Joseph E. Johnston to Eliza Mary Johnston Hughes, April 15, 1857

[Joseph Eggleston Johnston at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, to Eliza Mary Johnston Hughes at [Richmond, Virginia], April 15, 1857. Floyd-Johnston-Preston Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary, Series I: Mss. Acc. 2002.37, folder 25. These are my rough notes and transcription, based on images made by Sue Davis, who graciously made them available.]

My dear little Lizzy,

This is the first day since my return from Washington that I have been able to spend at home. I avail myself of it to tell you that I found your letter waiting for me, & that I was much disappointed not to see you before coming back. Your aunt's brother [is] expected to come here about this time to take her to her father's, so it was necessary for me to hasten back to enable her to take advantage of such an opportunity. Otherwise I would have gone to Richmond to see you & the two . . .

She completely reconciled me to the dignity of "grand uncle." In fact made the wish myself a great many times a grand uncle that you might give me several like her. . . I can't tell you how instantly the little darling seized upon my heart, or how hard it was to feel that it was not you. For you were much such a one when I saw you most. The younger gentleman & myself must become acquainted next winter. I hope that Lily will see you all before then. 

I think you are mistaken in supposing that all your uncles dislike Gov: Floyd. I heard 8 or 9 years ago that he & Beverly were not on speaking terms but nothing more. I have always believed that Edward appreciated his character. Besides, my entire separation from them & their uncommunicative dispositions were enough to prevent my acquiring prejudices from them.

My prejudices, if well founded feelings can be so called, are those fixed in early life, & the affection & care bestowed upon you by cousin Sally & Gov: Floyd give them the strongest claims upon your father's brothers. Their deportment to me in Washington was more gratifying to me than anything I have experienced since last meeting cousin Sally's mother.

Your aunt will spend the summer with her father principally, but will visit Washington & so time her visit as to see you there & all your children.

My cordial regards to Mr. Hughes.

                                                                         Yours affec'y
                                                                          J. E. Johnston     

[Lt. Col. Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891) 
Your aunt's brother = one of the McLane brothers: Robert, Allen, George, Charles or James. 
Lily = Lydia Milligan Sims McLane Johnston (1822-1887) 
Her father = Louis McLane (1784-October 7, 1857)
Eliza Mary Johnston (1825-1909). After the death of her father in 1832, she was taken in by the Floyds until she married Robert William Hughes (1821-1901). Her brother was John Preston Johnston (1824-1847), who had been another favorite of Joseph's.
Her living children at the time: Margaret Preston Hughes (1854-1861) and Robert Morton Hughes (1855-1940). 
Gov: Floyd = John Buchanan Floyd (1806-1863), married to Sarah "Sally" Buchanan Preston Floyd (1802-1879). Governor Floyd served as Secretary of War under the James Buchanan, Jr., (1791-1868), administration, which commenced on March 4, 1857.  
Sally's mother =  Sarah Buchanan Campbell Preston (1778-1846), who had been married to Francis Smith Preston (1765-1836)
Beverly = Beverly Randolph Johnston (1803-1876)
Edward = Edward William Johnston (1799-1867). It's worth noting that just around this time Edward was living in St. Louis and so he would have been able to socialize with Joseph and Lily while the latter two were living at Jefferson Barracks, just down the Mississippi River to the south-southwest.]

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