University of Virginia Library

TO WILLIAM H. WINDER.[156]

Dear Sir I am sensible of the delay in acknowledging
your letter of and regret it. But apart
from the crippled condition of my health, which
almost forbids the use of the pen, I could not forget

that I was to speak of occurrences after a lapse
of 20 years, and at an age in its 84th year; circumstances
so readily and for the most part justly
referred to, as impairing the confidence due to
recollections & opinions.

You wish me to express personally "my approval
of your father's character & conduct at the battle of
Bladensburg," on the ground "of my being fully acquainted
with everything connected with them and
of an ability to judge of which no man can doubt."

You appear not to have sufficiently reflected, that
having never been engaged in military service, my
judgt. in the case could not have the weight with
others, which your partiality assumes for it, but
might rather expose me to a charge of presumption
in deciding on points purely of a professional description.
Nor was I on the field as a spectator, till the
order of the battle had been formed & had approached
the moment of its commencement.

With respect to the order of the battle, that being
known, will speak for itself; and the gallantry, activity
& zeal of your father during the action had a
witness in every observer. If his efforts were not rewarded
with success, candour will find an explanation
in the peculiarities he had to encounter; especially
in the advantage possessed by the veteran troops
of the Enemy over a militia, which however brave
& patriotic, could not be a match for them in the
open field.

I cannot but persuade myself that the evidence on
record, and the verdict on the Court of enquiry,

will outweigh & outlive censorious comments doing
injustice to the character & memory of your father.
For myself, I have always had a high respect for his
many excellent qualities, and am gratified by the
assurance you give me, of the place I held in his
esteem & regard.