John Preston Johnston to Eliza Mary Johnston, May 29, 1843

[John Preston Johnston at United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, to his sister, Eliza Mary Johnston at [Abingdon, Virginia?], May 29, 1843, Box 26, Folder 12, Series X, Sub-series J, 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 transcription.]

My dear Lizzy

Are you all dead in Abingdon? Really I don't think I ever was so long without news from you before, and were I not to set off for that region so very soon I should be much disposed, contrary as it is to my general custom, to grow uneasy at your long silence; but thank heaven three more weeks will terminate my career in this hard school of adversity, and then straight for you and all those I love. Where in the world is Uncle Bev & why don't he write to me? Time and again I have written to him lately, yet he keeps most obstinately silent. Touch him up a little, if you can have any effect on him, and let him know that a letter from him would be peculiarly [particularly?] acceptable to me at this time.

Now I know you envy me one thing and that is a visit I have just had from Uncle Joe, who spent all of yesterday with me: he looks as well as ever, (not quite so large whiskers as formerly however) and is in fine health and spirits; only a short time since from Florida and now on his way to locate the boundary of the new Treaty. He will probably be in that region until the first November next and then he'll go to Washington again. He regrets extremely that there's no more chance of fighting with the Florida Indians, as it takes away one great source of his pleasure. If the Oregon bill passes he is bent on going there immediately as there will doubtless be grand sport in the fighting way as well as in every other; no one will be more ready to volunteer for this expedition than myself, if 'tis ever really set on foot but I fear 'twill never be. He gave me the first news I have had of Uncle Edward for an age he is writing for the National Intelligencer at present, at a salary of $20.00 per week, looks very well, and seems to be getting on quite well: he boards in the city. Uncle Jo thinks Aunt Estelle is getting a good deal better than she got credit for, and that were it not for her Uncle Edward would not be able to manage his concerns at all. 

The examination will commence on this day week and in a fortnight from that time we hope that our class will get thorough, though there's no telling; the President is to be on shortly to review us; and a board of 9 officers of the army have been appointed and ordered to inspect and report on the condition of the academy; Gen. Scott at the head then a Brig. Gen., several Col's., and some Captains and no doubt we'll be considerably bothered before we get through all our performances.  

But I must close. Write again as soon as you receive this so that I may get it before leaving.

Love to all --
Most affectionately
Yr brother
Jno. P. Johnstone [signed in the Romantic style, inspired by Sir Walter Scott]

[John Preston Johnston (1824-1847)
Eliza Mary Johnston (1825-1909)
Uncle Bev = Beverly Randolph Johnston (1803-1876)
Uncle Joe = Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)
Uncle Edward = Edward William Johnston (1799-1867)
Aunt Estelle = Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) (ca. 1802-1848) 
$20.00 per week = about $600.00 in 2016.
The President = John Tyler (1790-1862)
Gen. Scott - Winfield Scott (1786-1866)]