(1807 - 1891) Confederate major general who led armies at Bull Run and Seven Pines. Johnston is perhaps best remembered for his stubborn defense of Atlanta and his resistance to Sherman's March to the Sea. After learning of Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, Johnston was persuaded to surrender his Army of Tennessee to Sherman, closing out the war in the East. Intriguing war-date A.L.S., 1p. 8 x 7.5 in., Harpers Ferry, June 1, 1861, to Virginia governor JOHN LETCHER (1813-1884). Johnston writes during his brief tenure as commander of the recently-captured federal armory, in full: ‘I had the honor to receive on the 30th Ulto., A. M. Ball’s letter to you of the 28th. Such an investigation as I have been able to make elicits no other evidence in the case than is contained in the accompanying letter & endorsement [not present]. The affair itself occurred before my arrival at Harpers Ferry.’ He signs ‘J. E. Johnston’ in black ink at the conclusion, adding his rank ‘Brig. Genl. C. S. A.’ Irregularly trimmed at the edges, shows original mailing folds and a loss to the top left corner. Otherwise in very good condition overall. The nature of Johnston’s investigation is unclear. ARMISTEAD MASON BALL (1815 – June 11, 1861) was a master machinist at the Harpers Ferry armory, and was among the hostages taken by John Brown during his raid on the town. He helped arrange the transportation of crucial arms manufacturing machinery to Fayetteville, North Carolina, in the face of the Union recapture of the town, but died suddenly before he could take up his work there.