Lexington VA: Sept 24 1867My 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 + husbandI am very truly yours
R E Lee
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.