Lexington VA: Sept 24 1867
My dear Mrs. Johnston,
I appreciate the compliment you have paid me by bestowing my name upon your bright little boy, whose career in life may be useful and happy. I am much obliged to you for his photograph, in poor return send him my own.
With kind regards to yourself + husband
I am very truly yours
R E Lee
NOTES:
From a private collection.
There are two candidates for R. E. L. Johnston, the first the son of Augustus J. (1827-1902) and Mary Johnston (1834-1898) of Rock Gap, Morgan Co., WV. Augustus served as a non-commissioned officer in the 89th Virginia militia under Lee. Their son R. E. L. Johnston (1867-1937) moved to Denver, CO, where he was a soap manufacturer, warehouse supervisor, and farmer. The second candidate is the son of Lt. Colonel Samuel Richards Johnston (1833-1899) and Mary Johnston (1832-1879): Dr. R. E. L. Johnston (1865-1909). Samuel wrote to Lee to inform him of his namesake. From Petersburg, February 23, 1865, Lee replied: “I appreciate the high compliment you pay me, in proposing to call your son after me.” For more on Lt. Colonel Johnston’s service in the Confederate army, see here.