Help my curiosity. Found a photo sale auction catalog of a dozen years ago. It sold a fine tintype of a frock-coated captain wielding a foot officer's sword, with a penciled inscription on the back of the iron plate "W.O.Winston, Capt. CS Army, Decatur, AL". Somone fleshed out the catalog description, indicating the soldier was a son of an influential Alabamian, and that the soldier was at West Point with Custer. It also indicated he repeatedly applied for a CS officer's appointment, but was repeatedly rebuffed.

I don't find a likely record in the Archives. In civilwardata.com, I find a William Winston as a 1st LT. with the CS Army Gen & Staff. A second record lists a William O. Winston as a private in the CS Gen & Staff; it seems unlikely a private would be selected for this group. Also stated he was made a captain of AL Volunteeers in September, 1861, and died of measles at Fort Chapman, SC a year later. Burial was at "Winston Place" plantation, near Valley Head. Much additional data.

Without investing a whole lot of time, could someone inform me what unit/units WOW served? Seems incorrect that this enthusiastic young man would not have a record of his patriotism in the Archives.

TNX!