I do not know how long the North can hold hold out in this war, but be assured we can never be subdued

Autograph letter signed by Lt. Elliott Johnston. Richmond, Virginia, 21 July 1862. 4 pages, 8vo. WITH 1st National Confederate flag remnant relic, accompanied by autograph note and drawing.

An excellent letter that includes a remnant of a Confederate First National flag that flew over the Confederate House of Representatives. The letter includes a sketch of the flag and detailed notes regarding its construction with the inscription: "Dear Bessie, this is a piece of the First National Flag of the Confederate States, the clerk of the House of Representatives gave it to me today..."

Lt. Elliott Johnston was a staff member to Generals Richard Garnett and Richard S. Ewell until he was wounded in the foot at the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg), Maryland in September 1862.

Johnston’s letter is written to one “Bessie” whose relationship to the lieutenant is unknown. The content of the letter is exceptional, a complete transcription is provided below.

Richmond, July 21st 1862.

Dear Bessie,

Very unexpectedly I saw a letter advertised for me and going to the office, I found it was from your ladyship. Of course I was very glad to receive it, as it was the first one since last May. I have just written to Maggie and no doubt, you will see her before you will receive yours. I wish I could tell you how beautifully our Confederacy works. Everyone is united. There is no bickering or quarreling. "Little Mac,” the "Young Napoleon,” or as we term the "Great Ditch Digger" "pushed us to the wall" so hard that the rebound threw him 37 miles from Richmond where he now is with his tail between his legs, like a whipped cur. There are some pretty lines in Maggie's letter that I know you will like to copy. The point is that when McC. was driven to his gunboats, he denied that he had retreated. Only "changed his base." I send you with this a copy of the "War Songs of the South." You will find in the little book almost all the pieces written of notice that have been issued up to the time the book was published. There are one or two from Cousin Cary. I hope it will amuse you. I would be very glad to see you all, but it is impossible to say when this consummation so devoutly to be wished will be achieved. I have had the felicity of seeing my old friend Mr. Billy Norris several times. It is said we (Genl. G.'s Brigade) is ordered to North Carolina, but we do not know yet. I do not know how long the North can hold out in this war, but be assured that we can never be subdued. The South is one bristling field of bayonets Oh, we so chuckled over the heralds "On to Richmond,” the "last gasp of the Rebellion." "The Rebellion crushed out" etc. That we suffer many privations is indisputable. Coffee & tea I have not seen for months. Of uniforms we have scarcely a vestige. Many & many a wife & sister has cut up her calico for shirts for the troops. We are almost shoeless, but you should see the troops. Line after line extending for miles of muskets that you can almost see to share in the most superb cannon presented to us by Mr. McClellan (52 in number), arms, ammunition, provisions, tents, etc. in uncountable numbers. It was a most glorious victory and only rendered incomplete by the negligence of a Genl. officer. McClellan was in a bag with 16,000 of his men, but the string was not drawn in time and he got out. I suppose this will be a long war, but every day of it we are getting stronger, the them now as I will wait until all the Southern States are represented and the collection full. I have for you what you will value far more though. Photographs of "Brig. Genl. Turner Ashby." They are with our troops in Charlottesville. I will send them by the first good opportunity. We expect a struggle for Richmond again in a few weeks. It will not be as hard as before, but many a brave heart will be laid low. I have lost many friends in these battles. I will write often now, as frequent opportunities occur of sending letters. Give my love to all. I am glad to see you are true; be sure I never doubted you, Abby.

Lieut. Elliott Johnston. Aid to Genl. Garnett. Care Lieut. J. M. Brooke. Navy Dept.,

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