Johnson Family Papers, 1858; 1862-1865

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The papers consist of 26 letters, bulk 1862-1865, from Mortimer Johnson and his son Porter to members of their immediate family. The Johnson family, originally from West Virginia, moved to Brownsburg in Rockbridge County, Virginia, although they maintained close ties to their former home. Topics in Mortimer's letters include civilian life during the war; the animosity between Union and Confederate sympathizers in West Virginia (the letter of April 28, 1863 discusses the Union loyalty of Stonewall Jackson's sister, Laura Jackson Arnold); the Battle of Fredericksburg and its aftermath (Dec 1862); the Jones- Imboden Raid (West Virginia, April 1863). Porter's letters include a discussion of VMI cadet life at the Alms House in Richmond, Virginia, where the Corps was headquartered during the last months of the war.

Biographical / historical:

Mortimer Howell Johnson,a lawyer was born at Bridgeport, Harrison Co. West Virginia in 1815. He married Eliza Dulaney Kemble, b. Kingwood, Preston Co., West Virginia. The Johnson Family resided in Brownsburg, Rockbridge County, Virginia at beginning of the Civil War, and Mortimer enlisted in April 1864 (at age 48)in the Rockbridge Senior Reserves. He was described as having a dark complexion, dark hair & eyes, 5' 6". He died December 13, 1889, at Charleston, West Virginia and is buried at the High Bridge Presbyterian Church cemetery, Rockbridge Co., Virginia. He was the father of Porter Johnson, Virginia Military Institute Class of 1867.

Porter Johnsonwas born in 1845 in Taylor County, West Virginia. He matriculated at the Virginia Military Institute on September 1, 1863 and was a cadet private at the Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864. Porter resigned from Corps of Cadets on March 6, 1865 and joined the 8th Confederate Battalion commanded by Col. Garnett Andrews. He was captured at Salisbury, NC on April 12, 1865 and imprisoned, and was paroled June 13, 1865. He returned to Rockbridge County where he was a farmer. He died June 9, 1917.

Physical description:
The papers consist of 26 letters filed in one box.