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Elliott Johnston Correspondence

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2016-017

Scope and Content

The Elliott Johnston Correspondence includes three letters from Sergeant Elliott Johnston to Col. John S. Mosby. Only one is clearly dated (1897), but the others are most likely from around the same time and exchange of letters. Although written more than 30 years later, the correspondence seems to be a request by Mosby for information on Johnston's activities during the Civil War, apparently while he was in the service of General Richard S. Ewell.

Dates

  • 1897, n.d.

Creator

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from A Guide to the Elliott Johnston Correspondence must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Biographical Note

Elliott Waters Johnston was born 21 June 1840 to David S. Johnston and Julia Ann Bodwell (Ursuila?). He had four siblings: Lydia M Johnston, Edgar N. Johnston, Silas A. Johnston, David M. Johnston born between 1837 and 1848 based on data from the 1850 United States Census. Johnston and his siblings were raised in Sidney, Deleware, New York.

On 14 August 1862, Johnston enlisted in the Union Military. By 27 September 1862, Johnston was a member of Company I, New York 144th Infantry Regiment. He was later promoted to Full First Sergeant on 1 April, 1865. Johnston was mustered out of the military on 25 June 1865 at Hilton Head, South Carolina.

In 1869 Johnston married Emily J. Clark. They had three children: Edith L. Johnston, Charles E. Johnston, and Leslie W. Johnston. All were born between 1871 and 1876.

Johnston died 7 May 1909. Johnston was burried in Westmoreland Union Cemetary, Oneida County New York.

Sources:

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Elliott Johnston Correspondence includes three letters from Sergeant Elliott Johnston to Col. John S. Mosby on the topic of relaying information from General Lee to General Early during the Civil War, some 30+ years prior.

Acquisition Information

The Elliott Johnston Correspondence was purchased by Special Collections in 2015.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the A Guide to the Elliott Johnston Correspondence was completed in October 2016.

Title
A Guide to the Elliott Johnston Correspondence, 1897, n.d.
Status
Completed
Author
Kaitlyn Britt, Student Assistant and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist
Date
© 2016 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved.
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308