Albert Sidney Johnston, At Camp Floyd After Participating In The Utah War, Writes To His Wife About Photography And Mentions Salt Lake City And Their Children

ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON (1803-1862). Johnston was an American Army officer who fought in the Texas War of Independence, the Mexican War, and the Utah War. When the Civil War broke out, Jefferson Davis thought very highly of Johnston and appointed him a full general. He was killed at Shiloh and became the highest-ranking officer to die during the Civil War.AL. 8 x 10. 2pg. May 11, 1859. Camp Floyd, Utah. An autograph letter signed J to his wife Eliza. Johnston wrote from Utah, where he was stationed in the Utah War: My dear wife I have received your letter of April 3d. I am glad to know that you and our dear little ones are all well. Your criticism of the Photograph is quite correct, and will continue to be so, until the process is sufficiently rapid to catch some familiar impressions, when the subject or sitter is unconscious of his likeness being taken or measurably so; while his attention is devoted to keeping still & his head is placed between the legs of a pair [of] calipers for that purpose, there will be no recognized impression of the countenance & only such as one as the novelty of his or her position may impress, especially if the Photographer, so now assumes a pleasing impression. For any other purpose in they uses of pictures than obtaining the human face divine, the act is priceless. Its insufficiency in that respect makes it necessary that we shall still depend upon that genius, which can catch familiar impressions. Although evanescent, and transfer them to the Canvas, the countenance cannot or with honest folks does not conceal the emotions after the mind or heart, they are possibly the same thing, the impression I wear in looking upon you, is faithfully interpreted by you. I am unconscious what it is I could not simulate it, if I would, of course, it could not be enhanced by putting my head between the legs of calipers in front of a lens, with the Photographer looking at me with the pleasing anticipation of a successful result. It can be only reproduced or brought to life when I look at you. You are the source of its existence, its life and I feel sure that it will always life and have its being in your presence. A train for Salt Lake City from Los Angeles passed through camp a few days since. Your Brother was well and although he neglects to write her remembered to send me a barrel. I send my love to all and above all to Sid & Clung & Griffin If I can send you three moreskins I will they will make a large cape, muff & bands & perhaps a cape + bands for Maggy. J. He then added a postscript of I sent payable to your order my pay account for April by last mail please acknowledge receipt. At the top of the first page, he wrote Mrs. E.G. Johnston Louisville Kentucky. The letter has mailing folds and cross writing on the first page. The second page has less staining than the first page. Johnston is scarce to rare in fully handwritten letters.