“RALEIGH, March 14th, 1865.
“My dear Wigfall:
“I have just received yours of February 27th. I have been for two weeks looking for an opportunity other than by mail, to send you a letter. But all are reported to me too late.
“What you write me of Lee gratifies me beyond measure. In youth and early manhood I loved and admired him more than any man in the world. Since then we have had little intercourse and have become formal in our personal intercourse. A good deal, I think, from change of taste and habits, in one or the other. When we are together former feelings always return. I have long thought that he had forgotten our early friendship: to be convinced that I was mistaken in so thinking would give me inexpressible pleasure. Be assured, however, that Knight of old never fought under his King more loyally than I’ll serve under Gen. Lee. [In another letter he speaks of serving under Gen. Lee ‘as loyally as my father served under his in the first revolution.’] I have suggested to him what seems to be the only course for us, should Sherman endeavor to join Grant. . . .
“As ever yours,
“J. E. JOHNSTON.”