Gen. Johnston is Critical of the Count of Paris’s “History of the Civil War in America” 

Autograph Letter Signed “J.E. Johnston”, 2p, 8” x 10.5”, separate sheets. Savannah, November 17, 1875. To Col. John P. Nicholson. Minor flaws at edges. Light smudging, folds, glassine remnants on verso and at upper edge of first sheet. Fine condition.

An English translation of “History of the Civil War in America” by the Count of Paris (Philadelphia: Joseph H. Coates & Co. 1875) had just been published. General Joseph E. Johnston comments, in part, “I have looked at so much of the Count of Paris’s book as relates to my operations – and can not imagine why he sent it to me. Certainly not in compliment. No party electioneering newspaper is less candid. He calls Genl Beauregard ‘commander-in-chief, in writing of the Battles of Manassas; although it is evident that he has read my official report. His account of the circumstances of the action is as incorrect as possible. That of the operations in 1862, previous to Genl Lee’s actions near Richmond is still more so. Such as one might expect to find in time of war, in the letters of a newspaper correspondent. But far below what we call history. In his account of the affairs of rear Guard, at Williamsburg, it is treated as if the Confederate army had adapted to the line of Fort Magruder for that of Yorktown. And takes his account of the action and its consequences from the sensational despatches of the next few days – instead of consulting McC’s report, and my elaborate one, of 1863.“In like manner, he seems to have been taught the events of the Battle of 7 Pines by Genl Mindil. Regardless of the confessions of Sumner, Heintzelman, Hooker and Carey – Made under oath to the Joint Committee on the conduct of the war. I remember that in one of his letters to you, he treated the evidence of these generals, quoted by me, as that of the committee. I bored you so much about this battle of seven pines in connection with Gen Mindil’s pamphlet that no more details of it shall be thrust at you. I will say, however, that it would be very hard to make a statement more utterly incorrect than that published by his Royal Highness. He introduces a slander of my being idle for some eight hours – the troops of course losing so much time that should have been devoted to the battle. He has not the slightest authority for the accusation. Did I ever send you a copy of my report of the Battle of Manassas? If not, and you desire it, I will do so…”

Prince Philippe d'Orléans, Count of Paris (1838-1894) was the grandson of Louis Philippe I, King of the French, who had abdicated on February 24, 1848, in favor of his grandson. The Count of Paris was claimant to the French throne from 1848 until his death.

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