Johnston, Joseph E., Confederate General

Autograph letter signed ("J.E. Johnston"), 2-page bifolium (7 1/4 x 4 5/8 in.; 185 x 117 mm), Centreville, Virginia, 26 December 1861, to General Pierre G.T. Beauregard, mentioning troop movements and J.E.B. Stuart's Dranesville skirmish a week earlier.

Autograph letter signed ("J.E. Johnston"), 2-page bifloium (7 1/4 x 4 5/8 in.; 185 117 mm), Centreville, Virginia, 26 December 1861, to General Pierre G.T. Johnson, regarding troop movements and mention of J.E.B. Stuart's Dranesville campaign a week earlier.
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Johnston mentions the need for guns from the War Department and General Hill's movements: "I don't argue with Genel. H. in regards to the rule against retreat, as he calls it. It would not be retreat. Certainly for him to join us here for a battle, however, 7 he may not include such a movement in his objection or aversion." Johnston closes his letter with a query about a firefight J.E.B. Stuart was involved with at Dranesville. Stuart withdrew in the mid-afternoon on 20 December but only after insuring that his wagons were safely in the rear.