Gen. Winder was in this morning listening to something
MacCubbin was telling him about the Richmond Whig. It appears that, in
the course of a leading article, enthusiastic for the cause, the editor remarked,
“we have arms and ammunition now.” The policemen, one and all, interpreted this
as a violation of the order to the press to abstain from speaking of the
arrivals of arms, etc. from abroad. Gen. Winder, without looking at the paper,
said in a loud voice, “Go and arrest the editor — and close his office!” Two or
three of the policemen started off on this errand. But I interposed, and asked
them to wait a moment, until I could examine the paper. I found no infraction of
the order in the truly patriotic article, and said so to Gen. Winder. “Well,”
said he, “if he has not violated the order, he must not be arrested.” He took
the paper, and read for himself; and then, without saying anything more,
departed.
When he was gone, I asked MacCubbin what was the phraseology
of the order that “had been served on the editors.” He drew it from his pocket,
saying it had been shown to them, and not left with them. It was in the
handwriting of Mr. Benjamin, and signed by Gen. Winder. And I learned that all
the orders, sumptuary and others, had been similarly written and signed. Mr.
Benjamin used the pencil and not the pen in writing these orders, supposing, of
course, they would be copied by Gen. W.'s clerks. But they were not copied. The
policemen threaten to stop the Examiner soon, for that paper has been
somewhat offensive to the aliens who now have rule here.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 115-6
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