The expence [expense] of disposing the troops on so long a line would be enormous, as well as that of keeping recruiting -- your garrisons & transporting supplies of all sorts to such distances in the interior. I am very glad that such an absurdity is not likely to be adopted.

The character of our troops is much deteriorated, even in the old regiments, which are also much weaker than in the beginning of Aug. They have lost nearly if not quite half their officers -- losses which will require years to replace. My own regiment has lost about 2/3 of the enlisted men brought into this valley. By the way, we require for riflemen better people than the regiments of the line, more vigorous active & intelligent men. If there is a proper spirit in Congress they will improve the national army very much by allowing the Voltigeurs a little more pay than infantry -- no matter how little -- just enough for a distinction -- it would enable us to get the best men. As for the public advantage, we should. If you can do that, get the Howitzer battery as an 11th compy [company] making R. P. Hammond 3d Arty Capt & J. L. Reno ord. Dept. First Lt. you'll [render] the state much service. Then get Talcott's leg cured & himself sent back to the regt & you'll be doing poor little Lyd & myself a service -- for then & not till then I may set off. Tell them to send us no more new generals -- we now have no others. It is exceedingly disagreeable to find your life & reputation depending upon one who don't know the difference between light & garrison duties.

My love to Georgina & the little ones. I send a copy of Turnbull's map by Elzey (Arnold Jones). The positions given our troops at Molino del Rey & Chapultepec & Santa Anna's at Contreras are all wrong. So are the reports of the genls of divisions, except Worth's. Quitman's report of the 13th is a farce, particularly what relates to Chapultepec. It is said that he had a picture made to correspond, & took it to N. O. [New Orleans] to be lithographed -- a new sort of bulletin [allusion to Napoleon's habit].

[Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)
Representative Robert Milligan McLane (1815-1898)
Irwin = Captain James Ramsey Irwin (1800-1848), First U.S. Artillery, Chief Quartermaster of General Winfield Scott's army.
Secretary of War = William Learned Marcy (1786-1857)
General Worth = William Jenkins Worth (1794-1849)
General Scott = Winfield Scott (1786-1866)
R. P. Hammond = Richard Pindell Hammond (1826-1891), USMA Class of 1841. Moved to San Francisco after the war and became California Speaker of the House, among other things.
J. L. Reno = Jesse Lee Reno (1823-1862), USMA Class of 1846

Talcott = George Henry Talcott (1811-1854)
Lyd = Lydia Milligan Sims McLane Johnston (1822-1887)]

Painting: Georgine Urquart McLane by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, 1841, Maryland Commission on Artistic Property, Maryland State Archives, MSA SC 1545-1190

[Georgina = Georgine Urquhart McLane (1813-1899)

William Turnbull (1800-1857)

Arnold Elzey Jones, Jr. (1816-1871)

General Quitman = John Anthony Quitman (1798-1858)]

Map closeup from: Hardcastle, Edmund L.F. (engineer). Map of Battle of El Molino del Rey (issued 1850). Philadelphia, Penn.: P.S. Duval Lithographers, 1850. From Rice University.  http://hdl.handle.net/1911/21772
  
[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Susan Davis for their ongoing research collaboration.]

Joseph E. Johnston to Robert Milligan McLane, January 30, 1848

Source: US Army Center Of Military History (2006)

[Joseph Eggleston Johnston at Tacubaya, Mexico, to Robert Milligan McLane at [Washington City?], January 30, 1848, Box 3, Louis McLane Correspondence (1795-1894), MSS 57083, Library of Congress. This is my rough transcription.]

Dear Bob

I send on this sheet a recommendation in the case of a brother of Vogdes of the 1st Art. for commission in the army. It is brought out by the report we have lately received that ten more regiments are to be organized.

In the beginning of the winter several (I think three) recommendations of the same sort were sent to Washington by the officers of Voltigeurs -- of DePew Maguire & FitzHugh -- for this regiment. I have just signed directed to the adjt. Genl. for Sergt. John R. Neidy, also fr Brevet or commission in this Regiment. The men abovenamed [sic] are not only superior to a large majority of the appointments in "the ten" regts. but have the advantage of instruction experience & trial. FitzHugh, too, is a Marylander, I think of Hagerstown, of a highly respectable family, that is to say well educated. The four named in this paragraph I am very anxious to get into the Voltigeurs. If you can do any thing to forward it I beg you not to omit it -- (either commissions or brevets) the latter will interfere with nothing else -- a friend of FitzHugh has promised to send this by an early opportunity.

We have lately received the report of the sec: of War -- As you may discuss the matter of the force to be retained here, it may be well for you to know the difference between the reports of the two adjt genls, Mr. Marcy's & Genl Scott's, the former sets down our force on this line at 32,000. The latter told me yesterday that the effective force in this valley is about 12000 & there are stationed on the road to Vera Cruz, including that garrison, perhaps 4000, or 5000. The 10 regts. organized nearly a year ago have never mustered more than 4000 effectives. Our army now is far less efficient than that which Genl Scott marched from Puebla in August. The great loss off officers of the old army has had great effect upon the character of the old regts. We are in no condition to make detachment, except in the neighborhood. If we are to cover the country you must adopt the European system. Send us soldiers instead of recruits. You know the effect of discipline on the health of troops. Genl Butler's volunteers for instance, have now, after entering the country in the healthy season & no service but an easy march of 250 miles, at least a third of their number in hospital. Keep 1/3 of each regt at home in depot for recruiting & instruction.

Baltimore is so wretchedly represented in the Voltigeurs that I look upon it as the duty of her representatives to obtain the appts above named.

You say that I shall be brevetted, If so make [it] valuable by procuring the president's assignment to di[?] accordingly.

As ever J. E. Johnston

[Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)
Robert Milligan McLane (1815-1898)
Vogdes = Captain Israel Vogdes (1816-1889), West Point Class of 1837.
DePew = William R. Depew
Maguire = Glassop (aka Glossop) McGuire (aka McQuire)
FitzHugh = William H. Fitzhugh
John R. Neidy = died 1874
Mr. Marcy = William Learned Marcy (1786-1857)
Genl Scott = Winfield Scott (1786-1866)
Genl Butler = William Orlando Butler (1791-1880)
President = James Knox Polk (1795-1849)]

[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Susan Davis for their ongoing research collaboration.]

John W. Johnston to Nicketti Buchanan Floyd Johnston, January 9, 1848

[John Warfield Johnston at Richmond, Virginia, to Nicketti Buchanan Floyd Johnston [at Southwest Virginia], January 9, 1848, folder 161, Trigg-Floyd Collection, Special Collections, John Cook Wyllie Library, The University of Virginia's College at Wise (formerly Clinch Valley College), Wise, Virginia. This is my rough transcription].

Richmond Jan 9^th 1848

My dearest wife,

I wrote to you some three or four days since by Robert W. Davidson & not reflecting that it would be some weeks before he would reach Tazewell, I fear you will think that I am becoming slack in my writing. But I write every three or four days at farthest, not at regular times, but whenever I feel in the humor.

Your last letter reached me day before yesterday, bringing the glad intelligence that you were all well except for poor little Johnny’s finger. He is a hero, however, & endures anything of the soul better than most men would do. I have no doubt, but that it would be favorable to his health to take him to the Scott Springs next summer, which have a great reputation in all eruptive diseases. I think it likely that he will be afflicted for some time like I have been, tho’ I hope that it will be a sort of clearing up of his system & leave him in good health. But, I can’t help feeling uneasy about yourself. You say nothing about the pain in your side from which you have been suffering so much. But my dearest wife do all that can be done to preserve your health. Think what would be the condition of our poor babies if both of us were stricken down by the hand of disease. Perhaps the medicine I sent you will afford relief, but if it does not, consult your brother Will; explain to him fully your symptoms, & follow his prescription faithfully. I know that I have set a bad example in that particular, but pray don’t follow it.

My health continues good. I have escaped so far the cold so common to Western men on coping & hope to get through the winter without it. I don’t think that I look as well as I did when I got here, but otherwise, I am about as I was. I yearn impatiently for the time, which will release me from this life, both that I may be in the bosom of my family where alone I can be happy, & that I may engage again the practice of law. For a new passion has taken possession of my mind & I actually burn to gain the double prize of wealth & distinction.

I think now that the session will be a short one. They have gotten through business with more than ordinary dispatch in the lower House this session. The senate met on Thursday, but no quorum being present we adjourned over until Monday next: when we will get to work in earnest. I see nothing to keep us beyond the middle of February unless we engage in the criminal code, which I am in hopes will be continued for the present & made the business of an extra session, in which way alone it can be properly done.

Your brother John is going to offer a resolution giving a sword to Uncle Jo. A gentleman in Congress who was his companion in arms in Florida, has furnished a very interesting account of his services there & a sketch of what je has done in Mexico can readily be made up from the newspapers. Col. Garland & other officers here, who knew poor little Pres, says that he was by common consent, the finest man of his rank in the army.

I have not been to Williamsburg yet. Holmes left here I thought, in a fret & I fancied that his irritation to me was rather a matter of course for having brought his wife down than because he really wanted to see me. But in this perhaps I am wrong. No body knows what a misfortune it is to have such a temper as mine, for while no one has warmer feelings than I have, I am a stranger to men I meet almost every day of my life, & repel or cool down the advances of people that may even love me. I will go to see him, tho’, some time during the winter, as it [is] only half a day’s travel. He told me that he had about thirty in his class.  

Is Bill Holly going on with the work I employed him to do? Practice the plan I suggested as to Tom & I’ll answer for it that it succeeds. Get Benham to but any provender that you need for the horses & cows. I am glad George sold the horses. Get the notes from [him] & put them in my smallest note bag in the proper letters. Kiss my babies. Give my love to all & believe me your

devoted Husband

John W. Johnston

[John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889), Senator in the Virginia General Assembly, 1846-1847 and 1847-1848, representing several SW Virginia counties. Married to Nicketti Buchanan Floyd, sister of Elizabeth Lavalette Floyd, who was married to George Frederick Holmes (1820-1897), and "your brother John" John Buchanan Floyd (1806-1863), member of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1847 to 1849 and Governor of Virginia from 1849 to 1852, who was married to their cousin Sarah “Sally” Buchanan Preston (1802-1879), who was a sister of Elizabeth Henry Preston (1796-1876), who was married to General Edward Codrington Carrington (1790-1855)
Robert W. Davidson = Robert Wallace Davidson (1801-1868)
Little Johnny = John Warfield Johnston III (1842-1851)
Your brother Will = Dr. William Preston Floyd (1809-1871)

Uncle Jo = Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891), well-known at the time for his heroics during the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848

Colonel Garland = John Garland (1793-1861)

Poor little Pres = John Preston Johnston (1824-1847), killed in action at Contreras]

[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]