There is a stout gray-haired old man here from Maryland
applying to be made a general. It is Major J. H. Winder, a graduate of West
Point, I believe; and I think he will be successful. He is the son, I believe, of
the Gen. Winder whose command in the last war with England-unfortunately
permitted the City of Washington to fall into the hands of the enemy. I have
almost a superstitious faith in lucky generals, and a corresponding
prejudice against unlucky ones, and their progeny. But I cannot suppose the
President will order this general into the field. He may take the prisoners
into his custody — and do other jobs as a sort of head of military police; and
this is what I learn he proposes. And the French Prince, Polignac, has been
made a colonel; and a great nephew of Koscinsko has been commissioned a lieutenant
in the regular army. Well, Washington had his Lafayette — and I like the
nativity of these officers better than that of the Northern men, still applying
for commissions.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 59-60
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