^s,^

?¦>•

f l^^*T'« ^.*''»-»vi«^ r •¥'•1*1 *

^'t

„<3i '?

»&-!.•* '
r^'j-l
B'*'^ •^''
W'
[itW* "#^
&.
*^'Tl
f(A
' {'i'.y'UXfi^M
Gift of
197-1

PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL
CORRESPONDENCE OF
GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER

PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL
CORRESPONDENCE OF
GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
DURING THE PERIOD
OF THE CIVIL WAR

IN FIVE VOLUMES
Volume II
June, 1862 — February, 1863

PRIVATELY ISSUED
1917

COPYKIGHT, 1917
BY JKSSIE AMES MARSHALL

THE ¦PIIMPTON- PRESS
NORWOOD'MASS'O-S'A

V - a
^ ¦
i ?

PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL
CORRESPONDENCE OF
GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER

i -

\^

:^

PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL
CORRESPONDENCE OF
GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, June iSth, 1862
Mesdames Slocumb and Urquhart
Mesdames: I have the pleasure to inform you that my
necessities which caused the request for permission to use
your house during your absence this summer have been
relieved. I have taken the house of General Twiggs, late of
the United States Army, for quarters.
Inclined never on slight causes to use the power entrusted
to me to grieve even sentiments only entitled to respect from
the courage and lady-like propriety of manner in which they
are averred, it is gratifying to be enabled to yield to the appeal
you made for favor and protection by the United States.
Yours shall be the solitary exception to the General Rule
adopted — that they who ask protection must take upon
themselves corresponding obligations or do an equal favor to
the Government.
I have an aged mother at home, who, like you, might request
the inviolability of hearthstone and roof-tree from the pres
ence of a stranger. For her sake you shall have the pass you
ask, which is sent herewith.
As I did myself the honor to say personally, you may leave
the city with no fear that your house will be interfered with
by any exercise of military right, but vdll be safe under the
laws of the United States.
Trusting that the inexorable logic of events will convict
you of wrong toward your country when all else has failed. I
^^^^^^' Your Obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Comdg.

VOL, II-

2 LETTEES OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, June iA, 1862
[[Not in chronological order]
Mr. H, M, Palfrey
Sir: You will please pay all bills that are necessary and
proper for fitting up Gen, Twiggs' house for Maj. Gen. Butler's
occupancy, and when it is all finished present the vouchers at
these Head Quarters and the account will be settled.
By order of Maj. Gen. Butler,
R. S. Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From H. W. Palfrey
Palfre^y & Go's Real Estate, Stock, Abaction & Mortgage Loan Office,
No. 43 Caronddet Street, New Orleans, June 28, 1862
[Not in chronDlogical order]
A. J. Butler, Esq.
Sir: I have just received your note of this date. My instruc
tions from General Butler are to collect some rent and notes
due to General Twiggs, and to pay some bills of furniture for
General Twiggs' House in Prystania Street, after said bills
are approved and signed by him or by his orders.
I have nothing to do with purchasing any furniture. I expect
to collect $500 or $1000 for General Twiggs on Monday or
Tuesday, but may be disappointed, I have already paid
$212 out of my private funds for matting.
Your obedient servant, H, W, Palfrey
P,S. I send you copy of General Butler's orders, ¦
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, June 26, 1862
Special Order No. 138
H, W, Palfrey, the former agent of the estate and property
of Gen. D. E. Twiggs, is hereby appointed custodian of said
property, and will hold rent and take care of the same till
further orders. He will pay the necessary bills of expenses of
fitting up said Twiggs houses in Prystania Str,, upon approval
of the bills at these Headquarters, and appropriate thereto
such sums or personal property as may be suflBcient for that
purpose, p^ Q^^^^ ^j, ^^j Q^^ Butler
R. S, Davis, Capt. A. A. A. G.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 3
From General Butler
Headquarters Depart^ment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, June 26, 1862
General Orders No. ^¦S
All the property in New Orleans belonging to Gen, D, E.
Twiggs, and of his minor son the income of which he has
received under the charge of his agent, H, W, Palfrey, Esq,,
consisting of real estate, bonds, notes of hand, Treasury notes
of the United States, slaves, household furniture, etc, is hereby
sequestered, to be held to await the action of the United States
By command of Major-General Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. and A. A. A. G.
From a Union Man
New Orleans, June 26tt, 1862
Major General Butler
Sir: Please accept the accompanying case of pistols in
token of the gratitude I feel for your coming here, and the
re-establishment of Federal rule in place of the tyranny prac
tised by Jeff Davis and his followers, I was a Union prisoner
at the time of the fleet coming up to the city, and since my
liberation have received many acts of kindness at the hands
of yourself and those of your command, and I take this method
of testifying my appreciation therefor.
Yours Respectfully, A Union Man
From General Butler
Head Quarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, June 26, 1862
Hon. Salmon P, Chase, Secretary of the Treasury
Sir: I send herewith the copper plates for printing Confed
erate States Treasury notes, I hope by this capture I have
dangered their exchequer. The plates are, however, pretty
well worn,
I also enclose a letter showing the determination of Mr,
Memminger, C, S, Treasurer, in regard to the Specie of the
New Orleans Banks,
By an order I have rendered it impossible for them to da
business out of the state, I have the honor to be
Very Respt. Yours,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.

4 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Exhibit referred to in Foregoing Letter
Confederate States of America, Treasury Department, Richmond, June 5, 62
[Not in chronological order]
Messrs. Wood & Brothers, Agents of Banks of
New Orleans
Sirs: The coin of the Banks of New Orleans was seized by
the Government to prevent it from falling into the hands of
the public enemy. It has been deposited in a place of security
under the charge of the Government, and it is not intended to
interfere with the right of property in the Banks further than
to insure its safe custody.
They may proceed to conduct their business in the Confed
erate States upon this deposit just as though it were in their
own vaults. Very Respectfully, C, G, Memminger, Sect, of Treas.
From General Butler
Headquarters, Depart^ment of the Gulf, New Orleans, June i6th, 1862
To General Dix
My dear General: When I read your decision and patriotic
order as Secretary of Treasury to "shoot on the spot" whom
soever should attempt to haul down the American Flag, my
heart bounded with joy. It was the first bold stroke of the
Union under the past administration.
It gives me therefore redoubled pleasure more directly to
testify my admiration by sending you the identical flag of the
Revenue Cutter "McClellan," which was the subject of that
order, together with the Confederate flag which was hoisted
by traitor hands in its place,
David Ritchie, a young Scotch Sailor on board that boat,
remaining true to his adopted country when so many of her
sons proved recreant, went on board the "McClellan" when
she was being burnt by the Confederates and brought off the
Flags. His affidavit which accompanies this will give the detail of
facts. I doubt not the Secretary of the Treasury will permit
you to retain the flags, which could not be in better hands.
Believe me, General, nr . ,. r tr
Most truly Yours
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 5
From General Butler
Headquarters, DepartmerU of the Gulf, New Orleans, June 27, 1862
The President
Sir: I have the honor to send you with this note three
swords with their equipments, formerly belonging to David
E, Twiggs, late Brevet-Major General in the army of the United
States, They are each presentation swords. One given him by
resolution of Congress which bears the following legend:
"Presented by the President of the United States agreeable
to a resolution of Congress to Brig, Gen'l, David E, Twiggs,
in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his
gallantry and good conduct in storming Monterey,
"Resolution approved March 2nd, 1847,"
Another by the State of Georgia, and bears the following
legend and inscription:
" Constitution
The State of Georgia to Major General David E, Twiggs,
U,S,A,, as a tribute to his gallantry in Mexico 1847, Palo
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Cerro Gorde, Chapulte-
pec, Molino del Rey, Mexico,"
The third by his native City, Augusta, Ga,, and has the
following legend : " Texas, 8th and 9th of May 1846, Monterey,
Vera Cruz, Cerro Gorde, To Gen'l, David E, Twigg from
the citizens of Augusta, Georgia,"
General Twiggs left these swords with a young woman on
the evening before he fled from New Orleans, and in his flight
on the day of the approach of the fleet, he wrote in his carriage
while en route this extraordinary paper,
"I leave my swords to Miss Rowena Florence, and box of
Silver New Orleans, %5th, April, 1862
David E, Twiggs"
This paper was claimed as a deed of gift of these very
valuable weapons by the young person named, but as she had
neglected to inform her father of this singular donatio causa
fugae, and as the girl's mother caused them to be given to a
negro to be sent to Gen'l, Twiggs' house, and as they were
found in possession of this negro, I venture to interfere with
this testamentary disposition,
A more lamentable instance of the degradation to which
this rebellion has reduced its votaries can hardly be imagined.

6 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Swords given to a General for courage and good conduct in
the armies of the Union as tokens of admiration by his fellow-
citizens and the gratitude of a State and Nation, voluntarily
bequeathed for safe-keeping to a woman as a more proper
custodian than himself, by that same General, when flying at
the approach of the Armies of that country which he had re
nounced and betrayed, at last find a depository with a negro,
for the sake of enslaving whom even the double crime of
treachery and rebellion had been consummated.
Now that the weapon given by the United States is returned
to the Executive, and the others placed at his disposal, might
I take leave to suggest a possible disposition of them.
Might not the first be presented to some Officer as a token
of appreciation of loyalty and devotion to the country?
The qualities of courage and good conduct on the battle
field have never been found wanting in our armies, but loyalty
and entire devotion to the country have failed in so many
examples of which General Twiggs is a shining one, that some
token of respect for those qualities bestowed in this manner,
might not be inappropriate.
The sword from the State of Georgia might be deposited
in the Library of West Point, with an appropriate inscription,
as a perpetual memento to the youths there, how worse than
useless are all education and military training, even when
allied to gallantry and courage, if heartfelt patriotism and
undying fidelity to the Constitution and the Flag are wanting.
That given by the City of Augusta might be deposited in
the Patent Office as a warning against the folly and uselessness
of such an invention as "Secession,"
Pardon the freedom of these suggestions and believe me
most faithfully, ^ i j • j a
Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. General Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, June i7th, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: Enclosed will be found several letters addressed to
"General David E, Twiggs, late of the U, S, Army," by his
son-in-law. Col, Myers, late of the army and now Quartermaster
General, I believe, of the Confederate State Government,
The letter of Nov, 12th, 1860, which encloses the order for
General Twiggs to take command in Texas, shows that at

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 7
that early day he was contemplating the treason he has since
acted, and that he sought the very place so as to be in posi
tion to do the utmost mischief.
The others of dates May 16th, 22nd, and 26th, disclose the
reasons of his appointment as "Provisional General" by the
rebel Government, and his declination of the position of Major
General, All these were found in his house, which I have taken pos
session of, and with its furniture have had put in order for
quarters for myself and a portion of my staff,
I have caused all the property here which General Twiggs
owned or of which he received the income, to be sequestered,
and the rents, after paying expenses, to be held to await the
action of the Government of the United States, I have the
' Your obedient Servant,
Benjamin F, Butler, Major General Comdg.
From J. Bailey Myers New York, June iSth, 1862
Major General Butler
My dear General: Will you allow me to add my congratu
lations to those of your many friends on your late successes,
I have watched them with deep interest, and done all I could
to cooperate by a little scribbling and newspaper censorship
on my own hook.
I believed in your star when it was a little under a cloud of
detraction, and I enjoy immeasurably the display of its fuller
light. If I can serve you in any way here, pray use me. I will
with pleasure attend to any wish or commission, I have been
a thousand times tempted to give up everything here and
join you, and have used every exertion to get a leave of absence
to do so, in vain, I was in Boston day before yesterday, and
found Fay very busy in your matters, I envied him for having
it in his power to serve you. He is a splendid fellow. In the
cars, hotels, and in fact everywhere, the name of Butler was
in all, and in the churches. My old Uncle, Captain Bailey,
U,S,N,, was greatly pleased with you. He is a staunch old
fellow and loves a row.
Be so kind as to present me kindly to the gentlemen of your
^ ^' Very respectfully, and truly yours,
J, Bailey Myers

8 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Information received by General Butler Relative to Governor
Moore New Orleans, June 28, 1862
Dear Sir: I have this morning seen a person who has
just now returned from the town of Washington, the head of
Navigation on the Bayou Cortableu which enters Atchafalaya.
He informs me that the Secession Govr,, Thos, O, Moore,
was there when he left, and that he had issued a lengthy
Bombastic Murderous Proclamation, regarding trading Con
federate money, the only currency, and he orders all steam
boats to be burned up at once, and authorizes every person to
become partisan Rangers, and he also has the audacity to
order the U, S, emblem to be torn in tatters wherever found.
I am endeavoring to get a copy of his Document,
Mr, Moore is on a thieving expedition there. He seized
the steam boats "Anna Pervette," "Nina Simms," and loaded
them both with cotton. He went there with a lot of more
thieves from Red River on the Steam Boat "Elmira" — he
came in at what is called the mouth of Old River, or Old Red
River mouth is the more proper name for that entrance. He
has also loaded the "Elmira" and sent her to Red River also.
This Old River entrance into Red River is about 11 miles
above the mouth of the entrance to the Red River from the
Mississippi — there is any quantity of water in it at all seasons
of the year, to allow of Gun Boats to go there. You can send
boats into Atchafalaya by the same route as the Texas steamers
run to Berwicks Bay, or at this stage of water they could go
in at the Mississippi entrance. Bayou Plaquemines. One gun
boat stationed there would prevent any further carrying of
either cotton or sugar from Washington. This gentleman
informs me that it is very much against the desires of the
Washington people to have their property taken such care of by
Moore. The business men and property owners are all Union
men but dare not speak. It is said that Moore has sent it to
Jefferson, Texas, both by the three above mentioned steam
boats, and by mule teams across the Opelons — as Prairies.
I omitted to mention that in the event of a Gun Boat being
sent there and remaining until low water mark in the Miss.
it might not be easy to take her out, although there is always
abundance of water for her to lay in. You have two stern
wheel boats, the "Bee" and "Barvutaria" that can go in there
at all seasons of the year loaded. ^r „ „
Very respectfully

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 9
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, June 9,9th, 1862
Special Order No. lJi.6
All cotton purchased by any officer, soldier, or person con
nected with the U. S. forces at Baton Rouge will be first offered
for the use of the Penitentiary at the price for which it was
purchased, before it can be sent away for sale or exchange.
By Order of Maj. Gen. Butler,
R. S. Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From the Secretary of War
War Department, Washington Citt, D.C, June %9th, 1862
Major General B. F. Butler
General: My last communication to you entrusted for
delivery to Cuthbert BuUett, Esq. — then on the point of
departing for New Orleans, bore date on the 23rd instant, and
since that time I have received your despatches of the 17th,
18th, and 19th, instant, with their various enclosures.
The suggestion made in your despatch of the 10th instant,
as to a "qualified amnesty," has been brought to the notice
of the President, and his determination shall be announced
to you with the least possible delay.
The attention of the President has also been drawn to your
General Order No. 41, requiring certain oaths from foreigners
resident at New Orleans, as well as to your correspondence on
that subject with the Acting British Consul, — and two
communications relative thereto have been received from the
State Department, of which copies are herewith transmitted
to you, by direction of the President, for your information
and guidance.
The Department has likewise received from the Secretary of
State the enclosed copy of certain instructions issued by him
to the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, to examine and report as to
the facts touching the sugars claimed by certain British,
French, and Grecian merchants, of which mention was made
in your despatch of the 17th instant; and also a letter, of which
a copy is enclosed, approving your course with reference to
the Mexican Consulate, which it gives me great pleasure to
transmit to you.
The views expressed in your despatch of the 25th May, to
which you again refer in that of the 18th instant, as to the

10 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
policy to be preserved in regard to persons lield under the
laws of Louisiana to labor or service, but whom the fortune
of war have placed within your command, — have strongly
impressed me. It has not yet, however, been deemed neces
sary or wise to fetter your judgment by any specific instruc
tions in this regard.
Your last despatch Upon this subject, and the accompany
ing report of General Phelps, which were not received • until
the 28th inst, shall be laid before the President, Pending his
consideration, and any action which he may see- fit to take
thereon, it is confidently hoped that, exercising your accus
tomed skill and discretion, you will so deal with this question
as to avoid any serious embarrassment to the Government, or
any difficulty with General Phelps, Your cordial commenda
tions of his skill, experience, and courage renders the Depart
ment very unwilling to forego the aid of his services.
The news of the brilliant achievement of Lieut, Col, Kim
ball of the 12th Maine Vols,, and the brave men under his
command at Manchac Pass, was very gratifying to the Depart
ment, and it entirely approves your action in allowing the
Regiment to retain the colors which they had so gallantly
taken from the enemy.
Information has reached the Department that General
McClellan has met with a serious reverse in front of Rich
mond, Though the details have not transpired, it is quite
certain that the published accounts are very much exagger
ated. The army has changed its base, with comparatively
little loss, to a much stronger position (Turkey Point) on the
James River, and will, it is confidently expected, very soon
march on and into Richmond, I am, General,
Very respectfully. Your obedient servant,
Edwin M, Stanton, Sec. of War
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
Department of State, Washington, 'iith June, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
The Honorable E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I notice that Major General Butler is represented to
have required certain oaths from foreigners at New Orleans,
Though his general right, pursuant to martial law, to make
any exactions which he may deem necessary for the peace
and safety of the District under his command, cannot be ques
tioned, the expediency of requiring oaths from those who do

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 11
not owe a permanent allegiance to the Government is so doubt
ful that I am directed by the President to request you to order
him 'to discontinue that practice for the future, and to cancel
any such obligations which may thus have been compulsorily
contracted. Foreigners owe temporary allegiance to the au
thorities wherever they may reside. From this nothing but a
treaty stipulation can absolve them. In general, however, it
is best to observe that they will observe this allegiance. If,
however, they disregard it, the particular acts by which this
disregard may be shown, are liable to punishment by the civil,
or if this should be silent or inadequate, by martial law. It
is preferable for the maintenance of harmonious relations with
foreign powers that misconduct on the part of their citizens
or subjects within our jurisdiction should not be anticipated,
but that its actual development should be awaited. When it
shall have occurred, is notorious in particular instances, or
shall be susceptible of due proof, their Governments can
not reasonably complain if the guilty parties are punished in
proportion to their offence.
This department having been officially apprised by the
British Legation here that Mr, Coppell had been duly appointed
Acting British Consul at New Orleans, I will again thank you
to direct General Butler to respect his official. acts accordingly.
It is to be regretted that the General should have deemed it
advisable to issue a certain order in consequence of which that
gentleman deemed it necessary formally to relinquish his Con
sular functions. He has been requested through the British
Legation here to resume them, I have the honor to be. Sir,
Your Obedient Servant, William Seward
Department of State, Washington, ^7th June, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
To the Honorable E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have just held
an interview with Mr, Stuart, Her Britannic Majesty's
Charge d'Affairs, in the course of which he has assured me
that the letters of Mr, Coppell, the British Acting Consul at
New Orleans, to the legation here, and everything else con
cerning him which has come to their knowledge, have uni
formly shown entire fairness towards this Government, It
is to be apprehended, therefore, that General Butler in his
correspondence with Mr, Coppell, especially that which relates
to certain sugars at New Orleans, must have assumed a con-

12 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
trary hypothesis, and that in the severity of his remarks he
has done that gentleman injustice, I will, consequently,
thank you to communicate the fact and express to General
Butler the President's desire that he will do what he can
towards removing from Mr, Coppell's mind the impression of
injury which he may have done to that gentleman, I have the
honor to be. Sir,
Your obedient Servant, William H. Seward
DepaHment of State, Washington, D.C, i,7th of June 1862
[Not in chronological order]
The Honorable Reverdy Johnson, New Orleans, Louisiana
Sir: The President regards the renewal of commerce at
New Orleans, and on the Mississippi and its tributaries, as a
most effective means of bringing this unhappy civil strife to
an end, and restoring the authority of the Federal Govem
ment, Such a restoration of trade is also calculated to deprive
foreign powers of all excuse for sympathy with the insurgents.
Under these circumstances, he deeply regrets every case of
collision that occurs, even unavoidably, between the military
authorities at New Orleans and the Consuls, merchants, and
others concerned in commerce. While he will in all cases
maintain the national rights, he desired to protect and guard
the national honor in intercourse with foreign nations,
A correspondence between Major General Butler, and the
Consuls of Great Britain, France, and Greece in regard to a
certain quantity of sugars claimed by certain British, French
and Grecian merchants has been brought to the notice of
this Department through a report of Major General Butler,
made to the Secretary of War,
The President desires and authorizes you, in addition to
the special duties already assigned to you, to examine into the
merits of that transaction, and to report the facts thereupon
to this department, to the end that justice may be done in
the matter.
The carrying this instruction into effect may detain you at
New Orleans longer than was anticipated, but the importance
of the business makes it advisable that it should be adjusted
prior to your departure, I am sir,
Your obedient servant, William H, Seward

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 13
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, June i9th, 1862
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I am on my return from Baton Rouge, where I have
been for the purpose of inspecting the Garrison and ascertain
ing if possible what is the sentiment of the people toward the
Government, The Garrison, consisting of two regiments 21st Indiana
and the 6th Michigan Volunteers, with a section of Everett's
Battery (6th Mass,), are in fine condition and health, and, I
believe, strong enough to resist a threatened attack by gen
eral Van Dorn, who has been put in command of the Depart
ment of the Mississippi in place of General Lovell, removed,
I have been agreeably disappointed in the feeling at Baton
Rouge, There is a tiredness of the war and longing for the
restoration of the old state of things, under the Union, which
is gratifying, I had a visit from a dozen or more gentlemen of
Baton Rouge and vicinity, representing some five or six mil
lions of property, and had conversation with them upon the
new system of Partisan Rangers just now inaugurated, i,e.
Guerilla Warfare, They deprecate it, and will do everything
possible to discountenance it.
They offered to take the oath of allegiance if I required,
but assured me they thought they could do more good by
abstaining from that oath for the present, because it would
be impossible for them to have communication with these
partisans if they took the oath, and it should be publicly
known. Governor Moore has issued an address more remarkable
than any document of the kind ever penned, I enclose a
copy. At the same time. General Van Dorn has issued his General
Order No, 1, which recommends that all inhabitants remove
eight miles from the river, I brought before me some of the
most violent of the rebels, and after calling their attention to
the present state of things, I proposed to them the oath of
allegiance, and, after consideration over night, two of them,
Mr, Benjamin, brother of the rebel Secretary of War, and
Byam, the Mayor of the City, took the oath,
I brought away with me and now have under arrest five
of those who had used threats toward the men who had shown
themselves favorable to the Union,

14 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Upon full reflection and observation I find the condition of
public sentiment to be this:
The planters and men of property are now tired of the war,
well-disposed toward the Union, only fearing lest their negroes
should not be let alone, would be quite happy to have the
Union restored in all things.
The operative classes of white men of all trades are as a
rule in favor of the Union.
In fact, this rebellion was at first inaugurated for the pur
pose of establishing a landed aristocracy as against the poor
and middling whites, who had shovra some disposition to
assert their equahty with the planter, and had begun to express
themselves through organizations and on the basis of the
Masonic Order into societies, of which the South is full, of
which that ritual is the pattern. This disincHnation of the
people to the war has required the Conscription act, so that
we now have the before unheard of fact of a people professedly
fighting for their liberties against oppression, and obliged to
do so by their leaders in a most rigid Conscription Act.
Free Conscripts are certainly evidence of progress in terms.
I have directed all the funds in the several banks belonging
to the State of Louisiana to be sequestered and held for the
disposition of the Government. They are all collected in
Confederate Treasury notes, and so may not be very valuable.
By some unfortunate oversight the Paymasters came down
here with $285,000 too little money to pay the troops up to
last of May. Some of them have not been paid for six months,
and some not since they have been in service, nine months.
Men were disheartened; the Mails brought intelligence of
the destitution of their families. Two months' more pay come
due July 1st.
In this emergency, specie seized and which by the direction
of a Commission was to be sent to Washington, in amount
$50,000, was taken by pledge of personal credit and the faith
of the Government a hundred thousand dollars more, which
will be paid out to the suffering soldiers.
Major Locke, one of the Paymasters, has also been ordered
to report to Washington to get funds to pay the allotment,
and for the July payment which ought to be made at once,
may I ask that his mission be speeded at once? Details are
given in a note to the Secretary of the Treasury, a duplicate
of which is enclosed.
The question of how to feed the people of this City and

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 15
the surrounding country becomes of the utmost magnitude,
and to it I have given the best exertions.
Owing to the impression at the North that the river was
opened, no flour has been shipped from Northern Ports, It is
now at a fabulous price, Moore's proclamation has frightened
all the people from the Red River County from sending the
flour here, and we are in danger of starving.
Upon consultation with Col, Turner, Chief Commissary of
Subsistence, it has been thought best to distribute gratuitously
under proper safeguard the Flour and Beef we can spare, say
2000 barrels of each.
The leading Secessionists will be taxed to pay the expenses,
which I set down at about $75,000, It is absolutely neces
sary that a fast-sailing steamer, capable of containing 4000
Bbls, of Flour, Beef, & Pork, be at once forwarded for the use
of the City, Col, Turner has made the necessary requisition
for the flour, 4000 Bbls,
The trustees for the Charity Hospital have resigned, but
have been continued in office, as will be seen by the enclosed
correspondence,
July 3rd, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
A boat from Vicksburg this morning brings news (but no
official despatches) that there has been an attack upon the
place, that a portion of the fleet have got by the Batteries
and joined fleet of Commander Davis above, that General
Williams has made a lodgment on the opposite Bank of the
River and erected a Battery there, and with his rifle (d) 12
pounders is throwing shells into the town and enemy's camp.
This is the rebels' last defense on the river, and must yield.
We are threatened with a Guerilla War which is claiined will be
interminable. I take leave to suggest that it can be terminated
in a few days, A reward offered of a $1000 for each Guerilla
head, and freedom to the Negro who should bring it in, would
bring that uncivilized system of war fare to a sudden termina
tion by an equally uncivilized remedy, " Fire set to fight fire,"
I am sorry to say that some of the stories about the unhu-
mane acts of our enemies are true. Insults to the dead are
too shocking to be tolerated.
I hope all those who have whined over Order No. 28 will
read the Order which I have felt it my duty to enforce in the
cases of Mrs. Phillips, Keller, & Andrew, copies I enclose.
I beg leave to call attention to my call for more troops, I
have enough to hold all I have occupied, but if the ulterior

16 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
movements in Texas and upon Mobile are to be carried out,
more will be required.
Col. Deming again returns home for reasons which he prays
leave to explain to the Department, and is charged with some
personal communication to which I pray attention.
I am deeply gratified, as indeed are all the loyal citizens of
New Orleans, to learn that Acting Brig. Gen. Shepley has
been made Military Governor of Louisiana. His successful
administration of the City affairs has rendered him very accept
able. It will be necessary to give him a Commission as Brig
adier General so that he may be able to command the troops
detailed to him to guard the State.
Very Respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
Copy of Governor Moore's Address Opelousas, June 18, 1862
Address to the People of Louisiana
The occupation by the enemy of a portion of the territory
of our State imposes upon us new and unaccustomed respon
sibilities. It creates an anomalous condition of affairs, and
establishes between the Citizens of New Orleans and all other
of our towns in the actual occupation of the enemy, and those
of the Country Parishes, relations very different from those
which regulate their ordinary intercourse. It is not surprising
that a people who are now experiencing the first invasion of
their State should not at the outset have appreciated the duties
and necessities of the new position in which they suddenly
find themselves placed.
New Orleans is the Commercial Depot of the State. To it
the whole agricultural products of our soil are conveyed, and
from it are brought in return a large measure of the supplies
for our plantations and the merchandise which forms the
object of every species of traffic.
The channels of trade constantly flow between it and the
Country freighted with the every-day transactions of all
classes of our citizens, thus binding our urban and rural
population together by the strong bands of mutual depend
ence and reciprocal benefit.
Trade with the Enemy forbidden
A state of public war resulting in the armed occupancy of
New Orleans by the enemy, changes these relations.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 17
There cannot be a war for arms and a peace for trade
between two people at the same time.
The armed occupants of that city are our enemies.
To each loyal Citizen of Louisiana and of the Confederacy,
every citizen of the country hostile to us is an enemy. We
cannot barter our products for theirs. We cannot exchange
our corn, cattle, sugar, or cotton for their gold. We have even
no right to pay money that was owing to the citizens of the
now hostile States before the war.
Absolutely non-intercourse, the entire suspension of com
munication by visit or for trade, is the only safe rule for our
guidance. It is a rule recognized as imperative by all writers
on public law, and universally administered by the authorities
of nations at war. Communications with Citizens of occupied
Cities must cease.
Nor is it prudent to hold communication with citizens of any
portion of our territory, temporarily occupied by the enemy.
However much we may deplore their misfortunes, we must not
permit these to be made the instruments for our further damage.
The only proper and permissible manner in which we can
communicate with the enemy or those under his control who
are within his lines, is under a flag of truce. Communication
with New Orleans since its armed occupation has been almost
unrestrained, save by the fears of those who desired, from
motives either of gain or curiosity, to enter the lines of the
enemy. This communication must cease and at once. It is well-
known that the General Commanding the invading army
opposes no obstacle to the ingress of any of our citizens into
New Orleans, but invariably attaches to the passport for egress
the statement: "This Pass is given upon the parole of honor
of the holder, that he will in no way give information, coun
tenance, aid, or support to the so-called Confederate States
or Government."
This cunningly-devised trap to catch the unsuspicious visit
ors was expected to trammel him in the rendition of those
services which his country demands. No parole is ever given
when these passports are delivered — none ever required.
This condition is inserted in the passport without notification
to the applicant that it is to be required, in the belief that the
apparent tacit consent of the receiver to a condition thus
sneakingly sought to be foisted upon him, would be held
binding in morals and in conscience.
VOL. II — 2

18 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
At first the passports were received unsuspectingly and with
out knowledge of the characteristic trickery contained in this
clause, but it is now well-known that none are given without it.
Using the Enemy's passports
Whoever now, therefore, voluntarily place himself in the
power of the enemy by entering their hnes, throws a shade
upon his loyalty to his Government. The possession of a
passport containing the clause above quoted, subjects the
holder to grave suspicion. Its receipt is incipient neutrality,
the desire to fulfill the' condition assumed to be imposed is
only disguised indifference to our success. The attempt to
fulfill it is treachery to our cause. No man can pretend to
assimilate this ex parte declaration of a Federal Provost
Marshal, to which no assent is made by parole or act, to the
parole of honor well recognized in military usage, the observ
ance of which must ever be regarded as a primary duty.
Such paroles are given to, are received by prisoners on either
side, that they will not resume their participation in hostili
ties until exchanged, and by persons sent from out the lines
that they will not reveal what their presence has enabled them
to see or hear.
Neither the citizens of New Orleans or those visitors who
have gone there since the occupation of the enemy are regarded
by him as prisoners of War. If prisoners, it is his manifested
duty to feed them, and when permitted to depart from his
lines he would require of them a parole to cease hostilities,
until exchanged.
The passport shall not be a shelter from duty. It has come
to my knowledge that some persons have gone into New Orleans
voluntarily, and without any apparent or avowed purpose to
accomplish, save the gratification of an idle curiosity, and
have since returned with these Passports. When required to
perform Militia duty afterwards, or accosted by the enroll
ment Officer of Conscript, they present the Passport in which
a Federal Officer has assumed a promise that the holder will
not countenance or aid this Government. If he does not
countenance then he must necessarily recognize the pretension
of those who seek to crush it. Nor can he separate one part
of the pretended parole from the other.
He cannot claim that he holds himself bound by the stipu
lation not to give aid and support to this Government, and
thus avoid military duty, without also confessing to an obli
gation not to countenance it, which is treason unmasked.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 19
The mihtary officer will be charged with Orders on this
subject, the rigorous execution of which will be required. The
Confederacy and the State recognize but two classes — its
friends and its foes. In this mighty and avi^ul struggle for
our sacred rights, for the sanctity of our homes, for the enjoy
ment of liberty, for the salvation of our country, all considera
tions of blood and friendship must give way, all apprehensions
for the safety of property must be disregarded. Obedience
to the laws and acquiescence to the policy of the Government
will be the cheerful homage that every true man will make.
Those who are not true must be deprived of the power of
harm. Spies, Salaried Informers & Tories
Not the least evil of the consequences flowing from com
munications by our citizens with the places occupied by the
enemy is the facility it affords to spies who traverse the country
through the negligence of officers or the unsuspicious security
of the people. These spies communicate with the salaried
informers who are to be found in some localities, ready to
serve any master for gold.
The world has never furnished an instance of a people
renouncing their Government and establishing a new one with
the unanimity which has characterized the people of the
Confederate States, Not even the men of '76, those fore
fathers whom we are accustomed to think of battling with
undivided hearts for a severance from the crown and the inde
pendence of their nation, approached nearer to perfect unanim
ity than ourselves in struggle against a foe, more malignant
and vindictive than the one confronted by them. In the revolt
of the colonies, whole Districts were inhabited by Tories, who
strove to throttle the infant liberties of their country and
bind her by fetters to the throne. In our struggle they are
rarely to be met, but, though very few" in number, they exist,
and with a hate of our Government not exceeded by the hate
of their predecessors to the government of George Washington,
They can be tolerated no longer; if they did not wish to
hve under the Confederate Government, they were warned by
its President a year ago that they were at liberty to depart.
They have made their option. They cannot live here and dis
regard our laws. They can neither hold property nor enjoy
liberty if they disown the Government which protects the one
and insures the other. This would be true even in ordinary
circumstances, but when the foe who aims at our subjugation

20 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
is pressing our soil, short must be the shrift of those who stand
ready to welcome him.
All possible vigilance must therefore be exercised for the
detection of these spies and salaried informers, and for their
apprehension. All citizens should report to the nearest au
thorities the names and the proof or grounds of suspicion.
Nor must less rigor be enforced in the case of those per
sons who have not obeyed the President's warning. Strangers
must give a satisfactory account of themselves, the doubtful
must be closely watched, the disloyal must be imprisoned,
and when found guilty of treason must be held liable to the
penalty due to that capital crime.
Confederate Notes the currency of our Country
Manifold are the inducements presented by the enemy to
begin trading with him. As temptation to you to thus vio
late your sacred duty as citizens of the Confederate States,
he offers high prices for your products, which he promises to
pay in gold and silver. With equal assiduity he is engaged in
efforts to depreciate the currency of your country. He for
gets that every Confederate Bond is a record and certificate
of a sum that has been contributed by generous and confiding
citizens to secure the independence of their country — that
every Confederate Note is the evidence that thus much of
the wealth of the people has been loaned to the Government
to help it in its struggle — that all the resources of a Repubhc
of ten milUons of people, occupying a vast territory of unsur
passed productiveness, are pledged for their redemption —
that they constitute a currency that measures the value of
all our property, and that custom and loyalty recognize them
as a legal tender. They are received and paid as such by all
patriots, in exchange for what he offers for sale. The refusal to
take Confederate money does a direct injury to our sacred
cause, fans the latent spark of treason, and gives indirect
aid and comfort to the ruthless enemy who invades our soil,
ravages our coasts, insults our mothers, wives, and daughters,
and tyrannizes over our conquered cities. The refusal to
take Confederate money, if general, would at once paralyze
our Government and put the Confederacy in imminent peril.
Such refusal affords a presumption of disloyalty, and the plea
of ignorance is but a slight palliation of the grave offence.
River Steam Boats for Transports
The enemy needs river steamboats to transport his troops
to their plundering expeditions along the Mississippi, and he

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 21
seizes all that lie within his reach; he searches for them in
Bayous seldom navigated, and by the aid of traitorous inform
ers, he has succeeded in capturing those that were thought to
be effectually hidden.
This must be prevented at any cost. As no concealment can
be depended on, the Boats must be destroyed whenever the
near approach of the enemy shall leave no other means of
preventing their capture.
Supplies of Provisions for New Orleans
The delicate question of permitting New Orleans to be
supplied with provisions, while in the occupation of the enemy,
was presented to me soon after my return from Camp Moore,
whither I had gone for the purpose of concerting Richmond
plans for the future which will soon be made manifest.
Much was and is to be said for and against the policy. It
is sufficient for my present purpose to say that I have given
permits to two agents of the City to carry provisions to our
citizens so long as the Federal General should faithfully observe
his pledge not to appropriate any of the provisions to other
uses than supplying the wants of our own people, I was not
unaware of the danger that attended such a policy in affording
advantages for the establishment of an intercourse which the
previous part of this address will show I could not approve.
But I did not suspect that such a concession, made in tender
consideration of the pressing wants of the City, would be
abused by any of its own citizens to the extent of committing
an act, little short of affording direct aid to the enemy. The
recent act of the Cashier of the Bank of America and his
accomplices has convinced me that any departure from this
rule that the necessities of the population of any locality must
be held subservient to the paramount consideration of the
public safety, is attended with peril, and that in my desire to
relieve the people of New Orleans, I was subjecting the public
interests to danger of injury. No boats will hereafter be per
mitted to go down to New Orleans or Baton Rouge, while those
places are occupied by the enemy, unless, after the arrival of
the Commanding General, Confederate Officers should be de
tailed for the purpose of going in charge of them in the manner
usually practiced by belligerents.
Continued resistance our paramount duty
It is not proper for obvious reasons to state here in detail
the measures I have taken and the plans devised for the
defense of our homes. The loss of New Orleans and the open-

22 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
ing of the Mississippi, which will soon follow, have greatly
increased our danger and deprived us of many resources for
defense. With less means we have more to do than before.
Every weapon we have and all that our skillful mechanics
can make will be needed. Every able-bodied citizen will
hold himself in readiness for immediate service. Brave, vigi
lant, energetic officers are authorized to raise bands of Parti
san Rangers, Let every possible assistance be rendered them
in forming, arming, equipping, and mounting their companies,
and in giving them support and information when in service.
Let every citizen be an armed sentinel to give warning of any
approach of the insolent foe. Let all our River banks swarm
with armed patriots, to teach the hated invader that the rifle
will be his only welcome on his errands of plunder and destruc
tion. Wherever he dares to raise the hated emblem of tyraimy,
tear it down and rip it in tatters,
Mumford the Martyr
The noble heroism of the patriot Mumford has placed his
name high on the list of our martyr sons. When the Federal
navy reached New Orleans a squad of Marines was sent on
shore who hoisted their flag on the Mint, The City was not
occupied by the United States Troops, nor had they reached
there. The place was not in their possession,
William B, Mumford pulled down the detested symbol
with his own hands, and for that was condemned to >be hung
by General Butler after his arrival. Brought in full view of the
scaffold, his murderers hoped to appal his heroic soul by the
exhibition of the implements of an ignominious death. With
the evidence of their determination to consummate their
brutal purpose before his eyes, they offered him life on condi
tion that he would abjure his country and swear allegiance to
her foe. He spurned the offer, scorning to stain his soul with
such foul dishonor. He met his fate courageously, and has
transmitted to his countrymen a fresh example of what men
will do and dare when under the inspiration of fervid patriotism.
I shall not forget the outrage of his murder, nor shall it pass
unnoticed. Rules that will not be relaxed
I am not introducing any new regulations for the conduct
of our citizens, but am only placing before them those that
every nation at War recognizes as necessary and proper to be
enforced. It is needless therefore to say that they will not be
relaxed.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 23
On the contrary I am but awaiting the assistance and
presence of the General appointed to the Department to
inaugurate the most effectual method for their enforcement.
It is well to repeat them.
Trading with the enemy is prohibited under all circum
stances, TraveUng to and from New Orleans and other places,
occupied by the enemy is forbidden — all passengers will be
arrested. Citizens going to these places and returning with the
enemy's usual passport will be arrested. Conscripts or Militia
men having in possession such passport, seeking to shun duty
under the pretext of a parole, shall be treated as public ene
mies. No such papers will be held sufficient excuse for inaction
by any Citizen,
The utmost vigilance must be used by officers and citizens
in the detection of Spies and salaried informers and their
apprehension, promptly effected, Tories must suffer the fate
that every betrayer of his country deserves.
Confederate notes shall be received and used as the cur
rency of the country.
River Steamboats must in no case be permitted to be
captured. Burn them when they cannot be saved.
Provisions may be conveyed to New Orleans only in Charge
of Confederate Officers, and under the precautionary regula
tions governing communication between belligerents.
Our struggle and its sure result
The loss of New Orleans, bitter humiliation as it was, has
not created despondency, nor shaken our abiding faith in our
success. Not to the eye of the enthusiastic patriot alone, who
might be expected to color events with his hopes, but to the
more impassioned gaze of the statesman, that success was
certain from the beginning. It is only the timid, the unreflect
ing, and the property owner who thinks more of his possessions
than his country, that will succumb to the depressing influence
of disaster. The great heart of the people has swelled with
more intense aspirations for the cause, the more it seemed to
totter. Their confidence is well-founded. The possession by
the enemy of our seaboard and main water courses ought to
have been foreseen by us. His overwhelming naval force
necessarily accomplished the same results attained by the
British in their war of subjugation. The final result will be
the same. Let us turn unheeding ears to the rumors of foreign
intervention. To believe is to rely on them.

24 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
We must rely on ourselves. Our recognition as a Nation is
one of those certainties of the future which nothing but our
own unfaithfulness can prevent. We must not look around
for friends to help when the enemy is straight before us. Help
yourselves, it is the great instrument of national as of indi-
vidual success, ^^^^ ^ ^^^^^
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans June 30th, 1862
Special Order No. 151
Fidel Kell:^r has been found exhibiting a human Skeleton
in his Book Store window in a public place in this City, labelled
" Chickahominy," in large letters, meaning and intending that
the bones should be taken by the populace to be the bones of
an United States soldier slain in that battle, in order to bring
the authority of the U, S, and our Armies into contempt, and
for that purpose had stated to the passersby that the bones
were those of a Yankee soldier, whereas in truth and fact
they were the bones purchased some weeks before of the Mexi
can Consul, to whom they were pledged by a medical Student,
It is therefore ordered that for this desecration of the dead
he be confined at Ship Island for two years at hard labor, and
that he be allowed to communicate with no person on the
island except Mrs, Philipps, who has been sent there for a
like offence. Any written message may be sent by him through
these Headquarters,
Upon this order being read to him, the said Keller requested
that so much of it as associated him with "that woman"
might be recalled, which request was therefore reduced to
writing by him as follows: New Orleans June 30th, 1862
Mr, Keller desires that, that part of the Sentence which
refers to the communication with Mrs, Philipps be stricken
out, as he does not wish to have communication with the
said Mrs, Philipps,
Witness. D. Waters, (signed) F. Keller
Said request seeming to the Commanding General reason
able, so much of said order is revoked, and the remainder will
By Order of Maj. Gen. Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 25
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, June SOth, 1862
Speclal Order No. 152
John W. Andrews exhibited a Cross, the emblem of the suf
fering of our blessed Savior, fashioned for a personal ornament,
which he said was made from the bones of a Yankee soldier,
and having shown this, too, without rebuke in the Louisiana
Club which claims to be composed of Chivalric Gentlemen:
It is therefore ordered that for this desecration of the dead
he be confined at hard labor for two years on the fortifications
of Ship Island, and he be allowed no verbal or written com
munication to, or with any one, except through these
Headquarters. ^^ ^^^^^ ^j -^^^ ^.^^ Butleb
R. S. Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From Count Mejan
Translation. New Orleans, June Sdth, 1862
Major General Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Sir: I am obliged to direct a letter to Gov. Moore in order
to protest against the treatment which several of my fellow
citizens, residing in the interior, have been submitted to.
Would it cause any inconvenience to have this letter sent
to the nearest point where it could be put into the post office.
Accept, Sir, the considerations, etc.
The French Consul, Count Mejan
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, June 30, 1862
To Count Mejan, French Consul
Sir : It will give me great pleasure to aid in forwarding your
letter to Governor Moore in any way you may suggest. I have
e onor , Very truly, your obedient servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Hd, Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, June 30, 1862
Count Mejan, French Consul
Sir: I beg leave to call your attention to the fact that I
have not received your report of the large amounts of specie

26 LETTERS OF. GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
placed under your charge, just previous to the coming up of
the Fleet of the United States.
Presuming that a press of business has prevented. I am
Most Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
Benj. F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, June 30iA, 1862
Capt. Morris
Captain: I am reliably informed that the enemy are bring
ing down a large number of cattle to the mouth of Red River,
and thence running them across the Mississippi, are supplying
the Confederate Army.
I would most respectfully urge upon you to send a gunboat
to cruise between the mouths of Red River and Black River.
This would entirely obviate the mischief.
Respectfully, Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Dept. of the Gulf
Hon. Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury
Sir: I have the honor to enclose to you certain certificates
of deposits in the Confederate States Treasury of the pro
ceeds of several confiscations by the rebel District Court
here. All records of the proceedings save these have been
destroyed or carried away.
Also please find a receiver's bond, which may be useful as
showing the form of the proceedings of the rebels in that
behalf. I remain „ r^i , c.
Your Obt. Servt.
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, June 30, 1862
Special Order No. 156
The City of Jefferson is hereby authorized and empowered
to issue, by its usual Municipal Officers, Notes in the simih-
tude of Bank notes to an amount not exceeding Twenty-five
thousand Dollars, under a denomination not less than One or
greater than Ten Dollars, For the redemption of which one
per cent, of the City Taxes & Revenues shall be pledged and

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 27
set apart. As soon as that sum shall have been realized, public
notice shall be given that said notes will be redeemed in specie
By Order of Maj, Gen, Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From General Butler
Head Qrs. Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, La., June 1862
In the matter of the appeal of W, N, Mercer, President, and
Auguste Montreuil, Cashier, of the Bank of Louisiana, defend
ants, from the judgment of the Provost Court, upon the
complaint of A, Durand, complainant.
This is an application by the defendants, representing the
Bank, made to the General Commanding, asking him to revise
and set aside the judgment of the Provost Court, made in
favor of the Plaintiff, Durand,
It is based upon the legal theory that over all matters
within garrison, camp, and perhaps geographical military
department, wherein martial law has been declared, the power
of the Commanding General is absolute, and that, looking to
him as the representative of the martial power of the govern
ment here, all applications for redress must be made when any
wrong is supposed to have been done.
This view being sound, so far as I can see, I have with the
best thoughts possible under the circumstances re-examined
the case and the reasons assigned for the appeal.
Error is claimed on two grounds, first, that the Provost
Court had no jurisdiction of the cause, and second, that the
judgment was not in accordance with the law which should
govern its decision.
The argument assumes that law to be Genl, Order No, 30,
and does not dispute the authority which made it, or the effect
of that order, but contents itself with endeavouring to con
strue the order.
The objection to the jurisdiction of the Court is put upon
two grounds — first, that the Provost Court has not jurisdic
tion of the subject matter, second, that the proper parties were
not before it so as to enable it to act with regard to the rights
of those, who were not summoned in the case.
It is said that the question, being one of a right of property,
cannot be entertained by a Court which only acts to punish
the infraction of military orders and police regulations,
A technical answer to this objection, which is in the nature

28 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
of a plea to the jurisdiction, would be that it does not appear
this plea was put in till after the hearing upon the merits.
It is a familiar rule that a party shall not be allowed to go
into Court, and have a hearing on his case, take the chances of
a decision in his favor, and then, if adverse, repudiate the
Court before which he has appeared, and to whose judgment
he has submitted his cause.
This rule has been held very strictly, both as to jurisdiction
over the subject matter and the parties.
But in a Court where no technical rules are allowed to work
injustice, a technical answer is not sufficient.
Of what then do the defendants complain? The Bank says
the Court has made an order which takes away the property
of the Bank, and gives it to another, and that the Court has
no power so to act. But is that so? Is it not the Commanding
General's order, which does that of which complaint is made?
The Bank nowhere complains that the General has not the
power to make such an order, if, in his judgment, it becomes a
military necessity, and that some order on the subject matter
was so is shown by the fact that the first question put to him
on entering the city was, what currency would be pro
vided for the people to save them from starvation and bread
riots. It has passed into history that he permitted a vicious cur
rency as a medium of circulation for the purpose of meeting
this exigency. Again, it will be remembered that the Bank
now claims that it is exempted from this order, because, by
order of another Military Commander in September last
(there was no civil law for it), it was obliged to suspend Specie
Payment against its will, and substitute Confederate notes for
its daily currency instead of its own bills. This order was
submitted to if not with joy, at least not under protest, so
far as I am informed.
The order, as well as the law of the land then is, that the
Bank shall pay its depositors in Gold or Silver coin, and
United States Treasury Notes, or its own bills, A citizen com
plains that this order of the Commanding General has not
been obeyed, to his prejudice.
For what, then, is a Provost Court, in Military phrase
constituted? Confessedly, to inquire into, determine, and
punish the infraction of military orders.
To do this the court must act in rem as well as in personam.
A familiar example would be, if the Commanding General

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 29
orders all arms to be given up, and some citizen neglects or
refuses to obey, would it not be within the jurisdiction of a
Provost Court, although its judgment should act upon a right
of property involving miUions of dollars worth of muskets?
If the act brought before the Court, therefore, is alleged to
be an infraction of a military order, it is determinable in a
military Court,
Again, it is said, that the Court has not jurisdiction, because,
the stockholders of the Bank were not summoned in and made
parties, and that their rights and interests will be affected by
this decision. This is all true. But did the learned Counsel
for the Bank ever hear of a suit against a bank in any Court,
where the stockholders were summoned in, unless it was
sought to charge them, individually, which is not the case
here, A corporation acts through its authorized agents, and is
bound by their acts, and is to be charged upon notice to them.
This objection of want of sufficient power in the President
and Directors of the Bank of Louisiana to pay the depositor,
M, Durand, in their own bills, which is only changing the form
of indebtedness from a depositor to a billholder, under the
order of the Provost Court, without the consent of their
stockholders, would provoke a smile in a less serious discussion,
when we remember that this same Board of Directors, with
out asking leave of their stockholders, against law and right,
put 3,000,000 of its bullion out of their hands and out of the
State, whence they will probably never see it again,
I am of opinion that these objections to the jurisdiction of
the Court, are untenable.
The other objection as to the merits of the decision can, it
seems to me, be disposed of in a word. If the order is a proper
one, it must be obeyed. Its propriety cannot be discussed by
me. It is admitted that Durand is a depositor in the Bank of
what the Bank chose to take as money — treated as money
— credited to hira as money — nay forced upon the community
as money. He has not been paid his deposit.
The Bank should pay him in specie. The decision following
the letter of the order, is that the Bank may give him their
own bills instead of money. Of that decision the Bank has
no cause to complain, Durand is now the creditor of the Bank
as a depositor. The decision makes him their creditor as a
billholder. In equity they have nothing to complain of, he
may have, because he does not get his gold, to which by the

30 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
laws of banking, laws of the State and the United States he is
entitled. He does not seek to reverse the decision. Let it stand.
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July ind, 1862
Special Order No. 166
In view of the great distress now existing in New Orleans,
an attempt to relieve it will be made on the following plan:
I, There shall be one Superintendent with entire control,
under the direction of the General Commanding the Depart
ment, He shall have the custody of all monies appropriated
to the subsistence of the poor of the city, and shall be charged
with the purchase of all provisions for the poor of New Orleans,
and with the distribution of the same,
A Return of Provisions received and issued, and the disburse
ments on account of purchases of subsistence, and expenses
incurred in distributing, with an account of all monies received,
will be rendered monthly with vouchers to the Headquarters
of the Department,
IL There shall be an Asst, Superintendent for each dis
trict of the City, appointed by the Superintendent, whose
pay shall be three Dollars per day. It will be his duty to collect
all informations of the poor and needy within his district, and
to give orders to those who are in want upon the District depot
for provisions. These ordfers shall be in Duplicate, one or
which is retained and accompanies his return of donations,
which he makes up daily to the Superintendent, He wiU
also give orders for the sale of provisions under instruction
from the Superintendent,
Cases of destitution shall be certified to either by a Clergy
man of the District, by a responsible person known to the
Asst, Superintendent, by personal observation, or by other
satisfactory evidence to prevent imposition,
III, There shall be in each district of the City a Depot of
Supplies for distribution and Sales, There shall be attached
to each as it may be found necessary, a Salesman in charge of
the Depot at $2,50 per day, one Asst, at $2,00 per day, and
two Assts, at $1,50 pr day, each to be appointed by the Super
intendent, The Salesman will receive orders from the Asst,
Superintendent of his District, and see that they are promptly

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 31
filled. He will render an Account daily to the Superintendent
of all provisions expended, whether by donations or sales,
accompanied by the orders of the Asst, Superintendent, which
shall be his vouchers for the issues of the purchases distrib
uted, as also an account of the monies received. He will
make his requisitions for provisions upon the Superintendent,
Stores properly located will be occupied for these purposes,
taking those vacant and belonging to known enemies of the
^'*"'^*''^- By Order of Maj, Gen, Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, J-uly 2, 1862
Col. Benjamin F, Larned, Paymaster General, U.S.A.
General: I have directed Major Locke to report to you,
and he goes home by the "McClellan,"
By some strange and unaccountable want of knowledge of
the needs of this department, there was not money enough
sent down to pay the troops here up to March last by the
sum of $285,000, as Major Locke reports to me.
Many of them have not been paid since they were in ser
vice, I have by pledge of personal credit got money enough,
with having the allotment paid in New York, to pay the March
Payment, I desire that Major Locke be immediately sent back with
money sufficient for the June payment,
I beg leave to refer you to my letter of this date to the
Secretary of the Treasury for memoranda of the needed action.
(A copy is enclosed,) I have the honor to be.
Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 2, 1862
Hon. Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of Treasury
Sir: Will be found enclosed herewith minutes of the doings
of a Commission to enquire into the seizure of the Specie of
Samuel Smith & Co, The finding is that the Case should be
sent to the Department for investigation, I should have sent
the specie ($50,000) to you, but this remarkable state of
things exists.

32 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Two Paymasters came down here with $285,000 too little
money to pay the troops of this Department, some of whom
have not been paid for six months, and they and their famihes
are suffering for their just dues; which from the inefficiency of
the Pay Department in not making proper requisition has
not been furnished them, I shall therefore appropriate this
$50,000 toward the payment of the troops left unpaid, one of
which is a Western Regiment not paid since December, and
one a Maine one, not paid since October,
I shall borrow of one of the Banks here $50,000 more in
gold. I cannot get Treasury notes upon my own credit and
pledging the faith of the Government,
This I have promised shall be returned in gold in sixty days,
with interest at the rate of six per cent per annum, and trust
that pledge will be made good, as I shall have to suffer the
loss, I shall also obtain from Adams & Co, here $50,000 in Treas
ury notes, or thereabouts, and by leaving the allotments
unpaid here but to be paid in New York, I shall be able to
have the payment completed.
But this only pays the March payment, leaving two months
still due. May I ask therefore that my draft in favor of
Adams & Co, be honored, and a future draft not exceeding in
all $50,000, be honored at sight, so that Adams & Co, can
send forward the remittances to the soldiers' wives, which
have been used here to pay others, and that $50,000 in gold
be sent me to repay that which I have borrowed,
I could not let my soldiers go longer unpaid. It was injur
ing the credit of the Govemment with our foes and breeding
sickness and discontent among my men.
Trusting that this action will meet approval in the emer
gency, am j^^^^ ^^^ Yours,
Benj, F. Butler, Major General Commanding

From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, l.x.July id, 1862
Mr. Asa S. Blake, Agt. Adams Express Company
Sir: I hereby order you to furnish me with the Sum of
twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) at the earliest possible
moment, for which Amount I propose to give you a Check
on the Asst. Treasurer of the United States at New York.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 33
This is in accordance with the terms proposed to you at our
last interview, and I shall hold you for the above amount, as
heretofore stated. „ ^. „ „
nespectfully Yours,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 3, 1862
W. B. Daismore, Esq., President, Adams Express Co.
Dear Sir: I have this day compelled Mr. Asa Blake, your
Agent of this City, to furnish me with the Sum of twenty five
thousand dollars ($25,000), for which amount have handed
him a check drawn upon the Asst. Treasurer of the United
States at New York. He has strongly resisted me in the
matter, not wishing to deviate from his instructions and the
rules of your Company.
ICnowing, however, that the matter as proposed and insisted
upon by me will not conflict in any way with the interest, and
as Necessity knows no laws, I have taken such steps in this
affair as the occasion and the wants of my troops demand.
Respectfully, Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From A. S. Blake
Office of the Adams Express Company, New Orleans La. July 3, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler
General: I hereby protest against the Course proposed
by you regarding the funds placed in my hands by the Officers
and men of your Command for transmission to their wives &
families. The plan suggested is not at all in accordance with my
positive instructions, or our old and excellent method of
making our Money Shipments. To wit:
"Instructions: Agents will in each and every Case transmit
the same funds as received, the same to be placed in the printed
envelope of the Company, properly sealed, with the Com
pany's Stamp."
Sincerely hoping you may be enabled to obtain the amount
required without obliging me to take any steps outside of
our regular routine, I have the honor to remain.
Yours Respectfully,
A. S. Blake, Agent Adams Express Co. N. 0.
VOL. II — 3

34 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From Ponier tSk Co. New York, July 2, 1862
To Major General Butler, Commanding United States Army,
New Orleans
Sib: By the ship "General Butler" from New Orleans,
since arrived in Boston, we are consignees of 104 hogsheads
sugar. The Bill of Lading was made out in the usual form,
and the freight specified — five dollars per hogshead.
On arrival of the ship we placed the sugars in the hands of
our brokers in Boston for sale. When they were landed the
Quarter Master refused to deliver our sugars unless our agent
paid ten dollars per Hogshead freight, — of course, we had
to submit, the sugars being in his possession, the vessel being
under the Government Charter, and a perishable article, —
there was no choice left us but to submit to the wrong. His
refusal was based on the ground that some one in New Orleans
had collected a portion of the freight in advance, and had not
given proper credit for it to the Government; therefore, having
the power in his hands, he forced us — an innocent third
party — to pay over to him what he thinks some one else
has wronged the Government out of.
The name of the party who is charged with collecting these
monies in advance in New Orleans has been given to us, but
it is so respectable that we refrain from repeating it, thinking
that there is a mistake somewhere, and that as soon as expla
nations are made the money will be refunded to us either in
New Orleans or Boston — if in New Orleans, Mr. John Geo.
Haas, 78 Custom House Street, is authorized to receive and
receipt for it. If it is to be repaid in Boston, will you be kind
enough to order that proper papers be made out proving that
there has been no wrong done to the Government in New
Orleans. We have the honor to be.
Your obedient servants, Ponier & Co.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans July 16th, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Messrs. Ponier & Co., New York
Gentlemen: Yours of the 2nd inst. is received, and in
reply will refer you to Richard S. Fay Jr., Esq., of Boston.
Explanations have been sent forward by this mail. If any
wrong has been done you, no matter how "respectable" the

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 35
source, if within the scope of the Department it will be
redressed, I beheve, however, that all has arisen from a mistake of
rights, and the matter will be adjusted.
Respectfully Yours
From General Butler
Headquarters Departmeni of ihe Gulf, New Orlbians, La., July 2, 1862
Mr. J. G, Carney, Boston
My dear Sir: Many thanks for your kind note. You will
have seen by my last note that I have endeavored to protect
my drafts, I assure you that they would be paid at sight if
here now. Therefore, do not let them be dishonored, Hildreth
and Fay will aid in the matter,
I am as jealous of the good opinion of my friends as I am
careless of the slanders of my enemies, and your kind expres
sion in regard to order No, 28, leads me to say a word to you
on the subject.
That it ever could have been so misconceived as it has been
by some portion of the Northern Press is wonderful, and would
lead one to exclaim with the Jew, " O Father Abraham, what
these Christians are, whose own hard dealings teach them to
suspect the very thoughts of others,"
What was the state of things to which the women order
applied? We were two thousand five hundred men in a city
seven miles long by two to four wide, of a hundred and fifty
thousand inhabitants, all hostile, bitter, defiant, explosive,
standing literally in a magazine, a spark only needed for de
struction. The devil had entered into the hearts of the women
of this town to stir up strife in every way possible. Every
opprobrious epithet, every insulting question was made by
these bejewelled, becrinolined, and laced creatures calling
themselves ladies, toward my soldiers and officers, from the
windows of houses and in the street. How long do you sup
pose our flesh and blood could have stood this without re
tort? That would lead to disturbance and riot from which
we must clear the streets by artillery, and then a howl that
we had murdered these fine women, I had arrested the men
who hurrahed for Beauregard, — could I arrest the women?
No — what was to be done? No order could be made
save one that would execute itself. With anxious, careful
thought I hit upon this, "Women who insult my soldiers are

36 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
to be regarded and treated as common women plying their
vocation," Pray how do you treat a common woman plying her voca
tion in the streets? You pass her by unheeded. She cannot
insult you. As a gentleman you can and will take no notice
of her. If she speaks, her words are not opprobrious. It is
only when she becomes a continuous and positive nuisance
that you call a watchman and give her in charge to him.
But some of the Northern Editors seem to think that
whenever one meets such a woman one must stop her, talk
with her, insult her, or hold dalliance with her. And so from
their own conduct they construed my order. The Editor of
the Boston Courier may so deal with common women, and
out of the abundance of the heart his mouth may speak, but
so do not I.
Why, these she-adders of New Orleans themselves were at
once shamed into propriety of conduct by the order, and from
that day no woman has either insulted or annoyed my hne
soldiers or officers, and of a certainty no soldier has insulted
any woman. When I passed through Baltimore on the 23rd
of February last, members of my staff were insulted by the
gestures of the ladies there. Not so in New Orleans. One of
the worst possible of all these women showed disrespect to the
remains of gallant young De Kay, and you will see her punish
ment, a copy of the order for which I enclose is at once a
vindication and a construction of my order,
I can only say that I would issue it again under like cir
cumstances. Again thanking you for your kind interest, I am
Truly your friend
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, June 30th, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Special Order No. 150
Mrs, Philipps, wife of Philipp Philipps, having been once
imprisoned for her traitorous proclivities and acts at Wash
ington, and released by the clemency of the Government, and
having been found training her children to spit upon the
Officers of the United States at New Orleans, for which act of
one of those children both her husband and herself apologized
and were again forgiven, is now found on the balcony of her
house during the passage of the funeral procession of Lieut.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 37
DeKay, laughing and mocking at his remains, and, upon
being inquired of by the Com'd'g General, if this fact were so,
contemptuously replies, "I was in good spirits that day,"
It is therefore ordered that she be not "regarded and treated
as a common woman," of whom no officer or soldier is bound
to take notice, but as an uncommon, bad, and dangerous
woman, stirring up strife and inciting to riot.
And that therefore she be confined at Ship Island in the
State of Mississippi, within proper limits there, till further
orders, and that she be allowed one female servant and no
more, if she so choose. That one of the houses for Hospital
purpose be assigned her as quarters, and a soldier's ration each
day be served out to her with the means of cooking the same,
and that no verbal or written communication be allowed with
her except through this office, and that she be kept in close
confinement until removed to Ship Island,
By Order of Maj, Gen, Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From J. B. Kinsman
Cambridge, July 2, 1862
Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler, New Orleans
My dear General: I arrived in New York on the eighteenth
of June without anything of importance occurring on the pas
sage. Before reaching the city a messenger came on board and
handed me a letter, stating that, by direction from Washing
ton, the State prisoners were to go directly to Fort Luforth
and not to Warren, also that they must be permitted to com
municate with no one. I went on shore and found telegrams
to that effect at the Quarter Master's and the United States
Marshal. I then took them to the Marshal's office, together
with their baggage, and took his receipt for them as voucher.
That occupied my day, and Mrs. Butler not being very well
from her seasickness, I proceeded that night with her to
Boston, and left her the next morning in the Lowell depot,
spending that night in Cambridge. The next day I started
for Washington and arrived there sick, and was obliged to
take my bed for some time. When I delivered my despatches, .
from what I could learn from the Secretary of War's talk, 1
and he talked very freely, he is highly pleased with everything I
you have done. As I left him he said you desired me appointed
Captain, and asked me if I would call the next day, which I

38 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
did, when he made an appointment certainly very satisfac
tory, and ordered me to report to you for duty but to come
to Washington, when I was ready to return. I told him I
would, but for the present I was not fit for duty, and should
go North, and when I could work would return. Secretary
Chase seems greatly pleased with your policy, but wants to
know how you get along with the negroes, and said it was a
hard and troublesome question. I told him you had asked
instructions with regard to it but had received none as yet.
I met him in the evening at Mr. Seward's house, and he told
me he had written you after our talk on the subject, though it
was not his place to write, but gave you his views in an advi
sory note.
I sent in my card to Mr, Seward and was admitted and met
very cordially, and he seemed to know all about me in the
Consul matters, and said he was of the opinion that I could
not search the Consul's person, I asked him what he would
have done with a stout vault and the men with a key in front
of it. He said the Consul had no more right with regard to
property than anyone else, and that I might have torn down
his house and blown his vault to pieces, but he thought I could
not touch his person. He hoped we should make him out as
good a case as possible to stand on. He looks upon all of the
Consul questions as very delicate ones, and spoke of the Trent
matter as one we had to back out from. My impression is
that he is quite timid about the whole matter touching the
Consuls, and I think he will instruct you with regard to them.
He had seen in the paper that you require the Consuls to take
an oath — he says he does not think you can make them do
that. I state these things to give you an idea of what I
heard. Sometimes he seemed highly pleased with what you
had done for the repression of the rebellion in the South.
After I had talked with him a short time he said, "Mr. Kins
man, I want you to dine with me today at seven o'clock."
Although I was quite unwell, I thought it would not do to
decline, and accepted. Went back to Willard's and went to
bed, and at seven went up and found it to be a Diplomatic
dinner to the Enghsh and French Legation, together with the
Colonists Secretaries, making twenty in all. When he took
occasion to introduce me as your actor and the officer that
picks the foreign Consul's pockets, and that they should have
a care for me. As a modest man, you must know my suffering,
though I got well over it before rising from the table. We sat

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 39'
down at seven and arose at ten, very glad to go back to Wil
lard's to bed again. The next day I went to Georgetown to
see Blanche and Florence, and got them ready to start the
next day (Thursday last) for home, where we all went on
Friday night, I was not well on the way home, and since
reaching your house I have been in bed until yesterday. Then
I came down here to Cambridge, and as soon as I am good
for anything I will return to you, I am Sir,
Very truly, Your obt. servt., J, B, Kinsman
From the Secretary of the Treasury
Treasury Department, July ind, 1862
George S, Denison, Esq., Special Agent and Acting Collector
Sir: On the 2nd of June you were informed that Messrs.
Martin and Woods had shipped liquors per Brig, "E, P.
Stewart" to New Orleans, previous to the instructions to
Collectors not to clear Ardent Spirits, which were declared
contraband of War, and you were instructed to permit the
landing of the said liquors, on the condition that they were not
to be shipped elsewhere, nor used to give aid or comfort to
the insurgents, and to inform the Collector at Philadelphia
of the compliance of the consignees with this condition, in
order that he might cancel the bond given to that effect by
Messrs. Martin and Woods.
They now write to this department, saying that they are
advised by their super cargo, under date of June 18th, that the
liquors are detained at the Custom House. You will release
them and permit their delivery and consumption, under the
direction of General Butler, unless there is some good reason
known to you and not known to the Department, for their
further detention, in which case you will report the facts of
the case without delay.
You wiU adopt the same course in regard to the hquors
shipped on board the same vessel by Thomas C. Knight, who
informs me that they are also detained at the Custom House,
and report to the CoUector at Philadelphia, as instructed in
the case of Martin and Woods. I am, Very respectfully,
S. P, Chase, Sec. ofthe Treasury

40 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 3rd, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
I SEND enclosed letters brought by the British Steamer
"Rinaldo," but sent to me in a sealed Package, which will
show how our enemies get their Arms,
I have McLaurin in safe keeping. It will be necessary for
the navy department to look after the "Pacific," which was
at Nassau on the 28th of June, I fear her arms are getting in
through Texas. I have hundreds of such letters implicating
every foreigner almost in this city, with this kind of illegal
traffic. I have the honor to be
Most truly Your Obt. Servt.
B. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Head Quarters Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Jidy llth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Hon. Wm, H, Seward, Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a Statement from Mr.
Archibald McLaurin in relation to the facts contained in the
letter addressed to him which I submitted to you by a previous
mail. I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From Mrs. Butler
Lowell, J'uly 3rd, 1862
Dear Major Strong: I received your very welcome note
four or five days ago, but could not answer it immediately as I
wished, for the reason that I have been ill, and my eyes were
so much inflamed I did not like to use them. I have rallied
for the fourth, and we are preparing a holiday for the children.
Mr. Butler wrote me to have the punch bowl filled, and to be
sure that all drank to the absent one. Tomorrow the General
and Staff were to meet in Lowell, to celebrate the day and to
talk over the campaign, which, alas! is not yet finished.
It gives me great pleasure to hear that your health is so
much improved. I dreaded the sea voyage for you, but felt
that anything was preferable to that climate, yet if I had
thought the "Ocean Queen" would have sailed so soon, I

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 41
should have urged you to wait a week longer. I desired so
much to accompany you that at least you might have what
little care and attention I could bestow.
Poor young Clark, thin as a shadow, came on with us. I
really think we have saved his life by taking him away and
bringing him home to his mother.
I must congratulate Mrs, Strong that she has got you home
again (though sadly wasted by the climate), yet without the
loss of a limb. You remember at the Revere House, on the
night we started, she almost thought she would be willing to
compromise with the loss of an arm, I dare not think of the
summer for Mr, Butler, but am hoping every hour some lucky
chance will send him home. If the news we get today of
McClellan's defeat should be true I shall despair on every side.
The paragraph so kindly sent I enclosed in a letter to Mr.
Butler, He cannot fail to fully appreciate the nice sense of
honor that dictated the article, as well as the very handsome
compliment paid him in conclusion.
When you have enjoyed the quiet of your own family for a
time, and breathed "the pure air" till you feel strong enough
to bear the society of friends, you must take Mrs, Strong and
the baby and visit me at Lowell, Suit your convenience as to
the time, only send me a line when you feel able to come.
Present my very kindest regards to Mrs, Strong and believe
Very sincerely and truly yours,
Sarah Hildreth Butler
From the Secretary of War
War Departinent, Washington City, D,C. July 3rd, 1862
Major General B, F. Butler
General: I wrote you last under date of the 29th ultimo,
and have now to say that your despatch of the 18th ultimo,
with the accompanying report of General Phelps concerning
certain fugitive negroes that have come to his pickets — has
been considered by the President,
He is of opinion that, under the law of Congress, they cannot
be sent back to their masters; that in common humanity
they must not be permitted to suffer for want of food, shelter,
or other necessaries of life: that, to this end, they should be
provided for by the Quartermaster's and Commissary's Depart
ments; and that those who are capable of labor should be set
to work and paid reasonable wages.

42 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
In directing this to be done, the President does not mean,
at present, to settle any general rule in respect to slaves or
slavery, but simply to provide for the particular case under
the circumstances in which it is now presented, I am General,
Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
From General Butler
Headquarters, Departmeni of the Gulf, New Orleans, J'uly 3rd, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: Col, Deming informs me that you would listen kindly
to suggestions as to some appointments upon my Staff, It
is sufficiently humiliating to have to ask that the Staff be
appointed for some other Major General and then assigned
to me.
Longer and as successful service as any other Major Gen
eral in this war would seem to entitle me to be spared that
degradation, while my life is at the hazard of the bayonet, of
the enemy, the poinard of the assassin, or the malaria of the
fearful climate. But the just claims of gentlemen who by
faithful service have fairly earned promotion and position
compels me to yield this as well as everything else given up to
the country,
Lt, Col, Jonas H, French of Boston, you remember, was
appointed Lieut, Col, of the 30th Mass, Regt,, and then set
aside by Governor Andrew, He is now Provost Marshal of
New Orleans and Acting Inspector General, I wish at least
his former rank could be given him,
Jos, M, Bell of Boston (late law partner of Mr. Choate)
has served the country as my military Secretary and Volun
teer Aid de Camp since October last, without pay or emolu
ment save the love of well-doing for his country. He is now
Provost Judge of New Orleans, and is doing most acceptably
the work of judges who had an aggregate of salaries more than
$20,000 per year, and doing it better than it was done before.
I wish that he might have the Commission of Lieut. Colonel.
Robert S, Davis Esq, of Boston, who likewise has served as
my Volunteer Aid without pay or emolument, and is now
doing the arduous duty of Acting Asst, Adjt, General in the
absence of Major Strong who is sick, I would ask to have
made Captain and Aid de Camp,
Captain George A, Kensel of Kentucky, who was Captain

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 43
in the Quartermaster Department, promoted from the 5th
Artillery and now Chief of Artillery of this Division, should
at least be Lieut, Col,, so that he may outrank all Commanders
of Batteries over which he has charge. He is now doing the
double duty of Ordnance Officer as well as Chief of Artillery,
Capt, William O, Fiske of Mass,, who has been serving since
17th April 1861, and came out here in command of the finest
company in the service, was set aside by Governor Andrew
because he was Volunteer Aid to me. He had swam ashore
at Hatteras through the surf to carry orders to the land forces
when none else would attempt it. He has lost his company,
is gallant, courageous, and deserving. He is now employed in
the Quartermaster Department, where he is much needed, with
an acting appointment, I wish that he might be made a
Captain again, and assigned here to relieve Captain Bain-
bridge, who finds his position here somewhat unpleasant, as
his mother is a resident of the neighborhood and opposed to
him; a deserving young man who would do good service
were he placed in a proper position,
Godfrey Weitzel of Ohio, 1st Lieut, of Engineers, one of
the first scholars of West Point, afterwards instructor there;
who commanded the first Company which came to Washing
ton to watch over the life of the President at the inauguration;
who fortified Fort Pickens so that it stood a bombardment
without the loss of a man; one whom the Country owes as
much for our success at New Orleans as any other because
of his intimate knowledge of the Forts and the State: for him
I beg to press that he may be appointed a Brigadier General,
There will be great need of one in the Division, and there
is no abler man for it in the Country, I pray that his case
may be considered. He has earned this in the field, A major
ity of his classmates are now Generals, Colonels, and Lieut,
Colonels, and he is still a Lieutenant, This is unjust. If not
possible to give him to me as Brigadier, at least let him be
made Aid de Camp and Colonel, I have spoken of Lieut.
Weitzel before in my dispatches.
If in anything we have done we have deserved well of the
country, I pray the Secretary to give us these appointments.
All these Staff appointments will be necessary to be made to
some Regular Major General and then assigned to me. I am.
Most truly. Your friend,
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding

44 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From P. R. George to General Butler
Contoocook, July 3rd, 1862
My dear General: I write you as a. friend (a looker-on),
merely as you would see were you here. It is this, is the use
of a friend.
Your shipments are all well save that all the transactions
connected with your authority should be officially expressed in
some way. For instance, if freight is collected in port by any
one bearing your sanction, or if goods be shipped to any port,
your Quartermaster should take cognizance of the fact and
communicate it to the Quartermaster, where it is going for
his government. All this, by a moment's reflection, you will
perceive the need of, particularly if it is going into unfriendly
hands. If you could suggest that McKim be sent to you for opera
tions in the field, and some man sent to Boston by Quarter
master General, as Q. M. it would be better for you. No
matter who the Q. M. sent, he would not be an Andrew man.
Kinsman was well-received at Washington, by which all this
shows how you stand there.
He will write you all the particulars I don't know, have not
seen him. I am still of opinion that Seward is the power
behind the throne, and a good friend of yours. Have you
made of him a confidante sufficiently? He may not be all
you want, I think he is all you have.
Fremont is "snuffed out." McClellan has been repulsed
not routed. Gloom all over and a little fear is now the condi
tion of public mind. You stand well generally, are well spoken
of by the middle class, in the cars, in the barrooms, at the
corners, etc., as "the right man in the right place." This
embodies the gist of what is said and how they feel. I have
not seen Strong since his return. We have had a Une from
him, he writes in good spirits and is getting better. His letter
in the Tribune was good, full and friendly to you. You must
have seen it. The army of the Potomac is the all-engrossing
topic just now. General, ask for an expedition to Texas during
the summer, and take Bell with you. He and you are both
too good to lose. If I knew any points in particular you wanted
knowledge concerning, I would try and obtain it. You must
write if you want to know anything in particular. Your wife
and children are well, your affairs all easy, as I understand
from inquiry.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 45
The future is stUl in great obscurity. No light can I dis
cover. Three hundred thousand more men are called for.
Gushing agrees now with me that Seward is the power behind
the throne. Until the fight for R,ichmond all wiU be in statu
quo. My dear General, remember me to all my acquaintances
there that you are on terms to do so with, and believe me,
ever your watchful, and unchanged in feehng and in friendship,
P, R, George
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, July ith, 1862
Colonel Edward F, Jones
My Dear Col,: I seize the occasion to write you what I
desired to say, on paper, when you left about your promotion.
No one deserves it more nor in my judgment would fill
better the position of Brigadier General than yourself.
You started up at the first sound of the trumpet and brought
to the place of rendezvous the first armed Regiment that
answered the Country's Call by the President's Proclamation,
I need not speak of your passage through Baltimore with
the Sixth Mass, — that has passed ipto history. Since that
day continually in the Service you have filled every post and
performed every duty to the entire satisfaction of your
Commander, I selected your Regiment to lead the laborious and perilous
landing at Fort St, Philip, and to you the Garrison of Jackson
surrendered, I hope the President will reward your gallant
conduct by promotion. I have the honor to be
Yours Respt., Benj, F, Butleb, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Dept. ofthe Gvlf, New Orleans, J^uly ith, 1862
Mr. Mayor Hosford, Lowell
My dear Mr, Mayor: I send by Capt, Haggerty a Map of
New Orleans which I hope you wiU have placed in the City
Library, On this day my heart yearns to be with you and my fellow
citizens at home, I am almost sick as I write the word at
the thought of loved ones and friends, God bless you aU,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.

46 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of ihe Gvlf, New Orleans, July ith, 1862
My DEAREST Sarah: I am weU, very weU. Working harder
and harder. I am in Genl. Twiggs' house, very comfortable.
TeU Fisher he has made a mistake. Flour is here quiet at
$25 per barrel.
I hope the punch bowl is fuU, and you are celebrating the day.
I must not write more on this topic. My heart is too, too full.
I send you some extracts from papers you may not have seen.
Give my regards to Capt, George, Love to Blanche and the
children, and believe me, your heartsick tJusband
I send a few trinkets. The ruby ring ^ is for Nina.
From George Coppell
British Consulate, New Orleans, July Sth, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Sir: Captain Hewett of Her Majesty's Ship "Rinaldo"
had informed me that, in conversation with you on the sub
ject of a letter which I had the honor to address to you on the
14th of June, you stated that the letter contained an offensive
expression. Whilst under this impression you caused a reply
to be made to that letter which threw doubt upon my official
position, and temporarily suspended communication between
yourself and this Consulate,
I now have the honor to inform you that I had no idea that
such a construction as insulting could or would have been
placed upon the letter in question, and as there was no such
intention, on my part, I willingly withdraw any expressions
in that letter which you may consider offensive, I have the
' ' Your most obedt. Servant,
George Coppell, H. B. M. Actg. Consul
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, J'uly 7th, 1862
[Not iu chronological order]
To George Coppell, H. B. M. Acting Consul
Sir: Your note received Saturday removes all difficulty of
personal intercourse. The withdrawal of the offensive expres
sion is sufficient, and accepted.
1 See letter from Gen. Butler to Mrs. Butler, July 28, 1862.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 47
Commander Hewitt, of H, B. M. Sloop of War "Rinaldo,"
now in this harbor, informs me that he is instructed by Lord
Lyons to recognize you as Acting Consul of her Majesty the
Queen of Great Britain, and that Commander Hewitt does
recognize you in that official character. This seems sufficient
for the reestablishment of official relations.
I beg leave to correct a seeming misunderstanding that the
expression of that note had anything to do with my doubts of
your official character. You will remember that thoSe doubts
had been expressed before that time, and no evidence of that
character had been furnished, except the superscription upon
two letters directed to yourself with the address, "Acting
Consul;" that did not seem to me sufficient.
To your inquiry whether all neutrals (British subjects)
wishing to go to New York or abroad, fumished with proper
passports from their Government, will be required to take
the oath prescribed for aliens in General Orders, No, 41 & 42,
it is answered, that a pass differs from a passport, as I had the
honor to explain in my letter to the Consuls upon this subject,
and that as a rule the oath would not be required. Such per
sons will be allowed to pass on board Ships to go abroad or
to New York, whom in my judgment it is not necessary to
retain here from some act either done or contemplated to be
done in favor of the Confederate States, — for example buying
arms, forwarding money, or intelligence, I have the honor
° ^' Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
Benjamin F, Butler, Major General Commdg.
From D. G. Farragut
Flagship Habtpord, Above Vicksburg, July 5, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler
Dear Genl, : Your people have accomplished a great work in
cutting the ditch. I saw it yesterday, but I fear the water will
fall faster than they can dig; still it is a great work and a small
rise will accomplish the object. Our land force is too small to
do anything with this place — we passed the town on the 28th,
and silenced the batteries as we came up with them, but they
soon returned to them and fired on us after we had passed. We
have met the squadron from above, they acrived here on the 1st,,
and we have been shelling the town or Forts ever since. There
is no telling the force they have here; they tell so many stories
about Beauregard's army being here — some say 10 and some

48 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
30,000 men —there may be 10,000 men here, but not more. We
hear nothing yet from Genl, HaUeck, but expect to tomorrow.
Flag Officer Davis' vessels are formidable looking crafts.
The reproduction taken in the illustrated papers is very good.
I am only waiting to hear from the Dept. to act again upon
them. I vnsh you could give Capt. Morris some assistance to
get our supplies up to us, of ammunition and stores of all
kinds. We gave them a fine brush on the 28th, but did not
do much in the way of reducing them.
Very respectfully and truly your Obt. Servt.
D. G. Farragut, Flag Officer
From General Butler
Headquarters, Departmeni qf the Gvlf, New Orleans, J-uly Sth, 1862
The Editors of the Picayune
Gentlemen: There is in the City, and you have had in
your Office, an Extra which sets right all th^ news from Rich
mond down to July 2,
Why desire to publish false intelligence as [are] "the reliable
man" lies of June 30th, Publish anything but the Richmond
dispatches, and you may publish them if you will- publish
Respectfully
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
By General Butler
Headquarters, Departmeni of the Gulf, New Orleans, J^uly Sth, 1862
In the matter of the Union Bank vs, the Mechanics Bank
In this case it seems to me that a remedy must reside some
where. The ordinary Civil Courts to whose decision in cases
between party and party the proclamation left civil right, have
ceased to be efficient. Their Judges have refused to qualify
themselves. Here are two quasi-public corporations, whose
action in regard to the currency the Commanding General
has undertaken to regulate.
If he can regulate in one regard then he can in another,
and this case seems to call for his interposition. There seems
to be a misunderstanding of the powers of the Provost Court,
The Judge of that Court has full power to try all questions,
sitting to hear them as the Commanding General might, if
time permitted. Let the cause be entertained.
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 49
From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Dept. ofthe Gulf, New Orleans La., July 6th, 1862
Colonel I. W. McMillan
Colonel: Whilst you were stationed at Algiers among the
houses that were searched for concealed weapons was one
occupied by S. H. Harvey, from which quite a number of smaU
articles were taken, a list of which I enclose; they are claimed
by Mr. Harvey as belonging to the brother-in-law, and were
to be forwarded to France,
Upon inquiry, I am informed that they were taken to
Baton Rouge by Lt, Hartley of your Regt, You will inquire
into the matter, and return the articles if possible; if not,
inform me what disposition has been made of them, I am
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Svt.,
By order of Maj. Gen, Butleb
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
List referred to in Foregoing Letter
The Residence of Mr. S, H, Harvey, Parish of Jefferson,
June 6th, 1862
Viz, From the effects of Mr, M, A, Destrihan, a resident of
Paris, France, left in charge of S, H, Harvey one case contain
ing one revolver with implements, &c,, one small do French
with Scabbard, one small powder flask, one Morocco Scabbard
& Belt for the revolver in the case taken from S, H, Harvey's
office, one old Cavalry Sword left by S, H, H,'s father-in-law
who died in 1847, one small 4inst, Colt Revolver taken from
his Table drawer, one small Pistol Rifle Barrel taken from his
overseer's house, several Parlour Ornaments & a Chased Paper
Folder from his desk. One of the Ornaments from his parlour
was a shell presented to his wife by her only brother now dead,
with the Lord's Prayer engraved thereon.
From Captain Davis
Head Qts. Dept. of ihe Gulf, New Orleans July Hst, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Provost Marshal, Algiers, La,
Sir: Herewith I send you one Revolver, Implements, &c,
in case, 1 Colt Revolver, 1 Pocket Pistol, 2 Parlor Ornaments,
which articles together with others were taken from the Resi
dence of S, H, Harvey, Jefferson Parish, by Lt, Hartley of the

50 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
21st Regt. Ind. Vols., at the time that Regt. was stationed at
Algiers. The articles sent, are aU that could be recovered, and you
are hereby directed to return them to the owner. I am
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.,
R. S. Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From Captain R. S. Davis
Hd. Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 6th, 1862
Col. McMillan
Sir: Three or four letters have been received from you in
which you ask for reinforcements, particularly cavalry. We
have no more mounted men here than are absolutely neces
sary for our service, so that the best we can offer you, is to send
you horses and equipments, and let you mount some of your
own Regiment, which shall be done as soon as possible. The
Quartermaster of your post has told me today that you have
already seized some 40 horses and given them to some of your
men; this is right, and if you can seize any more, do so and
we can furnish you with Saddles, &c. We will also send you
another Regiment, the 14th Maine, in a day or two. We
hear rumors that an attack might be made on you, but it is
to come from Camp Moore. One thing is certain, the General
has reliable information that they cannot arm but 3300 Men
there, for they have no more weapons than that number. I
Very Respectfully, Your Obt. Servant,
R. S. Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From Lieutenant Wiegel
Hd. Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 7th, 1862
Capt. Morris U.S.N. , Senior Offi.cer & Comdg. of the U. S.
Fleet at N. O.
Sir: I am directed by the Comdg. Gen. to inform you that
he has received positive information that the C. S. Steamer
"Webb" and other Gunboats are in the Red River near the
mouth, awaiting an opportunity to capture U. S. Army &
Naval Transports. I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servant,
W. H. Wiegel, 1st Lt. & A. D. C.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 51
From George W. Childs Philadelhu, July 7th, 1862
Maj. Gen. B. F. Butleb
Dear Sir: At the request of Dr. Brownlow I send you by
this day's mail an autograph copy of his work, which he pre
sents to you as a token of his high appreciation of you as a
man and a soldier.
He often says you are "just his style," and I know you are
a man after his own heart. If you should ever be willing that
your name should be used in connection with the Presidency,
you would not have a more efficient supporter than the famous
Parson Brownlow,
I enclose you an announcement of Mr, Lossing's proposed
"History of the Great Rebellion," and if you are sufficiently
acquainted with Mr, Lossing's previous works to give an
opinion of what may be expected from his pen and pencil on
so important a subject, I shall be glad to hear from you.
With high respect, y^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^ Childs
From General Maignan New Orleans, J'uly Sth, 1862
To Major General B, F. Butler, Comdg. Dept. of the Gulf
General: In consequence of your general order No, 40,
I issued some time ago, an order to all the Colonels under my
command, requesting them to send me a statement of all the
arms in the possession of their men. Upon receiving said
statement, I had the honor to transmit it to you. Those
arms were stored in the arsenal of the "French Legion" on
Rampart street, I had thought. General, that they would
have been left in our possession, because they are mostly
private property, and because, since the war broke out, we
have strictly compUed with our duties as neutrals.
But such is not the case; for, yesterday at 5 p,m, those
arms were seized upon and taken away by an officer and
squad of the troops under your command, and I understand
that the reason is that the U, S, authorities deemed unsafe to
leave said arms in the above arsenal, because there was no
guard to watch over them either by day or by night.
Now, General, this being the case, I can assure you that,
if those arms are returned to us, I will take the proper steps

52 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
to safeguard them, either by placing a guard at the arsenal
or by distributing them among reliable men.
Very respectfully
Gen. Maignan, Gen. French Brigade

From Jacob Barker New Orleans, July Sth, 1862
To Major Genl. Butler, New Orleans
Dear Sir: I directed the new book sent you because some
of the entries in your old Pass Book were made by your clerk.
It is usual for the entries made in Pass Books issued by Banks
to be made exclusively by Bank Clerks.
I return to you the old book that you may see that aU the
items correspond. If you examine your checks, you will per
ceive that you have drawn $7,188.37 in gold, & $252.19 Treas.
notes more than is credited, and that you have a credit in
Bank Notes of $5,581,75, & $1,360,00 in silver more than you
have drawn when your book was last balanced.
The object of the memorandum on the first page of the
new book sent you was not to eUcit any implied contract
or to impose any obligation — ' a mere memorandum which I
thought would be useful to your Clerk in balancing your own
books. The gold has arrived for your bills on Boston, leaving us
no profit by the operation.
Very respectfully. Your obt. servt.,
Jacob Barker
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, July 9, 1862
General Orders No. 48
All dividends, interest, coupons, stock certificates, and
accrued interest, due any or payable by any incorporated or
joint stock company, to any citizen of the United States; and
any notes, claims, and accounts of any such citizen, due from
any such company or any private person or company within
this Department, which have heretofore been retained under
any supposed order, authority, act of sequestration, garnishee
process, or in any way emanating under the supposed Confed
erate States, or the State of Louisiana since the fraudulent
ordinance of secession, are hereby ordered to be paid and

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 53
dehvered respectively to the lawful owners thereof, or their
duly authorized agents.
By command of Major-General Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. and A. A. A. G.
From J. N. Victor
Office of the Assistant Quartermaster, Pittsburg, Penn. July 9ih, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler
General: I wish to tender to you, & through you to the
brave officers and soldiers under your command, the sincere
thanks of myself & family for the protection and courtesy
shown my sisters before and during the recent bombardment
of Baton Rouge. Their loyalty subjected them not only to
loss of property but to danger of their lives. They write me
it is due to the land and naval forces under your command
that they were protected. I can assure you. Sir, it is a matter
of great pride to see with what implicit confidence loyal people
of the South look to our forces for protection, & how secure
they feel under that protection. Should occasion require it,
& it lay in your power to do so, I pray you to take my sisters
under your special protection. Knowing your laborious, trying
duties, I must ask pardon for even troubling you with this
short letter; under no other circumstances would I presume
to trouble you, I am sir, with great respect.
Yours etc., J. N. Victor
From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 10th, 1862
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the des
patches of the department of June 10th & 23rd, received on
the 7th of July. Being the first that came, they were very
grateful, and the approval of the department of my acts was
most sustaining. I have forwarded the Commission and
accompanying papers to Col. Shepley.
Enclosed please find report of Gen. Williams of his opera
tions in conjunction with the fleet up the river, and with the
sketches which show what has been done. Everything is
quiet here. We have rumors of attempts to be made upon
Baton Rouge, and I have strengthened the force there by the
addition of a regiment and Battery so that they have now

54 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
their three Regiments, 4 pieces of Artillery, & a Company of
Cavalry, This large force is sent there rather to reUeve the anxieties
of the Inhabitants than in any behef that it is necessary; be
sides it wiU be a good point to move from when necessary
toward their interior.
One Castles, a planter whose property we destroyed, and
whose habitation we rooted out because he was the leader of
a band of Guerillas, and which by his command flred into an
unarmed boat of Flag Officer Farragut, has come in and vol
untarily given himself up, and asked only amnesty for his
life. He is in confinement,
I desire to renew my request for an experienced Brig. Gen.,
such as Lieut. Weitzel would be if he held that Commission.
^ ^™ Most truly Your Obt. Servt.
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. ofthe Gulf, New Orleans, July 10th, 1862
General Arnold, Comdg. U. S. Forces, Pensacola
General: I am now organizing a force of several thousand
Louisiana Volunteers, and want very much an officer of the
regular Service as mustering and disbursing Officer for this
Department, You would confer a great favor by ordering an
Officer here immediately, and making the Order subject to
the Approval of the Secretary of War, I want a regular
Officer, as none other can muster Officers in or out of Service,
Very Respt. Yours,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 23rd, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Brig. Gen. Arnold, Comdg. U. S. Forces at Pensacola
General: The "Creole" sails this morning. I am very
sorry that you did not feel yourself at liberty to spare me a
single Officer, I assure you, one is much needed here. I
have no Officers of the Army here save two Gentlemen of
my personal Staff, and who are each doing double duty and
sometimes triple. It will be impossible to answer your requi-

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 55
sitions, as I suppose my Chiefs of the several Departments
have written. I am General
Your Obt. Servt., Benj. F. Butler
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
New Orleans, Twiggs' House, July 10, 1862
My dear, dear wife: Whether this note wiU ever get to
you as it goes by the "Rhode Island," is more than I can tell.
We are now fairly installed in housekeeping. Caroline is
housekeeper and seven or eight Blacks. The city is healthy
to a degree never known before. I am quite as well as when
you were here,
I hope you got your trinkets by Col, Deming, who has
gone home for good. He has behaved very well, however.
Tell Fisher that Andrew is in [treaty] to sell one half of the
"Saxon" for $20,000. Shepley, as you will have learned,
has been appointed Military Governor. Haggerty has gone
home. Wiegel is sick.
I have received despatches ^ from the War department,
approving of all I have done, on the 7th of July.
I see no prospect of getting home, so you must get yourself
as lively as possible, have parties, rides, picnics, and all pleas
ures to console yourself for the loss.
I can give you no news here, as the papers tell it all and
more too. I send a few slips which will do for the "scrap
book." Kiss the children for me, and Blanche — tell her that her
uncle has a new side-saddle for her. Goodbye. I am.
Most affectionately. Your husband
From J. Ad. Rozier New Orleans, J-uly 10th, 1862
Maj. General B. F. Butler, Commanding Gulf Department
Sir: Messrs. S. H. Kennedy & Co. of New Orleans are
indebted in the sum of about $9000 to Messrs. A. G, Farwell
& Co,, of Boston, They wish to pay these northern creditors,
and request you, in writing, to pay over the money, in case
you have come to the conclusion that they are entitled to
have the amount reimbursed to them.
Upon reflection, we think that you wiU be of the opinion
' Despatches from War Department, June 10 and June 23, 1862.

56 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
that the Govemment cannot forfeit the amount — - no act of
Congress we humbly suggest can authorize the seizure. We
should like to have a fuU hearing of the matter, so as to present
our views. In case you should deem it proper to refer the
matter to the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, it would meet with our
entire satisfaction — we understand that similar difficulties or
matters have been referred to him. But independent of this,
we pray for an investigation of the claims of Messrs. S. H.
Kennedy & Co. We direct your attention to the communi
cation of Messrs. S. H. Kennedy and Co.
Very Respectfully Yours, J. Ad. Rozier,
of Counsel for Messrs. A. G. Farwell and Co.
No, 5 Commercial Place
From Honorable Reverdy Johnson
Commissioners Office, Custom House,
New Orleans, July 10, 1862
To Major General Butler
Sib: As Commissioner appointed by the President of the
United States, to enquire into, and report to the Government,
on certain proceedings which have heretofore been had between
yourself and the foreign Consuls residing in this City, and
particularly such as relate to the Consul of the Netherlands,
I hereby have the honor to inform you that I am ready to
enter at once on the duty, and will be glad to hear from you,
oraUy or in writing, all the information you may be able to
give me, and at your earliest convenience. With high regard.
Your Obedient Servant,
Reveedy Johnson, Comms. etc.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, J-uly 26, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Randall Hunt, Esq.
I HAVE a check drawn payable to your clients, S. H. Kennedy
& Co., for which I wish you would send me a receipt, with a
certificate of the oath of allegiance.
It is the fine refunded by the decision of Hon. Reverdy
Respectfully yours, Benj. F. Butleb

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 57
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Oulf, New Orleans, July 10, 1862
Special Obdeb No. 179
John H, Labue, being by his own confession a Vagrant, a
person without visible means of Support, and one who gets
his living by playing cards, is committed to the Parish Prison,
till further orders,
Anne Larue, his wife, having been found in the public
Streets wearing a Confederate flag upon her person in order
to incite riot, which act has already resulted in breach of the
peace and danger to the hfe of a Soldier of the U, S,, is sent
to Ship Island till further orders. She is to be kept separate
and apart from the other women confined there.
By Order of Maj, Gen, Butleb
R, S. Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 30th, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Mrs. Labue
In answer to your application: if you are in a condition of
mind to return to New Orleans and so conduct yourself as
not to incite riot or attention in the streets, or in any way
demean yourself otherwise than properly, upon giving such
pledge to the Commandant of the Post at Ship Island you may
be discharged. Your Physician has permission to visit Ship
Island if you prefer to remain there. I have ordered the
discharge of Mr. Larue. ^^^^ p ^^^^^^
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Jrdy 11, 1862
Special Order No. 181
Col. j. W. Shaffer, a Quartermaster, wiU cause to be
sold at public auction aU such seized confiscated property as
may come into his hands, not wanted for use of the United
States troops in this department. By order of Maj. Gen. Butler
R. S. Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.

58 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From Moses Bates Baton Rouge, La,, July 11, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F. Butler
Dear Sir: I am under the necessity of reporting that the
Penitentiary cotton factory will be suspended from and after
the present week for want of cotton.
Cotton is being destroyed by the lawless bands of Guerillas,
almost within the military lines, but no effort is made by the
military authorities here to suppress or punish these increasing
depredations, any farther than is deemed necessary to carry
on the speculations, legitimate and illegitimate, by officers in
the regiments. • t> m 7i
° Respectfully yours,
Moses Bates, Financial Agent & Supt.
From R. S. Davis
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July liih, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Col. McMillan, Commanding Forces at Baton Rouge
Sir: You will see to it that nothing of Cotton is shipped
from Baton Rouge unless the same is at first offered to the
use of the Penitentiary at the price for which it is bought.
This is imperative alike upon CiviUans and Officers, if any
are engaged in buying, and for its due execution you wiU be
held responsible. I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
R. S. Davis, Capt. and A. A. A. Gen'l.
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July Iith, 1862
Messrs. J. N. Lea, Chas, Sumonville, J, Ad, Rozier,
Committee of Administration of Charity Hospital
Messieurs : Your note of to-day in behalf of the Charity Hos
pital, showing the state of its funds, caUs for immediate action.
You wiU please find below an order on the Provost Marshal
for Five thousand doUars, from the sums collected from
licenses, to support the Hospital temporarily.
You wiU of course apply this amount to the present needs of
the institution, so that it may be in working order for the use of
our fellow-citizens as may be stricken down by disease in this hot
season. Believe me, rr r, » „
Very Respectfully, Yours,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Comdg.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 59
From General G. F. Shepley
Head Quarters Military Commandant of New Orleans, City Hall, ISth day of July 1862
Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler, Comdg. Dept. of the Gulf
General: Having been commissioned by the President of the
United States as Military Governor of Louisiana, I have the
honor respectfully to resign the Office of Military Commandant
of New Orleans, which I hold under your appointment. This
resignation to take effect on the appointment of my successor.
I avail myself of this occasion to express to you my most
sincere gratitude for the constant and uninterrupted confidence
you have reposed in me, and your many and oft repeated
acts of kindness and courtesy since I have had the honor to
serve under your command.
If in the discharge of the arduous and frequently difficult
and intricate duties which you have been pleased to devolve
upon me, I have in any degree contributed to the success of
your brilliant achievements and your successful, firm, and
humane administration of the Department of the Gulf, it
will be one of the proudest, as the remembrance of your many
kindnesses will be one of the most pleasant memories of my
life. With great respect I have the honor to be
Your Obedt. Servant, George F. Shepley,
Military Governor of Louisiana
From General Butler
Headq-uarters Dept. of the Oulf, New Orleans, Jidy 13, 1862
Brigadier General Neal Dow, Commanding Forts Jackson and
St. Phillip
I AM informed that wines and liquors have been distributed
between officers and the prisoners in the Forts. I depend on
your well-known temperance principles to have a stop put to
this most pernicious and criminal practice. I have the honor
*° "® Very respectfully. Your obedient servant,
Benj. F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 13th, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: Will you have the kindness to send me a certified copy
of the parole given by Daniel C, Lowber of New Orleans, who

60 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
was released from Fort Warren, with instructions how to
dispose of him. He now seems to think that he has been sent
down here for the purpose of visiting his wife, and is quite
indignant that I did not send him home to his family. I have
the honor to be.
Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
Benjamin F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From the Assistant Secretary of War
War Department, Washington, D.C, J-uly i6th, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Maj. General B. F. Butler
General: In compUance with the request contained in
your letter of the 13th instant, the Secretary of War directs
me to transmit herewith a certified copy of the Parole given
by Daniel C. Lowber, when released from Fort Warren, in
January last; and to say that he was sent to New Orleans
in order that he might be under your surveillance.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
C. P. WoLCOTT, Asst. Secretary of War
Parole referred to in Foregoing Letter
Fort Warken, Boston Harbor, January 10th, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
I, D. C. Lowber, prisoner confined at Fort Warren, do sol
emnly swear that I will leave the United States within the
period of fifteen (15) days from this date, and go directly to
the Kingdom of Great Britain; that I will remain in that
Kingdom until the cessation of the present hostiUties between
the Government of the United States and the persons in insur
rection against its authority; that I will not correspond with,
or be engaged in any correspondence hostile or injurious to
the Government of the United States, with persons residing
in the insurrectionary States during the present hostilities,
without permission from the Secretary of State, and further
that I will do no act hostile or injurious to the Government
of the United States. So help me God.
D. C. Lowber
Sworn before me, January 10th, 1862, J. Dimick, Col. 1st Arty, and Bat. Col.,
Comdg. Fort Warren.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 61
From the Council of Ten
N. Orleans, July 13th, 1862
Genl. Butler
Sir: You, or one of your SateUites, condemned a New
Orleans citizen, a few days since, to six months' imprisonment
for having given a pair of shoes to a bare footed Confederate
prisoner. Now, it seems to be a settled purpose with you not only to
rob us in the name of the poor, but to incarcerate our people
on the most frivolous pretext. In fact, committing acts of
barbarism that would shame an African or a Hottentot Indian,
I hereby notify you that the first individual of this city
condemned hereafter by you or yours, for showing sympathy
to the Confederate cause, I, in the name of our association
will declare to you the Vendetta,
As you, with your boasted Northern Civihzation, are inaugu
rating the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition, we, ever true to
our cause, will retaliate with the Corsican Vendetta.
Do not flatter yourself this to be an empty threat. Once
your sentence passed by this tribunal, your fate is sealed. My
arm can reach you even in your fanatical native State.
Your proclamation demanding the surrender of our arms,
we treat with contempt. We have arms, yes thousands of
them, but we defy you to flnd out where until we see fit to
show them. And then, villanous coward, let your minions
look to themselves, for we shall have ten lives for every act of
President of the Council of Ten
From E. H. Derby
Boston, Mass., July Iith, 1862
Maj. Genl. Butler
My Dear Sir: I hasten to inclose a letter this morning
received from a friend of Judge Andrews of New Orleans, who
I presume is now at Ship Island.
Judge Andrews is a native of Boston, the son of a prominent
merchant late of this City. Two of his brothers, graduates of
Cambridge, have been my partners. Another brother, our Con
sul at Malta, was for many years a prominent, popular Demo
crat, & is an intimate friend of Secretary Seward. I am acting
as trustee of his mother, a lady between eighty and ninety years
of age, and have known the Judge for the last 40 years.

62 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
It is due to him to say that I have ever found him a frank,
manly, and generous fellow, and have learned from others
that in past years, when the yellow fever has prevailed at
New Orleans, he has devoted himself to many Northern naen
regardless of personal exposure, and evinced a self sacrificing
spirit. May I venture to ask you to review his case, to confront
him with his accuser. I fear that he may suffer from the malig
nity of some secret foe, for I cannot reconcile the offence with
which he is charged with his past life.
If his case cannot be reviewed, may I not ask for him some
modification of the sentence. He has not been accustomed to
labor, is of Northern constitution, and a Sentence for two
years to Ship Island will, I fear, prove a sentence of death.
If he is to be punished, might not his sentence be commuted
to imprisonment at New Orleans or Fort Warren? While
making this request, you will understand me to have no sym
pathy with secession, and that with our community I heartily
endorse your policy at New Orleans, but the past of Judge
Andrews I feel warrants some revision of his case, or at least
some mitigation of his sentence. I have the honor to be
Very respectfully Yours, E. H. Derby
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
New Orleans, J-uly ind, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
To E. H. Derby, Esq., Boston
Dear Sir: Judge John W. Andrews requests me to write
you these few lines. He is sentenced to two years' hard labor
on Ship Island. The charge against him is that he exhibited
in the Louisiana Club in this City a cross which came enclosed
to him in a letter from Virginia, and which letter stated that
the cross was made from "a bone of a Yankee!"
I am myself a member of the Louisiana Club, and have
made diligent enquiries whether any one had ever seen such a
thing exhibited there, and there is not a single person con
nected with the Club, including the servants, who has ever
seen or heard of this cross.
The Judge says he received the cross, and though the letter
stated that the boys in Camp wished the writer to say that it
was made of the bone of a Yankee, he considered it was made
of Ivory, looked no different. The only way in which he might
ever have shown it is, perhaps (according to his memory), that

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 63
some one might have been in his Company as he received the
letter at the Post Office, or he might have shown the letter
and the cross at his office when they were received, but never
did he hawk the cross about the streets, least of all show it
with any spirit of exultation. That he is incapable of such
fiendish, inhuman joy, you know from his personal character.
The sentence is a very severe one. The Judge's health is
quite feeble, and he is physically unable to endure such punish
ment. At the same time, his friends cannot prevail upon
Genl, Butler to alter his sentence at this time. Perhaps, after
a while, he will be better disposed to reconsider his case. There
have been some aggravated cases of this kind before the
General lately, he has dealt with them all alike.
If you could, prevail on the War Department or on Genl,
Butler, if not to revoke the sentence at least moderate it in
view of the Judge's health, as well as in view of his not being
guilty in the light in which Genl, Butler received the accusa
tion. He can certainly not live long on Ship Island; if nothing
better can be done for him, he will be thankful to you if you
will endeavor to have him transferred to Fort Warren,
The Judge would have written to you himself, but he is
now a prisoner, & his communications have to pass through
General Butler's Department, Yours respectfully, H. Bonzano
From W. T. Seacock
New Orleans, Jidy 19, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Major General Butler
My Dear Sir: I have failed to get signature to the letter
which I submitted to your inspection. AU with whom I have
conversed on the subject condemn the unfeeling and revolting
remark of Mr. Andrews, but they are unwilling to admit, as
that letter expressed, the necessity of punishment, because
that remark, however offensive, was made some months before
you came hither — a fact of which I was myself ignorant
when I wrote the letter, having supposed that it was of recent
occurrence. I must, therefore, leave Mr. Andrews to your clemency,
and I hope, General, that the integrity of his character, the
feebleness of his health, and the amiability of your own heart,
which recognizes punishment only as a preventive of crime,
and which has suggested this punishment of Mr. Andrews'

64 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
from the pure motive alone of keeping peace between the
Inhabitants and your Soldiers, wiU procure for him a release,
believing that what has already been done is enough to deter
others from a paramount offence. I have the honor to remain
With great respect Your obedt. Servant,
W. T. Seacock

From Colonel Henry Rust, Jr.
Head Quarters, Ship Island, Miss., July Iith, 1862
Maj. Genl. B, F, Butler
Sir: Upon being left in command at this place, I find in
my custody thirteen male prisoners, aU of them sentenced
to hard labor, and there are orders that two of them shaU
not be allowed communication with any one upon the Island,
Regretting my inabiUty to carry out these orders so strictly
as I could wish, I have felt it my duty to inform you of the
insecure position of the prisoners, and the difficulty, if not
impossibiUty of having your instructions fully compUed with.
The Fort, in its present state of incompleteness, has no
accommodation for them whatever. They are at present con
fined, as I found them, all in one smaU wooden building,
away from the main guard, I have been compelled to con
tinue to keep them there, as I have no other more suitable
quarters, no men to build them, and not men enough to guard
them were they separated.
Of the two Companies left in my Command, only three
Commis, Officers, three Sergeants, seven Corporals, & fifty-
four privates are reported "present for duty," so that, leaving
no margin for increase of sickness, by putting one-half my
available men on guard each day, which with their other
duties makes as much fatigue and exposure as in this cUmate
and season they can bear, I can have nine posts in all! but
two for outpost duty, two for these prisoners, no Camp guard
or guard at Head Quarters, and barely sufficient left to guard
the stores about the wharf and buildings, and the female
prisoners in their separate quarters,
I am aware. Sir, that I am violating the "general rule"
in addressing this communication directly to yourself, but I
trust that the greater distance of my immediate superior and
the difficulty of communication may prove a sufficient excuse.
Should it still be deemed desirable to keep these prisoners
upon the Island, I would be glad if some means could be

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 65
suggested to reUeve me from my present embarrassment, I
have the honor to be. General,
Very respectfully. Your obedient Servant
Henry Rust Jr,, Col. 13th Me. Reg. Comd'g at Ship Island
Answer: "Will send you as soon as possible two Companies
of recruits to aid you in your duties," B, F, B,
From Richard S. Fay, Jr. Brookline, Friday Evening
My dear Mrs. Butler: I have been so extremely busy
with the business Gen. Butler has sent me from New Orleans
that I have been entirely unable to come to see you, and as I
do not see my way clear to do so for several days to come, I
write to congratulate you on your safe return, and to offer
my services if there is anything I can do for you or Genl.
Butler. The business confided me by him has been a very
complicated and difficult one, and very large in amount, but
I believe I have got safely through the worst points of it.
Genl. Butler wrote me something about a map, which I sup
pose you have brought. If so, will you be good enough to
send it down to the mill, to be forwarded to me.
My brother returned some time since, full of gratitude for
your kindness and that of Genl, Butler, I am thankful you are
at home, in a healthy climate, and a quiet community again
after your wanderings, I was in Washington last week on
the General's business, and it would have gratified you very
much, I am sure, to have heard Secretary Stanton's high
appreciation of Genl, Butler's services and policy in New
Orleans, I hope by Thursday next I shall have time to pay
my respects in person. Until then, I remain.
Faithfully yours. Rich. S. Fay, Jr.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, La., July 15th, 1862
Col. I. W. McMillan, Comdg. forces at
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Sir: I send you Copies of information furnished us by one
of our Scouts.
Our information says, "that 15 mUes above Baton Rouge
on the Cross State Station, there is transportation going on
for the Confederate Army at Vicksburg. Soldiers from the

66 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
rebel army go to Vicksburg from there through Port Hudson.
Soldiers from Camp Moore come down to the crevasse a mile
and a half below Baton Rouge, cross the crevasse, and then
go down the River in skiffs to New Orleans, landing at Carrol-
ton, and then go back in the same way. Pickets from Baton
Rouge could stop this,"
The General wishes to call your attention to these facts and
have the soldiers stopped if possible, I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servant,
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From George S. Denison
Custom House, New Orleans, Collector's Office, July 15th, 1862
Major General B. F. Butler
Sir: In a letter from the Treasury Department, dated
June 27th, I am requested by the Secretary of the Treasury
to express to you his thanks for the important aid which you
have rendered me, I have the honor to be,
Yr. Obdt. Servt., George S, Denison,
Special Agent and Acting Collector
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July ISth, 1862
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec'y. of War
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a requisition for
one hundred thousand dollars to defray the recruiting expenses
for the Five thousand Louisiana Volunteers, which I have
been authorized by the Department to recruit. I have made
application to Brigadier General Arnold for a regular Officer
as disbursing Officer, and in the meantime, as the recruiting
has already begun, would request that these funds be sent
to me as soon as possible.
The cost of provisions and medicines is so large in this
place now that I have ordered my Chief Commissary and
Medical Director to supply this force while recruiting. I will
then repay these Departments from the above funds. This
method will save the Government a large amount of money.
Who pays the recruits the three months' pay in advance on
the day of Muster, the Paymaster or the Disbursing Agent?
I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 67
From General Ruggles
Head Quarters 1st District Dept. East La. and Miss., Tangipaho, La.
July 15, 1862
To Maj. Genl. Butler, Commanding U. S. Forces,
New Orleans, La,
General: I have received petitions from Officers of the
1st Regiment La, Partisan Rangers, touching the case of
Henry Castle, a private of Co, H, of that regiment, and also
an application respecting Thomas C, Pennington, a private
of Capt. Wilson Tates Comp. of the same Regmt. and I deem
it expedient to request your early consideration of the Subject.
It appears that Private Castle was captured by a detach
ment of Federal Troops in the vicinity of Baton Rouge, on
or about the seventh of the present month, and Private Pen
nington on or about the 28th day of June, that they were
taken to New Orleans, and are now held either there or at
one of the Forts in the vicinity, in close confinement, with
the threat that they are to be tried and executed as members
of a military organization not sanctioned by the laws of
civilized warfare. It is to be observed that the first great law
of nature, the right of self-defense, is inherent in communities
as well as individuals. No law condemns the individual who
slays the robber or assassin, and no just law can condemn a
community for using all its power to resist the Invader and
drive him from their soil.
The exercise of this right, so universally recognized, becomes
an imperative duty when the invader, as has been the case
with the Federal Troops in this district, disregards those
rules of warfare recognized and respected by all civilized na-
> tions, and adopts that code which has heretofore been con
fined to the rudest Savages.
The proof of this is unfortunately too abundant in the
vicinity of Baton Rouge. It is attested by helpless women
and children flying from their burning homes; by desolation
of plantations; by the plunder of private property, and the
wanton destruction of grdwing crops. Such acts are crimes
against Humanity, and justify all men in taking up arms
against their perpetrators.
The independence of nations has rarely been achieved by
regular armies. Our own revolution; that revolution which
successfuUy established the great principle for which the
Confederate States are now contending "that aU Govern-

68 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
ments derive their just powers from the consent of the gov
erned," was mainly fought out by men who left the plow at
the news of the Enemy's approach, and returned to it when
he had been driven back. It may be conceded that in Europe,
where the Governments mainly rely upon large standing
Armies which are, as much as possible, disconnected with the
people, and where the policy is to prevent the people from
bearing arms under almost any circumstances, some very
absurd refinements on this subject have been asserted, and
to some extent tolerated. But such doctrines have never been
recognized on this continent; the United States especially
have repudiated them.
The various Revolutions which have agitated the Central
and South American States have been conducted by the
people frequently without organization, and without leaders
other than those chosen upon the spur of the occasion to direct
a single enterprise. And to recur to the Revolution of our
Forefathers, the history of that immortal struggle abounds
with instances where the hardy yeomen as at Lexington and
Bunker Hill were like the clansmen of "Roderick Dhu,"
called by a concerted signal to some "Limerick Mead" and
there selected their officers from the very field of battle.
But whatever difference of opinion may exist on this point,
it has never been claimed, even by the most stringent advo
cates of legitimacy, that one Belligerent has any right to
complain of the name or form which the other may choose to
give to its Military organization. The right to adapt these
to the peculiar service required has been universally con
ceded. So far, indeed, has this practise been carried in naval
warfare that privateersmen, "The MUitia of the Seas," with
charters as broad as the ocean's bounds, are recognized as
legitimate among Belligerents, And now, indeed, the extraor
dinary spectacle is presented to the contemplation of civi
lized man in this boasted nineteenth century of the Christian
world, of a nation claiming to be civilized, in violation of its
constitutional obligations, inaugurating deliberately servile
war by stimulating the half-civilized African to raise his
hand against his master and benefactor, and thus make war
upon the Anglo-Saxon race — war on human nature.
This with the Federal Government is legitimate warfare,
but the defense of their firesides by Southern Citizens is treason
and murder. In military organizations, the PoUsh Lancers,
French Zouaves, and British Corps of Scouts and guides in

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 69
the late East Indian War, are cases in point. The Confed
erate States claim and have exercised this undoubted right.
The formation of Companies, Battalions, and Regiments of
Partisan Rangers, has been speciaUy authorized by an act of
Congress, The Officers of this Corps are commissioned, the
men are regularly mustered into Service, receive pay, rations,
and equipments from the Government, and are entitled to the
same privUeges and governed by the same regulations as all
other troops in the Confederate Service, It is not perceived,
therefore, what pretext can be offered by the Enemy for sub
jecting the members of this Corps to a different treatment
from that extended to other prisoners of war. Certainly no
such distinction can be recognized or tolerated by us. The
Government having called these men into service, is bound
by every obligation of good faith to protect them to the
extent of its power; and if found necessary for their protection
as well as for that of numerous unarmed citizens who have
been subjected to outrages unparalleled in civilized warfare,
will not hesitate, I feel constrained to declare, to resort to
retaliation even to the extent sanctioned by the Jewish Law,
"An Eye for an Eye, a tooth for a tooth," and "life for life,"
I await an answer containing an explicit declaration of the
intentions of the United States Government respecting these
^ ¦ Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant,
Daniel Ruggles, Brig. General Commanding District
From J. F. H. Claiborne
July Sth, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Captain Buck
In reply to your request for information, I will state that
Steal's Guerilla band consists of about 160 men, of two com
panies Commanded by Capt, Mclnnis and Capt, John Porter-
vins. It has no more discipline than a mob, and is composed
generaUy of very bad characters. The Officers have no
control over the men, and no experience. The men are armed
with double-barrelled guns, carrying buckshot and conical
balls. The men ride and shoot well, and are accustomed to
rough life. They say they were within 30 yds, of Lt, Dick
enson's Pickets, and could have shot them, but preferred
making a charge, thinking they would capture the boat. They
are even said to have their camp at a place called the Center,
20 miles from Gainsville — east, and are dispersed in smaU

70 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
parties recruiting their horses, which are very poor. They
threaten to arrest aU prisoners going to the Fort or New
Orleans, John Portervins (son of Wm, Portervins) has been sent to
Johnstown to procure two pieces of cannon for Gainsville, and
to induce Maj, Gen, Van Dorn, who has superseded LoveU,
to send the 3rd Regt, here — Capt, Wm, Portervins is the
most violent and bitter man in his community; but for him
and one or two more there would be no trouble here.
Brig, Gen, Ruggles (a Connecticut man) has been assigned
to the command of all that part of La, east of the Miss, River,
and of the three seaboard counties of this State, Head Quarters
somewhere on the Railroad, It is whispered that they expect
to try and surprise the Fort by a night expedition.
There is a report that Richmond has been taken, A man
came from Mobile yesterday, who says he saw dispatches
from Richmond that the U, S, forces were beaten. This man
is an agent of the Telegraph Co, He came here to pay James
O, Roah for taking up the Telegraph cable, and to remove
the apparatus and batteries that belonged to Fort Pickens,
It seems that "O, Roah" brought them here to the house his
family occupies, and this man has been sent from Mobile for
them, and they are to be set up by the Confederate authorities.
Great value is attached to them. "O. Roah" must have com
municated with the Telegraph agent at Mobile, through one
of the steamers carrying flour, or by letter sent here and maUed
by his son. I give this in strict confidence. If O. Roah is
apprised of it, when he is discharged I shall lose my property
by fire. If you intend to detain him, it is hoped he will be
removed from the Fort, Many of us would like to go there
— also to trade with the city; but we are afraid of this man's
tongue after he may be released. Very truly, J, F, H, Claiborne
From C. F. Adams ^
FumivaVs Inn, London, 15 July, 1862
B, F, Butler, Esq., &c., &c.
General: Altho' you have been invested with high honors
and power, it must not be supposed that you can act as the
veriest despot without being judged by the tribunal of the
1 The handwriting ot this letter is a modification of English script, and is not that
of Charles Francis Adams, United States Ambassador to England in 1862.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 71
Civilized World. It is not the rowdy press of New York that
wiU recognize your actions, neither can a suborned govem
ment, or a Congress impeUed as it is by madness, who wiU
assoilize you in what you have done at New Orleans, They are
looking at it in Greece, in Turkey, in Austria, in France, in
Germany, and in England, The Consuls whom you have
treated with so much contumely have rights above those you
describe, and their despatches and journals will henceforth
be brought forward as witnesses against you; in fact, neutrals
have arrived in Europe to prove to their respective Govern
ments that you stole their money from Mr, Smith's Bank
and other places, private property in every sense of their case.
Have foreign citizens no inalienable rights further than
you choose to grant them? Europe must see to this. Your
authority will be called in question seriously, and then will
follow a system of reprisals, and I need not tell you that
friends will be sure to point out your property in New England
for adjudication. Take warning in time. Conciliation is
your forte instead of the reverse, I have been put to confu
sion and shame on your account, and subscribe myself.
Your Sorrowing Countryman, and quondam friend,
C, F, Adams
P,S, I enclose your daguerreotype taken from an English
newspaper, I hope you will recognize yourself, C, F. A,

English Newspaper Clipping
It would appear that the recent acts of the Federal military
commandant at New Orleans have met with the very reverse
of approbation from the Government at Washington; for it
is understood ¦ that by this time the Federal General Butler
has most probably arrived at New York, and that if he has
not been ignominiously recalled, his removal can, at the most,
be qualified by the ingenious term invented by continental
journalists of a "release" from the functions he has so strangely,
and, it would seem, so wantonly and brutally exercised. More
over, according to our advices from the same quarter, the
Cabinet of President Lincoln have despatched two well-
accredited gentlemen to New Orleans to make sedulous in
quiries into at least the entire civil administration, which has
prevailed since the city was occupied by the Northern forces,
if not into the remarkable military government of General

72 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Butler, It is time. The rumours and reports of what has
been going on in the Crescent City have done more harm and
thrown more odium on the Federal cause in Europe than even
the shameful stampede at Bull's Run, or the atrocious mission
of the stone fleet to Charleston, Moreover, the misguided,
ostrich-Uke poUcy of the Federal Government, in banishing
honest and honourable European journalists from the head
quarters of their army, has opened the door to the admission
of malignant reports, while it has hindered the dissemination
of authentic inteUigence and impartial comments. Instead of
being able to depend on the communications of gentlemen
who have no interest save in speaking the truth, we are driven
to the lucubrations of partisans, whose interest may he in an
exactly contrary direction, or to bald and meagre telegrams,
on whose skeleton items of news all kinds of conjectures may
be built. An intelligent and unbiased observer in New Orleans
might have told us whether the attitude of its population
could in any way justify General Butler in issuing the atrocious
proclamation which has aroused the indignation of politicians
of every clsss in Europe — whether his troops were really in
danger of being insulted or annoyed by coarse , , , levelled
against ladies who had been guilty of no more violent overt
act than that of turning their heads away when their captors
passed, of refusing to dance with them, or rising from their
seats in church when the deadly foes of their husbands and
brothers entered.
Then, again, there is the terrible story of the man Mumford,
whose execution for the not very heinous sin of pulling down
the United States flag from one of the public buildings, is
given with characteristic minuteness, and a sensation gusto,
in the Northern journals. An informant on the spot might
have enlightened us as to whether the man was in arms against
the Government, whether he was one of a band of conspira
tors whose object it was to overturn the Federal occupation,
or whether he was suspected of incendiarism. If General
Butler, acting according to the licence of the martial law he
proclaimed, caused its extreme penalty to be inflicted on a
prisoner taken in flagrant delict of rebellion to his authority,
his conduct, although certainly harsh and perhaps cruel, is
not entirely devoid of warranty. The unhappy Mumford
only suffered the same doom which Napoleon inflicted on
Palm the bookseller, and in the application of which, during
the Irish Rebellion of '98, the English General Beresford

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 73
positively reveUed, But if this unfortunate man was con
signed to the gallows simply for a freak which might just as
probably be committed by a drunken rowdy as by an inveter
ate rebel, the proceedings of Butler appear to us closely to
resemble murder of the most brutal and deliberate character.
It is almost, in fact, tantamount to a refusal of quarter to the
opponents of the North, and can scarcely fail, we should
imagine, to lead to the bloodiest reprisals. Unfortunately
the deeds of violence and oppression ascribed to the ruthless
military commandant whose supersession is by this time, we
believe, an accomplished fact, have followed each other with
such rapidity, and have shown such a characteristic originality
of savagery, that we can scarcely believe them to have been
inveinted or even exaggerated. We learn by the latest tele
grams that an alderman of the City of New Orleans and the
Chairman of the Ladies' Relief Committee have been con
demned to hard labour, with a ball and chain affixed to their
legs, in Fort Jackson, That a punishment reserved for felons
of the worst description, and which modern humanity has
removed from among the hardships undergone by convicts
and galley-slaves, should be inflicted on American gentlemen
by a fellow-countryman for no crime against the laws, but
simply for political causes, seems well-nigh to surpass the
bounds of possibility. In protesting against such infringe
ments of the commonest dictates of humanity and courtesy,
we may be twitted with the reminder of what we ourselves
did during our civil wars; but we may proudly retort that,
even two hundred years ago, when the world was far ruder and
more barbarous than it now is, no instance is on record of a
partisan of the Commonwealth being hanged for pulUng down
the King's arms, or of a Roundhead being sent to beat hemp
in Bridewell for wounding the amour-propre of the Cavaliers.
General Butler appears to have got on no better with the
foreign residents in New Orleans than with those South
erners, who, notwithstanding their Confederate sympathies,
we suppose, he will condescend to recognize as native-born
Americans. He has been continually wrangling with the
European representatives. The acting British consul, Mr,
Coppell, having sought for information respecting the oaths
to be exacted from foreigners sojourning in New Orleans,
General Butler is stated to have replied that no answer could
be given until Mr, CoppeU's credentials and "pretensions"
are recognized by the British Government and the Federal

74 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
executive, a decision which virtually leaves the British resi
dents in New Orleans, for an indefinite period, without any
protection whatever. The Washington Government will have
reason, we should think to rue the day when the intemperate
and seemingly half -crazy soldier, who has been carrying matters
with such a high hand in New Orleans, was permitted to exer
cise unbridled authority in their name. What has he not
done? He has converted smouldering discontent into fren
zied hatred; he has widened the gulf between North and South,
He has — the insensate! — made war against women; he has
brought upon the enlightened and civilized United States of
America the stigma of being ruled by a Junta of merciless
tyrants, whose delight is in wanton and cruel bloodshed. He
has forced the soldiers of a Christian nation to do the work of
Pagan scalpers and tomahawkers; and it will be fortunate
indeed if ere his recall he has not involved his employers in a
fresh dispute with England, and set the initiative of a broU
with France, For the military as well as the civil govem
ment of a city so peculiar as New Orleans, and possessing as
it does so cosmopolitan a population, the services of a tem
perate, forbearing, humane, and eminently discreet officer were
essential. As it is, the supreme power, with its frightful lati
tude for doing mischief, has been entrusted to a coarse and
ruffianly desperado, who, to judge from his published procla
mations, seems entirely destitute of the thoughts, the feelings,
the language, and the manners, not only of a soldier, but of a
gentleman. Extract of Letter from Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams ^
Mr, Stewart, in a very courteous manner, verbally ex
pressed to me the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, that
General Butler's order concerning the females in New Orleans,
who gave offence to the Union soldiers, was an improper one,
in respect to the expression employed in it,
I answered him that we must ask his Government, in read
ing that proclamation, to adopt a rule of construction which
the British nation had elevated to the dignity of a principle,
and made the motto of their national arms — "Honi soit qui
mal y pense,"
» Seward's Lite, 1861-1872, p. 139.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 75
Vituperative
Come to England, you dark, wicked VUlain, Haynes, the
Austrian vagrant, who was driven from London within 48
hours after his arrival by the voice of public indignation, was a
mUd, generous feUow compared with this Butler, I send you a
paragraph from the Times, — the leading Journal of Europe,
which has constantly circulated the character of one of the worst
of living tyrants. Not a Journal in this Country or in France,
or in fact, in Europe, but has made the name of "Butler" felt as
one of the worst of Hell's DevUs, If there is a place in Hell
more hot, more adapted for torture, there wiU General!! But
ler be found. Oh, what a horrid death-bed awaits you, you
most inhuman of the human race ! Your name is already asso
ciated with everything that is cruel, wicked, barbarous, and
terrible. Land in any part of Europe, and you would be torn to
pieces by the people, you wicked wretch. Come to England,
and nothing could restrain the vengeance of the mob. The
worst of Devils in human shape. Even the President could no
longer sanction the awful outrages you have committed.
Monster, Murderer, Plunderer, Confiscator, everything that
is bad. How long will God permit such a wretch to tread this
earth before he goes to the awful doom which awaits him
— Hell with all its combined torments, there to slake his
thirst with everlasting fire.
From B. F. Coxe to General Butler
Ascension Parish, Louisiana, New Orleans, July, 1862
Dear Sib: Permit me to represent that we are in great need
of immediate protection from the invasion of lawless bands of
men, who seize and carry off our Citizens under the Confederate
conscription law, burn cotton, and take possession of the guns
of the Citizens, Several persons have been captured as prison
ers of State, and Mr, Doff Denst was killed in his own house
after he had surrendered. Fifty men could afford us much assis
tance and prevent the further destruction of cotton and other
property. The officers of the Parish are still acting under the
authority of the Southern Confederacy, I think by the arrest
of a few persons who act as leaders, and by requiring all other
persons to give an allegiance, we will be able to feel secure in
our persons and property, y^^ respectfully, B, F, Coxe
P,S, Please not to let my name be known as it might place
me in imminent peril.

76 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From General Butler
Headquarters Department ofthe Gulf, New Orleans, July 15, 1862
To Sabah ,
Thebe my good wife! What do you think of that? How
do you like your Colonel ? ^ Is it not wonderful that such a
thing could be made from a wood-cut in "Frank Leslie" last
year, I send it so that you may see what can be done at New
Orleans, Two letters in one day, isn't that rather too much,. I did
think of giving this platp to Blanche, but say I will find her
something else. You have the "shadow," so you had better
take the substance when you can get him, Benj, F,
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 15, 1862
My deab deab Wife: Why do you fret yourself and make
yourself unhappy as you do in your last two letters? Pray,
don't you think I will scold you, not at all, if you weep — I
will w^ep with you if I cannot dry your tears. And you let
yourself be vexed with so many things that would not alarm
you if you knew all. A vivid imagination, love, while it is
your highest gift, is a very dangerous one to your peace. Let
me brush away a dew-drop or two. The bells were shipped on
board a transport for the government, by the government,
and the government is to do just what it pleases with them.
Snow has nothing to do with them, can show no order or
authority whatever. Snow is the most infernal liar and rascal
that lives. He has cheated everybody, lied to everybody, and
if he ever comes out here will be sent to the Parish Prison for
swindling. He is in no way, shape, or form interested with
Andrew in any transaction or ever has been. He has no orders
from him — can show none.
As regards funds in the hands of Fay. Not a dollar can be
drawn except by my order, even of that which belongs to Andrew.
Every bUl of lading has been endorsed to me for security. I
am sorry that Fay did not choose to accept my draft at once.
His lettejfs to me say that he would have done so if he had
been at home. I had no doubt that the matter would be all
1 In New Orleans there was a very clever decorator of china, who did such good
work in painting General Butler's portrait on a plate that General Butler commissioned
him to paint portraits of his family and staff officers.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 77
right. What you say about his claim that my stock is pledged
annoys me, for I assure you it is not but for six thousand
doUars which I will have paid, and I have sent him ten thou
sand doUars in cash, and he has of my private funds some
five thousand dollars. But be not troubled. Have not aU
affairs private as weU as public gone well in fact?
My dear, dear, good wife, you ask me not to scold you. If
you knew how my heart is full of kindness and love, yearning
to see you, you would not write me so. Anybody else fill your
place — that is impossible, another may do everything but
that. That wUl never be done. There is in my heart a sanctum
sanctorum, a holy of holies, a niche for you alone, sacred to
you, never to be intrenched on by the profane! Would you
could fully believe so and never doubt more. That sometimes,
in fullness of perfect possession, in the satiety of daily life, I
am careless and impetuous in expression, does not show this
to be different. You know and feel (acknowledge it, poor
heart, and cheer up, be happy) that all is right, I am your
baby, but may not the petulant child cry when an awry pin
pricks him? "Out of joint," If you would write me it were so
I would give my commission for it! Tell me at least that it is
possible — it may be so hereafter,
I will write Carney upon the matter of the consignment,
and explain the matter to him.
Be not alarmed about my health. This city today is as
healthy as any in the Union, — 25 deaths only last week —
look to Boston and there are twice as many, 54 falling off in
one week,
Caroline is with me as housekeeper, so you need feel no
anxiety about her. My health is now precisely as it has been,
if anything, rather better. The city is a little uneasy under
the rumors of our defeat at Richmond, but I will take care of
them. You see that I have become suddenly famous, or rather,
Lord Palmerston thinks infamous, by the No, 28, It is right,
it was right. It will be right, and be the most popular act of
my life. You said it was right at the time, and therefore I
knew it was right. It was done for no hope of popularity, but
because it was right, and it is well, I am not sure your idea
of "circumspection" in what one does comes to much. Do
what is right by "instinct" — that is best. All my well-
considered acts pretty much have been failures. My instinct
is better than my reason.

78 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
This leads me to say that there is not one wrong thing
about those shipments, not one that cannot be shown to be
correct. Best for the Government, best for the shipper, and
good for everybody, even the AboUtionists, because it gives
them something to growl over, I wUl take care of you, myself,
the children, — all. Fear not, love, but be happy. I will
scold if I hear of your dropping a tear till I return. Be gay
yourself — four days in the house, shame, shame, go out, go
out. Breathe the fresh air. Have picnics, rides, frolics —
get fat — kiss me when you can get me, or at least get ready
to do so. There, I have spent all the moming gossipping with
you — that was always the way, I thought my business would
not be interrupted when you went home, but see, I have spent
all the morning with you — and I can run riot in the gossip too.
You don't shake your head at all. Goodbye, dearest, back to
di"'^^'-' Benj,
From General Walter de Peyster
TivoLi, July 19th, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen. Butleb, Commanding U. S. Forces at
New Obleans
Genebal: Several years ago, a friend of mine planted a mis
sion, organized a parish, and built an Episcopal Church at
Natchitoches, Louisiana. His name was Thomas Scott Bacon,
I assisted him to build the edffice and presented him with a bell.
The bell bore an inscription of which I had a copy, but is mis
laid, and a verse from the Gospel, The matter was attended to,
and bill paid by an agent, and therefore I cannot give particu
lars, but I think the bell was cast by Meneely and Son, of Troy,
Another friend of mine saw by the papers and informed me
that you had seized 800 bells at New Orleans, collected in
Louisiana and adjacent districts, pursuant to a call of Jeffer
son Davis to be cast into cannon.
As the people of Louisiana do not appear to have sense
enough to set a value upon such sacred things, and as I did
not intend my money invested in a bell to go towards found
ing cannon to be used in shooting down honest and loyal men,
I would like to reclaim the bell for our own church at home,
which needs one.
As I suppose that the proceeds of the sales of the bells wiU
be regarded as prize money, I would like to redeem the bell
if possible at the same rate the others sell or have been sold for.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 79
Any information you wUl permit one of your clerks to
afford me on this subject will be thankfully received. Please
direct your clerk to address a reply to
Gen. de Peysteb,
Tivoli P.O., Dutchess Co., S. N. Y.
Brig. Gen. Phelps knows me well, and that I am a party
worthy this attention. I am the more interested in this
matter as a portion of the gifts to the church to which I sent
the bell (the Communion Service silver I know) were memo
rials of a dear little daughter, deceased, for whose sake I
contributed that her name might live in connection with the
church, little dreaming that its founder. Rev. Mr, Bacon,
would be driven forth, partially if not wholly ruined, on ac
count of his loyalty; that its consecrator, Leonidas Polk,
would turn his crosier into a sword, and become a leader of
rebels; and Louisiana, the property of the nation, a nest of
traitors which you are so valiantly and thoroughly endeavor
ing to purify, I have the honor to be
Respy. your obedt. servant
Walter de Peyster
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gvlf, New Orleans, July 15, 1862
Master Paul Butler ^
My Son: I send you a model of a piece of field artillery,
complete with its caisson and equipment, also a model of a
mortar for throwing bombs, of which you have heard so much.
Also a gun on a Barbette carriage such as is used in fortifica
tion. All these you saw at Fortress Monroe in actual use. I
have thought you would Uke to have the models, and as you
are a good little boy, of whom your father is very proud and
whom your father loves very much, I have pleased myself
very much by sending them, thinking how much they would
please you. I hear that you are getting on well with your
studies — that you love justice and tell the truth; will not
do a mean thing. All this makes me very glad. Nothing
delights me so much as to hear of your well-doing. You are
now quite a youth, and must be found doing as you will when
a man. Tell Benny that I shall send him something soon — that I
1 Paul was 10 years old at this time. Benny was 7 years old.

80 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
have not forgotten him, that he holds a close place in my
heart, and that I long to see him so much. Did you both
have a good time on the 4th? Good fireworks? Was any
body hurt? Did you hang up the lanterns? AU this good
time and I not by. Ah me! But we will have good times my
boy — after I get home, I will hear your studies, and we
will have some of those famous "tags." Father

From Reverdy Johnson
Commissioners Offi.ce, Custom House, New Orleans, July 15, '62
Maj. Gen'l Butler
Sir: In the statement of Amedie Conturie of the 10th
May last, communicated to you, with his letter of the 16th of
that month, he aUeges that besides the 160 kegs containing the
$800,000, there was taken from his custody, where they had
been placed for safe keeping, the following articles:
1st. One Tin Box to which we give the name of Bank Box, in this City, locked and
containing Ten Bonds consolidated Debt of City of New Orleans for $1000
each.
Snd. Eight Bonds of the City of Mobile for $1000 each. The whole Eighteen Bonds
being deposited on 12th of the preceding April by Mr. Edmund I. Forstall as
Agent of Messrs. Hope & Co.
3rd. Various papers, titles, and deeds, his Consular Commission, and the Presi
dent's exequatur.
Ifth. Six Tin boxes, marked with the Consul's name, containing private Deeds,
Silver ware, etc. belonging to divers persons for whom he was agent, ahd
5th. Two or more Tin boxes belonging to the Hope Insurance Comp., who occupied
a part of the building.
Will you do me the favor to let me know at your earliest
convenience if these several articles were taken as alleged,
and if so whether all or any part of them, and what part have
been returned to Mr, Conturie and at what time, I have the
honor to be with high regard, your obedt. Servant,
Reverdy Johnson, Commis. etc.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 16th, 1862
Hon. Reverdy Johnson
Sir: In reply to your note stating the farther claims of
the Belgian Consul for Articles taken from him, I reply, it is
the first I have heard of such Claims. Several gentlemen
called for their tin trinkets, and I ordered them to be given

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 81
up. I will have an immediate investigation of this matter
made, and everything that is private property wUl of course
be, if it has not been, returned to him as the owner.
I observe that the Consul does not make claim for a box of
Dies for making Bank note plates and a set of plates for
printing Confederate States Treasury notes taken from his shop
in conjunction with the specie and other property. Why not?
Very Respectfully,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 16th, 1862
Hon. Reverdy Johnson
Sir: In connection with the silver coin taken from the
shop of the Consul of Belgium, I deem it my duty to submit
for your investigation the fact of the deposit in the hands of
the Consul of France, of about seven hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars in silver coin, about the same time, under the
following described state of facts:
At daybreak on Sunday, April 21st, or near that time, this
large buUs of coin was transferred from the Citizens' Bank to
the vaults of the French Consul, This, together with that
sent into the Belgian Consul's Shop, was the entire silver
coin of the Bank, so bulky that it could not be easily other-
vrise secreted.
Upon investigation, it appeared that the commercial house
of Dupasseur & Co, of this City, claimed this specie as having
purchased it by bills, valued on Paris at five francs the dollar
for that amount of about that date, drawn in favor of the
Citizen's Bank, The senior member of the firm stated to me
that he bought this silver for speculation, that he expected to
make Thirty thousand dollars by exporting it to Paris after
the blockade was raised. That he did not take it to his own
house, and did remove it to the French Consul's at this unusual
time of a Sabbath moming, from fear of the mob if he moved
it in business hours, and that he desired to place it under the
French Flag for protection, because of the excited state of the
City, I need not remind you, so well-trained in judicial investi
gation, of the improbability of such a transaction, involving
three quarters of a milUon, in such dangerous times, with
such hope of profit and the entire uncertainty of ever being
VOL, II — 6

82 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
able to ship the specie to meet the bills, with our cannon at
that moment thundering at the Forts, and the City in fear
daily of a bombardment.
It wiU be useful to compare dates of both these transactions,
because if the object of the Citizen's Bank was to really pay
Hope & Co. their interest, why not have sent forward these
bills of Durprasseur, instead of transporting the silver at par
in Mexican Dollars, which command a premium, to the Bel
gian Consul? The amounts are nearly equal, but by the two
transactions the Bank got away every dollar of its silver. I
should be glad to be present at the investigation of this case
if public duties will permit.
Very Respectfully, Your friend and Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of ^ Gvlf, New Orleans, July 16th, 1862
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: After consultation with Mr. Johnson, by whose Official
position and past services to the Country I thought I had the
right to call for advice, and with the wish of Governor Shepley,
I have thought it best that he should go to Washington to
represent the needs of this State Government, as well as the
condition of affairs in this department.
I look upon the questions to be presented by Gov. Shepley,
upon which he is fully advised of my opinions, to be the turning
points of the War in the South West. Certain it is that some
determination of these questions must be reached, or they will
determine themselves in disaster and ruin to the State of Louisi
ana. In the recruiting, I am succeeding very well indeed, and
while these troops would be proper to lead elsewhere upon the
Southern Coast, it would be a doubtful experiment to rely
upon them solely here.
I think the needs of the service are such that I have sent an
Order to recall Genl. WiUiam from Vicksburg, in expectation
of the immediate advance upon that place by Gen. Grant.
I have the honor to be
Your Obt. Servant, Benj. F. Butler

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 83
From General Butler
Headquarters, DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 16, 1862
Brig. Gen. Williams, Vicksburg
General: From all I can learn of operations at Vicksburg,
your force is at present not so much needed there as it is
elsewhere. The enemy are concentrating some forces in the neighbor
hood of Baton Rouge, and it is necessary that something be
done on the Red River line. Besides, you are in the geographi
cal department of General HaUeck,
Therefore, if the state of affairs will permit without serious
detriment to the public service, you will withdraw your force
and return as soon as possible to Baton Rouge, I remain
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, July 17th, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Hon. Reverdy Johnson
Dear Sir: I would respectfully solicit your advice upon
the questions presented by the Mechanics & Traders Bank,
I enclose copy of my note to the Secretary of the Treasury,
transmitting the funds in the hands of the Banks to the credit
of the Confederate State Receivers, There will not be enough
of these funds to pay all the claims upon them for confiscated
Northern property, t^ r» ./• 77
f f -^ Very Respectfully,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, July 16, 1862
My dear Wife : Andrew has sent home a trunk and a box,
I suppose them to contain a side saddle for Blanche and a pair
of harnesses for me and you. They were presents to him.
Your husband, Benj, F, Butler
P,S, If they do not come soon, have enquiry made for them
of Adams Express Co, Also for two small boxes, one marked
to Paul and one to yourself, B,

84 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From George S. Denison
Custom House, New Orleans, Collector's Office, July 17th, 1862
General Butler
Sir: I would suggest that a crew list and hst of passengers,
if any, be made a part of any permit to be granted by you to
vessels going across the lake. This being done, my inspectors
can prevent persons leaving the city improperly on such vessels.
If this does not meet with your approval, please inform me.
On notification from you that a permit is granted, an in
spector, by my direction, will supervise the loading of the ves
sel and lock up the hatches. At the mouth of the canal another
inspector will examine the vessel, crew, and passenger list, and
military permit, and if all these are correct, wiU unlock the
hatches and the vessel will proceed out into the lake. If
there are articles on board not allowed by your permit, the
vessel will be sent back, and if there are improper persons on
board, the inspector will report to the nearest mihtary officer.
Very respectfully,
George S. Denison, Actg. Collector
From J. P. ilf ,1 New Orleans July 18, 1862
To the Honorable B. F. Butleb, Commanding General
Deab and Respected Genebal: See the following notice
given in the newspapers:
July 17
" Correction of Slaves — The Law of the State of Louisiana
for the Correction of Slaves will be enforced as heretofore,
and I give notice of the same from the proper authorities.
J. C. Rowell, Keeper of Police Jail"
Does this order emanate from you? I should suppose not.
If I understand the views and wishes of the President, the
above does not conform to them. It was generally understood
when you came here that all such barbarism would be stopped.
By the law of Louisiana any master has only to go to the jail,
or send his slave with some one, and paying the sum of twenty
five cents, the said slave will receive twenty five or thirty
lashes, at the desire of his master.
Now, there are thousands of slave-owners that have turned

1 Note : Colonel Shaffer, July 1862. Whence comes this. B. F. B.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 85
perfectly incensed since you have come here, and think the
slaves are the cause of all the trouble, and are willing to lavish
);heir wrath upon the poor slaves. Since you have come here
many a master has been keeping his slaves confined in chains
and on bread and water to Umited quantity. The result of
this order will serve only to give those cruel people an oppor
tunity to satiate their thirst of blood, and, at the same time,
to exasperate the slaves, for they have been awaiting for
changes in a better treatment at least for a long time, and
most of them are determined to suffer death before they
will live under the old system.
Another thing to have in mind is that such proceedings do
not help you or the United States at all; contrarily, they are
not in harmony with the views of your friends here. As far
as the rebel population is concerned, they hate you and the
Government you represent, and cannot be conciliated by any
means. They can be subjugated, but not concihated. The
majority of them are not so faithful to the Southern Confed
eracy as they are to their own pockets. They have all been
led to beUeve that under that Government New Orleans would
be the greatest place for making money, and long as they will
have the Confederate notes they now have, their allegiance
will always be to Mammon, called Southern Confederacy,
Unionists are just as scarce here as Christians among Jews,
Most of those, to very few exceptions, that have manifested
Union sentiments, have done so to save their property from
confiscation. There are but two classes of people here faithful to the United
States, they are the German and colored population. It is
hoped that you will revoke this order, and that it may not
be said that the Federal authorities have been more cruel than
the Confederate authorities. Besides, this cruel and un
christian mode of punishment is condemned by all the civi
hzed world. Just think how much greater your name will be
by stopping such acts, how many good people that will call
the blessings of God Almighty upon you. Do not reject the
prayer of those who are asking this favor.
The very one who now vrrites you this letter was humiliating
himself by sacrifices before our God for three weeks previous
to your arrival here for your safe coming to this city.
While every shot would be heard here from Camp Chal-
mette, and the rebels wished that a thousand Yankees would
be killed, this writer was calling Divine protection upon

86 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Farragut and his men. I remain, with the highest Union
ee ings. Your mx>st devoted friend and servant, J. P. M.
From Daniel Richardson Lowell, July ISth, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butleb
My deab Sib: Congratulating you on the signal abihty
with which you are and from the beginning have been main
taining your difficult position, and the respect which the great
masses of all classes are zealously paying to you, and which
all others are obliged to pay to you, I write at the request of
the friends of Chas, C, Colton, corporal Sth Regt, Co, F,,
Capt, Perkins (brother of Colton of the High School and a
connection of Varnums of Dracut), to say they hear he is in
poor health. He was a law student in our office, a very clever
young fellow, was admitted to our bar, and it was thought if
some of your people could ascertain whether he was failing
from want of constitution for actual service, and if so could
be transferred to other position without detriment, it might
save him and would confer great obligation to them.
At Commencement at Cambridge Wednesday, and at Phi
Beta Kappa Thursday, your name was everywhere mentioned
approvingly (they had forgotten that trial when you talked
to the Jury of hanging professors) and very often, too. And
at Phi Beta Kappa dinner, the orator, Geo. W. Curtis of
N. York, alluded to you very handsomely in this order, Butler
— Banks — Devens, and a Kentucky man who sat by my side
remarked that your course was as fully and cordially approved
of in Kentucky as it seemed to be here.
I have often desired to write you, but, knowing your pres
sure, have refrained, but can't help saying this much. At our
house, my home, we are all from the outset approvers of the
famous order which so disturbs our puritans and even the
English Parliament. And such a treat as you have given by
your explanatory letter! It was the best thing you ever did,
and has completely silenced the few who were so horrified at
the order. With the kindest wishes for your safety and fame,
and expecting to see all our houses ornamented with trophies
of Secession fiags when you get home. I am
Truly yours, Daniel S. Richabdson

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 87
From Carlos Pierce Washington, D.C. July IQth, 1862
Major General B. F. Butler, Commanding Department of the
Gulf, U.S.A. New Orleans
Sir: Five weeks have I been trying to obtain my pay from
Government for the clothing furnished to your department, by
your direct orders and those of your Quarter Master Capt.
George, aU of which we delivered as directed by him eight and
ten months since, and received the customary Government
Quarter Master's vouchers, which they issue as evidence of
indebtedness when they have not money to pay their bills . We
have now waited so long for our pay that the loss of interest
to us is more than $6,000, — which is of itself a hardship, but
I have been here five weeks a daily attendant upon the Quarter
Master General's Department to get my pay, or learn the
reasons why I could not, and am informed that you purchased
too nice goods, and that I must look to you for my pay. "Sue
General Butler and his Quarter Master, we will not pay your
bills until you discount about $25,000,"
I have explained away most of their objections to the pay
ment of said vouchers, and, having done all I can, I returned
home to Boston disheartened, and make this appeal to you,
asking your influence (if you think proper to give it) with the
President in my behalf, I do this the more confidently because
your authority was brought in question by the Quarter Master
General, and also because you know whether or not I served
the Government faithfully and honestly in delivering to your
Department the best quality of goods, and you also remember
the assurances I received of payment of my account. The
only remaining objections I received of my account are that
you ordered from us the same shirts and drawers and blouses
that the States of New York, Mass,, and Maine, and Col,
Grossman, U, S, Qr, Master at Philadelphia, had been having
of us, and in ten times greater quantities, yet we gave them
to you at the same prices, they have all paid us, and Govern
ment has reimbursed them, therefore it would seem my mis
fortune that I am a citizen creditor of the Government instead
of a State or Quarter Master, Why it is, with such facts
before them and precedents, they should deny your contracts
for same articles and prices, is what I want you to help me
ascertain, and also why some of your Quarter Master's Vouchers
should be paid by his successor, Capt, McKim, to favorites

88 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
without apparent objection, while he refuses others, and says
unqualifiedly that he has paid none. Your soldiers have had
our garments now more than six months, certainly long
enough to test their quality, we faithfuUy fulfiUed our con
tracts, and ask your assistance in our behalf that the Govern
ment may fulfiU theirs, that we may not much longer suffer.
What General Meigs asks is that the all-wool indigo blue
mixed shirts and drawers should be discounted in price equal
to Govemment goods of all cotton fabric, and that the cloth
coats should be reduced in price to that of their flannel blouses.
Any business man can see the absurdity and the injustice of
such treatment. I have the honor to be.
Your Obdt. Servant,
Carlos Pierce, Pierce Bros. Co., Boston
P.S. You may rely upon my ability to prove what I have said.
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July X9th, 1862
Capt. Stafford, Acting Provost Marshal
Sir: The course pursued by certain persons in ordering
their slaves "to go to the Yankees" or to join the Federals,
described in your note, and like acts, had been brought
to my notice from different sources previous to your com
munication, and certainly is a great wrong as well to the
Government as to the Negroes. In order to correct this evil,
therefore, let it be known that all such declarations by the
owners to their slaves will by the authorities here be taken and
deemed acts of voluntary emancipation, and slaves sent away
by their masters with such declarations as you describe, or
equivalent ones, will be regarded and treated as manumitted
and emancipated.
You will see to it that this necessary pohce regulation is
carried into effect. „ w. 77
Respectfully,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From R. S. Fay Jr. to General Butler
Brookline, Jvly 19th, 1862
My dear General: I have just returned from New York,
where my errand was to inquire about the freights paid vessels
bringing mdse, from New Orleans, I found there had been

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 89
but one vessel discharged there under precisely the same cir
cumstances as those whose cargoes are consigned to me. In
that case, however, Capt, Stinson, Act, Q, M,, delivered the
cargo at the rate specified upon the BiUs of Lading, I have
made the strongest appeal to Genl, Meigs from McKim's
decision to claim market rates of freight, regardless of B, of
L,, and if unsuccessful shall carry it up to the Sec'y, of War,
and if necessary to the President,
I am very sorry that you will not have the profit upon the
merchandise shipped before the first of June, as it has paid
best of all. Your instructions to offer the business to the Govt,
were, however, explicit, and had the War Dept, not taken it.
Fox would have taken the merchandise, under your letter to
him. Everything shipped since the opening of the port I have
carried to your account or your brother's (and the profit
will be very satisfactory),
I called at your house on Monday, the 14th, and saw Mrs,
Butler, apparently very well. She knew nothing of the map
you wrote me about, nor have I heard of it anywhere else,
I am shipping some hay and flour to Mr, A, Montgomery by
the brig "Hannah Thornton," which sails from New York
today. She is chiefly laden with Govt, stores, and I hope will
receive every proper facility in the way of tonnage, etc,
I have been so pressed by the large amount of this business
that I have not yet been able to write you so fully as I wish to
do. My first thought and effort has been to guard your per
sonal reputation in official transactions intact and unspotted.
In this I believe I have been entirely successful, and if in my
care in this regard I have not made all the money for you I
could have done, you will not think me the less, but more.
Your sincere friend, l^icn. S, Fay, Je,
From Residents of Vacherie New Orleans, July 19th, 1862
To Benjamin F, Butler, Major General U. S. Army,
Department of the Gulf
The petition of the undersigned, citizens of the United
States, respectfully represents that they are residents of the
Vacherie Settlement, in the Parish of St, James, State of
Louisiana, about six miles from the Mississippi River (on its
right bank), and about four miles from the Lake des AUe-
mands, in which settlement most of them follow the occupa-

90 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
tion of gardeners and growers of vegetables. That they have
ever been loyal to the United States government, have never in
any manner or form aided or assisted the present rebeUion,
and have, since their arrival in this city, renewed their aUe
giance to their government by a solemn oath.
That the wrongs and abuses they have suffered for their
refusal to aid the rebellion, and to take up arms against their
government, have been of so gross and cruel a nature, and of
such frequent occurrence, that their recital in detail would
prove tedious to read. They will content themselves by stat
ing that during the present week all the loyal men, and even
women of the neighborhood, have been compelled to leave
their homes and crops and to hide themselves, or find their
way to the Federal lines as best they could, in order to avoid
being pressed into military service by bands of "Partisan
Rangers," as they style themselves, of the Confederate States
Government, That these bands occasionally rove along the
roads of the Parish in numbers of from thirty to a hundred
each, and forcibly take with them every person who will not
aid or join them, regardless of age or condition.
Should this state of things be permitted for any length of
time, the homes and crops of your petitioners will be entirely
destroyed, and your petitioners ruined in their worldly affairs.
They therefore call upon you to come to their assistance,
and give them that protection which is due to every loyal
American citizen. They earnestly hope and pray that you
may be able to send a force into that important section of the
country to effect this object. Besides conferring a blessing
upon that neighborhood, such action will secure advantages
towards peace and quiet in this city.
Very respectfully, T, J, Schneider, Albebt Bahne, Dick
Bahne, Vinkle Lechleiteb, Kabl Seide, Joseph Lech-
LEITEB, A, BbANDT
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Oulf, New Orleans, Jvly 19, 1862
Special Order No. 206
The Steamer "Empire Parish" has liberty to trade up and
down the coast within the limits of our hnes, and to carry
family supplies, each lot of said supplies to be only in such
quantities as should be properly issued to one family or one
plantation, and not to be issued for trading purposes, particu-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 91
larly no lot of over ten bags of salt shaU be issued to any one
consignee. t, ^ r ,,«^ ^ ^
By Order of Maj, Gen, Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From General Butler
Head Qts, Dept, of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 19th, 1862
Captain Gibson, Gunboat "Potomac" off Ship Island
Schooners from Nassau, Key West, &c,, are in the habit
of coming to this City through the lakes, which cannot be
permitted as we have no Quarantine Officer at that Post, I
have been informed that they generally pass by you. If you
would inform them that no vessels are allowed to come to the
City unless they come through the Passes, and report them
selves at the Quarantine Station on the River, you would
save them a great deal of trouble. We have already been
obUged to order back two, I am. Sir,
Most Respectfully, Your Obt. Servant,
By order of Maj, Gen, Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From James G. Carney
Bank of Mutual Redemption, No. 91 State Street, Boston, Mass., July 19, 1862
Hon. Benjamin F. Butler, New Orleans, Louisiana
My dear Sir: I have- to thank you for your favor of the
2nd instant, which came duly to hand. The drafts have all
been provided for. The government, I understand through
Mr. Fay, paying me $60,600 for drafts and commissions. I
cashed the drafts so as to pay off Messrs, Hildreth et al, and
all interest paid by him on them, and 35 dollars on his money
while used, and had something left for negotiating. It came
at a fortunate time for making the negotiations; and so all
trouble, after the first "hitch," was escaped. The time has
been and may be again, probably will be, when the matter
would be exceedingly troublesome, and difficult, if possible to
manage. The main part of your letter you will see published in the
Journal (Boston), if you see that paper, or in the New York
Times, copied from the Journal, if you see that. It will go far
to help on a healthy pubhc Opinion, that you must deal with
"different people differently," "fight fire with fire;" and when
you go to war, as you said a year ago last April (I think), you

92 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
must "Go to war to hurt somebody," I hope now that Con
gress has adjourned that that is to be the principle upon
which the Government is to go to war untU this atrocious and
infernal rebellion is ended. Your friend, James G. Carney

From Richard S. Fay, Jr.
Boston, Jvly iOth, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler
My dear General: I wrote you June 14th owning receipt
of yours and Col, Butler's favors of 1st inst,, covering sundry
drafts and invoices of shipments to me, I went immediately
to Washington, where the transaction made a great deal of
discussion, the essential difficulty being with the shipments
made before the opening of the Port, June 1st, in view of the
jealousy with which the blockade is regarded by foreign pow
ers. The result, however, was that the Govt, assumed the
transaction, making me its agent to sell the merchandise, pay
the drafts, and hand them the profits. I enclose a copy of the
letter of the Secretary of War containing Gen. Meigs' report
upon the case. Considering the beautiful opportunities
afforded for making difficulty, I think this a very satisfactory
settlement, and very complimentary to your judgment.
Secretary Stanton spoke in the warmest terms of your admin
istration. Indeed he could hardly have said more in your
praise. Although I am very sorry the profit on these opera
tions does not accrue to you, I think Gen. Meigs' view a just
one, and it will be far better to be able to silence the many
remarks current here about the business from which your
reputation would have suffered if uncontradicted. Returning
from Washington only this morning, I find your favors of 10th
and llth. I will attend to your wishes about the map. The
cheque for $10,000 will be placed to your credit when paid.
You will observe that no bond or accountability is required of
me by Govt,, a handsome compliment, and a hint that they
do not want to make too large a record of the business as a
precedent, Genl, McClellan has been largely reinforced. He was not
defeated at Fair Oaks, but drove back a sortie in great force,
losing 8 guns and 10,000 men in doing it, I came from Nor
folk to Washington with a Norfolk lady. She told me that
the capture of New Orleans was the only event of the war

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 93
which had disturbed the smooth current of the Secession con
fidence. It was a terrible blow to them, Fremont was virtu
ally beaten at Woodstock, and Shields at Port Republic, and
nothing but the invincible steadiness of my "Beacon St,
dandy friends" of the 2nd Mass, saved Banks the loss of every
man and wagon of his command at Winchester, I trust it is
not wrong to say that I think Jackson the most brilliant
officer the war has produced. Stern impartiality compels me
to do it. He now has Siegel against him, and I rather think a
genius better adapted to cope with him, with equal numbers,
than any officer we have.
During my absence, several of Col, Butler's drafts on me,
and some of yours on Carney, were noted for non-acceptance,
I have accepted them all to-day, I understand Mr, Carney
has put Mr, Hildreth to some trouble to secure him. It was
unnecessary, as I would have paid his draft "for your honor"
(honor commercial), I shall go to see Mrs, Butler as soon as I
can leave Boston, I suppose she has the map, as I have not
seen it, I am heartily glad she is at home again, I write to
Col, Butler with figures, etc.
Very Sincerely Yours, Rich. S. Fay, Jr.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 20, 1862
My dear Wife: I got your kind note where you praised
me. How sweet to be praised by one we love! It is late, and
I do not mean to write you a word but to say good night.
Yet a word before you go to sleep. How did you like your
saddle, and Blanche's saddle, and my harness?
I sent a little present for Blanche under the seal of this note.
Cut it out and give it to her. The City the healthiest of
healthy s. All weU. Nice house, fine furniture, plenty of
servants, and loneliness. Keep yourself very happy and get
fat. I send all manner of slips enclosed with this. Blanche
must not forget the scrap book. Benj
From General Butler
Head Qts. Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July ilst, 1862
Captain Morris, Steamship "Pensacola"
Sir: We have received some letters this morning from Col,
McMUlan at Baton Rouge, in which he states that he has

94 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
received a report that the rebel steamer "Music," armed with
4 or 6 six-pounder guns is lying a few miles down the Bayou
at Plaquemine, waiting an opportunity of catching a transport
and getting salt and other articles shipped from here. We
would caU your attention to the fact. I am. Sir,
Most Respectfully, Your Obt. Servt.
By order of Maj. Gen. Butler
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of ihe Gvlf, New Orleans, July il, 1862
Hon. Reverdy Johnson
My dear Sir: Permit me to iterate and reiterate again and
again what you knew so well before, but which these deluded
people seem determined never to believe, that no merchan
dise, whether cotton or sugar, will in any event be seized or
confiscated by the U. S. authorities here.
I will assure safe conduct^ open market, and prompt ship
ment of aU such property sent to New Orleans, and the owner,
were he Slidell himself, should have the pay for his cotton if
sent here under this assurance, I am.
Most truly, yours,
Benj, F, Butler, Major-General Commanding
Official Records Series 3, Vol. II, Page 239,
From Honorable Reverdy Johnson
U. S. Commissioners Office, Custom House, N. 0. July Usi, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butler
My dear General: I needed not your note of this morning
to satisfy me on the subject to which it relates. The public
mind should have been put right upon it by your proclamation
of the 7th of May, In these times, however, opinion is so
sensitive, and misrepresentations so frequent, on all matters
touching the unfortunate condition of the country, that I am
glad to have your note with the privilege to make it public.
The restoration of commerce in and from this port is a
result so important to the interest of this State, the United
States, and the Governments of Europe, that it seems strange
that an intelligent man should have doubted your wish as
the representative of our Government, to do all that you
could do to bring it about.
If there be any really existing fear upon the point, your

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 95
note (for which I thank you) cannot fail to remove it. The
Confederate Government, as it caUs itself, may burn and
destroy the Cotton and Sugar of the people whom they claim
to represent, and whose right they pretend to be anxious to
protect. They may, too, for a time succeed in keeping alive
the delusion of their followers, but an inteUigent Southern
public, and an intelligent European opinion, will soon, if it
has not already, discover the shallowness of the pretense, and
see, unless soon arrested by the fostering power of the Govern
ment, the certain ruin to which it must lead. With great respect.
Yours sincerely, Reverdy Johnson, Comms.
From Honorable Reverdy Johnson
U. S. Commissioners Office, New Orleans, July ilst, 1862
To Maj. Genl. Butler
Sir: The examination I have been making into the owner
ship of Eight hundred thousand Dollars ($800,000) in coin,
deposited by Mr, E, J, Forstall as Agent of Messrs, Hope &
Co, with the Consul of the Netherlands, and taken possession
of by your order, has resulted in satisfying me that the ten
Bonds for One thousand Dollars each ($1000) of the City of
New Orleans, and the eight of the City of Mobile for the like
amount each, taken at the same time, are the property of
Messrs, Hope & Co,, and were in good faith deposited as
alleged by their said agent, and that they should be retumed
to him. His authority of agent appears by an original power
of Attorney, properly proved before me, arid also by the fact
that he has for years acted in that capacity. With high
^^S^^d Your obedient Sent.,
Reverdy Johnson, Commis., etc.
From Honorable Reverdy Johnson
XJ. S. Commissioners' Offi.ce, Custom House, New Orleans, July 26, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
T, A, F, Puffer, Lieut, and A. D. C.
Sir: The box the Maj, General sent me a few days since
contained, amongst other things, the 18 Bonds of the City of
New Orleans and Mobile, It being locked, and the Consul
of Netherlands having the key, I apphed to him for it, saying
that I desired to deliver the Bonds to Mr, Forstall, who claimed
them as the agent of Messrs, Hope & Co, He declined send-

96 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
ing the key, I then had the Box opened, delivered the Bonds
to that gentleman, taking his receipt (a copy is enclosed), and
notified the Consul that I held the Box to be dehvered to him,
with the remainder of its contents. This he refused also by
letter. My answer, a copy of which I send you for the infor
mation of the General, will show him the condition in which
the matter now stands. As this copy is the only one I have,
the General will oblige me by returning it, I will have another
made for him if he should desire one.
Yours with regard, Reverdy Johnson, Commis.
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Received, New Orleans, July 22nd, 1862, from the Hon,
Reverdy Johnson, Comms,, under an order from Major Gen'l
Butler, the following Bonds:
10 Consolidated Debt City of New Orleans Bonds for $1000 each
8 Mobile City Bonds for $1000 each
the property of Messrs, Hope and Co, of Amsterdam, placed
under the protection of the Consul ("des Paysbas") and
seized by Order of the Commander of the Gulf Department.
Edm. j. Forstall, Agent of Hope and Co.

From Honorable Reverdy Johnson
U. S, Commissioners Office, Custom House, N, 0., Jvly iind, 1862
Maj. Genl. Butler
Sir: The question of the propriety of the payment made
to you under protest, on the 5th of June last, of $8948,50,
Eight thousand Nine hundred and forty-eight 50/100 DoUars,
by Messrs, S, H, Kennedy & Co, of this City, the estimated
value of a third of Exchange at sixty days after sight, dated
Havana, the 30th of the previous April, for $1789,14, One
thousand Seven hundred and eighty-nine pounds and fourteen
shiUings, which you have submitted to this Commission, I
have carefully considered. The facts attending the shipment
of the cotton to Havana by Messrs, Kennedy & Co,, on the
proceeds of which the biU was drawn, as well as all the other
facts connected with the transaction, are clear. The shipment
was in violation of the blockade, and if seized in delicto would
have been liable to forfeiture. The proceeds also, if received
here on the return voyage, would have been equally liable

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 97
to forfeiture. The vessel would also either on the outer or
return voyage have been in like manner liable. But the
blockade having been successfully run, and the cotton sold
in Havana, and the first and second of Exchange drawn by the
shippers' consignees in Havana, and sent to London by ship
pers' orders to be passed to their credit in London, the first
question is, whether the third of Exchange is to be esteemed
the proceeds of the shipment and liable to seizure? I am of
the opinion it cannot. The first and second of Exchange hav
ing been paid by the drawers in London, and the proceeds
passed to the credit of the shippers, the third is a mere nul
lity, valueless in the hands of the shippers. It was not then
the representatives of the cotton or its proceeds. The first
was the property of the buyers in Havana, the second the prop
erty of the shippers, because of the payment of the first or
second, and the passing of its proceeds to their credit with
their London Bankers,
The offense of running the Blockade is not, under the mod
em law of nations, a personal offense. It affects only the ship
and the cargo. If these are not [retained] physically, or their
proceeds on a retum voyage, the offense escapes punishment.
It never attends the vessel or the cargo further than to the
termination of the [return?] voyage, with the exception of the
immediate return voyage. The rule is weU settled by modern
authority, Enghsh, Continental, and American, that the
offense is purged unless the vessel or cargo is captured in
dilecto. The harshness of the ancient doctrine as to breaches
of blockade, or of contraband of War, has long since been
ameliorated. This has been affected by the silent but sure and
effective influence of a more enlightened civihzation, and a
better sense of the importance to the interest of the nations
of the world of an unrestricted Commerce. The rights of war
as originally understood have been made to yield to a convic
tion of the greater value of this interest. War — fortunately
for the welfare of man — is coming to be more and more
occasional and temporary. Peace is the condition on which
his happiness most depends. And aU the ancient rules, appli
cable to a state of war, for a long period barbarous and preg
nant with evil, have been for years so modified as to take from
war many of its former terrible consequences.
Second. But there is another fatal objection to the payment
exacted of Messrs. Kennedy & Co. When the third of Ex
change was returned here, the blockade no longer existed. It
VOL. II — 7

98 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
had been removed by Order of the President, and the Port
declared to be open. Nothing is better settled than that the
raising of a blockade, in the interval between the sailing in
violation of it, and the capture of the offending Vessel and
Cargo, exempts both from penalty. The object of enforcing the
penalty is to guard against future violations of the Blockade,
not of any that may thereafter be declared. The whole pur
pose is to secure the particular blockade against violation, and
no other. When, therefore, that blockade is raised, the reason
for forfeiture ceases. In the language of Wheaton, "When
the blockade is raised, a veil is thrown over everything that is
done, and the vessel is no longer in delicto\ The deUction may
be completed at one period, but it is by subsequent events
done away" (Wh,eaton's Law of Nations, 3rd edt, page 50).
The same rule as well as the others I have stated wiU be found
to be well-estabhshed by, amongst other authorities, the case
of the "Sanders," 2nd Gallican, pg. 210, 1st Rents Commen
taries (6th edition pg, 151), and Carrington and al, versus ihe
Merchants Insurance Comp, Sth Peters Reports, pp, 495-519,
My opinion is, therefore, that the sum received from Messrs,
Kennedy & Co, should be retutned to them, I have the honor
to be. With high regard Your. Obdt. Servt.,
Reverdy Johnson, Commis.
From General Butler
Head Qts, Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Jvly iind, 1862
Hon. Reverdy Johnson
Sib: I have your decision in the matter of the money paid
by J, H, Kennedy & Co,, and whUe I shall pay back the money
in obedience to it, if the partners of the House take the Oath of
Allegiance, I must dissent from the conclusions to which you
have come toto animo.
The facts are briefly these, Kennedy & Corvere, mer
chants doing business in New Orleans, the members of which
were citizens of the United States, They shipped Cotton
bought at Vicksburg and brought it to New Orleans from a
Bayou on the Coast, where Steamers were accustomed to
run the Blockade to Havana, on board Steamships that were
engaged in carrying goods from the neighborhood of New
Orleans to Havana in deflance of the laws and the President's
Proclamation, and under the further agreement with the
Confederate authority here that a given per cent of the value

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 99
of their Cargoes should be returned in arms and Munitions of
War for the use of the rebels here.
Without such an agreement, no Cotton could be shipped
from New Orleans, and this publicly known, and the fact of
Knowledge, that a permit for the vessel to ship cotton could
only be got on such terms, was not denied at the hearing.
The Cotton was sold- in Havana, and the net proceeds were
invested in a draft (first, second, and third of exchange) dated
April 30, 1862, payable to the London Agent of the House of
Kennedy & Co,, and the first and second sent forward to
London, and the third, with account sales and vouchers,
forwarded to the firm here through an illicit mail on board the
Steamer "Fox," likewise engaged in carrying unlawful mer
chandise and an illicit mail between Havana and the Rebel
States, The third of Exchange and papers are captured by the
Army of the United States on tenth day of May on board the
"Fox" — flagrante delicto, surrounded by the Rebel Arms and
Munitions, concealed in a Bayou leading out of Baratana Bay,
attempting to land her contraband mails and scarcely less
destructive arms and munitions to be sent through the by
ways and swamps to the Enemy,
During all this time, J, H, Kennedy & Co, have not accepted
the amnesty proffered by the proclamation of the Command
ing Genl, but preferred to remain within its terms Rebels and
Enemies, Upon this state of facts, the Commanding General caUed
upon Kennedy & Co, to pay the amount of net proceeds of
the Cotton (the third of Exchange of the draft) which, with
the documents rplating to this unlawful transaction, he has
captured as a proper forfeiture of the Govemment under the
facts above stated, which was done upon the submission to
you, whether the forfeiture was a proper one. You have decided
that the money should be repaid, because the forfeiture was
not proper.
Pardon me if I respectfully examine the grounds of that
decision. They are: 1st. That there was no capture of the
property or its representative actually running the blockade.
2nd. That there is no personal detection in Kennedy & Co.
in the acts done by them, which can render them subject to
forfeiture, and 3rd, that the blockade being raised by the proc
lamation of the President before the Capture of the draft and
paper, all delection on account of the transaction is purged.

100 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Was not this third of Exchange the very representative of
the transaction in connection with the Account Sales? If the
first or second has been paid, then of course it becomes value
less, but there was no evidence that either the first or second
had been paid, nor could that have been done in 10 days from
Havana to London, in which case the third is the sole "pro
ceeds " of the iUegal transaction. Is not the third of exchange
usually sent by consignee to the principal, where the order is to
transfer the fund to a distant House precisely for the purpose
of representing the transaction? In the hands of the owners,
S, H, Kennedy & Co,, were not these several of exchange equal
in value? If one holds the 1st & 2nd and third of Exchange,
can it be said that one is more valuable than the other to the
holder? Kennedy & Co, did hold all these by themselves or
their Agents, All of equal value up to the capture.
The hazards of the return voyage was guarded against by
a shipment to England of one of the representatives of the
Cotton, but the commercial transaction was still infleri in the
transmission of its account sales and vouchers, and represent
ative of value to the company here.
Even if I am right, however, it is unnecessary to elaborate
the point further, because it seems to me that the decision
turns upon a non-appreciation of the Law, what is the effect
of the Blockade? As applied to this transaction, the citations
and arguments, derived from elementary writers upon the
law of Nations are of no value. This is not the case of a resi
dent subject of a foreign State attempting to elude the vigi
lance of a blockade by a foreign power of a port of a third
nation. The rule that a successful running of the Blockade,
or a subsequent raising of the blockade, purges the transaction
so far as punishment for personal deliction is concerned, is
too familiar to need citation, at least by a lawyer to a lawyer.
It would be desirable to see some citations to show there was
no personal deliction in the transaction under consideration.
A traitorous commercial house, directly engaged in the
treasonable work of aiding a Rebellion against the Govern
ment by entering into a trade, the direct effect of which is to
furnish the rebels with arms and amunitions. To do this,
they intentionally violate the Revenue laws, postal laws, of
their Country, as well as the laws prohibiting trade with for
eign countries from this port, and are caught in the act and
fined only the Amount of the proceeds of their Ulegal treason
able transaction.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 101
Their lives by every law were forfeit to the Country of
their allegiance. The representative of that Country takes a
comparatively small fine from them, and a Commission of
that same Country refunds it, because of its impropriety,
Grotius, Puffendorf, Vatel, and Wheaton wUl be searched,
it is believed in vain, for precedent for such action. Why cite
international law to govern a transaction between the rebel
lious traitor and his own Government? Around the State of
Louisiana the Government had placed the impassable barrier
of law covering each and every subject, saying to him, from
that State no Cotton should be shipped, and no Arms imported,
and there no mails or letters should be delivered. To warn off
foreigners, to prevent bad men of our own Citizens violating
that law, the Governments had placed ships. Now, whatever
may be the law relating to the intruding foreigner, can it be
said for a moment that the fact that a traitor has successfully
eluded the vigilance of the Government, that very success
purges the crime which might never have been criminal but
for this success? stare decisis.
The fine will be restored, but the Guilty Party ought to be
and will be punished,
A course of treatment of rebels and traitors which should
have such results would be not only "rose water" but diluted
"rose water," The other reason given for the decision, that
the Blockade had been raised, is a mistake in point of fact,
both in the date and the place of capture. The capture was
* not made of a vessel running into the port of New Orleans,
nor was the shipment made from the port of New Orleans,
when the blockade was raised, but from one of those Lagoons
where in former times Lafitte the pirate carried on a hardly
more atrocious business.
Something was said at the hearing that this money was
intended by Kennedy & Co, for northern creditors. Sending
it to England does not seem to be the best evidence of that
intention. But, of course, no such consideration could enter into the
decision, I have reviewed this decision at some length because
it seems to me that it offers a premium for treasonable acts to
traitors in the Confederate States, It says iu substance,
violate the laws of the United States as well as you can, send
abroad all the produce of the Confederate States you can, to
be converted into arms for the rebellion, you only take the
risk of losing in transitu, and as the profits are four-fold, you

102 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
can afford so to do, but it is solemnly decided that in all this
there is no personal deliction .ior which you can or ought to
be punished even by a fine, and if you are, the fine shaU be
returned, I have the honor to be your Obt. Servt.,
Benj, F, Butleb, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, July 23rd, 1862
Brig. Gen. J, W, Phelps, Comdg. forces at
Camp Parapet, Carrolton
General: Is it not best that a boy of thirteen who has not
discretion enough, one would suppose, to know how to take
care of himself, be allowed to go back to his Mistress, He can
hardly be called a "fugitive from labor," This Widow is a
loyal Woman, has taken the Oath of Allegiance, and in my
judgment should have back her servant in the pecuUar cir
cumstances of the case, I am
Very truly Your friend & Servt.,
Benj, F. Butler
From D. W. McMillan to General Butler
Private, Baton Rouge, La., 23 July 1862
Dear General: Yours by the hands of Mr, Bates has
been received and attentively read, I will most cheerfully do
all in my power to gain the end you desire, I have only,
attempted one Cotton speculation (at Red River), and that
failed, being entirely surrounded by water. Since then I
have had no share, lot, nor part in any Cotton transaction, I
have not been able to do duty since I saw you, and I truly
regret that such representations should be made to you by
any one as to furnish you satisfactory grounds for threatening
me. If any person save Moses Bates or a Jew has complained,
I am not aware of it, and I most humbly beseech you not to
hold me responsible for any charge based on their statements.
If the charge comes from any other Quarter, I hope you wiU
thoroughly investigate it, as I certainly desire at least as greatly
to appear a gentleman as a soldier in your estimation. If I
had a Boat at my command I could do much more in getting
Cotton into market. There are a few points along the River,
where the people have too much sense to destroy their Cotton,
and would be glad to ship it off to market.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 103
The prospect is getting better here, too, as many of the
Citizens have sold for money instead of Confederate Bonds or
Certificates, As soon as I can drive all the Rebel Bands of
Guerillas beyond reach of the people, they wUl seU their
Cotton, Many are now very desirous of being "forced" to
sell, as they get better prices than ever before. If it was pos
sible to get one or two more Companies of Cavalry here it
would be of incalculable service, I could then follow the
Guerilla Bands and break them up entirely. If I can only get
hold of a few of the prominent ones it will die of itself and the
hatred of the people, I understand your allusion to "patriotic
duty," and appreciate it, and will do all in my power, but
being confined to my room with one of those terrible scourges
called carbuncles on back of my neck and head, I am very
feeble mentally as well as physically. Having no well-organized
Staff, I am necessarily compelled to do most of my labor per
sonally, I am amazed greatly by applicants for permits to
buy provisions of my Commissariat by all Classes, as many of
the substantial cannot be obtained elsewhere.
As soon as the Boats at Vicksburg get down, I hope Boats
will be more plenty, and one can be had at this place, which
wUl facilitate purchases and shipments greatly. With Great
Regard, I am ^^^^^ Yours, D, W, McMillan
From G. M. Shipper New Orleans, Jvly 23d, 1862
Maj. Genl. Butler
I WAS released from prison by order of General WUliams for
raising the Union Standard of the old red, white and blue
from my house. No, 205 Lafayette Street, on the morning of
the day the Federal fleet crossed into New Orleans,
Myself and wife were under your protection at the Custom
House, two days and nights, I now desire a situation whereby
I can gain an honest livelihood, I also desire your influence,
I respectfuUy refer to Capt, J, W, Scott, of 31st Mass, Regi
ment, Capt, A, Comstock, 13th Connecticut, Capt, F, M, H,
Kendrick, 55 St, Charies Street, L, F, Glenn, Esq,, Clerk in
Maj, J, M, Bell's Provost Court, I have other recommenda
tions good and true, from loyal citizens. Were Capt, Josiah
Snow in the City, I know fuU well I could be admitted and
gain an audience. As it is now, your Orderly regards my
presence only as an intruder.

104 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
I enclose a note from my wife. General, if you can do noth
ing for me, wUl you in God's name give me a free pass to leave
the accursed South for my own, my dear Bay State?
Ever true, G. M, Shipper
July i»rd, 1862
G, M, Shipper, Esq, wished me to send the above for your
consideration. y^^^ respectfully Your Obdt. Servt.
A, Comstock, Capt. 13th Regt.
From Mrs. G. M. Shipper
New Orleans. July 23d, 1862
Major Gen'l. Butler
Dear Sir: Allow me to intrude a few moments upon your
time. The bearer of this is my husband, who is in great need of
employment. We have seen better days, A few years ago
my husband was proprietor of a paper in the State of N, Y,
Now he is in the City of New Orleans without a "ticket" in
his pocket, and out of employment, while the "Rebels" here
are given good "fat" situations, I am 'hungry, but too proud
to let it be known. We went to bed without supper, and my
dear husband is before you without breakfast. Dear General,
I wish a favor at your hands. Do not refuse me, I am proud
and a refusal will crush me, I have some furniture, and I am
willing to give you a mortgage on it if you will be kind enough
to let me have twenty-five or thirty Dollars' worth of rations
from the Commissaries stores, Mr, Shipper will pay promptly
as soon as he gets employment. Yours Truly, Mrs, G, M, Shipper
From Honorable Reverdy Johnson
V. S. Commissioners Offi/:e, New Orleans, July 23rd, 1862
To Maj. Genl. Butler
Sir: In the case of the seizure of the goods in the store of
MauU and Hancock in this City, which you have referred to
this Commission, I am of the opinion that they should be
restored. Neither of the grounds, though at first view plausible, can
be maintained, 1st. The fact that the parties, one or both,
had been engaged in running the blockade, constitutes no

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 105
personal legal offense. The penalty for such conduct is but
the forfeiture of the vessel and cargo. But this can only be
enforced when the property is caught in delicto, and that can
only happen on the outward or immediate return voyage,
and when at the time of seizure the blockade is in force.
Neither of these facts existed in this instance, and, besides that,
the goods seized are not the returns of any outward shipment.
For authorities on this point, I refer you to those cited in the
opinion I had the honor to give you yesterday in the case of
Messrs, Kennedy and Co, 2nd. The fact, if true, that Hancock,
one of the owners, was engaged in the rebellioij or sympathized
in it, is no cause of forfeiture of his property by military au
thority. But the fact is denied, and the truth of the denial is
established to my satisfaction, 3rd. But if both the preceding
views were erroneous, the goods should be returned. It appears
that the House of Thaddeus Norris & Co, of Philadelphia, who
never violated the Blockade or were privy to its violation by
MauU and Hancock, and who are loyal citizens, are largely in
terested in the goods. This appears by an affidavit of Thaddeus
Norris, the head of the House, made in Philadelphia on the
27th ultimo, and by an account annexed to the same now before
me. By these it appears that while Hancock is a creditor for
$1722,20 Seventeen hundred and twenty-two 20/100 DoUars,
and MauU for $5028,24 Five thousand twenty-eight 24/100
Dollars, Norris is one for $17,116,73 Seventeen thousand one
hundred and sixteen 73/100 Dollars, To condemn the stock as
the property of the two former would be to inflict upon Norris
a total loss of his interest in the concern, a result evidently
unjust. I have the honor to be with high regards
Your Obedient Servant, Reverdy Johnson, Commis.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, July iith, 1862
Hon. Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury
Sir: I am informed by Dr. Bonzano, the acting Superin
tendent of the U. S. Mint here, that it would be practicable
to coin small coins below the half Dollar at once at the Mint
if we had the dies from Philadelphia. That this could be done
without any in,creased expense to the Government. All the
smaU coin had been shipped off by the Confederates, and we
are suffering the worst possible swindling by a ticket and shin-
plaster system for the want of them.

106 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
WUl you, therefore, authorize Dr. Bonzano to coin so much
silver as may be furnished him into the coins below the half
doUar, and order dies for that purpose to be at once sent from
Philadelphia. Mr, John Brooks, who used to fiU the Office of Coiner for
many years, a loyal Citizen of Massachusetts birth, can be
had to fill that Office if the Secretary so chooses, I have the
honor etc. From Moses Bates
Baton Rouge, La., July iith, 1862
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: By direction of Maj, Gen, B, F, Butler, commanding
Department of the Gulf, I am employing the convicts of this
state, sentenced to imprisonment, in the manufacture of
cotton goods. Prior to the occupation of the city by Union
troops, the machinery of this institution was employed in the
manufacture of cloth for tents and clothing for the Confederate
army, I would suggest therefore to the Quartermaster Depart
ment whether the same facilities may not now be employed
for the supply of our troops, the institution being sustained as
the property of the United States government.
Respectfully Yours,
Moses Bates, Agent Louisiana Penitentiary
From Superintendent Moses Bates
Louisiana State Penitentiary, Baton Rouge, La., July iith, 1862
Gen. B, F, Butler
Dear Sir: Since the wheels of the Factory are stopped for
want of cotton, whUe transactions in that staple are daily
transpiring between officers of your command and Specula
tors, I respectfully ask for further instructions as to how I
shall proceed. Could I be furnished with a military escort
and sufficient transportation, including transportation by
Steamer, I could furnish a considerable amount of cotton
at once, but without such aid my efforts are worse than futile.
There is a Jew here whose dishonest transactions are repre
hensible, who claims to operate under some authority from
Dep, Provost Marshal Stafford, I trust such authority may
be revoked. His name is Zeighler,
Respectfully Yours, Moses Bates

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 107
From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Dept. ofthe Gulf, New Orleans, July iith, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a note from Brig, Gen,
Arnold asking to have the district under his Command trans
ferred to the Department of the Gulf from the Dept, of the
South, I trust not to be thought desirous of adding to my depart
ment either in extent of labor or responsibility in asking that
this change be made. We can have much more direct com
munication with Pensacola here than is possible with Port
Royal, As there must be a Depot of supplies here, Pensacola
can be supplied better, more cheaply and expeditiously from
this point, I am most Respectfully
Your Obt. Servant, B, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Pensacola, Fla„ July iOth, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler
My dear General: I have long entertained the opinion
that the Order placing the Troops at Fort Pickens & vicinity
within the Dept, of the South (Hd, Qts, Hilton Head, S,C,) as
misjudged, on account of the great difficulty of communicating
with the Hd, Qts, of the Dept, I am now after some experi
ence more fully convinced of the fact.
I would be pleased if the troops under my Command were
transferred from the Dept. of the South to the Dept, of the
Gulf, I am y^^y Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.,
L, G, Arnold, Brig. Gen. U.S. A. Comdg.
From the Secretary of the Treasury
Treasury DepaHment, July iith, 1862
Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler
Sib: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your in
formation, copies of several letters addressed to the Acting
Collector at New Orleans, mstructing him to deliver certain
goods detained by him at the Custom House, subject to your
directions. I am
Very Respectfully, Your Obdt. Servant,
S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury

108 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Instructions referred to in Foregoing Letter
Treasury Department, July iith, 1862
George S, Denison, Esq., Special Agent and Acting Collector
Sir: Messrs, S, and J, Schiffer, of New York, represent that
on the 23rd of May they shipped to New Orleans, by the
Bark "Parmelia Flood," 37 cases matches, 10 bbls. Whiskey,
10 qt. Casks Brandy, 10 bbls. Absinthe, and that these goods
are now held by you under instructions from this department.
As the above shipment was made previous to the instruc
tions to Collectors with regard to clearances of Articles regarded
as contraband of war, you will deliver the goods to the Agent
of Messrs. Schiffer at New Orleans, subject to the direction of
General Butler, and require of him a suitable bond that none
of the Articles shall be used to give aid or comfort to the insur
gents, provided there are no other circumstances known to
you, and not known to this department, which render it advis
able for you to retain the goods in your possession, in which
case you will report them to this Department without delay.
' Very Respectfully,
S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury
Instructions referred to in Foregoing Letter
Treasury DepaHment, July iith, 1862
George S. Denison, Sp. Agt. & Acting Coll.
Sir: Messrs. G. H. Rogers and Co., of Boston, represent
that on the 22nd day of May they shipped on board the Brig
"Neveus," for New Orleans, among other articles, 10 Hds.
Lucifer Matches, 20 or 30 Coils Cordage, 6 Bbls. Rum, 49
baskets Champagne, 23 Cases Gin, 48 Cases Brandy, and 2
Cases French Vermouth, which articles are detained by you
at the Custom House.
Messrs. G. H. Rogers and Co., of Boston, also represent
that on the 27th of May they shipped on board the Bark
"Smyrniote," a quantity of Liquors and Wines consigned to
their agent Samuel Knowles, wliich are also detained by you.
As the above shipments were made previous to the instruc
tions to the Collector relative to the clearance of articles re
garded as contraband of war, you will deliver them to the
several agents of the parties, subject to the direction of General
Butler, and require of them suitable bond that none of the
articles shall be used to give aid or comfort to the insurgents.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 109
provided there are no circumstances in either case known to
you, and not known to this Dq)artment, which render it
advisable for you to detain the goods, in which case you wUl
report them, without delay, I am.
Respectfully, S, P, Chase, Sec. of the Treasury
From the Secretary of ihe Treasury
Treasury Department, July 21, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Benj, T, Van Nostrand, Esq., New York
Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of 19th instant, request
ing the release of fifteen cases of matches shipped by Messrs,
Denison and Wyckoff of New York to New Orieans and at
the latter port seized as contraband of war.
The shipment from New York having been made on the
22nd of May, and the Proclamation making matches contra
band of war not having been issued tiU after that time, I feel
justified in directing a release of the merchandise.
The Collector at New Orleans has accordingly been directed
to release the same on payment of all costs and charges, but
to hold them subject to the order of General Butler, I am
Very Respectfully, S, P, Chase, Secretary of the Treasury.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gvlf, New Orleans, July 25, 1862
My dear Wife: A mail in and no letter from you, I write
not because I have anything to write about, but because if
you feel the same loneliness that I do when a mail comes and
you do not get a letter, I wish you should not feel so badly.
Health very good, weather very warm, work very hard.
Trouble plenty, and so we go.
The Government have sustained Phelps about the Negroes,
and we shall have a negro insurrection here I fancy. If some
thing is not done soon, God help us all. The negroes are getting
saucy and troublesome, and who blames them? This people
are doomed to destruction, I fully believe, Vicksburg not
taken yet, and will not be soon, I fancy, I have ordered
WiUiams home, I trust you will be able to get happily through
the summer without me, as I see no hope of getting home this
summer, I have sent Shepley home to endeavor to regulate
this matter of the negroes.
Remember me to Blanche and the children with every love.

110 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
TeU Harriet that I wish she were out here, for it is very pleas
ant now, and I suppose she is fat and strong.
Ask Fisher why he does not write. TeU Clemence if he will
come out here I wUl make him chief of Police, or that there is
the finest opening for an auction business ever seen. Hurry
up Fisher about the oats. I will give two hundred dollars
apiece for 100 cavalry horses of good quality landed here.
Here I am at business again. What shaU I say to you, dearest,
that I love you, pshaw! you know that. That I think of you
very, very much, and only don't wish you- here because you
are not strong. That you are the best of good, dear, kind,
thoughtful and affectionate wives, that I ought not to have
had at all because you are too kind and good to me. Any or
all these I may say, and yet I might not say exactly what I
mean. If I were in the vestibule now of our house, and you
had come to let me in, and everybody didn't see me, I could
tell you what I mean and not say a word. As ever yours, Benj,
From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Dept. of ihe Gvlf, New Orleans, July iSth, 1862
Mr. John Sanborn
Dear Sir: Please find enclosed the papers of Mr, Willard's
Claim for indemnity for the Higgins Hotel as a Hospital,
' The Hotel was taken under my order as is easUy shown, but
there is one fact that precludes my making any Certificate in
his favor. It is this, A Board of Survey, consisting of Gen,
Denegree, Dr, Taylor, and one other not now recollected, was
convened at "Old Point," and they were empowered at the
request of the owners of the Hotel to assess the damages for
its use. That Board reported $800 per month, and I refused
to approve the proceedings because I thought the price too
large, and referred the matter to Gen, Wool, who agreed with
me, I cannot therefore agree to certify $2000 per month, or
like sum, even to oblige as warm or personal friend as your
self. The papers of that Board of Survey can be procured if
they are of any use at Lowell, by calling on my Partner, Mr,
Webster, I think they are in a green Chest in the Office,
With many thanks for your kind expressions of personal
^ ' Truly Yours, Benj, F, Butleb

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 111
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Jvly i6th, 1862
Maj. Gen. Halleck, Comdg. Dept. of the West
"General: I avail myself of the voyage of the "Tennessee"
to communicate with you upon the subject of Genl, Williams'
Brigade at Vicksburg,
Gen, Williams was sent up at a time when we should have
had only local troops to meet at Vicksburg, It was not prop
erly within my Dept,, but the exigencies of the public service,
as it seemed to me, justffied the movement. It is now quite
different, as I am informed that a division at least of your
Army is moving upon Vicksburg,
I have great need of Genl, Williams' Command to aid me
in clearing out the Guerillas from this state, who are doing
infinite mischief. I have, therefore, ordered his recall, as his
force, since the reinforcement by Van Dom and Breckinridge
of the Enemy, is too small for operations alone, and a junction
of Genls, Grant & Curtis must give ample force for the reduc
tion of the place. The dispersal of the Guerilla Bands is easy
of accomplishment, but it requires many men to hold the
various points, which, if not held, only brings destruction
upon our friends here.
If in any thing I can aid your operations, command me, I
have sent a duplicate of this under cover to Gen, Grant for
information, as well as to Gen, WiUiams, I have the honor
*° ^^' Your Obt. Servt.,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, July i6th, 1862
Col. D, W, McMillan, Comdg. forces at Baton Rouge
Colonel: I am much pleased with the successful expedi
tion of Col, Clark, Convey him and his Command my thanks,
I have disposed of the prisoners save Burton whom I retain
according to request,
I much desire that you should capture horses enough to
enable me to mount another Cavalry Company, In the matter
of Cotton you will see that the Penitentiary which is being
carried on at the Expense of the Government is supplied, I
assure Col, McMUlan that the thought of threatening him never
entered my mind. Nor have I heard aught of complaints

112 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
against him in the behalf he suggests, I simply conveyed un
officially the instructions I received in the same manner from
Washington, I will endeavor as soon as possible to send him a
Boat, In the meantime can he not use the Ferry boat, I am
. Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Dept. ofthe Oulf, New Orleans, July i6th, 1862
To the Honorable Secretary of War
I ENCLOSE the papers relating to the resignation of Captain
MerriU, of Co, K, 15 Regt,", Maine Vols. The resignation is
so extraordinary that I ask for information in regard to my
duties. He has incapacitated me from performing my duty, as
well as himself, for I know not what to do.
He has now been nearly nine months in Service, and upon
the approach of the Yellow Fever season here finds out that
he is incapacitated. To accept his resignation would be
unjust to others, and to withhold it unjust to the Service,
if there is power, it seems to me his name should be stricken
from the rolls, I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
Camp Parapet, La. 3d July 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Col. McCluskey, Comdg. 15th Maine Vols.
Sir: I beg leave respectfully to tender my resignation as
Capt, in this Regiment, for the reason that "I feel myself
incapable to perform the duties of that position,"
I request that this tender of Resignation may be forwarded
to Head Quarters of the Army through the proper Authority,
in case it should not be approved by the Comdg, General of
Division, I am. Colonel,
Your Obt. Servt., C, R, Merrill,
Capt. Co. K, Wth Regt., Maine Vols.
Will Capt, Merrill favor the Commanding General with a
specification of the particulars wherein he finds himself inca
pable to perform the duties of his position?
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 113
tr • /^ T. St, James Hospital, i^EW OsLEAiia, July i6th, lS6i
Maj. Gen. Butler
Sir: I beg leave to return to you my application for the
acceptance of my resignation with, in obedience to your com
mand, a specification of the particulars wherein I find myself
incapable of performing the duties of my position,
I entered the service with the best intentions, but I was de
tached from my regiment recruiting until its arrival at Camp
Parapet, I had had no experience in military affairs, and upon
rejoining my company and attempting to command it I found
myseU deficient in the theoretical and practical information *
necessary for one occupying such a position, and with an inapti
tude to acquire such information as is necessary to make a useful
Officer, Besides, I think I have not that peculiar military abUity to
command men, without which no one can be of much use in my
present position, y^^^ Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.,
C. R, Merrill, Capt. Co. K, 15th Regt. Maine Vols.
From Superintendent Moses Bates
Offi,ce of La. State Penitentiary, Baton Rouge, July 27, 1862
General 'B. F, Butler
My dear Sir: I have just perfected arrangements by which
I have hoped to stock the Penitentiary with cotton, and once
more set the machmery in motion, when a turn in the military
wheel brings Gen, WiUiams again in command, and I am
again left without hope as regards agam getting to work.
May I not now ask that a steamer and guard of soldiers be
placed at my disposal for a single week, with the privUege of
taking cotton known to belong to disloyal men.
With such facilities I think I can stock the factory, but not
without, and I have no hope of obtammg any service through
Gen. WiUiams. Respectfully yours,
Moses Bates, Supt. La. Penitentiary
From General Butler
Head Qts, Dept, ofthe Gulf, New Orleans, July iSth, 1862
Honorable Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of Treasury
Sir: I send you enclosed a Copy from the Records of
Mortgages in this City. It speaks more for a Sequestration
Act^han any Argument. I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully, Your Obt. Svt.
Benj. F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Com.
VOL. II — 8

114 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
By act under private signature dated at Paris, June 4th,
1862, duly legalized by M, Le Comte Mejan, Consul of France,
at the City of New Orleans, on the 14th of July, 1862, John
Slidell mortgaged in favor of Frederic Adolphe Mascuard (no
residence) 123 pieces of property in this City, embracing im
proved and unimproved property. Squares of Grounds, &c.
The mortgage is granted to secure the payment of 250,000
francs, payable in one year.
This Mortgage is inscribed on the books of the Mortgage
Office without signature to the inscription, dated 14 July, 1862,
Another Mortgage by John SlideU, through his attorney,
in favor of Citizens' Bank for $100,000, was inscribed on the
2d day of May last.
From Major George C. Strong to General Butler
Watervliet Arsenal, West Trot, N.Y„ July 28, 1862
Dear General: I pen you a single line to say that I should,
if circumstances shall warrant it, be very glad to receive
instructions from you (by return mail) to proceed to Wash
ington just before going South, and ask for any despatches
that the Government may see fit to transmit by my hand to
you, I am due in New Orleans Sept, 4th. Mrs. Butler has
invited me to visit her before I return, and I shall do so, and
also take a run up to see Captain George.
Kinsman writes me that he is about to proceed South.
Am sorry his health is not better, I much regret to learn
that you are not so well as heretofore, but I hope it is only a
temporary indisposition. It would be a poor sequel to your
career in the South to be brought home in your coffin.
It is pleasant to me (tho' you don't care so much about these
things) to see that everybody here appreciates your labors. We
have just learned that you are to be given up to the Confeder
ate Government in accordance with the demands of the Secesh
press, I suppose they'll "bind you for their maidens," as Job
did with Leviathan, How is Reverdy Johnson?
I'm growing quite stout. Would have gone West, however,
had I been sure of getting down the river.
Very respectfully & truly yours,
Geo, C, Strong'
My address will always be. "Care Sullivan Randolph &
Budd, 30 to 36 Park Place, New York,"

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 115
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, July 28, 1862
Dear Sarah: Send me Blanche's, Paul's, and Bennie's
photographs — the best you can get, by next maU,
Yours, Benj.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
. Pryhania St., July 28, 1862
Dear Sarah: Twenty two days and no letter from you.
Twenty and no mail from the North, although we hear by
the Rebel papers all the substantial news with variations.
But they are no substitutes for news from home. Pray write
every day you can, and I shall get them when the mails do
come. How did you like the china plate with the picture?
What do you say to a set with heads of the staff? Now, love,
at any rate send me a copy of your Daguerreotype, and let me
have your own head done, I have got nothing ready to send
you by this boat, but wUl see what I can do next time.
How did Blanche like her saddle, and how do you like
yours? Are not my harnesses elegant? All these were a
present from Mr, Magee, whom Jackson helped out of trouble.
By the by, when you are dressed, I suppose I can repeat to
you the lines from the "Rape of the Lock,"
"Upon her breast a sparkling cross she wore.
That Jews might kiss and infidels adore."
Did Nina get her ring? Did Blanche get hers? Why does
not Blanche write, she has nothing else to do? I won't love
her a bit if she don't write. Has Paul blown himself up with
the cannon yet? Are you going to the seashore? Are you gay
and happy? You must be now, for if I don't find a gay, fat
wife when I get home, I wUl go right away again, see if I
don't. Ah! but when shaU I ever get home? Nothing but doubts
rest upon the future. The war seems to me less near its close
than it did when I came here,
I am changing my opinions. There is nothing of the people
worth saving, I am inclined to give it all up to the blacks.
Such lying, meanness, wrong, and wickedness, that I am
inclined to think that the story of Sodom & Gomorrah a myth,
else why not rain fire and brimstone upon this city? I am

New (Drlcons,
i

WATOEEB, JSWELBT) 8ILTEK WA
I?AK1©V ®®®[
O-TJITS, nSTOIiS, ScC,
wholesale and retail.
Watches Bepaired— Siamond* Be4et,

ouam oj

ee CAJ^F STREET.

a>

eni otd"^ HH w

receipted bill referring -to jewelry mentioned in letter preceding

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 117
afraid the Lord will do so in the shape of the negroes. But a
truce to all this. Let me only think of home and you as some
haven of rest which I shaU some time attain — and think of me,
not war, dearest, .„
Benj,
From John J, Cisco
United States Treasury, New York, July 28, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler
General: I herewith transmit a letter addressed to your
self by the eminent Banking House of Messrs, James G.
Kingdeus Co. of this city, and another addressed by them to
J. D, Denegre, Esq,, President of the Citizens' Bank of
Louisiana at New Orleans, both relating to some provision
to be made for the interest now past due in New York on the
Consolidated debt of the City of New Orleans,
It may be superfluous for me to testify to the very great
respectability and high character of the writers of these letters.
Their demand appears to be of an unexceptional character,
and I trust that you will do everything in your power to facili
tate so proper an object, I remain General,
Yours very respectfully, John J, Cisco
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
New York, July iSth, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butler, New Orleans, La,
Dear Sir: At the suggestion of John J, Cisco, Esq,, who
has kindly offered to forward this, we beg leave to enclose to
you our letter of this date addressed to J, D, Denegre, Esq,
President of the Citizen's Bank of Louisiana, caUing upon him
to provide funds in the City of New York, as required by law,
for the payment of the interest due on the consolidated debt
of the city of New Orleans; and we shall feel obliged if you
can aid us in procuring a proper settlement of this just claim.
The provision should extend to the amount of all the out
standing past due coupons of the consolidated debt of the
city of New Orleans, Our present demand however is for
payment of
$3750 — due July 1861 on 125 coupons — with interest to
date of payment here
$4650 — due Jan, 1862 on 155 coupons — with interest to
date of payment here
$4650 — due July 1862 on 155 coupons — with interest to
date of payment here

118 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Thanking you in advance for such good offices as you may
be able to render us in this matter. We remain,
Yours respectfully, James G. Kingdeus
Answer to yours: Mr. Denegre h3,s made the necessary arrange
ments to put the money in New York for the bonds.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, July 28, 1862
Brig. Gen. Jo. Taylor, Commissary General
My dear General: I send you by the hands of our mutual
friend Hon, Reverdy Johnson, the sword presented by the
people of the loyal State of Kentucky, in appreciation of his
gallant services in the armies of the Union, to your brother
Genl, Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States,
With his deep love of the Union in whose battle this sword
was victoriously won, who can doubt on which side his patri
otic hand would have been raised if Providence had spared his
life, so full of honors, to this hour?
To the keeping of no one so proper as yourself, who has so
loyally shown the same devoted love to the country, can the
custody of this weapon be conveyed, I have captured it
from disloyal hands, and thus to be able to give it to your cate
is a most agreeable event, as it enables me, in a small degree,
to testify the high appreciation I have of the prompt manner
in which every call which the necessities of my Command has
made upon the Government under your charge has been met
and answered, I remain. General,
Your obedient servant and friend, Benj, F, Butler
From General Butler
Hd. Quarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 28, 1862
Brig. Gen. Meigs
General: Enclosed please find copies of letter (sent me for
information) of the unjust claim of Capt, Crampton, and
affidavit showing the actual transaction. You will see by the
affidavit, instead of a wrong being done him by loading him
home, that a great favor was shown him. He was in no way
in the Government Service, and would have had to find his
own Ballast in order to get home. At the date of his employ
ment a number of ships were offering at the same rate, I am
informed. If the sugar had been on private account not a

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 119
word would have been said, but he would have been thankful
for the freight. He thinks he can get something from the
Government, I have the honor to be.
Your obedient servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding

From James G. Carney
Bank of Mutual Redem-piion, No. 91 State Street, Boston, Mass.,
July iSth, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butler
My dear Sir : I have to thank you for your kind favor 15th
instant. The business matter we may consider, I suppose, as
settled, I suppose, also, that we may consider our Public
Servants as, practically, our Private Masters; and "high"
privates at that. You express some "wonder" as to whether
the matter would have been adopted if the transaction had
been a losing one, I think the "wonder" would have come in,
in that case, had they done it. The subalterns and sub officials
in the army of office-holders are much greater and powerful
men in their own estimation, and really so as means of annoy
ance, than the President of these United States, one is com
pelled occasionally, and " semi-occasionally " to believe, e.g.
it is for the interest of the Country that U, S, Treasury notes
should circulate, "free as air"; to judge from the course pur
sued by the Asst, Treas, here, and his sub-ordinate, you would
suppose quite the reverse, and that it was for its interest that
such notes should be an annoyance and hindrance to the
channels of Circulation, So we go ! (as you say about Secessia
femina) apropos to which or whom some body has lately said
that he is thankful that the "Gentleman" styled by Burns
(I think) as "The Muckle horned d— is not a woman! I
suppose, again, of that kind. I note your query as to whether
Palmerston would blow you from the muzzle of a gun; and
it reminds me of an extract taken from the London Metro
politan Police Act, and I must say that one would quite readily
believe that, if you had seen that Act, and ever copied from
anybody, you had copied your "Woman Order" almost ver
batim from it. The resemblance, if you never saw it, is abso
lutely wonderful, I hope you will be allowed to carry out
your plans fully, cautiously, perseveringly, and thoroughly.
So far, as a whole, I think the whole North is disposed to side
with you to a greater extent than it has or does with any

120 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
General so long in the field. And I trust that if the Politicians,
(for whom you know my ancient regard and respect) have suc
ceeded in sending out one of "their own" as adviser with you,
that he wiU tum out to be man enough to apprehend and com
prehend the position, and be an aid instead of a clog and a hin
drance in holding it man-fashion. If not, I can but hope that
his Commission does not make him your Military Superior,
We are spunky and hopeful yet, here at the North, Have
not quite done our paying though, intend to finish up that,
and other odds and ends, and see what the "muss" is, and take
hold and settle that. Your doctrine of going to war to hurt
somebody is getting to be the prevaUing creed, and by the 1st
September wUl count the largest denomination. Knowing
that you will be among the "most zealous," and wishing
you abundant success, I am as ever
Your friend, J. G. Carney
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, July 28, 1862
Hon. Reverdy Johnson
My dear Sir: I spoke to you Saturday of a proposition
made to me by an English Gentleman engaged in the cotton
trade in Mobile,
His proposition is that the Rebels will permit cotton to
come out of Mobile in exchange for salt and such merchandise
as they need there, not contraband of war, provided the
pledge shall be given that the cotton shall be shipped to Eng
land, Of course we do not care where the cotton goes, even
if it goes to that portion of the world known as Great Britain
where they inhumanly blow Rebels from guns, and such cities
that are so unfortunate as to fall into their hands, as witness
Pekin and Delhi,
Please give me your opinion, as this is rather a civU than
military question, I have the honor to be.
Your obt. servt.
From Reverdy Johnson City Hotel, July iSth, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler
My dear General: I would consent to the shipment men
tioned in your note of this evening, I am sure in doing so

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 121
that you wUl carry out the policy of the Government and
subserve the interest of the country, I will write you more
fully in the morning, „ , ^^ t
1 ruly yours, Reverdy Johnson

From Reverdy Johnson
V. S. Commissioners Office, New Orleans, July i9th, 1862
General Butler
My dear General: I have yours of yesterday. The pro
posal of the English gentleman, I think you should not hesi
tate to accept. The shipment of Cotton, whether to Europe
or to the loyal States, from the rebellious States, from such
of their ports as are in the possession of our forces, is, I know,
much desired by our Government, It was one of the principal
advantages they expected to be the immediate result of the
capture of this City, So anxious are they to attain the object
that I am satisfied they would readily sanction such an arrange
ment as your note mentions.
The question is as you state "rather a civil than a military
one," but in either case my opinion is that you answer it
affirmatively. With great regard.
Your obedient servant, Reverdy Johnson, Commis.
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, July i9th, 1862
To ihe Commanding Officer of the Forces at Mobile
General: I have been informed by Mr, I, Maury, a British
subject, that he has cotton within your lines which he is
desirous of getting out and bringing here, if the same can be
done. That you are willing it should come as the property of
a neutral, if the cotton wUl not be seized by the United States
forces and it can be sent to England,
For this purpose he is desirous of shipping to your port
salt as an equivalent for the shipment of Cotton, I have
pledged, therefore, to him that I will permit to be retumed to
MobUe a sack of salt for every bale of Cotton that he shall
bring here. The Commercial values of the two articles to be
regulated by the parties owning them — that the Cotton may
be shipped from this point to England, and that no seizure or
Confiscation shaU be made of the Cotton or salt or any part
thereof, and the vessel containing the same shaU have safe

122 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
conduct to 1-etum, Other goods, not contraband of War, may
be sent to equalize the Commercial values.
Respectfully, Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From Richard S. Fay, Jr.
Boston, Mass., July i9th, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler
Dear General: Annexed please find memo, of your private
accounts, and enclosed as good an acct, current as I can make
up in the dark, I have endeavored to explain in an appendix
the difficulties under which I labor. The whole business has
been agreeable and profitable to me, except for the trouble
about freight, I enclose a letter to Col, Butler (fearing he
may have left N, O,), which please read, which will explain
how the freight question now stands,
I am shipping a few articles of provisions, but sparingly, as
I am discouraged by the rush of speculators, and by the exor
bitant freights. Recruiting goes on slowly, and we require a
draft at once. General Halleck is established at Washington,
and the newspapers are blowing his trumpet, while, even in
Boston, General McClellan has scarcely a friend, A secession
ist sympathizer was ducked in the Frog pond yesterday, Blue-
ness is very prevalent, and no end is predicted to the war.
Sincerely yours, Richard S, Fay, Jr,
Private Account
Major General B, F, Butler, in account with R, S. Fay, Jr.
1862,
Feb. 20th, By Bk. notes 2081 Chq. on Wamesit Bk. 1650,
Treasury Notes. 100
Mar. 27th, " rect. from Capt. P. R. George,
chq. on Bk. of Mut. Redemption,
Mar. 12th, " int. from Middlesex Co. on loan.
16th To yr. dft. Mch. 31st.
21st. By int. from Middlesex Co. on loan
" Dividends " " 6% on 127J sh.
Mar. 21st, Dividends Middlesex Co. 101 sh. by Mass, Hos, L.
Ins. Co,
May 22nd, To yr. dft. April 1.
June 10, To New Orleans Coupons collect.
25th, By Dividends Middlesex Co.
5% on 115 shares. 575.
5% on 25 shares (It. Act) 67.50
Do on 101 shares by M. H. L. Ins. Co.
July 26, To bal. to credit cash loan to Middlesex Co.
By balance loaned Middlesex Company, subject to your orders, 4,036.11

Dr.

Cr.

3,731

100

241,

2,000.
53.48
3,825.95
24.94
765.
606.00
448.86
360.00
642.50
505.00
4,036.11
8,668.92
8,668.92
LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 123
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, La., July 29, 1862
Hon. William H, Seward
Dear Sir: This will be handed you by Mr, Roselius, of
New Orleans, I need not say to you, who so well remember
the events that inaugurated this rebellion, that Mr. Roselius
was a member of the Louisiana convention that passed the
Secession Ordinance, and one of the five that voted against it.
True to the last, he has remained a firm friend to the Union,
even to this day.
Representing a large class of opinion here, better acquainted
than any other man with the feelings, intentions, and wishes
of the people of this State, by his unblemished private life and
high professional talent and acquirements, holding the respect
of those whose violence would have otherwise rendered his life
unsafe because of his steady adherence to the Union, it has
seemed to me best that he should be in Washington to repre
sent the true state of the negro question here. I have, there
fore, ventured to send him at the expense of the United States,
he giving his own time, that his knowledge of the state of things
might be before the government. Please render him all the
assistance you may be able, to enable him to give his views to
the President.
I am convinced that in no other way could I do so much
good to the country as introducing Mr. Roselius to your
confidence. Believe me. Most truly yours, Benj. F. Butler
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, July SOth, 1862
The President
Sir: I take leave to present you Mr, RoseUus, a gentleman
of the Bar, late Attorney General of the State of Louisiana, a
member of the Convention who did not vote for the Secession
Ordinance, With some others only he was found faithful
when all were faithless. Among the earliest to welcome the
Union Army to New Orleans, he has assisted me with his ad
vice and counsel. Of the one subject which is to be dealt with
here & now he is better informed than any man in the State,
The questions involved as set forth in my correspondence
upon the action of Gen, Phelps are of the most vital and criti-

124 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
cal importance. The determination of them cannot be delayed,
and it seemed to me of sufficient importance that the Presi
dent should have the benefit of the experience of one who has a
most intimate knowledge of the wishes, opinions, feelings, and
thoughts of the people of the State of Louisiana, upon the
Question of Slavery as interwoven with the inte'grity of the
Union, I am most truly, your Obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler July SOth, 6 A.M.
Dearest Sarah: The "Connecticut" has delayed saUmg
till this hour, I am just sending my despatches on board, and
so I send " two days later " from New Orleans, The Fleet have
made a failure of it at Vicksburg, and have come down the
river, and are going to Pensacola to recruit and repair. Gen.
Williams has come down from Vicksburg unable to make an
attack where there were 12000 men against him, and he had
only 3000 effective ones, the rest being sick. He wrote to
Gens. Grant & Halleck for troops to aid him, and could get
not one. The river will not be open till fall — indeed no opera
tions will be had till then except as all troops are withdrawn
from the South West, It is possible I may be besieged.
Tell Fisher to write me. By the by, if Fisher will charter a
schooner and send down here at once as many thousand hoop
poles as he chooses, both hogshead & barrel, he will make a
good thing of it. Sugar cannot be shipped for want of hoop
poles. They are 12 cents apiece. But this must be done at
once. Pshaw! I only meant to say good moming — I am well —
How do you do? — Kiss the children — "Whip Blanche for not
writing me — Write every day yourself — Love tb Harriet
— tell her I have a big kiss in reserve to pay for the "elastics."
Yours Benj.
From James S. Whitney
' Boston, July SOth, 1862
Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler
My dear General; I do not know that I have even in
formed you that your retention of the Steamer "Saxon," after
notice to discharge her from General Meigs, was approved by
General Meigs and the Department.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN E, BUTLER 125
I should have done so. The fact is, that your certificate
that you required the services of the "Saxon" was forwarded
to General Meigs with my biU — and General Meigs ordered
the biU paid — and McKim informed me that no further delay
would be had in payments, as your keeping the "Saxon" was
there approved. Should you wish to re-charter the "Saxon,"
your Quartermaster may do so, and this may and shaU be my
power of Attorney to Capt, Daniel Pepper to sign a charter
in the precise terms and in same conditions of former charter.
This letter you wUl understand to be supplemental to one of
like date I have this day sent you by mail. With the highest
P Your obt. servt.,
James S, Whitney
From General Phelps
Camp Parapet, La., July SOth, 1862
Capt. R, S, Davis, A. A. A. General
Sir: I enclose herewith requisitions for arms, accoutre
ments, clothing, camp and garrison equipage, etc, for three
Regiments of Africans which I propose to raise for the defence
of this point.
The location is swampy and unhealthy, and our men are
dying at the rate of two or three a day. The Southern loyalists
are willing, as I understand, to furnish their share of the tax
for the support of the war, but they should also furnish their
quota of men, which they have not thus far done. An oppor
tunity now offers of supplying the deficiency, and it is not safe
to neglect opportunities in war, I think that with the proper
facilities I could raise the three Regiments proposed in a
short time. Without holding out any inducements, or offering
any reward, I have now upward of three hundred Africans
organized into five Companies, who are all willing and ready
to be put to the test. They are wUling to submit to anything
rather than slavery.
Society in the South seems to be on the point of dissolution,
and the best way of preventing the African from becoming
instruments in a general state of anarchy is to enlist him in
the cause of the Republic,
If we reject his services, any petty military Chieftain, by
offering him freedom can have them for the purpose of rob
bery and plunder. It is for the interest of the South as well
as for the North that the African should be permitted to offer

126 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
his block for the Temple of Freedom, Sentiments unworthy
of the man who acts on the present day, worthy only of another
Cain, would prevent such an offer from being accepted,
I would recommend that the Cadets, graduates of the
present year, should be sent to South Carolina, and this point
kept to organize and discipline our African levies, and that
the more promising non-commissioned Officers and privates of
the Army be appointed as Company Officers to command
them. Prompt and energetic efforts in this direction would
probably accomplish more toward a speedy termination of
the War, and an early restoration of peace and amity, than
any other course which could be adopted, I have the honor to
remain. Sir,
Your obedient servant, J, W, Phelps, Brig. Gen'l.
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, July Slst, 1862
Brig. Gen. J, W, Phelps
General: The Commanding General wishes you to employ
the Contraband in and around your camps in cutting all the
trees, etc, between your lines and the Lake, and in forming
abatis according to the plan agreed upon between you and
Lieut, Weitzel when he visited you some time since. What
wood is not used by you is much needed in this City, For the
purpose, I have ordered the Quartermaster to furnish you with
axes and tents for the Contrabands to be quartered in, I am
Very respectfully Your obedient servant.
By order -of M-Ajon General Butler
From General Phelps
Camp Parapet, La, J^uly Slsi, 1862
Capt. R, S, Davis, A. A. A. General
Sir: The communications from your office of this date,
signed "By order of Major General Butler," directing me to
employ the "Contrabands" in and about my camp in cutting
down all the trees between my line and the Lake, etc, has
just been received.
In reply I must state that while I am willing to prepare
African Regiments for the defence of the Government against
its assailants, I am not willing to become the mere slave
driver which you propose, having no qualffications that way.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 127
I am therefore under the necessity of tendering the resigna
tion of my Commission as an Officer in the Army of the United
States, and respectfully request a leave of absence until it is
accepted in accordance with Paragraph "29," page 12, of the
Gen'l regulations,
"While I am writing at half past 8 o'clock p,m,, a colored man
was brought in by one of the Pickets who has just been wounded
in the side by a charge of shot, which he says was fired at him
by one of a party of three slave-hunters, or guerillas, a mile
or more from our line of sentinels. As it is some distance from
our line from Camp to Lake, the party of woodchoppers
which you have directed probably need a considerable force
to guard them against similar attack, I have the honor to be.
Very respectfully. Your obt. Servant,
J, W, Phelps, Brig. General
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, July 31, 1862
Count Mejan, Consul of France, New Orleans
Sir: I have arrested Charles Heidsick, who smuggled him
self across my lines in the disguise of a Bar Keeper in the
"Natchez," a Boat with Flag of truce,
Heidsick has now come back as a supposed bearer of des
patches through my lines once more. He desires that you
should be informed of his arrest. Respectfully Yours,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From the French Consul to General Butler
Translation. New Orleans, J'uly Slst, 1862
General: Mr, Heidsick is a French citizen, very weU-known
here and in MobUe, He has come, it is true, on the "Natchez "
as "Barkeeper," to the entire knowledge of the persons who
were authorized to ply that Steamer between MobUe and
New Orleans, and has never hid himself.
Having been informed that letters addressed to this Consu
late were detained in Jackson, I have caused the Consular
Agent of France in MobUe to be informed of, and to cause
them to be had and forwarded to me, — only those that should
have an official character.
The Vice-Consul, beUevmg the package to contain impor
tant papers for this consulate, has thought fit to forward them

128 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
to me, as also the letters coming from the same source and
addressed to the Spanish Consul, by a special messenger, and
he chose for that mission Mr. Heidsick, a french citizen. I
do not believe a single reproach can be. made to Mr. Heidsick,
who, I am assured has never hid himself. I have. General,
thought proper, to recite these facts, which, I think, exonerate
Mr. Chas. Heidsick entirely, and I hope you wiU be willing to
take them into consideration,
I am personally acquainted with Mr, Heidsick, and I know
that he is absolutely neutral in the actual conflict. Please
accept. General, the assurances of my highest regards.
The French Consul, Count Mejan
From Charles Heidsick to the French Consul
New Orleans, July 31st, 1862
Mr. Consul
General Butler has had me arrested for coming here as
"barkeeper" on board Steamer "Natchez," and sent me to
Fort Jackson,
I have the honor to ask you to see what you have to do for
me in this matter, having come and left this city under flag
o ruce, am p.^^^ humble Servt., Charles Heidsick
From the French Consul
Translation. New Orleans, August 1st, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major General Butler, Commanding Army of the Gulf
General: I took the liberty to write to you in favor of Mr,
Chas, Heidsick, who has been arrested by your order, and who
I am assured is to be sent today to Fort Jackson,
I informed myself yesterday, and anew this morning, concern
ing this French citizen, and the faicts I thought proper to submit
to you yesterday are fully confirmed, I well knew that Mr,
Heidsick came to this City on the Natchez, that he was regis
tered under his own name, which list I have no doubt was sub
mitted to you, and this fact at least strongly proves that he never
concealed his name and that he feared no investigation,
Mr, Heidsick came to see me when he reached New Orleans,
but he never brought me either letters or newspapers. And
never took from me anything but verbal instructions, and, in
this manner, at his request for the French Vice-Consul at
Mobile,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 129
This appears likewise to be much in his favor. They tell
me that one of the principal charges against him is that he
sold on his last trip several baskets of Champagne Wine,
From information that I have received, and which I have
every reason to think correct, this wine had been sold by his
Agent, and was part of a lot which has been here nearly three
years. The coming here of Mr. Heidsick yesterday as bearer of
despatches sent me by the Vice-Consul at Mobile, would
necessarily prove that this Frenchman believed that in no
way he could be reproached, for if it is true that he could
rely upon the respect that is everywhere shown to bearers of
despatches, he would have nevertheless hesitated to come to
town if he had any fears for his safety.
Finally,, the contents of the packages which Mr. Heidsick
brought, cannot be invoked against him, for he must have,
been as ignorant of them as I was.
I hope. General, before inflicting upon Mr Heidsick — who
has, from the testimony of all his friends, always preserved
the strictest neutrality both in words and deeds — a punish
ment which is almost equal, at this season, to an unacclimated
man, to death itself, that you will be good enough to examine
anew an affair whch presents so many phases that speak
favorably towards Mr. Charles Heidsick.
I would add that since Mr. Charles Heidsick came to the
U. S. he has been exclusively occupied in the arrangement of
his own business, which required his presence in Mobile, as
the center of a country where the greatest number of his
creditors reside.
Mr. Heidsick belongs to a very highly respectable family in
France, and is much esteemed by all who know him. Accept,
General, the assurance of my consideration.
The Consul of France, Count Mejan
Mr. Heidsick has with him neither clothing, change of linen,
nor money. Statement of Moses Greenwood
New Orleans, August 1, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
This day personally appeared before the undersigned, a
Magistrate legally appointed, Moses Greenwood of this City,
who, being duly sworn, states that in May last h^ was made
the Agent of this City under order No. 19 of Major General
vol. II — 9

130 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Butler to transport Flour from Mobile, Ala., to this City under
a Flag of Truce, that he at once entered on that duty and
chartered Boats for that purpose. He said order No. 19 did
not permit passengers to be transported. He employed a
Capt. who engaged and shipped his Officers and Crew; in the
month of June (as deponent believes) there was entered as Bar
Keeper on the Boat the name of Charles Heidsick, to depon
ent personally unknown. He saw him and knew his name was
Heidsick, but did not know him as Mr. Charles Heidsick, the
French Wine Merchant, till far advanced on the voyage, when
Mr. Heidsick stated that he had little or nothing to do in the
way of business, and came in that capacity as pastime, and
to see some friends if permitted to come to the City. Mr.
Heidsick continued in that Capacity, and did come into the
City. At no time has the deponent known of his saying or
doing anything to advance an injury to either Contending
party, that in closing the Mission on which deponent had
been appointed, the French Consul at Mobile applied to him
for permission to send a messenger with Despatches for the
Consul in this City in Company — to which no objection was
made. And Mr. Heidsick was made such Messenger, and
arrived with him on the morning of 31st July, both reporting
to Capt. Thorton at Lake Ponchartrain, Moses Greenwood
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this
5th day of August, 1862
I, A. Graham, Notary Public
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Jvly 31, 1862
Speclal Obdeb No. 235
The Picayune Newspaper, having published an Editorial
article in today's issue directly in violation of the proclama
tion of the Com'd'g General of May 1st, reflecting upon the
Officers and tending to influence the public mind against the
Government of the United States, the publication of said
paper is discontinued untU the publishers and editors shall
severally exhibit their loyalty by taking the oath of aUegiance,
and the office with its properties, presses, books, and papers
are sequestered untU further action of the Government of the
United States. n n j j.t»«- ^ ^
By Order of Maj. Gen. Butleb
R. S. Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 131
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 31, 1862
Special Obdeb No. 232
The Steamer "Iberville" has liberty to trade up and down
the Coast within the limits of our lines, and to carry family
supplies, each lot of [same] to be only in such quantities as
should be properly issued to one family or one plantation, and
not to be issued for trading purposes. Particularly no lot of
over ten bags of Salt shall be issued to any one consignee.
By Order of Maj, Gen, Butleb
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From Salmon P. Chase to General Butler
Washington, July 31, 1862
My deab Genebal: I have the pleasure of thanking you
for your very friendly letter, and of acknowledging your note
requesting the appointment of young Mr, Nelson in the revenue
cutter service.
It would have given me pleasure to designate Mr, Nelson
for examination, but he did not appear to be prepared for it
without some further study, I contented myself, therefore,
with expressions of good will, reserving the decision as to
designation to a future time when he may again present him
self. Meanwhile I doubt not he will be very useful to you.
I have not seen Col. Shepley since he has been in Washing
ton, which I regret, for I should have been very glad to confer
with him fully as to matters in New Orleans, It is too late
to seek him now, even if propriety did not require that he
should first call on me, I say too late, because it is only within
five minutes that I have learned that if I would get this letter
to New York in time for the steamer it must be written forth
with. Hence this long sheet and hurried writing.
Nor have I seen the instructions, if any have been prepared,
which Gen, Shepley is to take back with him to New Orleans;
nor has it so happened that I have talked with either the
President or Mr, Stanton on the subject of their instruction.
All I know of the President's views is contained in the two
letters enclosed herewith, — one for Mr BuUett and the other
for Mr, Johnson, which I have heard read, and which the
President left with me today to be sent to those gentlemen.
All I know positively, I mean; for I have heard intima-

132 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
tions from the President , that it may possibly become nec
essary, in order to keep the river open below Memphis,
to convert the heavy black population of its banks into
defenders. You will see from what I have written that in what I have
to say on the important topic, touched in your letter by way
of reply to mine I shall express only my own opinions, —
opinions, however, to which I am just as sure that the masses
will and politicians must come, as I am sure that both politi
cians and masses have come to opinions expressed by me
when they found few concurrents,
I begin with the proposition that we must either abandon
the attempt to retain the Gulf States in the Union or we must
give freedom to every slave within their limits. We cannot
maintain the contest with the disadvantages of unacclimated
troops and distant supplies against an enemy enabled to bring
one-half the population under arms with the other half held
to labor, with no cost except that of bare subsistence for the
armed moiety. Still less can we maintain this contest if all we
do must necessarily enrage and alienate the mUitary half,
while we do nothing to conciliate but very much to disaffect
the laboring half,
I have not time to argue this out or even to qualify as might
be necessary to avoid captious objection as to the feasibility
of my statement. Of its substantial accuracy I am certain.
As to the border states, even including Arkansas, a different
rule may be adopted. In these states the President's plan of
compensated emancipation may be adequate to the solution
of the slavery question; though I confess my apprehensions
that the slave-holders of these states will delay the acceptance
of the proposition until it will become impossible to induce
the Congress to vote the compensation. Should compensated
emancipation fail in these states, emancipation wUl not be the
less a necessity, and prompt emancipation as a military
measure in the Gulf States will facilitate it by affording a
convenient and easy outlet for the freed men.
It will not escape your acute observation that mihtary
emancipation in the Gulf States will settle or largely contrib
ute to settle the negro question in the free states, I am not
myself afraid of the negroes. If they behave themselves and
work industriously and honestly I have not the slightest objec
tion to their contributing their industry to the prosperity of
the state of which I am a citizen, or to their being protected in

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 133
their rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness by the
same laws which protect me. But I know that many honest
men really think that they are not to be permitted to reside
permanently in the Northern States, and I believe myself
that if left free to choose most of them wUl prefer warmer
climes to ours. Let, therefore, the South be opened to negro
emigration by emancipation along the Gulf, and it is easy to
see that the blacks of the North wUl slide southward, and leave
behind them no question to quarrel about as far as they are
concerned. This rough statement presents my general view sufficiently.
Now for its practical application to Louisiana, Of course,
if some prudential considerations did not forbid, I should at
once, if I were in your place, respectfully notify the slave
holders of Louisiana that henceforth they must be content
to pay their laborers wages. This measure would settle it in
the minds of the working population of the State that the
Union General is their friend; would be apt to secure him a
good deal of devotion among them; and when he wanted
faithful friends or scouts he could find them. It is quite
true that such an order could not be enforced by military powers
beyond military lines; but it would enforce itself by degrees a
good way beyond them, and would make the extension of
the military lines quite easy comparatively.
It may be said the order would be annulled, I think not.
It is plain enough now that the annulling of Hunter's order
was a mistake. It will not be repeated.
Do the acts of Congress leave, indeed, much room for
choice, ifHhese acts are to be faithfully obeyed? The act of
last year declared the slaves of all persons, if employed in aid
of the rebellion, free. The. acts of this last session declare free
the slaves of persons who themselves engage in rebellion or
aid and abet it; prohibit the return of fugitives by military
commanders; and authorize the employment of slaves in the
service of the Union either as laborers, or in arms, or both, at
the direction of the President, How these acts can be enacted
and slavery maintained, especially where slaves are numerous,
I am at a loss to conceive,
I think the President feels this difficulty. Hence, he inti
mates in his letter to Mr, Johnson, whUe declming to interfere
with General Phelps, that it wUl be well for the Louisianians
to make haste back into the Union or worse evUs than Gen.
Phelps may befaU them. Hence the other day, when some con-

134 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
versation occurred about Gen. Hunter, he was very far from
expressing the same dissatisfaction with his course that he
would have done four or five weeks ago.
The tmth is, my dear General, that there has been a great
change in the public mind within the last few weeks. The
people are resolved not to give up the struggle for territorial
integrity. They mean to keep every inch of American soil in
the United States. Whatever stands in the way of this deter
mination has got to get out of the way. If state organizations
— they must faU; if negro slavery — it must be abolished.
Now, it seems to me that it is just as well to make the short
est possible work of this as the longest possible. Negro slavery
should first fall where it has done most mischief, and where
its extinction will do most good in weakening rebellion, and
incidentally otherwise in the extreme South,
And who better to begin the work than my friend Gen,
Butler? Yet I am told that your policemen are now engaged
all the time in returning fugitives to masters, provided only
they take the oath. Let me beg of you, as one who greatly
esteems you and greatly desires your increasing honor and
affection among your countrymen, — let me beg you to put a
stop to this: simply see that the acts of Congress are carried
out in good faith. It would hardly be too much to ask you to
call, like Jackson, colored soldiers to the defence of the Union;
but you must judge of this. Of one thing be assured — you
can hardly go too far to satisfy the exigency of public senti
ment now.
You must determine in the exercise of your own good judg
ment what prudence will permit; but as far as prudence
allows you may certainly well go.
I have had a great deal of practical experience, I have
observed opinions long and closely, I think myself tolerably
cool and practical. At any rate, I have not made any faUures
thus far. And I give you in this letter hastUy, indeed, and
roughly, but with substantial accuracy, I think, my deliberate
judgments. Whatever you may think of them, believe me, dear general,
with the sincerest esteem and admiration. Your friend, S, P, Chase
My daughter Katie tells me to offer to you assurances of
her kindest regards, and to say that she wishes you were here
to keep the secession women quiet. Her displeasure is particu-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 135
larly excited this morning by the report of her chambermaid,
who tells her that last night some "ladies of the second class,"
as Cassy calls them, going by and looking over at our poor
fellows standing or sitting about in front of the hospital for
convalescents established in the church just opposite to us,
said one to another, "the nasty Yankees," "they've got what's
good for them," "I'm glad of it," etc, etc, I send you a slip
from a newspaper which described atrocities which ought to
make us blush. For Heaven's sake don't let us show ourselves
by faithless treachery, to those who serve us so loyally and
faithfully, to be worse than even our English slanderers make
us out to be !
Please see that the letters of the President to Messrs, Johnson
and BuUett are delivered immediately.
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Private. Executive Mansion, Washington, July iOth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Hon. Revebdy Johnson
My deab Sib: Yours of the 16th by the hand of Governor
Shepley is received.
It seems the Union feeling in Louisiana is being crushed out
by the course of General Phelps, Please pardon me for believ
ing that it is a false pretence. The people of Louisiana — all
intelligent people everywhere — know full well that I never
had a wish to touch the foundations of their society, or any
right of theirs. With perfect knowledge of this, they forced
me to send armies among them, and it is their own fault, not
mine, that they are annoyed by the presence of General Phelps,
They also know the remedy — know how to be cured of Gen
eral Phelps, Remove the necessity of his presence. And
might it not be well for them to consider whether they have
not already had time enough to do this? If they can conceive
of anything worse than General Phelps within my power,
would they not better be looking out for it? They very weU
know the way to avert all this is simply to take their place in
the Union upon the old terms. If they wUl not do this, should
they not receive harder blows rather than lighter ones? You
are ready to say I apply to friends what is due to enemies. I
distrust the wisdom if not the sincerity of friends who would
hold my hands whUe my enemies stab me. This appeal of
professed friends has paralyzed me more in the struggle than
any other one thing. You remember tellmg me, the day after

136 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
the Baltimore mob in April, 1861, that it would crush all
Unimi feeling in Maryland for me to attempt bringmg troops
over Maryland soU to Washington, I brought the troops
notwithstanding, and yet there was Union feeling enough left
to elect a legislature the next autumn which in turn elected a
very excellent Union U, S. Senator,
I am a patient man — always willing to forgive on the Chris
tian terms of repentance, and also to give ample time for re
pentance, StiU I must save the Government if possible,
"What I cannot do of course I will not do; but it may as weU
be understood, once for all, that I shall not surrender this
game leaving any available card unplayed. Yours Truly, A. Lincoln

Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Private, Washington, D.C, July iSth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Cuthbebt Bullett, Esq., New Obleans, La.
Sib: The copy of a letter addressed to yourself by Mr.
Thomas J. Durant has been shown to me. The writer appears
to be an able, a dispassionate, and an entirely sincere man.
The first part of the letter is devoted to an effort to show that
the secession ordinance of Louisiana was adopted against the
will of a majority of the people. This is probably true; and in
that fact may be found some instructions. Why did they
allow the ordinance to go into effect? Why did they not assert
themselves? Why stand passive and allow themselves to be
trodden down by a minority? Why did they not hold popular
meetings, and have a convention of their own, to express and
enforce the true sentiment of the State? If pre-organization
was against them, then why not do this now that the United
States Army is present to protect them? The paralysis — the
dead palsy — of the Government in this whole struggle is
that this class of men wUl do nothing for the government,
nothing for themselves, except demanding that the govem
ment shall not strike its open enemies, lest they be struck by
accident. Mr. Durant complains that in various ways the relation of
Master and Slave is disturbed by the presence of our Army;
and he considers it particularly vexatious that this, in part,
is done under cover of an act of Congress, while constitutional
guaranties are suspended on the plea of MUitary necessity.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 137
The truth is, that what is done, and omitted, about slaves,
is done and omitted on the same military necessity. It is a
Military necessity to have men and money; and we can get
neither, in sufficient numbers, or amounts, if we keep from, or
drive from our lines Slaves coming to them. Mr. Durant
cannot be ignorant of the pressure in this direction, nor of my
efforts to hold it within bounds, till he and such as he shall
have time to help themselves.
I am not posted to speak understandingly on all the police
regulations of which Mr. Durant complains. If experience
shows any one of them to be wrong, let them be set right. I
think I can perceive, in that freedom of trade which Mr.
Durant urges, that he would relieve both friends and enemies
from the pressure of blockade. By this he would serve the
enemy more effectively than the enemy is able to serve him
self. I do not say or beheve that to serve the enemy is the
purpose of Mr. Durant, or that he is conscious of any purpose
other than National and patriotic ones. Still, if there were a
class of men who, having no choice of sides in the contest, were
anxious only to have quiet and comfort for themselves while
it rages, and to fall in with the victorious side at the end of it,
without loss to themselves, their advice as to the mode of
conducting the contest would be precisely such as his is. He
speaks of no duty — apparently thinks of none — resting
upon Union men. He even thinks it injurious to the Union
cause that they should be restrained in trade and passage
without taking sides. They are to touch neither a sail or a
pump, but to be merely passengers — dead heads at that —
to be carried snug and dry, throughout the storm, and safely
landed right side up. Nay more; even a mutineer is to go
untouched lest these sacred passengers receive an additional
wound. Of course the rebellion wiU never be suppressed in Louisiana
if the professed Union men there wiU neither help to do it,
nor permit the govemment to do it without their help.
Now, I think the true remedy is very different from what is
suggested by Mr. Durant. It does not lie in rounding the
rough angles of the War, but in removing the necessity for
the war.
The people of Louisiana who wish protection to person and
property have but to reach forth their hands and take it. Let
them, in good faith, reinaugurate the national authority, and
set up a State Government conforming thereto under the

138 LETTERS OP GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Constitution. They know how to do it, and can have the pro
tection of the Army whUe doing it.
The Army wUl be withdrawn so soon as such State Govern
ment can dispense with its presence; and the people of the
State can then, upon the old Constitutional terms, govern
themselves to their own liking. This is very simple and easy.
If they wUl not do this, if they prefer to hazard all for the
sake of destroying the government, it is for them to consider
whether it is probable I wUl surrender the government to
save them from losing all. If they decline what I suggest, you
scarcely need to ask what I will do, "What would you do in
my position? Would you drop the war where it is? or would
you prosecute it in future with elder staUc squirts, charged
with rose water? Would you deal lighter blows than heavier
ones? Would you give up the contest, leaving any avaUable
means unapplied?
I am in no boastful mood. I shall not do more than I can,
and shall do all I can to save the government, which is my
sworn duty as well as my personal inclination.
I shall do nothing in mahce. What I deal with is too vast
for malicious dealing. ycmrs truly, A. Lincoln
From General Hurly New Orleans, AugvM Isl, 1862
Major General Butleb, Esq.
Sib : The undersigned is a special officer, he has been amongst
some of the secessionists and got information that there was
private organization in the outskirts of the city, he said he
would like to join them on purpose to find out where the
Lodge was kept, and was told there was 827 men in the Lodge,
and that they would admit an Irish or Dutchman if he was a
secessionist; they say they expect to hang Major General
Butler and Judge Bell before a month passes by. I am afraid
to go round among them without weapons to defend myself,
so I hope you wUl be kind enough to let me have the use of a
Colt's revolver, and I will endeavor to find out their Lodge or
die in the attempt.
There is several men belonging to the Union Association
that I suspect of giving information to the enemy. I am a
member of the association myself.
Your Most Obedient, Jebemiah Hurly

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 139
From Moses Bales
Louisiana State Penitentiary, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Aug, 1, 1862
General B. F. Butler, Comdg. Dept. of the Gulf
Sir: Having, bythe aid of a military escort, procured some
one hundred and seventy-five bales of cotton, I have set the
machinery of the Penitentiary in motion, and the prisoners
are now at work. Because of the discovery of other cotton
which may be obtained, I have applied to Brig, Gen, WiUiams
for a permanent detail and transportation, which, having been
refused, I then appHed for a special escort and transportation
to procure cotton and beef for the penitentiary, but this also
is declined. And the Lieut, in charge of my escort is informed
by Gen, Williams' A, A, G„ Mr, Elliot, that "Gen, Williams
has no confidence in Mr, Bates, and will grant him no more
privileges than he can avoid." „ ,e n ^r
Respectfully Yours,
Moses Bates, Supt. La. State Penitentiary
From Governor Andrew Johnson
State of Tennessee, Executive Department, Nashville, Aug. 1st, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler, Commanding at New Orleans
Dear Sir: Fully aware of the many and laborious duties
which your position imposes upon you, I do not desire to
increase them, but the criminal appropriation, by rebels, of all
the resources of the Treasury of Tennessee compels me to
make every effort in my power to furnish means for carrying
on the civil and military powers of the state. My high regard
for your patriotism and ability has induced me to refer to you
for coUection a list of Notes and Drafts, assets of the Bank of
Tennessee, and, of course, the property of the state.
By application to Mr, Geo, A, French, cashier of the Union
Bank of New Orleans, you can in all probability obtain the
Notes and Drafts mentioned in this list,
I shall by the same mail write to Mr, French to furnish you
with all the assets of the Bank, If you can by any means
collect these assets, you will confer a favor which will be grate
fully received by the patriotic and loyal people of the state, I
shall be happy to hear from you as soon as you have had an
opportunity to take the subject into consideration,
I hope that success may continue to crown your patriotism,
zeal, and ability in the great cause of our common country and

140 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
constitutional hberty. With sentiments of the highest regard
and esteem, y^^^ obedient Servant, Andrew Johnson
From Joseph S. Fowler
State of Tennessee, Comptroller's Office, Nashville, Av^st. 1st, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler, Comdg. at New Orleans
Dear Sir: You wUI find in my letter the list of assets of
the Bank of Tennessee referred to by Governor Johnson.
If the cashier of the Union Bank should give you a note
drawn by R, H, Elam to the order of Joljn WUliams and Co,,
for the sum of $2169,32, dated 26th Dec, 1861, payable in six
months frora date, I would be pleased to have it forwarded to
me in Nashville, xr ./. 77
Yours very respectfully,
Jos, S, Fowler, Comptroller
From General Butler
Head Quarters Department of the Gvlf, New Orleans, August (ind), 1862
Flag Officer Farragut, Comdg. Western Gulf Squadron
Dear Sir: I enclose you Capt, Porter's Letter to me for
your information, I will send him a Steam Tug of whose ser
vices he can avail himself,
I would strongly urge that one of the light draft Double-
Enders be sent to him, say the "Westfield," "Clifton," or
"Miami," to clear out Red River,
As to the suggestion as to fortifying Baton Rouge on the
river side, it is simply impossible for want of Guns. If the
fleet cannot hold the river against the enemies' rams or other
boats, the quicker we abandon Louisiana the better. I have
' Very Respectfully, Your Obt. Svt.,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Com.
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
SOth July, 1862. U. S. Gun Boat Essex, Off Baton Rouge
[Not in chronological order]
6en. Butler, Head Qts. U. S. Forces, Comdg.
New Orleans, La.
General: I have the honor respectfully to lay before you
the following facts.
After running the blockade at Vicksburg, my Orders were
to proceed to Baton Rouge, raking in supplies, and then to

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 141
ascend the Mississippi, constantly cruising between this point
and Vicksburg,
The Gun Boats "Katahdin" and "Kenio," also the Ram
"Sumpter," were left with me here as a protecting force —
the two former Boats have their machinery so deranged that
they are absolutely useless for active service until thoroughly
overhauled and repaired. The "Sumpter" has but four men,
and the Capt, of her is the only Officer free from sickness.
There are two Rebel Gun Boats upon the Red River which
should be seen to, but with my present Force it would be im
practicable to attack them with success without some other
light-draught Gun Boats, the low stage of water in the Red
River would prevent the "Essex" going up.
The enemy are also fortifying at "Ellis" Cliffs, some below
Natchez, and unless speedUy seen to wUl eventually cause
much trouble,
A powerful Steam Tug to tow the "Essex" up the Missis
sippi, and also to convey sufficient Coal supply, I respectfully
solicit may be sent me as early as practicable. In the immediate
neighborhood of this city large bodies of rebel troops are con
centrating, and I would respectfully suggest the immediate
fortffication of the place, both of the land and river side. The
Ram "Arkansas" is still above water, and could without
doubt, if the "Essex" were absent, retake the city.
Very Respectfully, Your Obt. Servt.
W. D. Porter, Comdg. Division of Western Flotilla,
below Vicksburg
From General Butler
Head Qtrs, Dept, of the Gvlf, New Orleans, August ith, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Captain Porter, Comdg. Flotilla, Baton Rouge
Captain: By the recent Act of Congress your FlotUla is
placed under the charge of Navy Department. It is impossible
for me therefore to answer your requisitions as such, but will
do everything in my power to advance your desire to aid the
public service,
I have therefore directed my Quartermaster to assist your
Paymaster in procuring such a Boat as you may need, and wiU
make the sarae terras we should do if it were our own contract.
Flag Officer Farragut tells rae he wiU forward the necessary
supplies, I wiU endeavor to give you the money upon a draft,
as explained to your Paymaster, In any other thing I can do

142 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
to aid you, please comraand me, I beg to call your attention
to the absolute necessity of having the " Sumpter " or yourself at
the mouth of the Red River, would suggest the mouth of the
Black River, as the place to be. Baton Rouge will not be at
tacked at the present, in my judgment, I wUl see to it that your
Mails are forwarded to that Post Office, I have the honor
° ^' Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
Benj, F. Butler
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, La., Aug. id, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I beg leave to enclose to you copies of orders and cor
respondence with General Phelps upon the subject of arming
and employing the negroes.
Gen, Phelps, without orders and without ray knowledge,
has organized five corapanies of Negroes, and the first official
inforraation I had of his doings in that behalf was a requisition
for arms and equipments there.
It becarae raore necessary, in ray judgraent, to eraploy them
differently, and I thought by that means I would find eraploy-
raent for all, not raising the question offensively between Gen.
Phelps and rayself until it was settled at Washington. There
fore I sent the order to eraploy the negroes without sending an
answer to his requisition. But his letter of resignation has
left rae no choice but insist that ray order should be obeyed. I
subrait the whole raatter to the departraent. I need not dis
cuss it. Gen. Shepley, who has been with you, can do it ranch
better than I can. Mr, Roselius, whom I have sent you by the
"Connecticut," can tell you much more fuUy than it were
possible to do in a despatch what has been the effect of the
course of Gen, Phelps,
An insurrection broke out amongst the negroes a few railes
up the river, which caused the woraen of that neighborhood
to apply to an arraed boat belonging to us, passing down, for
aid, and the incipient revolt was stopped by inforraing the
negroes that we should repel an attack by thera upon the
woraen and children.
All is for the determination of the department, to which I
shall give the fullest obedience, I have the honor to be
Your obedient servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Com'd'g.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN P, BUTLER 143
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, August 2, 1862
Brig. Gen. J, W, Phelps, Commanding
General: By the act of Congress, as I understand it, the
President of the United States alone has the authority to
employ Africans in arras as part of the Military forces of the
United States, Every law up to this time, raising volunteer
or Militia forces, has been opposed to their employraent. The
President has not as yet indicated his purpose to employ the
Africans in arms.
The arms, clothing, and camp equipage which I have here
for Louisiana Volunteers, is, by the letter of the Secretary of
War, expressly limited to white soldiers, so that I have no
authority to divert thera however much I raay desire so to do,
I do not think you are erapowered to organize into Com
panies Negroes, and drill them as a Military organization, as
I am not surprised but unexpectedly informed you have done.
I cannot sanction this course of action as at present advised,
specially when we have need of the services of the Blacks (who
are being sheltered upon the outskirts of your Camp), as you
will see by the orders for their employment sent you by the
Assistant Acting Adj't Gen'l,
I will send your application to th^ President, but in the
meantime you raust desist frora the formation of any Negro
Military Organization, I am, Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. ind, 1862
Brig. Gen. Phelps, Comdg. U. S. Forces at Camp Parapet
General: I ara soraewhat surprised to receive your resigna
tion for the reasons stated.
When you were put in coraraand at Camp Parapet, I sent
Lieut, Weitzel, my Chief Engineer, to raake a reconnoissance
of the lines of Carrolton, and I understand it was agreed
between you and the Engineer that a removal of the wood
between Lake Ponchartrain and the right of your intrench-
raent was a necessary railitary precaution. The work could
not be done at the tirae because of the stage of water and the
want of raen. But now both water and raen concur. You have

144 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
500 Africans organized into Companies, you write me. This
work they are fitted to do. It raust either be done by them or
my soldiers, now drilled and disciplined.
You have said the location is unhealthy to the soldier. It
is not to the negro. Is it not best that these uneraployed
Africans should do this raatter at the present tirae? — because
there are reports of demonstrations to be raade on your lines
by the rebels, and in ray judgraent it is a matter of necessary
precaution thus to clear the right of your line, so that you can
receive the proper aid frora the Gunboats on the Lake, besides
preventing the enemy from having cover. To do this, the
Negroes ought to be eraployed, and in so employing them I
see no evidence of "slave-driving" or employing you as a
slave driver.
The soldiers of the Array of the Potomac did this very
thing last summer in front of Arlington Heights. Are Negroes
any better than they?
Because of an order to do this necessary thing, to protect
your front threatened by the enemy, you tender your resigna
tion and ask iraraediate leave of absence, I assure you I did
not expect this either frora your courage, your patriotism, or
your good sense. To resign in the face of an enemy has not been
the highest plaudit to, a soldier, speciaUy when the reason
assigned is that he is ordered to do that which a recent act of
Congress has specially authorized a Commander to do, i,e,
employ the Africans to do the necessary work about a Camp or
upon fortifications.
General, your resignation will not be accepted by rae; leave
of absence will not be granted, and you will see to it that any
orders, thus necessary for the defence of the City, are faith
fully and diligently executed, upon the responsibUity that a
soldier in the field owes to his Superior,
I will see that all proper requisitions for the food, shelter, and
clothing for these negroes at work are at once filled by the
proper departraents.
You will also send out a proper guard to protect the laborers
against the Guerilla force, if any there raay be in the neigh
borhood, I ara, TT I. J- .1 o
Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 145
From General Phelps Camp Parapet, La., August 2, '62
Maj. Genl. B. F. Butler, Comdg. Depart, of the Gulf
Sir: Two comraunications frora you of this date have this
raoraent been received. One of thera relates to the raising of
Volunteer or Militia forces, stating that "I must desist from
the formation of any negro mUitary organization," and the
other declaring in a spirit contrary to all usages of military
service, and all the rights and liberties of a citizen of a free
Govemraent, that ray resignation wUl not be accepted by you,
that a leave of absence until its acceptance by the President
will not be granted rae, and that I raust see to it that your
orders which I could not obey without becoraing a slave rayself
are "faithfully and dUigently executed."
It can be of but little consequence to rae as to what kind of
slavery I am to be subjected, whether to African slavery or to
that which you thus so offensively propose to me, giving rae
an order wholly opposed to ray convictions of right as well as
of the higher scale of public necessities in the case, and insist
ing with my complying with it faithfully and diligently, allow
ing me no room to escape with my convictions or my principles
at any sacrifice that I may raake. I cannot submit to either
kind of slavery, and cannot, therefore, for a double reason,
comply with your order of the 31st of July, in complying with
which I should submit to both kinds, — both to African
slavery and to that (to) which you resort in its defence. Desir
ing to the last of serving the public interest involved, I appeal
to your sense of justice to reconsider your decision, and raake
the raost of the cause out of the sacrifice which I offer, by grant
ing the quiet, proper, and customary action upon my resig
nation. By refusing ray request you would subject rae to
great inconvenience, without, as far as I can see, any advan
tage to yourself or the service.
With the view of securing rayself a tardy justice in the
case, being remote from the Capitol, where the transmission
of the mails is remarkably irregular and uncertain, and in
order to give you every assurance that ray resignation is
tendered in strict corapliance with paragraph 29 of the reg
ulations, to be unconditional and iraraediate, — I herewith
enclose a Copy for the Adjutant General of the Array which I
desire raay be forwarded to hira, to be laid before the Presi
dent for as early action in the case as his Excellency may be
VOL. II  10

146 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
pleased to accord. And as ray position, sufficiently unpleasant
already, promises to become much more so still by the course
of action I am sorry to find you deem it proper to pursue, I
urgently request his Excellency, by a speedy acceptance of
my comraission, to liberate rae from that sense of suffocation,
from that darkling sense of bondage and enthralraent, which,
it appears to rae, like the snake around the muscles and sinews
of Laokoon, is entangling and deadening the energies of the
Government and the Country, when a decisive act might cut
the evils and liberate us frora their baneful and fascinating
influence forever.
In conclusion of this coraraunication, and I should also
hope of my services in this Departraent, I deem it my duty to
state, lest it otherwise might not corae to your notice, that
several parties of the free colored men of New Orleans have
recently corae to consult me on the propriety of raising one or
two regiments of Volunteers from their class of the population
for the defence of the Government and good order, and that I
have recommended them to propose the measure to you, hav
ing no power to act upon it myself. I ara
Very respectfully. Your Obt. Svt.,
J. W. Phelps, Brig. Gen.
Monday, August ith, 1862
P.S. The negroes increase rapidly. There are doubtless now
six-hundred able-bodied raen in Carap. These, added to those
who are suffering uselessly in the prisons and jails of New
Orleans and vicinity, and feeding frora the general stock of
provisions, would raake a good regiment of one thousand men,
who might contribute as much to the preservation of law and
good order as a regiment of Caucasians, and probably much
more. Now a mere burden, they might becorae a beneflcient
eleraent of Govemment power. — J. W. P.
From General Phelps
Camp Parapet, La., August 2, 1862
General Lorenzo Thomas, Adj. Gen'l.,
Washington, D.C,
Sib: Finding it impossible to serve in this department
without doing violence to my convictions of right and public
necessity, I respectfully tender you the resignation of ray cora-
raission as an Officer of the Array of the United States, and

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 147
request as early an acknowledgment of its acceptance as con
veniently possible, I have the honor to be. Sir,
Very respectfully. Your obedient servant,
J. W, Phelps, Brig. General
From General Shepley
Private & Unofficial. Portland, Maine, August 2, 1862
Major General B, F, Butleb
Genebal: Imraediately upon ray arrival I proceeded to
Washington, and there had an interview with the President
and Secretaries of State and War, I stated to them fully the
condition and wants of Louisiana,
They were impressed with the necessity of sending more
troops, and promised to send the fifteen thousand I asked for
when they could get them to send. But they said more troops
were called for now in every Departraent, and it would be
impossible to send them at present.
In relation to the negro question, they frankly stated the
difficulties which surrounded thera, and gave rae discretion
to act as I thought best, which will be to continue the policy
pursued by you up to this time, I will explain this more fully
to you when I return,
I infer frora what was said upon the subject of Brigadier
Generals, that they will send out any two you raay designate
that are available,
I suggested the appointraent of Weitzel, and Stanton received
it very favorably, and I think if you make a formal request
for his appointment he will receive it.
The Secretary of War suggested that I had better return
home and wait a few days, and he would send despatches and
a messenger to rae when his despatches were ready, I reached
home Tuesday night (29th), and now (August 2nd), not hav
ing heard from the Secretary, I shaU leave Monday morning
for Washington direct, and after remaining there one day
leave as soon as possible for New Orleans,
You can have no conception how strong and universal,.
with the people, is the feeling of approbation and appreciation
of your course in New Orleans, They all contrast what has
been done in New Orleans, with the insufficient force and
scanty means of transportation, with the failures in Virginia
of such a vast Array, so raagnificently supplied with all the
appliances of modern warfare. The contrast is so striking in

148 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
your favor that the remark is almost universal that "if Butler
had been in coraraand he would have got into Richraond before
this tirae some how."
Mortar fleet Porter has been attacking you in Washington.
I found he had been doing this before he arrived, and I pre-
surae, as he has been in Washington since, he has repeated his
attacks. He has been charging you with eraploying tug boats
and steamers for private speculations, and neglecting to supply
him with means to tow his vessels, I told the Secretary it was
false, that Porter was a humbug, and explained to him Porter's
cowardice about the "Louisiana," and told him how invariably
you had rendered to Porter and the Army every possible
facility. When I return to Washington I will find out what new lies
Porter has told on his arrival there, and will endeavor to set
history right with the President and Secretary of War, I
believe Porter and his motives are pretty well appreciated
now, I suggested Gushing as Brigadier General, but found it
hopeless to attempt anything in that quarter.
Hoping soon to see you in New Orleans, and that your
health is fully restored, I am
Very respectfully, and truly yours,
G. F. Shepley, Bng. Gen'l. U. S. Vols.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. id, 1862
My DEABEST wife: Four days later from New Orleans. AU
well so far as health is concerned. The city never healthier —
not a single case of yellow fever.
Phelps has gone crazy. He is organizing the negroes into
regiments, and wants me to arm thera. There has been a
slight msurrection up the Coast, as it is called, meaning twenty
mUes up the river. I told him he must set the negroes to work
and not drill them, and he thereupon has resigned. I have
sent the whole raatter to the President. Reverdy Johnson has
gone home, I trust with a flea in his ear. What do you thmk
of the letter about order No, 28? I did not mean Carney
should pubhsh it, but he has done so. Perhaps it is weU
enough, "What do you think of the picture? Is not the posi
tion an easy one? Be sure and send rae those I wrote for.
Farragut has come down the river and given up Vicksburg.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 149
So we go, perhaps, over to MobUe. I have so large a force I
can go anywhere, of course.
A truce with this business, but don't let Fisher forget to
send the oats and the hoop poles by steamer. We send home
the "Saxon." She wUl start the 5th with a freight list worth
10,000 dollars — will take a raonth to go horae. She will go
to New York, so let Fisher look out. She will be horae about
the 20th,
By the by, I want you to look in my "scrap book" and
find the speech I made at the John Brown meeting in Lowell
some time in the winter of 1859, Let Blanche transcribe it,
and put it into the next mail for rae. If she will do it I will
send her soraething handsorae. Don't fail in this. Now,
dearest, how do you get on? Sumraer more than f gone, and
we not together. Are you gay? You must be. Laugh and
grow fat. Don't think too much. Don't fret yourself at all.
Play with the children. Kiss all for me again and again, and
then reserve a kiss for yourself. Keep it warra and happy till
I get back.
They have an absurd story here that Banks is to be sent
down to take my place. I wish to heaven he would corae!
Write rae every day, never raind, the mails will bring them
sometirae, although the "Creole" has got aground on the
Florida reefs and we have not heard a word by raail since
July 6th. Don't bother yourself about furnishing the house.
Perhaps I shall aid you from here.
Truly as ever your own Benj. with the coziest nook in his heart
always yours. From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug'ust 3rd, 1862
Flag Officer D. G. Fabbagut, Commanding Western Gulf
Blockading Squadron
Sib: I have just been informed by reliable persons that
since yesterday morning a great number of field guns have
been placed between here and Baton Rouge by the rebels,
the avowed object being to sink ray transports in the absence
of your cruisers. This information, taken in connection with
despatches received frora Gen'l. Williaras, informing me that
he expects an attack by a large force, leads me to believe that
my inforraation is truthful. I consider it therefore my impera
tive duty to ask you to cause one at least of your Gunboats to
cruise between here and Baton Rouge at once, so that I can

150 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
keep my communication open with ray forces at that point,
at least during the tirae danger is anticipated, I am. Sir
Very Respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butleb, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of ihe Oulf, New Orleans, Augsi, 3rd, 1862
Brig. Gen. Williams, Commanding at Baton Rouge
Genebal: I received your note by the hand of John Mann,
who was in ray confidential service, "While his inforraation
raay be relied upon as correct, yet all the inferences may not
be which he draws.
The truth is this, as I gather it frora various sources. On
the 25th of July I sent an expedition of 500 raen on an expedi
tion around the Lake at Mandeville and Madisonville. The
movement was delayed 48 hours, and in that time word was
sent to the eneray that it was to go out. Thereupon Breckin
ridge was telegraphed down, to Camp Moore with four Regi
ments to proceed to Madisonville, but it so happened that Col.
McMillan on the same day sent out to the Amite River a
reconnoitering party of two companies, and they raade an
attack on a GueriUa Carap there.
News of this carae to Carap Moore, and they concluded
that the expedition to MadisonviUe was but a feint whUe the
real attack was to be Carap Moore, imraediately counter-
raarched to get back to repel the expected assault upon the
Carap. This is the cause of the Assembly of the troops at Camp
Moore. "While I would not have you relax your vigUance, I
think you need fear no assault at present. When it does come,
I know you wUl be ready. I should much like to see you, if
possible to be absent from your comraand. There are raany
things upon which I wish to consult.
The raatter of the charges against several Officers wiU be
submitted to a Court Martial. I am Very Truly Yours,
Benj. F. Butleb, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
P.S. I have comraunicated with the Flag Officer concerning
the Boat at Red River. B, F, B,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 151
From Colonel Deming to General Butler
Hartford, August ith, 1862
My deab Genebal: I reached the North in the height of
the panic caused by McClellan's disaster and the President's
order for three hundred thousand additional volunteers. The
tirae was soraewhat unfavorable, as you can readily see, for
ray application for reinforcements, and the only reply which I
could extract frora the Secretary of War was, "Gen, Butler
must recruit in New Orleans,"
The other matters contained in your brief, he informed me,
had been answered by orders and instructions sent to you by
Reverdy Johnson, and by the Confiscation Act which had
just passed.
The plates I delivered to Mr, Secretary Chase and the
swords to the President, The flags I sent by Adams Express to
General Dix, I delivered the draft for $25,000 to the Vice
President of Adams Express Corapany, and took his receipt
therefor; Mr, Chase said that though the drafts were irregular,
inasmuch as money could not be drawn from the Treasury
except by authority of law, he would endeavor to contrive
some way to protect thera,
Mr, Stanton would not at the present tirae entertain ray
proposition to resign, and would only condescend to grant me
a furlough of thirty days from July 30th, at the expiration of
which I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in New Orleans,
I have been afflicted with an attack of dysentery since ray
arrival here, but hope that quiet and good nursing will soon
restore rae to ray usual health, I ara
Truly your friend and servant,
Henby C, Deming, Col. 12th Reg. C. V.
From General Butler
Telegram. Head Quarters, August ith, 1862
Gen. Dow
Do not let any person or vessel frora an infected port,
specially frora Havana corae up.
This order is iraperative.
Benj. F. Butleb, Maj. Gen. Comd'g.

152 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment cf ihe Gulf, New Orleans, August 4, 1862
Genebal Obders No. 55
It appears, that the need of relief to the destitute poor of
the city requires raore extended measures and greater outlay
than have yet been made.
It becoraes a question in justice upon whom should this
burden fall. Clearly upon those who have brought this great
calamity upon their fellow-citizens.
It should not be home by taxation of the whole municipality,
because the middling and working-men have never been heard
at the ballot-box, unawed by threats and unmenaced by
"Thugs" and paid assassins of conspirators against peace and
good order. Besides, more than the vote that was clairaed for
secession have taken the oath of allegiance to the United
States. The United States Govemraent does its share when it pro
tects, defends, and preserves the people in the enjoyraent of
law, order, and calm quiet. Those who have brought upon the
city this stagnation of business, this desolation of the hearth
stone, this starvation of the poor and helpless, should, as far
as they may be able, relieve these distresses.
There are two classes whom it would seera peculiarly fit
should at first contribute to this end. First, those individuals
and corporations who have aided the rebellion with their
means; and second, those who have endeavored to destroy
the commercial prosperity of the city, upon which the welfare
of its inhabitants depend.
It is brought to the knowledge of the Comraanding General
that a subscription of twelve hundred and fifty thousand
dollars was raade by the corporate bodies, business firras, and
persons whose naraes are set forth in schedule "A" annexed
to this order, and that sura placed in the hands of an iUegal
body known as the "Coramittee of Public Safety," for the
treasonable purpose of defending the city against the Govern
ment of the United States, under whose humane rule the city
of New Orleans had enjoyed such unexarapled prosperity that
her warehouses were filled with trade of all nations who carae
to share her freedora, to take part in the benefits of her com-
raercial superiority, and thus she was raade the representative
mart of the world.
The stupidity and wastefulness with which this immense

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 153
sum was spent was only equaUed by the foUy which led to its
being raised at aU, The subscribers to this fund, by this very
act, betray their treasonable designs and their ability to pay
at least a much smaller tax for the relief of their destitute and
starving neighbors.
Schedule "B" is a list of Cotton Brokers, who, claiming to
control that great interest in New Orleans, to which she is so
much indebted for her wealth, published in the newspapers, in
October, 1861, a manifesto deliberately advising the planters not
to bring their produce to the city, a measure which brought
ruin at the sarae time upon the producer and the city.
This act sufficiently testifies the malignity of these traitors,
as well to the Government as their neighbors, and it is to be
regretted that their ability to relieve their fellow-citizens is
not equal to their facilities for injuring thera.
In taxing both these classes to relieve the suffering poor of
New Orleans, yea, even though the needy be the starving wives
and children of those in arms at Richmond and elsewhere
against the United States, it will be irapossible to make a mis
take save in having the assessment too easy and the burden
too light.
It is therefore Ordered —
1st. That the sums in schedules annexed, marked "A" and
"B," set against the names of the several persons, business
firras, and corporations herein described, be and hereby are
assessed upon each respectively.
2d. That said sums be paid to Lieut. David C. G. Field,
Financial Clerk, at his office in the Customhouse, on or before
Monday, the llth inst., or that the property of the delinquent
be forthwith seized and sold at public auction, to pay the
amount, with all necessary charges and expenses, or the
party imprisoned till paid.
3d. The raoney raised by this assessraent to be a fund for
the purpose of providing employment and food for the deserv
ing poor people of New Orleans.
By command of Major-General Butler
R. S. Davis, Capt. and A. A. A. G.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
New Orleans, Aug. Sth, 1862
My dear, dear wife: I am only going to write you a word
to let you know what you fear may not be so — that I am in

154 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
good health, and tmst you are enjoying the same blessmg.
And also to let you know what you know already — how much
I miss you and love you.
Love to aU — Kiss the chUdren. Write me every day,
grow fat and saucy — and tell rae how I can get horae to you
out of this. We have not heard a word tUl today. The maU
is just in — the first maU since the 6th of July. Thirty days
without a maU! I ara longing for it to be opened, as I shaU get
a letter frora you, one at least, I hope raore. I shaU have
trouble with Phelps. He is raad as a March Hare on the
"nigger question." He is arming them against all law, and
refuses to have them work. My respect for hira wiU lead rae to
treat him very tenderly but firmly, and I hope involve myself
no raore than is absolutely necessary for ray duty. That I
wiU do in any event. All else is well here. The Rebels threaten
Baton Rouge, but I do not believe in an attack. Let thera come
on, I want a fight. All else is weU. y^^^ husband, Benj.
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Augtist Sth, 1862
To Brig. Gen. Phelps
General: Your communication of today has been received.
I had forwarded your resignation on the day it was received to
the President of the U. S., so that there will be no occasion of
forwarding a duplicate. General, not at hberty to accept your
resignation, I cannot, consistently with my duty and the orders
from the War Department, grant you a leave of absence untU
it is accepted by the President of the U. S,, for want of Officers
to supply your place, I see nothing unusual, nor do I intend
anything so, in the refusal to accept the resignation of an
officer when his place cannot be at the present moment supplied.
I pray you to understand that there was nothing intended
to be offensive to you in either the raatter or raanner of ray
coraraunication in directing you to cease railitary Organiza
tions of the negroes. I do only carry out the law of Congress as
I understand it, and in doing which I have no choice. I can
see neither African nor other slavery in the Commander of a
Post clearing from the front of his line, by raeans of able-
bodied raen under his control, the trees and underbrush which
would afford cover and shelter to his enemies in case of attack,
especiaUy when the very measure is a precautionary one advised
by yourself, and while in deference to your age and experience

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 155
as a soldier, and the appreciation I have of your many good
qualities of heart, I have withdrawn and do withdraw any
thing you may find offensive in my communication, still I
raust request a categorical answer to this question: WiU
you or wiU you not eraploy a proper portion of the negroes in
cutting down the trees which afford cover to the eneray in
front and right of your line?
I pray you to observe that if there is anything of wrong in
this order, that wrong is mine, for you have sufficiently pro
tested against it. You are not responsible for it raore than the
hand that executes it — it can offend neither your political
nor raoral sense. With sentiments of the utmost kindness and
' ' Your obedient Servant, Benj. F. Butler
From General Butler to General Phelps
Private and Unofficial, New Orleans, Aug. 5, 1862
Dear Genl, : I send you enclosed herewith the President's
order, which came in this morning's raail, before you raake
your final answer to ray official communication.
You will see that I cannot do otherwise than I have done,
and I beseech you do not put yourself in an attitude apparently
hostile to me, when the only feelings I hold toward you are
those of kindness and good will,
I have in this frank manner written to assure you that I
only wish to carry out the orders of the Government, and not
to embarrass you,
I would like to raeet you in personal conversation to see if
I raight not aid you in avoiding this difficulty. Believe rae.
Your friend, Benj, F,
From General Phelps
Camp Parapet, August [6rt], 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler, Comd'g. Dept. of the Gulf at
New Orleans, La,
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
communication of yesterday, proposing a question for a cate
gorical answer, which carae to hand at a quarter before one
o'clock p,M, to-day.
To propose a question either specific or abstract of obedience
to orders, after I had tendered ray resignation iraraediate and
unconditional, seeras to rae hardly corapatible with the "senti-

156 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
raents of kindness" that you express. If I ara to be detained
here against my wishes because at present my place cannot be
supplied, then at least I ought not to be troubled with unneces
sary issues between my sense of obedience to orders and ray
convictions and principles, I ara wiUing to fill a place terapo-
rarily and perforra the routinary duties of ray profession untU
the acceptance of ray resignation; but as I am left whoUy des
titute of the proper power and authority to meet the urgent
and practical questions that come every day for solution, it
would seem to me idle to coraply with raerely one measure
among many, especially when we have work enough already
for our negroes to do, and when the Order proposed, if extended
to other obstructions as well as trees, would occasion a great
amount of unnecessary labor and destruction.
My dear Sir, it is not a question of obedience to Orders
between us, I fully appreciate the difficulties of your position,
and the varied abilities, patriotism, and untiring dUigence
which you have shown in raeeting thera; and it is with great
reluctance and regret that I have to trouble you with anything
ray own; but at a crisis in our national affairs so important
as this, I should not be doing my duty either to the Country
or to the Government, I should mislead them both, were I
to remain quietly at ray post with the semblance but without
the power of fulfilling the duties incumbent upon it, I should
endanger and complicate public interests in this way rather
than serve thera.
The distance of this Station frora the Capitol of the country,
the irregularity and studied uncertainty of the raails; the
ungenial character of Latin laws and education and slave
labor to democratic institutions; the speculating character of
the people habituated to conspiratorial associations, idle com
binations, and fraudulent collusions, — all these and raany
other eleraents of disorder and opposition to legitiraate author
ity, Lilliputian as they are when viewed by themselves, seem
threatening to entangle the feeble, hesitating, and undecided
action of the Government, and render its great and beneficent
power of no avail. As it is, we seera to be in a foreign coun
try rather than in the United States, not so ranch frora the
character of the people as frora the want of action of the
Govemraent upon it.
You ask rae whether I will obey a certain Order or not.
With perfect respect and deference for yourself and your posi
tion, I beg to be perraitted in return to subrait the following

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 157
propositions to his Excellency the President of the United
States, as those under which I could alone consent to serve,
1st. The people purchased a large region of country called
Louisiana, which at the time of purchase embraced a very
considerable portion of the South "West, and they have a right
to this Territory for the purposes designed by their constitu
tion, viz: to secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and
their posterity,
2nd. The people are temporarily withheld from a full, per
fect, and peaceable possession of this territory by a few ambi
tious leaders and their deluded partisans,
3rd. Every State of the Union is bound to furnish her share
of taxes and her quota of men for the suppression of doraestic
insurrection, and the quota of raen of the Slave States should
be based upon the total number of whites and three-fifths of
all other persons in those States,
Jfth. Society here is on the verge of dissolution, and it is the
true policy of the Government to seize upon the chief elements
of disorder and anarchy, and employ them in favor of law and
order. The African, ignorant and benighted, yet newly-
awakened to liberty, threatens to be a fearful element of ruin
and disaster, and the best way to prevent it is to arra and
organize hira on the side of the Govemraent,
5th. The Slave States have already gone through the chief
suffering incident to a state of revolution; and to return them
to their former condition would be as irapolitic as it would be
cruel and irapossible,
6th. The system of labor in the South is ripe for and
demands a change, and a transition frora forced to paid labor
is of easy and necessary accoraplishraent,
7th. Military art and science, the raost potent and perhaps
the only rudiraentary eleraent of civUizing power which has
not yet been brought to the African during his bondage in
America, is essential for extending the Colony of Liberia and
opening up to civilization the cane and cotton lands of Africa,
Enclosing herewith a report of Major Peck which discloses
the condition of things on the borders of Lake Ponchartrain,
I have the honor to remain, with sentiments of high esteem.
Very respectfully. Your Obt. Servt.
J, W, Phelps, Brig. Genl.

158 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
By General Butler
Headquarters Dept. cf ihe Oulf, New Orleans, AuguM 6th, 1862
Special Order No. 24i
The City Surveyor and Street Commissioner are authorized
to employ not less than One thousand men (including those
now employed) to work on the Streets, wharves, and canals;
in the selection of these laborers married men will have the
preference. These raen to be paid out of the eraployraent and
relief fund, raised by General Order No. 55.
"While this force was paid by taxation of the property of
the City, the Commanding Genl. felt authorized to employ it
only in raost econoraical raanner, but it now being eraployed
at the expense of their rebellious neighbors, the Coraraanding
General proposes that they shall be paid the sarae sura that
was paid thera by the sarae party for work on the fortffica-
tions, to wit: One Dollar and a half for each day's labor. The
rations heretofore a gift to the laborers by the United States,
will now be discontinued.
This Order is to take effect frora and after the first Monday
in August 1862. ^^ ^^^^^ ^j. ^^^ ^^^ Butler
R. S. Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From General Butler
Head Qts. DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug^ust 6th, 1862
Lt. Weitzel, U. S. Engineers, Chief Engineer Dept. of the Gulf
The General wishes rae to say to you that, upon careful
examination of facts and rumors, he is convinced that the main
attack has been raade on Baton Rouge, and that it is not a
feint to cover any assault on this place. The eneray have 12
Regiments & two Batteries, in all about 6 or 7000 men. With
the force you have he thinks you can hold Baton Rouge; at
all events, he wishes you to make the utmost efforts to do so,
and if you repulse the rebels to follow them and use them up as
ranch as possible. If you are obliged to evacuate the town,
though, he wishes to leave ranch to the discretion of yourself
and the Comraanding Officer, his own irapression is that the
place should be burned. Please keep us inforraed by every
opportunity of all that occurs with you, I ara
Most respt.. Your Obdt. Servt,
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. General

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 159
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 7th, 1862
Col. Halbebt E. Paine, 4th Regt. Wis. Vols., at
Baton Rouge
Colonel: I have the report of Col. CahUl of the affair at
Baton Rouge, Frora it I ara inclined to change the opinion
which I had when you left rae with Lt, Weitzel, Do not evacu
ate Baton Rouge, at least at present.
Let Lt, Weitzel exaraine and determine the best positions
for holding the town. Take advantage of the ViUage and
buildings for that purpose aided by temporary earthworks
and abatis, if necessary in conjunction. The political impor
tance of the place has decided me under the change of appear
ing facts, Breckinridge has 12 regiments, 14 pieces of Cannon,
effective strength about 5000 men, and that is the entire force
he has anywhere under his Command, Let Lieut, Weitzel
report to these Head Quarters as soon as he has done what he
can. Send back most of the transport and all the wounded and
prisoners. Let each Officer Comdg, a Regt, raake a detailed
report of the facts of the day. Let Lt, Col, Cahill raake a full
report as Coramander of the Action of all the facts, events,
captures, with the full list of kUled, wounded, and raissing, I
desire this as the proper raeans of raaking ray own report to
the Government, I have the honor to be. Sir,
Very Respectfully, Your Obdt. Servt.,
By order of Maj, Gen, Butleb
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. Genl.
From Colonel Thomas W. Cahill
Headquarters Second Brigade, Baton Rouge, August 6th 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Captain R, S, Davis, A. A. A. Gen.
Captain: I have the honor to report that an attack was
made early yesterday raorning by a Confederate force of about
10 Regiments, under Command of Maj, Gen'l, J, C, Breckin
ridge, and that, after a fight of four hours duration and of
great severity, the enemy was repulsed,
I regret to state that Brig, Gen'l, Williams was kUled on
the field by a rifle baU through the chest.
During the battle, our forces were obliged to retire about a
quarter of a raile frora our original position, and the eneray

160 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
were thus able to occupy temporarily the Camps of the 21st
Indiana, 7th Vermont, and 14th Maine Regiments, and to
destroy ranch of the baggage and Carap Equipage. They
were, however, driven out, but, our nurabers being much
exhausted by fatigue and heat, it was deemed inexpedient to
pursue, I am unable as yet to give a report of our casualties which,
I am sorry to say, are considerable. The eneray has retired
several miles, and frora all I can learn are still retiring, I am
expecting it possible they may receive reinforcements, and
am disposing ray troops in the strongest positions. Our force
engaged nurabered less than 2500, the eneray had about 5000
with twelve or fourteen field pieces and sorae Cavalry,
The Ram "Arkansas" approached with intentions of engag
ing our gunboats, but grounded above the point at a distance
of about 6 miles, and to-day was engaged by the iron-clad
"Essex" and destroyed.
Enclosed is a copy of a communication received by Flag
of Truce from Maj, Gen, Breckinridge, and my reply thereto.
You will see by the latter that Brig, Gen, Clark and his Aid
de Camp have delivered themselves up as prisoners of War.
I have also fully 70 wounded prisoners that were left on the
field, also about 30 captured. I would like instructions as to
the disposition you wish made of them. Some express a wish
to be paroled. Very Respectfully Your obedient Servant,
Thos. W. Cahill, Col. Comd'g. Post
From General Breckinridge
Headquarters Confederate forces in the field. Near Baton Rouge,
August 6th, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
To the Commanding officer U. S. forces, at Baton Rouge, La.
I HAVE sent Major De Baur with a flag of truce, with the
request that he will be allowed to attend to the burial of our
dead who may have been left within your Iraes. Major Haines
accorapanying desires to coraraunicate with Brig. Gen. Chas.
Clark, that he may supply him with money and clothing, and
such articles as raay contribute to his comfort.
Respectfully, Sir, Your obedient Servant,
John C. Bbeckinbidge, Maj. Gen. Comdg.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 161
From Colonel T. W. Cahill
HeadquaHers U. S. forces. Baton Rouge, August 6th, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen. J, C, Bbeckinbidge, Commanding Confederate
Forces
Genebal: In reply to your coraraunication of this raorning
under a flag of truce, I have the honor to say that we are now
engaged in the burial of your dead within our lines, and that
we shall soon finish the now nearly accoraplished work,
Gen'l, Clark and his Aid de Camp, Lieut, Yager, have sur
rendered themselves as prisoners of war, and are being cared
for by our Surgeons, A friend of Gen'l, Clark from this City
will attend to his pecuniary wants.
Respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
Thos, W, Cahill, Col. Commanding

From General Butler
Telegram. Head Quars. DepaHment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Aug. 7th, 1862
Gen. Dow, Fobt St. Philip
Gloeious victory at Baton Rouge. Breckinridge attacks
with 6000 men, is repulsed with great loss, three Brig. Genl.
killed and wounded and prisoners. Gen. Williams killed. The
Ram "Arkansas" destroyed. B F B
From General Butler
HeadquaHers DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, August 7, 1862
Genebal Obdebs No. 56
The Commanding General announces to the Array of the
Gulf the sad event of the death of Brig. Gen. Thoraas WUUaras,
commanding Second Brigade, in Camp, at Baton Rouge.
The victorious achievement — the repulse of the division of
Major General Breckinridge by the troops led on by Gen,
WUliams, and the destruction of the raaU-clad "Arkansas"
by Capt, Porter of the Navy — is raade sorrowful by the fall
of our brave, gallant, and successful fellow-soldier.
Gen, Williaras graduated at West Point ui 1837; at once
joined the 4th Artillery in Florida, where he served with
distinction; was thrice breveted for gaUant and raeritorious
services in Mexico, as a raember of Gen, Scott's staff. His life
was that of a soldier devoted to his country's service. His
vol. n — II

162 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
country mourns in sympathy with his wife and chUdren, now
that country's care and precious charge.
We, his companions in arras, who had learned to love hira,
weep the true friend, the gallant gentleraan, the brave soldier,
the accomplished officer, the pure patriot and victorious hero,
and the devoted Christian. All, and raore, went out when
WiUiaras died. By a singular felicity, the manner of his death
illustrated each of these generous qualities.
The chivalric American gentleman, he gave up the vantage
of the cover of the houses of the city — forraing his lines in
the open field — lest the woraen and children of his enemies
should be hurt in the fight!
A good general, he made his dispositions and prepared
for battle at the break of day, when he met his foe!
A brave soldier, he received the death-shot leading his
men. A patriot hero, he was fighting the battle of his country, and
died as went up the cheer of victory!
A Christian, he sleeps in the hope of a blessed Redeeraer!
His virtues we cannot exceed — his exaraple we raay emu
late, — and, mourning his death, we pray, "may our last end
be like his."
The customary tribute of mourning wiU be worn by the
officers in the Departraent. By command of Major-General Butler
R. S. Davis, Capt. and A. A. A. G.
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, August 7th, 1862
Special Order No. 24.6
A Commission of Relief to take charge of the distributions
of the provisions of the Poor, to consist of five members, one
frora each District, and a President.
The Coraraittee will have the entire raanagement of the
business of gratuitous distribution of food.
They will make requisitions upon the Chief Commissary
for provisions, and establish the Stores of distribution as
necessary in each District as economy and efficiency raay
need. They will receive and decide upon all applications for relief,
raaking careful inquiry in all cases into the character and cir-
curastances of the applicants, so managing as to encourage

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 163
loyalty to the Union, but to relieve the deserving woraen and
children, although not loyal.
They will make requisitions upon the financial Clerk for
the sums needed to pay expenses and labor of distribution.
They will keep separate accounts of food distributed, 1st.
Families of Federal Recruits, 2nd. Widows arid friendless
destitute, 3d. FaraUies of Confederate Soldiers,
They will carefully keep in a systematic raanner all the
Books and Records necessary to show in a clear and concise
raanner all their transactions, ready and subject at all times to
the inspection of the Govemment Officers, who raay be ap
pointed or detailed to examine or supervise them.
They will report to the Comraanding General weekly the
nuraber of farailies supplied and the quantity of provisions
distributed. They will suspend and abolish the so-called Free Market
so soon as they are ready to raake distributions,
Messrs. B, F, Flanders, Presd., T, B, Thorpe, E, Heath,
E, Whitemore, j, B, Hubbabd, are appointed as such
Coraraissioners, ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ j^^ ^^^ g^^^^^
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From George Coppell, Acting Consul
Privatb. British Consulate, New Orleans, August Sth, 1862
Major General B, F, Butleb, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Genebal: I much regret that, through unavoidable &
unforeseen circumstances, the Flag of this Consulate was not
lowered whUst the Funeral of the late Brig, Genl, WiUiams
was passing, I raay observe in explanation that I had but
just arrived at my office, did not know that the Funeral was
to take place today — let alone pass the Consulate, and that
my porter was absent, I am sorry that the raatter should
have been noticed by you, for when the orderly came to the
office I had sent for a person to lower the Flag, I beg to reraain,
^^°^^^^' Your faithful Servant,
Geobge Coppell, Act'g Consul
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler Lowell, Aug. Sth, 1862
Deaeest: I have been alone today, no one in the house but
myself and servants. Tonight I feel tenderiy toward you.

164 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
inexpressibly kind and pitiful. What happiness it would be
to see you coming up the avenue, even greater, that there
would be none to greet you but rae, "We should not say much,
happy enough to sit down together, and look on one of the
loveliest views in nature, satisfied that this is home; and
when you are a little more weary of the turmoil of life, and
the tempests of feeling have ceased to afflict me, the home,
where we shall find peace and content, a deeper, fuller happi
ness than we have yet known, for you will yet believe, time
wiU bring faith, that the love (though it is kindled on earth)
that has absorbed the highest and noblest emotions of our
nature is yet a spark from heaven, that will glow with finer
glory when it has passed the ordeal of earth, and will help
to lift us to heaven frora whence it came. Do you wish to
have me with you again? I will corae whenever you wish me.
It will not be so fearful as before, I will take a favorable time
and escape the storms, Fisher has bought a steamer and wiU
have her freighted by Monday, This letter will go by her. He
is trying, too, for a sailing vessel, to purchase it. And has
spoken to Thurston about the horses, but is confident they
cannot be got there for the price you mention. The steamer
is an English vessel that I think he found at New Bedford. I
think he is running a great risk, but these are times when
men will venture all, the chances are great either to win largely
or to lose utterly. "Whitney is engaged with him in the pur
chase. Farragut we hear has gone down to New Orleans.
"Why raay not the "Arkansas," when repaired, follow and
drive hira out of the river and take you all prisoners?
Gen'l, Shepley has not been to see rae, I hear from his
daughter Nelly he is already on his way back. Emancipation,
and arming the negroes is held in check for a little, the border
states will not subrait to it, soon as there is a plausible hope
of success it will be brought forward again. The only raan in
the Administration who approves is Seward, If you look at
Port Royal you will see that Hunter is kept in place, and carries
out all that his Proclamation put forth. The President's veto
was not decisive, Phelps' policy prevails instead of yours.
The abolitionists will have this a war to free the slaves at
once if possible, nothing else is thought of. The Administra
tion will assent to it just as fast and as far as the country wUl
sustain it. It has taken a step or two in advance, and been
obliged to draw back. But events may give the opportunity.
They wUl be seized on fast as they arise. How strange it is

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 165
to be alone in the house. I thought I should be better pleased
with it for a little while. Haggerty is nearly at New Orleans
by this time. I thought, when I gave hira the letter, I could
never whUe away the tirae till he reached there, but it is nearly
over, — you will coraply with ray request soon as you have my
letter, and that trouble will be done away with, I shall be
happier when I think he has reached there, Paul has writ
ten a few lines in pencil, but gave up, thinking it too un
worthy to send, I shall enclose it. With a little help it might
have been quite neat. He is very proud of your letter to hira,
and requests it raay be put with the one frora Capt, George,
about the fox. He desires me to tell you that he won the
prizes for the best lessons, Benny was almost in doubt about
going away, for fear he raight lose the sight of his present
when it first coraes. What becarae of the pearls, — that were
captured with the plate? I think ladies can never hear of
such pretty baubles without a desire to behold thera, and it
is apt to increase with indulgence, I wonder if you really
raiss rae, or if you only say so because I shall be sorry if you
do not. Ah rae ! there is such a wide difference between man's
thought and woman's. If it is as healthy as you say, why
might I not return at any tirae? Blanche goes back to school
in little more than a week after her return. She seems rather
languid, and is not quite so straight as she was, I dread
another year of confineraent for her. If she were through with
this year I would take her with rae wherever I went. You see
I ara at the end of ray sheet. Only room for q , jj. ^
Tonight I drove to Mrs, Read's, The clouds rolled up for
a thunderstorm. The swallows in thousands fiuttered over
the willows. Do you remeraber we walked there years ago,
and thought it the prettiest spot in the world? Kiss rae kindly
for the remembrance. Adieu!
From Major George C. Strong to General Butler
New York, Aug. 8, 1862
My deae General: Don't stop to read this if you are
busy, for its almost entirely on two penny subjects.
Have been waiting and waiting, up the river here, for Ryan
to corae on with ray Ordnance papers, but I hear nothing
from him.
Health is very good. Am on my way Eastward now. ShaU

166 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
return here toward the end of the raonth, and saU for New
Orleans. Met Shepley at the "Astor" this morning, for the
first tirae since he came North. He says he might have got me
sorae proraotion if he had asked for it, — viz: a Colonelcy or
some "Regular Major General's" Staff, with orders to report
to you. Pope and several other Volunteer Major Generals
have had it done. I thought of asking Mr. Stanton myself
(with what influence I could bring to bear here) to do it, but
have concluded that it would be raore seemly, were it done at
all, that it be done by you.
"Because he was arabitious I slew him." I hope I may
not be thus slewed, tho' tis true we have a custom of "wetting"
a new Commission, At present I am ranked by Turner,
Shaffer, and Kinsman, and of course it would be pleasant for
rae (raodest as the remark may seera) to have a commission
antedating theirs. So ranch plain speaking on that subject.
One raore of the sarae sort, for there's a young gentleman of
this city, Frederick Martin, that perhaps will go out with rae,
for whom I would like to ask you to retain a First Lieutenancy
in one of your new Louisiana Regiments,
Dr, Kellogg will go out to New Orleans next week, I hope
he will prove, what I predict, a valuable raan. He received
your order to report, and will go at the earliest possible raoraent,
and ranch regrets that he couldn't have settled up his affairs
earlier than next week. Sent yesterday (it was not published
this raorning and perhaps will not be) to the Herald a com
munication in answer to that infamous charge of corruption
made by Whipple against you (before the Contract Investigat
ing Committee) in the contract for hats.
It is an unmitigated lie to all intents and purposes, and no
doubt Whipple knows it; for the remarks that were made
in jest in your Office that day never could have been taken in
earnest by him. He got angry with Captain George at Lowell,
and determined to make a good advertisement by implicat
ing the whole establishment.
Glad to see so much venison ("Dear") in your correspond
ence with Reverdy Johnson! I expected a row.
General Shepley will tell you all the news in this hot clin^ate.
Very respectfully & truly yours,
Geobge C. Stbong

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 167
From F. Bauer
New Orleans, Aug, 9th, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butleb, Comdg. U.S.A. ofthe Gulf
Sib: By General Order No, 55,i "schedule A,," I ara to
pay $181,25 frora an investment of $725 in the Bonds of
the City of New York, which money is the money of orphan
children, which I have invested as much as I can make out
in accordance of the laws of the State of La,, "for minor chil
dren," such funds to be invested in the Bonds of the City or
State, I have therefore, by investing that money in the City
Bonds, not done any more than minding my own business and
doing ray duty according to ray humble knowledge,
I had, at the time, no idea that I should hereafter be looked
upon as an offender against laws or order, but solely that I
was minding my business and doing ray duty in providing
the interest of these orphan children, whom I have fed and
clothed and sent to school for 8 or 9 years under my humble
station and occupation as a Truant Master, adding from
year to year the interest to the capital, by which acts it was
brought up to the present amount.
General ! If it pleases you, let rae pray you for a release of
that fine, as I ara not a raan of ranch means, and the paying
of such an amoxmt now would likely bring me to the turning
of these children on the public, and allow rae, if it pleases
you " General ! " if it pleases you, a personal appearance before
you when I intend of fuUy satisfying you of aU required, —
most respectfully soliciting forgivingness should I have in the
aforegoing committed any offences, and perrait me Sir, to sign
^ ^ Your most humble servant,
F, Bauee
Genebal! Not having been perraitted entrance to your office for
three days, I beg to send this pr. Post Office, having this
evening paid the aforegoing fine, but, should I find favor in
the Commanding General for a personal interview, I raay be
found at 22 Magguire Street,
Answer: Having invested your wards' money in an unusual and
improper security, you are personally accountable to thera for
the amount as you are per this assessment, B F B
» General Order, No. 55 August 4th 1862.

168 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From General Butler
HeadquaHers DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Augst. 9th, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Owing to the withdrawalof the fleet from before Vicks
burg, it raay become necessary to return WUliams' Brigade
at Baton Rouge,
The services before Vicksburg had weakened very much
that force by sickness, the overflow of the river, and the number
of dead aniraals in the swamps, made a fearful malaria, but
which, while it caused illness in alraost the entire comraand,
did not produce a large raortality. The healthy air and water
at Baton Rouge rapidly recruited the troops.
The cessation of operations at Vicksburg allowed the eneray
to concentrate a very large part of his available force at
Carap Moore, about 60 miles from Baton Rouge, From thence
he marched to attack the Post, and on the morning of the
5th instant appeared before our lines.
His force consisted of 2 Louisiana Regts,, 2 Miss, Regts,,
2 Tennessee Regts,, an Alabama, a Texas and a Georgia Regt,,
14 pieces of Artillery, and a large force of Guerilla Cavalry,
These were under Comraand of Major General Breckinridge,
Brig, Gens, Ruggles, Robert G, Helme, AUen, and Clark,
They were supported by the Rara "Arkansas," which inspired
thera with the greatest hope and the utmost confidence in
their attack. To oppose this formidable force. Brig, General
Williaras had the 14th Maine, 7th Verraont, 9 corapanies of
the 9th Conn,, the 21st Indiana, 4th Wisconsin, and 6th
Michigan Regts,, Nira's, Everett's, Manning's Mass, Batteries,
and Magee's Corapany of Mass, Cavalry, nearly one half of
whom were on the sick list.
Leaving two Regiments in the village for a Reserve, with
high chivalry Gen'l Williams formed his lines at daybreak
nearly a mile beyond the town, in an admirably chosen position.
The eneray raade the attack in two divisions on the right
and left, and raassing his forces endeavored to force our
inferior nurabers back, by extending his lines to flank us.
His first attack was partially successful by the failure of our
Regiraent to do its duty. The eneray was repulsed, however,
thrice over returned to the charge; upon the final repulse,
after 6 hours of continuous fighting, retired from the field, and
sent a flag of truce for leave to bury their dead (A copy of the
Correspondence is annexed).

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 169
The Boat which brought down the despatches to rae from
Col. Cahill, upon whora the Comraand developed after the
death of General WiUiaras, coUided with the Gunboat "Oneida"
and sunk, so that I ara not able by this mail to give the detaUs,
as I hope to do by the next despatch. Our loss was very heavy,
say 90 killed and 250 wounded. We mourn the loss of General
WiUiams, Col, Roberts, 7th Verraont, killed, Lt, Col, Keith,
21st Indiana, severely wounded, a large number of lower of
ficers killed and wounded, whose names I am unable to give
for the reason above stated, and upon such matter a mistake
should not be raade.
The casualties of the eneray were very ranch larger. They
have lost Brig, Gen, Clark wounded, probably raortaUy, and
a prisoner with his aid; Brig, Gen'l, Allen killed. Brig, Gen'l,
Helrae disabled by a fall from his horse; Brig, Gen'l Ruggles
is reported dead, and a very large number of field and line
officers killed and wounded. We have buried already more
then 300 of their dead, and they have left their wounded in
every cabin on their line of retreat. Their killed and wounded
more than equal one-half of our men actually engaged against
thera. The enemy's forces were at least 6000 effective men,
while we had not over 2000 in the action. The necessities of
the ground caused General Williaras to form his line of battle
in rear of the Camps of the 14th Maine and 21st Indiana Regts,,
so that the eneray for the hour were permitted to occupy these
Camps and destroyed much Camp Equipage,
Upon the first report of the engageraent reaching me, I
sent up Lieut, Weitzel of my Staff to report the condition of
affairs, and to see what further dispositions were necessary to
meet a renewed attack if any need be feared. Although sup
ported by the rebel Steamers "Webb" and "Music," the
"Arkansas" did not choose to come down and attack our
Gunboats, the "Essex," "Sumter," and "Kenio," and so did
not cooperate with the land forces.
Flag Officer Farragut went immediately up the river to
attack the "Arkansas," But upon the 6th the "Essex"
steamed up to the rebel fleet. The "Webb" and "Music"
fled, and the "Arkansas," after firing a few shots, was on fire
and blew up.
Please find appended the reports of Lieut, Weitzel, as well
as the General Orders issued from this Department upon the
sad event of General Williams' death and the victory at Baton
Rouge,

170 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
I trust the actions of my brave raen will receive your appro
bation, I have the honor to be y^^^ obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butleb, Maj. Gen'l. Comd'g.
From General Butler
Head Quarters Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, August 9th, 1862
Col. H, E, Paine, 4th Wis. Regt. Vols., Baton Rouge, La,
Sie: In throwing up earthworks, digging trenches, or in
any labor that is to be performed, you wiU employ all the
contrabands that you can seize, and if necessary you wUl
impress into the service any white secessionists, I send today
an Order to Lt, Weitzel to report in person to these Head
Quarters. I ara Sir,
Most Respectfully, Your Obt. Svt.,
By order of Majob Gen. Butleb
R. S. Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. Genl.
From J. O'Brien
Baton Rouge La., Augst, 9ih, 1862
Maj. Genl. B, F, Butleb, Commanding Dept. of Gulf
HoNOBED Sib: Having read that Alexander, Napoleon,
Washington, and others have at tiraes condescended to receive
and hear the opinions of and suggestions of private soldiers on
iraportant subjects, and hoping this will not give offense or
intrude too ranch on your valuable time, I venture to write
my thoughts, which you can take for what they are worth.
The intent of the late attack on this place has changed in
appearance very ranch, and frora looking like a desire of the
Coraraanders to make a dashing charge in and out again, for
the mere purpose of amazing you, harrassing the Garrison,
and troubling the fleet, it now shows itself to be a regular
movement of a Division of the Army undoubtedly planned at
and ordered from Headquarters at Richmond Va, for some
iraportant purpose, the intent of which is only known to the
Chiefs, To enable us to judge of their intentions, we must place
ourselves in their position, and consider what we would do,
and what good policy and all the precedents in this war justify
us in supposing they intend to do. They have never yet risked
an encounter without having a position to fall back upon, and
routes clear of the Eneray by which to reach it. The Chiefs

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 171
of the Rebel army and leaders in the Secession moveraent
know that whatever raercy raay be shown to subaltern officers
or soldiers, they raay expect none, so that, before risking a
great Battle between the two grand Armies in and near Rich
mond, where it is possible they might be defeated and pursued,
it would be of the greatest importance for thera to have a por
tion of the Mississippi clear of the Fleet, that they might cross
the Army, collected frora different points in their raarch over
into the Red River and Texas country, where they could hold
out and trouble the Govemraent for a long tirae, or at least
until they could obtain their terras of surrender, or it raay be
that they expect raen and supplies by way of Mexico and
Texas, for the crossing of which it would be equally important.
But no matter for what purpose, it is evident they intend to
take this place and fortify it, so as to keep the Gulf Fleet be
low here and the upper Fleet above Vicksburg, by doing which
they will have Red river and the South West open to thera.
Now, Sir, this place can be taken and coraraand of the
river obtained in spite of the fleet and the sraall Garrison here,
if the Coramander is deterrained and has the skill and forces
to do it with.
If you will look at the map of this place you will see that
the principal part of the City is surrounded by a broad and
deep hollow on the river side, in which the enemy would be
alraost secure from the fire of the fleet if the Garrison was
driven out, and which would be a good natural base line for a
system of approaches to the River, You cannot spare men
enough to fight the forces they can bring here, but you have
plenty of old 24 and 32 lb. Guns and carriages in and about
New Orleans, which are good enough for defence purposes,
which, if properly placed around the City on the edge of that
hollow or gully with breastworks and rifle pits in front, and
the land for about a half mUe around cleared of houses, timber,
and old fences, the place could be held with the aid of a few
Boats against any Army the eneray can at present spare to
send here. This would not cost much labor or expense, the
unnecessary negroes around here under a fort man assisted by
the troops, could do the labor in a few days, for Genl. Gladden
of the Rebel Army with half of his Brigade entrenched a part
of the Camp near Corinth one and three (If) quarters miles
long with breastworks five feet high, and rifle pits five feet
deep, in less than a week. You have plenty of heavy Artillery
men here, who learned their business in the Rebel Service,

172 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
There is not a moment to spare, the Eneray is in force all
around us, and evidently raean business.
Hoping that this raay gain your attention, I reraain
Your obedient Servant,
Private J, O'Brien, Camp "B" Uth Me. Vols.
P,S, Please excuse the style, I have written the same as I
would speak to a comrade, and for God's sake don't expose
this, or I wiU be the jest of the Regiraent if you do not ap
prove it,
[^Endorsed: Thanks for suggestions good and tiraely. Keep
this in reraerabrance, — B, F, B,]
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, August 9, 1862
General Orders No. 57
Soldiers of the Army of the Gulf
Your successes have heretofore been substantially bloodless.
Taking and holding the raost iraportant strategic and coramer-
cial positions with the aid of the gaUant Navy, by the wisdom
of your combinations and the moral power of your arms, it
has been left for the last few days to baptize you in blood.
The Spanish conqueror of Mexico won imperishable renown
by landing in that country and burning his transport ships, to
cut off all hope of retreat. You, more wise and economical
but with equal providence against retreat, sent yours horae.
Organized to operate on the sea-coast, you advanced your
outposts to Baton Rouge, the capital of the State of Louisi
ana, more than two hundred and fifty mUes into the interior.
Attacked there by a division of oUr rebel eneraies, under
coraraand of a Major General recreant to loyal Kentucky,
whora some of us would have honored before his apostacy, of
doubly superior nurabers, you have repulsed in the open field
his myrmidons, who took advantage of your sickness from the
malaria of the marshes of Vicksburg, to raake a cowardly
attack. The Brigade at Baton Rouge has routed the eneray.
He has lost three Brigadier Generals, killed, wounded, and
prisoners; many Colonels and field officers. He has raore
than a thousand killed and wounded.
You have captured three pieces of artillery, six caissons,
two stand of colors, and a large number of prisoners.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 173
You have buried his dead on the field of battle, and are
caring for his wounded. You have convinced him that you
are never so sick as not to fight your enemy if he desires the
contest. You have shown hira that if he cannot take an outpost
after weeks of preparation, what would be his fate with the
main body? If your General should say he was proud of you,
it would only be to praise himself; but he will say, he is proud
to be one of you.
In this battle, the Northeast and the Northwest mingled
their blood on the field — as they had long ago joined their
hearts — in the support of the Union,
Michigan stood by' Maine, Massachusetts supported Indiana,
Wisconsin aided Vermont, while Connecticut, represented by
the sons of the ever-green shamrock, fought as our fathers did
at the Boyne Water,
While we all mourn the loss of raany brave comrades, we,
who were absent, envy them the privilege of dying upon the
battle-field for our country, under the starry folds of her vic
torious fiag.
The colors and guidons of the several corps engaged in the
contest will have inscribed on them"Baton Rouge,"
To coraplete the victory, the iron-clad steamer "Arkansas,"
the last naval hope of the rebellion, hardly awaited the gallant
attack of the "Essex," but followed the exaraple of her sisters,
the "Merriraac," the "Manassas," the "Mississippi," and the
"Louisiana," by her own destruction.
By command of Major-General Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt.
From Governor Frederick Holbrook
State of Vermont, Executive DepaHment, Brattleboro, Aug. 10, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler
My dear Sir: You are doubtless rejoiced, like every patriot
m the Country, at the two recent caUs of the President for
additional troops. You may not know the secret springs of
these late raoveraents. They corae frora the people, the loyal
masses, rather than from Washington, It would surprise and
please you, could you be back here at this time, and observe
the serious earnestness of the people. They are everywhere,
even in the most secluded and unfrequented rural districts,
ready for any necessary sacrifice, and wUl never be content

174 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
tUl they know there are at least a million men under arms,
and that the Government is using so ranch of the vast resources
of the Country as raay be necessary to succeed in this war.
They see clearly that everything they prize is at stake in this
struggle, and that utter ruin and destruction raust ultimately
follow a faUure to crush this rebellion,
I hope that out of the 600,000 fresh troops now being organ
ized for the war, the Department wiU be largely strengthened,
that you raay be able to sweep around you at will. You
ought to nuraber at least 50,000 good troops; and if it were
twice that so ranch the better,
Perrait me to express my gratification at your great success,
so far, and your adrairable raanageraent at New Orleans, I
suppose you and your forces have been much exposed, but I
hope you will soon be so strongly reinforced as to be able to
move at pleasure in any direction, and produce new and
marked results.
I beg you to feel fully assured that I shall be happy to aid
you in all possible ways. Perhaps no man has been raore
earnest and persistent than rayself in urging our National
authorities to raake the last two calls for fresh troops. They
are both in accordance with letters addressed by me to the
President and Secretary of War — only that I wished the last
300,000 men could have been called out for a longer period
than nine months.
I hope the "Green Mountain Boys" you have with you
uphold the honor and credit of Vermont. The climate, I
presume, must be very trying to them, and I see by the papers
that the 7th Regiment, near Vicksburg, have suffered a good
deal by sickness. But I doubt not you wUl take aU the pre
cautions that circumstances will perrait to get them safely
through the heated season. If more surgeons are needed,
please inform me imraediately, and I will send them forthwith
to both the Vt. Regiments.
My son. Major Holbrook, of the 7th Regt., I hear is getting
on weU, which of course is gratifying to me. He is a dear boy
to me. General, and I believe he is a good soldier, more accom
plished in the military profession than the generality of Volun
teers. At any rate, he has had good advantages of instruction
heretofore. Please bear hira in raind for ray sake, as well as
his own, and if you can give him opportunities to grow, and
to show what is in him, I have no doubt he wiU gratify you as
well as rayself, in the perforraance of duty in responsible posi-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 175
tions. He always had good judgment, considerably in advance
of his years.
With my best wishes for your continued success in your
responsible position, and for your health and happiness I ara,
with high regard, ,, , . , , ^,
Your friend and Obt. Servant,
Fbedebick Holbbook
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler
Sunday evening, Lowell, Aug. 10th, 1862
Deaeest: I have been to Dracut and given letters to Mr,
Read to be carried in the morning to the Capt, of the vessel
Fisher has lately bought. She sails tomorrow for New Orleans,
Yet you see I begin writing again this evening, I am still
alone in the house. The night is so extremely beautiful I
cannot forbear telling you of it, I have opened the window of
our room that looks on the greenhouse. Such a flood of light
and beauty you never gazed on. The raoon is fuU — the wind
cool and fragrant, waving the long, pendent wiUows that float
lUie a woraan's hair on the sighing breeze. The long, dark
shadows sweep over the lawn and roads. It is not calra and
still. The deep sighs and whispering araong the trees make it
a night of strange, mysterious beauty. The air is alive with
spirits, agitated with sudden news, they float treraulously in
and out araong the trees like phantoras as they are, I feel, in
gazing, as though I belonged to thera, and could easily pass the
space and put ray hands up on your shoulders and look you
in the face. I wonder if you would start back from me, or
naturaUy fold me in your arms. I shall find out by my drearas
tonight. Ah, dearest, I wish, and you would be glad to be
here tonight.
I began this on Sunday as you see. On Monday raorning
two letters frora you, one saying you had no letters frora rae for
twenty-two days, and the other desiring the children's pictures
by the first raail. The children are all away, but after some
hesitation I concluded to take all the originals taken some
years ago, including ray own, box thera up, and send thera on
board the stearaer Fisher is fitting out. Webster took thera to
Boston this morning. The vessel was expected to go yester
day, and I had given letters tp Read on Sunday that were
to go by her. She could not be ready until today (Tuesday),
and tonight Webster brought back the box, for the vessel in
starting burst her escape pipes, and she will not be able to

176 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
leave before Thursday. I shaU put this letter into the mail,
and have no idea when you will get it, or the others; one in
the box with the pictures and another in charge of the Captain.
If I lose the pictures it wUl be a great pity. How sad it is that
you do not get ray letters. Yours corae regularly, and you
know what ship you send them by. Ours are put in the maU,
and we do not know when they wUl reach you. If they get on
board the "Rhode Island" or "Connecticut" they are three
weeks or raore on the way. Oh, dear, this is a poor way of
coraraunication! But we raust be patient. I will write of tener
StiU, and trust you may get them raore frequently. We are
having another battle now. Banks has the worst of it again.
Capt. Abbott was reported killed, now wounded and raissing.
The faraUy of course, in great trouble. What is to becorae of
us with these defeats? The country here is in a terrible state
of gloora. The people are disheartened. We are a little
relieved to hear the "Arkansas" is destroyed, and that the
fleet have gathered about New Orleans. How slowly these
days go by! You do not write in your letters as if you expected
rae to return to you. Well, tirae will bring us together sorae-
where if one can but be content to let things take their course.
When you have read ray letters I wish you would send them
back with yours, then I shall know you have received them,
that they are not lost or in soraebody's possession who ought
not to have thera. The children return tomorrow, unless they
find it very pleasant, I am writing this hurriedly, as I want it
to go out in the morning. The others are delayed, and I
want to get something started. Do you spend your tirae at
the Custom House, or at the house you live in? I wonder if
you would be glad to have me there again. You write that
you love and raiss rae very rauch, I shall believe this, because
it would hurt rae so to think differently, and because you
really do, you really do, beyond the strength of words.
Ever affectionately, Sabah
If you get my picture, and the artist thinks it best to paint
the figure, let the dress be plain, not stripped, and raake it as
rauch prettier as he can.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler August 10th [1862]
My deab Sabah: I ara afraid you have been troubled by
many reports, but be assured we are all right here. We have

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 177
had a terrible struggle at Baton Rouge and a glorious victory,
I think that assures our safety, because the fools were really
thinking of an attack on New Orleans, Let thera come on.
My health is as usual when you were here — good one day, bad
the next. We have had no case of the fever here yet. Our
troops here are healthy, but they suffered terribly at Vicksburg,
I wUl not write more details — you wiU see all in the papers,
I wish I were with you now, if I could return, as I raust not
be away if there is to be trouble, even to be with you.
Kiss the children. Love rae as well as you can. Be of good
heart. Get strong and well. _,
Benj m.
From William T. Eustis Boston, August llth, 1862
General's. F.- Butleb
My dear Sir: I should feel that it was an unauthorized
liberty to intrude on your tirae and attention with a raatter of
an exclusively private character, as I am well aware that raatters
of public duty raust occupy all your energies and in reference
to the latter, therefore I feel justffied in calling your attention
to a raatter combining public with private interest.
I observe by the papers, and have learned from other
sources, that Moses Greenwood has occupied a rather con
spicuous position since you had control of New Orleans, and
has seemed to enjoy your confidence as a good Union man. I
hope most sincerely that he is in heart what he professes to
be, but "consistency is a jewel," and I am not disposed to
have hira enjoy the confidence of Union men without consist
ent action.
Early in the Spring of 1861, S. S. Kimball of Dardanelle,
Ark., sent cotton worth a large sum to Moses Greenwood,
with directions to sell and remit to Boston some $11,000
(say eleven thousand dollars) to pay araount due here frora
him, Kimball, advising parties here to whom he was indebted
that he has done so; not hearing from Greenwood, parties
here wrote to him making inquiries. He replied that Kiraball
had sent hira Cotton for this purpose, that he had shipped it
to England in a British vessel to keep it away from old Abe's
pirates, and had ordered the proceeds retumed in gold, — if the
difficulties were over when it carae, he should rerait as directed
by K., otherwise he should do as he saw fit with the proceeds.
This is substantially the tenor of his coraraunication, I raay
not quote his exact words,
vol. II — 12

178 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Immediately after your brilliant occupation of New Orleans,
Greenwood was written to, caUing his attention to the matter,
requesting an adjustment of the affair. No reply can be
had and no explanation is given. The inference is, that he is
resolved to hold on to the funds belonging to Union men here,
who are raaking sacrffices by giving themselves and their money
to put down this infaraous rebellion, and by so domg he is
aiding to the extent of his ability in sustaining this stupendous
wickedness. My desire is that he should be called to account, if my
statement is true that he should be corapeUed to disgorge
the amount with interest. I understood the original value of
the cotton was about $50,000, but $11,000 was aU that was to
be remitted here,
I have known Moses Greenwood for more than thirty years,
and untU this transaction always considered him a man of
honor and integrity, and actuated by sincere religious principle,
I cannot but hope that he may be ready to do justly without
constraint, and be able to explain his conduct satisfactorUy,
Very respectfully. Your Obdt. Servant,
Wm, T. Eustis
Answer Dear Sir: If you will put your claira in definite shape,
Greenwood shall pay it. He is a secessionist still, and I have
only dealt with hira as such, and shall be delighted to deal
with hira again, g p Bvni.^
From Commodore Porter
On U. S. Gun Boat Essex, Off Batou Saba, La., August llth, 1862
General B, F, Butler
General: I find in the New Orleans Picayune of the 9th
inst, a Copy of your Genl, Orders No, 57 and in it the following
clause, "To coraplete the victory, the iron clad Stearaer 'Arkansas,'
the last naval hope of the rebeUion, hardly awaited the gallant
attack of the 'Essex,' but followed the exaraple of her sisters,
the 'Merriraac' the 'Manassas,' the 'Mississippi,' and the
'Louisiana,' by her own destruction,"
The facts Sir, are as follows : On the 6th inst, a,m, I stearaed
up the river to attack the "Arkansas," and on our turning the
point of the Bend, four miles above Baton Rouge, she immedi
ately opened fire on this Ship, at about the distance of one

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 179
mUe, I stood on until I considered myself near enough for
my shot to penetrate her iron-clad sides, when I replied to her
fire. We continued the action for nearly half an hour, when a
shell from this ship penetrated her side and set her on fire.
Your statement in your General Order No, 57 is therefore
incorrect. I wrote you previously to the attack on Baton Rouge,
suggesting reinforcements, and in your reply you state, "In
my"^(your) judgraent Baton Rouge will not be attacked,"
You also state to Flag Officer Farragut "that no dependence
could be placed on the ' Essex. ' " The letter is in ray possession,
I have therefore to request that you will at once correct the
above clause in your order No, 57, or I shall certainly believe
you have intentionally and raaliciously attempted to vUify
my character,
I beg to state another fact. It was entirely owing to the
presence of the "Essex" and "Surapter," both under ray com
mand, that your array at Baton Rouge was saved frora defeat,
for I now have convincing inforraation that Genl, Breckin
ridge had a force in connection with the Rara "Arkansas" to
accompUsh this object.
It is well-known to all who know anything of the attack on
Baton Rouge that the left wing of our force gave way — that
the Rebels advanced, and at one tirae had part possession of
the Penitentiary, at the head of the town, until the fire from
the "Essex," over our own men, drove them from that build
ing and forced thera beyond their original lines.
Very respectfully Your obedt. Servant
W, D, Porter, Comd'g Division of Flotilla on Western Water
P,S, The "Essex" was the only vessel present at the action,
and on the "Arkansas" starboard side I counted fourteen shot
holes through her new plating, put on at Vicksburg, You,
Sir, were one hundred and fifty railes off, and could know
nothing of it, I was within 300 yds, of her, and was on deck
and traced every shot to her. It is not reasonable to suppose
that so brave an Officer as her Commander, H, K, Stephens,
formerly of the U, S, Navy, would burn his vessel merely on
the "Essex" heaving in sight, when he knew his vessel was
of superior force in plating, speed. Guns, and Crew, and when
he had on a forraer occasion encountered her; when he also
knew that to set fire to his vessel would be to forfeit his life
to the so-called Govemraent of the Confederate States, and I

180 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
have the fact in my possession that he had coaled up a mUe
above the position of attack, and that it was his intention to
attack the Gun Boats at Baton Rouge that evenmg at 6
o'clock. — W, D. P.
From Captain E. H. Perkins
U. S. Steamer Cayuga, off Mobile, September 17th, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major General Benjamin F. Butler
Dear Sir: I read a letter this morning frora Captain Ran-
sora of the "Kineo" to Captain Fairfax of this vessel.
Captain Ransora writes that he learned through you, that
Captain W. D. Porter of the "Essex" said that during the
fight between the "Essex" and the Ram "Arkansas" "we
ran away."
Not wishing you to retain a wrong impression of Captain
Fairfax, I have taken the liberty to address you a few lines.
In the first place, there was no fight between the "Essex"
and the "Rara," only a few shots exchanged at the distance of
a mile and a half apart, when the "Rara" was set on fire by
her officers, and burnt up. During the exchange of these
shots, we were in supporting distance of the "Essex," and
ready to engage at the first opportunity, and reraained so
until ordered down the river by Captain Porter,
The character of these two raen is too weU-known in the
Navy for Captain Fairfax to be injured by anything that
Captain Porter says of hira, and the report you have heard I
hope you will not believe, as it is false. Believe me to be.
Yours sincerely, E, H. Perkins
From Captain D. M. W. Fairfax
U. S. Steam Gun Boat Cayuga, Sept 18, 1862, Off Mobile
[Not in chronological order]
Major General Butler, Comdg. Gulf Dept.
Dear Sir: Captain Ransom has recently informed me of
Commo, Porter's extraordinary conduct in assailing rae in
ray absence, and that araong entire strangers. He asserts
that "I did run away" and leave the "Essex" to fight the
Rara "Arkansas" alone.
Captain Ransora has done rae no raore than justice in pro
nouncing this report of Wra, D, Porter's "an infaraous false
hood," It can be shown that the "Essex" did not engage the

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 181
Rara "Arkansas" at all — unless laying beyond the range of
either vessels' guns, and occasionally firing a shot, can be so
designated !
The "Arkansas" was destroyed by her own crew, and
abandoned before our little fleet then on duty at Baton Rouge,
— ,it was the presence of the "Essex," more than a match for
"Arkansas," and our Gun Boats, and the crippled condition
of "Rara" that induced Capt, Stevens to destroy her. Com
mander Porter failed to bring his vessel into action as he
assured rae he would, at the same time asserting that he
"knew the 'Arkansas,' and that the 'Essex' could readily
whip her," Lt, Perkins had my orders what to do in the event
of an attack — to keep within supporting distance of "Essex,"
My plan was to pass up streara and engage Ram at her vul
nerable point — her stem — while "Essex," fighting upstream,
kept her in position favorable to ray plan.
It is scarcely worth your time to read a statement of the
whole matter, as I have sent one to Capt Ransom and
requested him to give you all the particulars. You know Lt.
Perkins — he has the reputation of being brave and truthful,
in ray opinion they are necessary to each other. Do you think
it likely that I would run frora a fight with such a raan at ray
side? General Butler, I hold such relations to this rebellion
that I would die a thousand tiraes rather than give ray Southern
acquaintances an opportunity to say that the only coward of
a brave people deserted his State and hearth-side to fight on
the stronger side. But I will not longer detain you, — you
will greatly oblige rae by showing this to those of your officers
who were present when Commodore Porter forgot himself,
and assailed one of his profession behind his back — at the
same time seeming to be friendly when last we met. Had
Porter not assailed rae I should never have spoken of the
Ram — leaving it to his own conscience entirely whether he
destroyed her — or her own officers and crew. As it is, I
shall have all possible light thrown upon the whole matter.
If you will give Ransom anything to show officiaUy what
Porter asserted about rae, you will confer a great favor.
Yours very respectfully, D. M. W. Fairfax

182 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From Flag Officer Farragut
F. S. Hartford, New Orleans, August llth, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler, Comd'g Dept. of the Gulf
Dear General: I have just returned from an official visit
to the Spanish Commander of the Steamer of War, He in
formed me that his Ship was out of provisions, and that his
Store vessel with all his Despatches from the Government
were below, but that he could not get them. That he could
say nothing to the authorities for fear of being refused, —
but that in all his intercourse with nations he had never before
been deprived of despatches, but that they were usually passed
through vinegar and a , , , , and asked rae with great timidity
as to whether he could not get them by some course or other,
and I told hira I would raention it to you, and that you would
say what was to be done in the preraises.
Very respectfully. Your Obdt. Servt.,
D. G. Fabbagut, Flag Officer
From General Butler
HeadquaHers Dept. ofthe Oulf, New Orleans, Aug-ust llth,.186i
To the Captain of the Spanish War Steamer
"Blasco de Gary"
I HAVE learned through Rear Adrairal Farragut that owing
to the arrival and necessary Quarantine of your supply ships
from Havana you are embarrassed in the raatter of provisions.
Anything in the Coraraissariat of the United States in the
Departraent is at your service, precisely as we supply our own
Navy. In regard to your mail on board the "Cardenas," I
wUl take measures to have the same properly fumigated and
passed to you with as little delay as possible.
Any other courtesy or assistance in the power of this Depart
raent, which can be shown or given to a vessel of War of the
Spanish Nation, always so friendly to the United States, is
fully offered. I have the honor to be with sentiraent of high
Your obedient Servant,
B. F. Butleb, Maj. Gen. Comd'g

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 183
From Flag Officer Farragut
F. S. Habtpord, New Orleans, Aug. llth, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butleb, Comd'g Dept. of the Gulf
Deab Genebal: I learned to-day that the Rebels are
clearing out Grant's Pass to get out the Gunboats into the
Mississippi Sound, where they wiU annoy us very much, and
if you don't have some heavy Guns in the Forts they wUl corae
through in Lake Ponchartrain and fire on the City,
I think this was originally part of the Program to make a
general attack on Baton Rouge and the City by the various
Rams, — so look to the Forts, The great difficulty with rae
wiU be vessels of draft to pursue them in the shallow water,
but if I once catch them out of Mobile Bay it wiU trouble thera
Very truly and respectfully,
D, G, Fabbagut, Flag Officer
From General Butler
HeadquaHers, DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. llth, 1862
Rear Admiral D, G, Fabbagut, Commanding Western Gulf
Blockading Squadron
Sib: As you are about to leave the Mississippi River for a
new scene of action, and I trust victorious operations, before
you go I beg leave to inquire of you whether during the tirae
that the Navy have been cooperating with the array in the
Expedition to the Southern Coast, you have found rayself
and officers willing and prorapt to aid the naval operations
of the fleet to the extent of our means and ability. If we, or
any of us, have been found wanting in this regard, you will
do me the favor to state frankly wherein we have been deficient.
Be not surprised at the question to which I pray for a full
and specific answer, but allow me to say it arises from nothing
on your part in our intercourse with yourself or the Officers in
the Squadron, but the inquiry has now becorae necessary for the
purpose of raeeting or yielding to an accusation. Believe rae.
Most truly. Your obliged friend
Benj, F, Butleb, Maj. Gen.

184 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From General Butler
Private, Head Quarters Dept ofthe Gvlf, New Orleans, Aug. llth, 1862
Rear Admiral Fabbagut
My deab Sib: I beheve you might well be surprised at my
official letter of today, I need not assure you that it was not
caused by any act or thought of yours. It became necessary,
however, to meet the representations of Capt, Porter of the
Mortar Fleet, as to the Operations of the Array. I assure you
that never have I failed publicly and privately to acknowledge
and add ray testiraony to the concurrent thought of all ray
Officers in their appreciation of the gallant acts of the Navy.
My despatches everywhere show this, and I only call your
attention to the fact in justffication of what I certainly deera
an unkind thought toward myself. I am not aware that the
Navy preserved my Army at Baton Rouge, if so I wUl acknowl
edge it with pride & pleasure. I assure you, ray dear Adrairal,
that I feel only the most glorious exultation at the exploits of
your branch of the service. You need no one to speak of or
herald your acts. They speak for themselves.
The Navy need have no jealousy of the Array, specially in
this departraent, and I will acquit you of any intentional or
unintentional neglect of the Array of this Departraent, even
in the official despatches of the Navy relating to the Capture
of New Orleans as described by Capt. Porter in these words.
"I sent General Butler in the 'Miarai' round in the rear of the
Forts." For this I do not feel at all aggrieved by you or your
Officers. On the contrary, I beg to repeat that towards
yourself personally and the Officers of the Squadron I have
none but the raost Cordial Feelings. Believe rae truly.
Your friend & Servant, Benj. F. Butleb
From F. B. Thorpe
Surveyor's Office, City of New Orleans, August llth, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butleb, Commandant Dept. Gulf
Sib: The pressure for work, or rather for bread, is so great
that I am at a loss to know what to do. I am satisfied that I
can obtain willing labor at $1 per day. At this rate I can put on
two hundred and fifty more raen, and not increase the deraand
on the fund frora which the pay for this labor is taken. You
will be so kind as to take the matter in consideration, and give
me answer if you deem it necessary.
Most Respectfully, F. B. Thoepe, City Surveyor

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 185
From Quarter Master Meigs
Quarter Master General's Office, Washington City, Aug. 12, 1862
Maj. Genl. B. F. Butleb, Comd'g New Obleans, La.
General: The following inforraation, received from Col.
D. D. Tompkins, Asst. Qr, Mst, Genl,, U,S,A,, New York, is
respectfully transmitted for your consideration. The Officer
states "that in all cases where shipments of private property
have been made on vessels chartered to the United States
bound to this port (New York) for a consideration to be paid
by its owner, the Government has been greatly the loser, as
the time employed by the vessel in finding a berth and dis
charging her Cargo cost the Government a great deal more
than the freight amounts to," I am.
Respectfully Your Obdt. Servt.,
M, C, Meigs, Quarter Master Genl.
Endorsement by Colonel Shaffer
Office Chief Quarter Master, Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. il, '62
[Not in chronological order]
General I HAVE the honor to report that I received frora Qr, Mst,
Genl, a copy of this letter, and replied to it that hereafter I
would send no freight north on Government Transports, But
at the same time I must be allowed to insist that Col, D, D,
Tompkins' argument (that it costs more to discharge vessels
than freight amounts to) was, to say the least, a poor recom
mendation in favor of Col, Tompkins' capacity to discharge
that kind of business.
Your obedt. Servt., J, W. Shaffer, Col. Qr. Mst.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, August li, 1862
My dear dear wipe: So you see what a constant corre
spondent I ara. I will not say an interesting one, but I have a
writing desk in my room, and when I get up and have no
thought to trouble me, then I love the writing to you. It is
the next thing to seeing you.
I am a little bit out of health — I confess to so rauch lest if
I should write I am well all the tirae you would say that I
ara not giving you the exact state of my health. Caroline
has heard of her raother's death, and thinks she must go home.

186 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Poor girl — I must lose my housekeeper. She has done very
well, but is not afflicted with neatness. I shall have to get
another. What say you to a young, dashing, black-eyed
brunette, with a strong tongue and sharp nose, that will make
us all stand around? Do you know of one you can recommend?
Our casualties in that battle are very large. I spent yes
terday and Sunday inspecting the hospitals. We have sorae
90 kiUed and two hundred and fifty wounded. One regiment
lost every field officer. We are now seeing the strong realities
of war. It is wonderful to see how the poor fellows bore up —
only anxious to get well to try it again.
Do you think that Breckinridge wiU try it again? I trust
not, for the sake of those who must fall, but he is welcome so
far as carrying our lines are concerned. We have danger here
of an negro insurrection. I hardly know whether to wish it
or fear it raost. I shall arra the "free Blacks," I think, for I
raust have more troops, and I see no way of getting them save
by arming the black brigade that the rebels had. I send you
Rear Admiral Farragut's picture. When shall I get yours
and the chUdren's? I send a large gun and some swords as
trophies, also a bell for the table — one of the bells given for
cannon. A box of wine is coraing, the gift of ray friend Mr.
Durant, very old and scarce, the vine is dead.
The summer is wearing away. In a month, if I can get
force enough, I shall be at Mobile, doing the rest of ray work.
God bless and keep you, dearest wife and best friend.
Benj.
From Rear Admiral Farragut
Flag Ship Hartford, New Orleans, Aug. 13th, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler
Dear General: I thank you kindly for your salute, and
hope that I raay be able to return it at some no distant day
with interest, I feel proud of the "title," because we have
struggled long and hard for it in the Navy, I feel proud of it
because my country seems to think I have won it; and I
feel proiid of it because the thousands of my brave corapanions
in arras, who shared in the perils of the day, were not forgot
ten in the resolution of Congress which accorapanied
ray Comraission,
These things are gratifying, and I only trust that I may
continue to enjoy them, and that by our combined raoveraents

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 187
upon MobUe we raay be able to add to our Country's obhga-
tions to its army and navy. For be assured that no one wiU
be raore happy than rayself to share with the Array the honors
of taking that or any other place. Wishing you continued
health and happiness, I reraain, tt , 7 tt
Very truly Yours,
D. G, Farragut, Rear Admiral C'g. West GulfB'g Squad.
From Colonel D. W. McMillan
Unofficial. Baton Rouge, La., August ISth, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler
Dear General: We are again in the raidst of excitement,
I saw a very inteUigent man just from the enemies' lines, who
says that Jeff Thompson is on the way to join Breckinridge,
with 500 raen and several siege guns. He thinks they must be
here in 36 to 48 hours at the furthest. Also that Van Dorn,
Ruggles and others, at the head of 15,000 to 20,000 men, are
moving on New Orleans, aU having left Vicksburg but a mere
garrison. Also, that Moore is on the opposite Bank with
several hundred troops, with sorae sraall field pieces, to annoy
the gun post in case of attack. The same information is given
by a variety of sources, and I do not hesitate to express my
belief of it. This place has been nearly completely sacked by
the soldiery. Scarcely a single house has escaped, all the citi
zens having fled. We are getting quite strong "breastworks,"
but Deraoralization weakens raore than dirt strengthens us,
and it seems officers are indifferent or powerless to stop it.
Even officers' tents are filled with furniture from deserted
houses, I am no alarmist, but I am terribly exercised by our
present condition.
Disobedience of orders is the order of the day, and negro
men and women cast a dark shade over our whole carap.
The "Essex" is up at Bayou Sara getting sugar, I am dear
Very respectfully your obt. servt.,
D, W, McMillan, Col. Vols.
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Aug. 13th, 1862
Capt. W, D, Porter, Commanding Mortar fleet
Sir: There is one fact that I desire to set right in letter of
July 15th, which has just come to hand.
The assault on Fort St, PhUip, as soon as the vessels had

188 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
passed it so that the Quarantine Station could be occupied,
was deterrained upon months before the landing was made,
i,e, on the 23rd of February. Lieut. Weitzel, of the Engmeers,
who finished the Fort, was with me for that purpose; scaling
ladders were prepared — boats procured — and the scheme
fully matured, and the ground found practicable frora actual
experiment. Please, Captain, do not judge of our profession, yours wUl
furnish you with sufficient scope.
I have directed measures to be taken to guard against the
very assault we intend to raake upon Fort St. Philip.
Itespectfully,
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Head Quars. Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. Uth, 1862
Count Mejan, French Consul
Sir: Your official note to Lieut. Weitzel, assistant Military
Coraraandant, has been forwarded to rae.
I see no just cause of coraplaint against the order requiring
the arras of private Citizens to be delivered up. It is the usual
course pursued in cities sirailarly situated to this, even without
any exterior force in the neighborhood.
You will observe that it will not do to trust to mere pro
fessions of Neutrality. I trust most of your countrymen are
in a good faith neutral, but it is unfortunately true that some
of the men are not. This causes the good, of necessity, to
suffer for the acts of the bad.
I take leave to call your attention to the fact that the
United States forces gave every iraraunity to Mons. Bonne-
gass, who claimed to be French Consul at Baton Rouge, allowed
him to keep his arms, and relied upon his neutrality, but his
son was taken prisoner on the battlefield in arras against us.
You will also do rae the favor to reraeraber that very few
of the French subjects here have taken the oath of neutrality,
which was offered to but not required of thera by ray Order
No. 41, although all the officers of the French legion had with
your knowledge and assent taken the oath to support the
constitution of the Confederate States. Thus you see I have
no guarantee for the good faith of bad men.
I do not understand how it is that arms are altered in their
effectiveness by being "personal property," nor do I see how

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 189
arms which will serve for personal defense ("qui ne puivent
servir que pour leur defense personelle") cannot be as effec-^
tively used for offensive warfare.
Of the disquiet which you say there are signs manifesting
theraselves among the black population, of a desire to break
their bonds which bind them to their masters ("certaine dis
positions a rorapee les liens qui les attachraent a leurs raaitres"),
I have been a not inattentive observer, without wonder, because
it would seera natural, when their masters had set them the
example of rebellion against constituted authorities, that the
negroes, being an imitative race, should do likewise.
But surely the representative of the Emperor, who does
not tolerate slavery in France, does not desire his countrymen
to be arraed for the purpose of preventing the negroes frora
breaking their bonds.
Let rae assure you that the protection of the United States
against violence, either by negroes or white raen, whether
citizens or foreign, wUl continue to be as perfect as it has been
since our advent here, and by far raore raanitesting itself at
all raoraents and everywhere ("tous les instants et partout")
than any iraprovised citizen organization can do.
Whenever the inhabitants of this City wiU, by a public and
united act, show both their loyalty and neutrality, I shall be
glad of their aid to keep the peace, and indeed to restore the
city to thera, TUl that tirae, however, I raust require the arras
of all the inhabitants, white and black, to be under ray control,
I have the honor to be y^^^ ^^^^-^^^ g^^^^^f^
B, F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Comd'g
From Kendall Holbrook
Office of the Picayune, New Orleans, August Uth, 1862
Major General Butler, Comd'g Dept. of the Gulf
General: The order of Lieut, Weitzel, for the surrender of
aU the arras in possession of the inhabitants of this city, is
producing a great deal of uneasiness in the community,
Dr, Mercer has, as we learn, explained to you with sorae
fullness the nature of these fevers, m the excited state of a
large portion of the people in the city; and we are gratified to
hear that you expressed a wUlingness to aUeviate this appre
hension and obviate this danger as far as consistent with your
object of securing your forces from any attempt at violence
from within. We feel assured that the great body of our citi-

190 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
zens share in these sentiraents with you, and would cheer
fully coraply with any conditions which would leave them the
means of self-protection, and at the same tirae satisfy your
wishes. It is the opinion of gentleraen with whom we have
had consultation on this subject, that regulations which you
might prescribe for these joint objects would be hailed with
satisfaction, and scrupulously observed by the great mass of
the community.
Without undertaking to indicate this mode for effecting
this, they ask you to take the subject into your consideration.
The shortness of the tirae allowed for this execution of this
order induces us further to suggest that a suspension of the
execution for a few days, to give opportunity for a fuller con
ference, if needed, will raeet with your approbation.
Very respectfully Your Obdt. Servant,
Kendall Holbbook
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
H'd Q'rs Dep't ofthe Gvlf, N, O., Aug. Uth, 1862
My poob deab Wife: Was ever a good, kind, loving wife
so afflicted with her own sad fancies? And your letter feU
upon me like a stone. Why, I have had nothing but the warm
est, most cordial thoughts of you since you left, and the first
letter sought for has been yours — a sad feeling whenever the
maU did not give one, and a joyous beating of the heart when
the little, rose-coloured package raade its appearance. To
you alone have I ever been a constant correspondent, and
because you were sad and because I delighted to write to you.
But how sad, how terrible was your last letter. What have I
done to deserve it! What strange thoughts, what
(letter torn)
business portion of your letter. I will not speak of Andrew,
or what he raay or may not do, I know your wishes upon this
subject, and will be guided by them so far as I raay. Of other
business raatters I wUl take very good care of rayself, but
these are trivial to rae.
You wiU reraember that in no letter of mine has a thought
entered that did not breathe the purest affection and love —
not a rose-leaf would have been crushed by the words I have
written. All were joyous towards you. Kind, playful, breath
ing home and homelUte thoughts, I knew your depressed
spirits, I strove to cheer them, I felt your sadness, I en-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 191
deavored to rainister unto it. No vessel has left this port to
my knowledge without some letter or token of remembrance
of horae and you, "Why recount all this? To show you how
one feels when he receives the forked lightning out of a clear
sky {letter torn) From I. F. Taylor to General Butler
Washington, Aug. liih, 1862
My deab Genebal: I have the honor to acknowledge your
favor of the 28th ultimo, and also the sword presented to my
late brother. General Zachary Taylor, by the Legislature of
Kentucky, which was handed to me by our esteemed friend,
the Hon, Reverdy Johnson,
Believe me I most highly appreciate the compliment you
pay rae by placing in ray charge so valuable and interesting a
token of the recognition of my late brother's services by my
native state.
With raany thanks for your kind expression of regard and
esteera, I reraain, ray dear General,
Your most obliged and obedient servant.
I, F, Tayloe, Comy. Genl. Subsistence
From General Butler
HeadquaHers DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 14, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sib: Since the attack on Baton Rouge, of which I sent
you the general description in my last, I have directed that
place to be slightly intrenched and put in condition of defence.
My judgment has been to hold the point, not for any special
military but for political iraportance. If pressed here, however,
I raust evacuate it, but shall destroy it before I leave it.
We are now threatened by the whole western division of
the southern array under Generals Van Dorn, Breckinridge,
and Jeff Thorapson, together with whatever troops can be
gotten from Texas or on the western bank of the river. The
withdrawal of the troops at Vicksburg, and the apparent
inactivity or withdrawal of troops from Corinth, has allowed
the concentration of all their troops upon me, Vicksburg is
essentially bare of troops. We are considerably weakened by
disease and discharges of those whom raonths' service have
shown unfit for such, I have largely caused the regiments to
be filled up by enlistments here, and I doubt not in all I have

192 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
enlisted a thousand raen in the old regiraents, and I have now
1200 being organized as the first regiments of Louisiana Volun
teer National Guards, and two companies of cavalry. I think
I shall get two regiments beside, but that is work of time.
I need reinforcements very rauch; without them I cannot
co-operate with the navy against Mobile.
Indeed we are threatened with an attack on the City of
New Orleans, I am not specially disturbed at that. If it
becoraes at all imminent, I shall call on Africa to intervene,
and I do not think I shaU caU in vain, I have deterrained to
use the services of the free colored men who were organized
by the rebels into the "Colored Brigade," of which we have
heard so much. They are free, they have been used by our
enemies, whose mouths are shut, and they wUl be loyal,
I would like an experienced Brigadier General in place of
the laraented Williams, and would again press the appoint
ment of Lt, Weitzel of the Engineers,
If I ara to have any troops I would prefer New England
Soldiers, not that they are any better than others, but that I
know thera better, I would not ask raore than 5000 of the
Massachusetts and Connecticut Quota,
I have need of raore cavalry in order to hunt out the guerU-
las, a regiment with what I have would do immense service.
May I ask prompt action in regard to the reenforcements.
More than four months since my ordnance officer made requi
sition for some ammunition, 54-100 Calibre, and it has not
yet come. Our 54 rifles are useless. The invoices have come
but no cartridges,
I have the honor to be, rr. t^ t> i
[Benj. F. Butleb]
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Aug. 16th, 1862
Senor Don Callejon, Spanish Consul
Sib: I have this moment received the letter with which
you have honored rae.
I ara not aware that I have iraposed any different quaran
tine upon Spanish Vessels, sailing frora Havana, frora any
other nations. My orders are iraperative the Quarantine
officers not to allow any vessel frora an infected port to pass
without strictest quarantine. Those orders have been obeyed.
In one instance, when a vessel did not touch the shore at
Havana, I believe they were relaxed.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 193
I beg to assure you, and the Government of her most Catholic
Majesty, that personally and officially I entertara, as I have
always entertamed, feelmgs of the utmost cordiality toward
that Government, and any vessel commg from Spain or any
portion of her Majesty's dommions, not infected with "Epi
demic YeUow Fever," which is the bill of health of the "Pinta,"
wiU be allowed to pass as the raost favored nation. It is only
a desire to save the mhabitants of New Orleans, as well Spanish
as others, frora that deadly scourge, the Epideraic, that raakes
rae rigid in quarantine,
I cannot, therefore, put any weight of tobacco against the
lives of those in my charge. With assurances of the utmost
respect, I remain „ , ,,
I our obedient servant
From General Butler
Head Quars. DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 16ih, 1862
Colonel H. E. Paine
Colonel: Upon the raost mature consideration, in view of
of the evident preparations to attack the City of New Orleans,
which requires a concentration of our forces, I am constrained
to corae to the conclusion that it is necessary to evacuate
Baton Rouge.
We have demonstrated our abUity to hold the place, but it
is now a question of utility. You wUl therefore begin the
movement quietly and rapidly, get everything off except your
men, and then see to it that the town is destroyed.
After mature deliberation, I deera this a raUitary necessity
of the highest order, rauch more than the burning of Hampton
by Magruder. That town was burned by its own friends in
August, to prevent its shelter to our troops. The shelter of
Baton Rouge to them is a necessity in the long winter cam
paign, to say nothing of the advantage as a sumraer residence.
In regard to the poor prisoners, they will be between two
fires. Use in regard to thera your best judgment.
I do not know that I can aid you further by any observa
tions. I am. Most Respectfully your obedient servant.
By order of Majob Genebal Butleb
R. S. Davis, Capt. and A. A. A. Gen.
P.S, With regard to the prisoners in the penitentiary, what
ever disposition you make of them, do not bring thera down here.
R, S, Davis
vol. ii — 13

194 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, August 16th, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sib: This wUl be handed you by Joseph M. Bell, Esq,,
late law partner and son-in-law of our friend the laraented
Rufus Choate, Mr, Bell has been serving with me since
November last as Volunteer Aid de Carap and MUitary
Secretary, raore recently as Provost Judge of the City of New
Orleans, wherein he has won golden opinions from all right-
minded persons.
Major Bell goes North for a moveraent of recruitraent, as
he has good cause to do, and I am pleased to be able through
hira to coraraunicate so directly with the War Department,
I have but little doubt that I shall be attacked here within
the next 20 days or thereabouts. As I predicted some raonths
ago, in ray despatch to the War Departraent, I am in danger
frora the debris of Beauregard's array at Shiloh, Sorae 19 or
20 Regiraents and several Batteries from it are gathering upon
us, I have ordered the evacuation and destruction of Baton
Rouge, which will be effected unless an attack is made upon
it by Van Dorn before we shall get away. In that case we
shall fight. The pendency of a contest there is imrainent. It
seems to be the tactics of the enemy to attempt to drive us
out of New Orleans at all hazards. They agree the town wUl
be destroyed in so doing, but they reason that there is so
large a foreign interest here, that the destruction of the town
will embroil us with foreign powers,
"Whether that be so or not, I do not propose to be driven
out, or if I am driven out, there will be no New Orleans.
This is clearly a necessity. If we had five Regiments, or 5000
raen raore in our old Regiments, there would be no attack.
Major Bell, however, understands the whole subject of our
difficulties here thoroughly, and wUl give you the fullest
information upon those you raay desire.
Ten thousand raen could be advantageously employed here,
however, and any expedition to Texas coidd start from here. I
ara anxious to lead one, I have the honor to be
Your obedient servant,
B, F, Butleb, Maj. Gen. Comd'g

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 195
.From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gidf, New Orleans, August 16, 1862
Genebal Obdebs No. 60
Oedeeed, That after Tuesday, 19th inst,, there be paid for
information leading to the discovery of weapons not held
under a written perrait frora the United States authorities,
but retained and concealed by the keepers thereof, the suras
following :
For each serviceable Gun, Musket or Rifle  $10
" " Revolver  7
" " Pistol  6
" " Sabre or Officer's Sword  5
" " Dirk, Dagger, Bowie-knife or Sword-Cane  3
Said arms to be confiscated, and the keeper so concealing
them to be punished by imprisonment.
This crime being an overt act of rebellion against the au
thority of the United States, whether by a citizen or an alien,
works a forfeiture of the property of the offender, and, there
fore, every slave giving information that shall discover the
concealed arms of his or her master, shall be held to be
emancipated, II, As the United States authorities have disarmed the
inhabitants of the Parish of Orleans, and as some fearful
citizens seem to think it necessary that they should have
arms to protect themselves frora violence, it is ordered.
That, hereafter, the offenses of robbery by violence or
aggravated assault that ought to be repelled by the use of
deadly weapons, burglaries, rapes, and murders, whether com
raitted by blacks or white, will be, on conviction, punished
^ ¦ By command of Majoe-General Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. and A. A. A. G.
From General Butler
Headq-uarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, August 16th, 1862
Special Order No. 268
Col, John W, Turner, Chief Commissary of this Depart
ment, will sell at public auction all Sugar taken frora rebel
owners within the Departraent, and not wanted for consurap-
tion by the troops. ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ B^^^^^
R. S. Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.

196 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler Lowell, Aug. 16th, 1862
Dearest: Your letters of July 30th and Aug, 2nd came
on Thursday, Aug, 13th, I write the date, that you may know
how long it takes for thera to reach here. I wish you would
raention when you get my letters, and the dates. I could not
tell how many I have written, if they should fall into other
hands I should never know you had not received thera. Cer
tainly they would read strangely to others, I wish you would
return them when read, that I may be sure they reach you.
Your pictures carae enclosed. You ask rae if I do not think
the position easy? I do, and like the picture very much. I
sat for one the day previous. In the contrast of these two
faces, the difference of expression is the history of life that is
never written. I have sent you by the steamer Fisher sends
out pictures (taken in better times) of myself, Blanche, Paul,
and Benny. Paint from these, I can get none better of the
children, and for rae, I ara too weary. I shall sink below the
centre, before rest and peace will find and fold rae. This is
one of the tiraes when hope coraes not, and the eye-lids are
heavy with unshed tears. It would be better if I should not
write now but feeling badly we are apt to grope about for
sympathy, even if sure we cannot find it. "Every one can
master a grief but he that hath it." "And if he cannot master,
let hira hide it" saith the world, and wisely is that said too.
I raust lie down and rest. When I begin again it wUl be in a
pleasanter vein.
Ah rae! resting does not refresh rae, I must write on as I
have begun, or not write at aU. If we were together, you might
aid me a little by some kindly words, if it were not too rauch
trouble to speak thera. How well I understand what Father
felt, when he said, "I have such a weight of weariness, the
bed cannot bear rae up; I shall sink through it and then sink
lower yet." How far away this looks to you with health, hope,
and ambition, all your own, satisfied, as your picture shows
you, yet eager to win raore yet. Long may you wear that
look, and you wiU, too; hope with you is triumphant, if it
were darkened or kiUed, you could easier die than bear the
difference. The chUdren have returned frora the Beach, with
burned faces, noisy and happy. Week after next Blanche goes
back again. Goodnight, it is late, they are aU asleep but me.
And you — I wonder if you are sleeping too! I should like

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 197
to look in, but I feel too tiraid to take the liberty. Too poor
— for aught, but "God be merciful to me a sinner!"
Today we have been to Capt. Abbott's funeral. I wound a
wreath of geranium leaves, and a bouquet of flowers. He was
buried in LoweU by request of the Authorities of the Town and
at the city's expense. The military's four companies followed
in procession — the funeral was very large. Being Sunday,
Merrunack and Central streets were full of people. The
"Saxon" came in last Friday. Whitney went to New York.
The vessel with the pictures has not yet left Boston. I hear
she wUl leave tomorrow or Tuesday. This letter I shall send
by New York. How poor and unsatisfactory it will read to
you. Still the same despondency, you say! Even so; it is
kUling or driving rae to raadness, much depended on you. If
I could have had the sumraer, with only the anxiety that I
expect to endure, fears for your health, parting with children,
I think I could bear it, and while so constantly assured of your
health, even have grown stronger, and gained some cheerful
ness. After I left, the change you made shook rae with dis
quiet. It was sorae tirae before I heard of it, then an age
before a letter can reach you, and even then, I feel no assurances
you will heed rae; the pressure is too heavy for rae! You say
my views of life are Utopian. To you they seera so. Perhaps
. they would to others, yet they are true and honorable, I shall
never be able to change them. If I could force ray thoughts to
rest here, and shut out all but care of the children, there would
be hope in it. Alas, I cannot do it! You will reproach me for
feeling and writing so, and I reproach myself; but I ara too
unhappy to be angry with. If you can say anything to cora-
fort rae it is better to do that. tt- jx j- j ? o
Very affectionately, Sarah
Your raother wants Jackson to send her his picture. I shall
feel better in a few days and can write differently. But not
''' Your affectionate Wife
From Honorable Edward Everett to General Butler
Boston, August 16, 1862
My dear General: I understand that an application has
been or will shortly be made to you on behalf of Mrs. J. Oliver
Miltemberger, of Chicago, daughter of Mrs. Robb of New
Orleans, deceased. Mrs. M. wishes to obtain possession of

198 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
certain bonds of the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern
R. R. Co., belonging to her, the proceeds of her share of her
late raother's estate, and now held in trust by the Judge of
the Second District Court of New Orleans, to the araount of
about $32,000.
The requisite papers to substantiate this claim, as weU as
the similar claims of the other children of Mrs. Robb, havcj
I understand, been forwarded to New Orleans.
The object of this letter is earnestly to solicit your powerful
and friendly aid, if it should be needed, in obtaining possession
of these bonds. Mrs. Milteraberger and her husband are
among ray raost valued friends. Mr. M. is of Pittsburgh, but
settled in business at Chicago, a loyal and patriotic citizen;
and I shall esteem any service you raay render to these, my
friends, as doubly rendered to myself.
I cannot close this letter without cordially thanking you for
your kindness to my nephews, the Messrs. Durivage, espe
cially the deceased. The family and friends of that excellent
young raan feel themselves under very great obligations to
you for your unvarying goodness to hira. I reraain, ray dear
General, with very great respect.
Faithfully yours, Edward Everett
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, A-ug. 17, 1862
My dear Sarah: Maj. Bell will take this home to you.
He will inform you as to my health and prospects. I doubt
not we shall be attacked here, and he goes horae for reinforce
ments. We shall give a good account of ourselves in all events.
You shall not be ashamed of me.
Do not fret yourself with vain imaginings. They will do
you or me no good. Above all, do not think of coraing out
here at present, Maj, Bell is to return iramediately, but I
have given special directions that he shaU not take you back
with hira, A month later, and we shall either be victorious
and I shall be coming home, or there will be no occasion for
you to corae here.
Forget what I have written harshly in my last letter to you,
Reraember rae kindly always, and believe me your loving
husband, ..,
Benj,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 199
P,S, I send by Maj, BeU a pistol case of which you will find
the key inside this, Caroline, who goes in the sarae vessel,
has a little token for you. It is of New Orleans raanufacture. B,
P,S, 2nd. Preserve the case of pistols very carefully. They
were a present to me, — B,
From General Butler
Headquarters, DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. ISth, 1862
Brig. Gen. Arnold, Comdg. at Pensacola, Fla,
General: Major General Butler has to-day received an
order from the War Departraent at Washington, transferring
your coraraand frora the Departraent of the South to this
Departraent, He congratulates hiraself upon having such an able Officer
and such a fine body of troops added to his coraraand, and
would like to have you make as early a report as possible of
the forces at your disposal, I enclose a copy of the order.
By order of Major General Butler
By the Secretary of War
War DepaHment, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, Aug. S, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
General Orders No. 98
West Florida is detached from the Department of the South
and annexed to the Department of the Gulf. Brigadier Gen
eral L. G. Arnold wiU report to Major General Butler
° "^' By order of the Secretary of War
E. D, Townsend, Asst. Adj. General
From General Dow
HeadquaHers, Fort Street, Philadelphia, August ISth, 1862
Major General Butler
General: From sorae Contrabands I learned that a Mr.
Lasart, near point La Hache, was actively engaged in raising
a Company of Guerillas, On Saturday night, at 10 o'clock,
I send a party consisting of forty raen, under Lieut, Brainard,
in the Stearaer "Labarge," to raeet hira and his Lieut,, of
whora I also had inforraation. My orders were to seize all
arms of every sort, and if full proof were found upon the spot

200 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
against Lasart, the Lieut, was at liberty to take any of his
property, useful as necessary to the troops. Lasart is a trader.
Several shot guns were found there, a Confederate Flag, a
full uniforra and side-arras, and Lasart confessed that he was
engaged in raising a Corapany, having already seventeen raen
enrolled. The party arrested several persons who were paroled, but
the Capt. and his Lieut, are now in Fort Jackson.
Two mules, a cart, and harness were brought away, also
two Milch Cows with their calves, some cases of wine for the
hospital, some stout shoes, a fishing net and lines. Nothing
was taken from the house. The mules, cows, and fishing-gear
were needed here.
The seizures of the Capt, and Lieut, will effectually check
aU recruiting in that quarter.
Lemonade is much needed by our soldiers, as a preventive
and corrective of bilious difficulties, but- their sugar ration is
not sufficient. There are many large sugar planters near here
who are disloyal, with large stock of sugar on hand. I have not
done anything about appropriating any for use at the Forts,
lest it might not comport with your views, I would like
instructions.
Respectfully, Neal Dow, Brig. Gen. Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept, of the Gulf, New Orueans, August ISih, 1862
Special Order No. 278
The resignation of Joshua L. Sawyer, Capt. Comp. G.
13th Reg. Maine Vols., is hereby accepted, to take effect from
this date, and he is hereby dishonorably discharged from the
By Order of Maj. Gen. Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
The written resignation of the within-named Capt. Sawyer
has been indorsed by the Major General Coradg. as follows,
viz.: Any Officer who raakes business affairs a reason for quitting
the Service at this Juncture has dishonored hiraself and should
be dishonorably discharged, as is done in the case of Capt.
*^^^^' Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Com'd'g.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 201
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler
Lowell, Aug. ISth, 1862,
Dearest: The news came this morning that the rebels
have attacked Baton Rouge and been repulsed, that Gen,
WiUiaras had his head blown off by a cannon ball, "Who is to
take his place? Ah rae, who have you left but Phelps, and he
so unmanageable. New Orleans, if you can keep the fleet,
is invincible; why do they go to Pensacola? I sent you a
letter this raorning, would I could recall it, written frora
depression I could not overcome. If it adds to your perplexi
ties I shall never forgive myself, "Why did I not stay with
you? It would have been better for both of us. If we live to
raeet again we will remain together. May there not be some
mistake about Gen, Williams? I believe he has a wife and
children, what heart-aches all over the country ! His death I
raust weep for, a truly noble gentleman, always kind and
courteous. What will you do without him? An experienced
officer is wanted at Baton Rouge if you still hold it, and you
have so few. Is it not wrong you should be left there with so
sraall a force. But yet you can hold it. New Orleans I raean,
against the whole south if they have not ironclad vessels to
destroy the fleet. And hold it you will, you are raore able
when pressed with danger and with few resources. Use every
precaution, and treat Phelps kindly as possible. Oh, how
rauch I wish I was with you! Dearest, I can go anywhere
with you, I am not afraid of danger, but I cannot sit down
apart and think; it unfits me for anything, I hope you wUl
not get this morning's letter until you receive this, I would
not add a feather's weight by telling you I ara troubled. The
death of Gen, WiUiaras has nerved rae like steel. Would I
were a raan, I am stronger in the hour of danger, for then I
forget rayself and woman's cares, and feel all the high enthusi
asm that leads to deeds of fame, and for this reason it is better
I should be with you. I could never pull you back from what
I thought it your duty to do, but should urge you forward, and
help, with all the wit I have. I shall look for any news now.
If you are firm as you will be, careful and far-seeing, the rebels
cannot reach you. Kiss me, dearest, and believe, me your
Affectionate Wife
P.S. Weitzel is wise and experienced, you wUl have every
defence complete to the last degree, Fisher's vessel leaves
today, but I send this by New York,

202 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Fisher sends out a sailing vessel besides the steamer. The
"Saxon" came in on the 15th, Your letter of Aug, Sth came
this raorning. Would it were possible for you to come horae,
but you cannot leave in the hour of danger. The rebels wiU
soon make the attempt, if they make it at all, and then it
wiU be quiet again. The fall will come, and you wUl retum or
I shall go to you, though, believe me, I do not flatter rayself
that the last wUl be the sarae to you as coming home. But it
will be better than nothing, do not you think so? Say yes,
and look for me soon, I thought to have written one page,
and I have run all over the paper. Once more, kiss me and
believe me r, a „ „
Ever yours, oarah
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler Lowell, Aug. ISth, 1862
Dearest : We have further news this afternoon of the battle
at Baton Rouge, The vessel has arrived with the body of
Gen, Williams, The papers are out in large letters, stating
the particulars. It was really a gallant fight, and bravely
Gen, Williaras led thera on to battle. Three horses shot
under him, before he lost his own brave life. Oh! the pity
that he was killed ! The loss of such a man is woeful. There
are so few that are so capable, and we are pressed at every
point, I am greatly relieved that the "Arkansas" is de
stroyed; there is no chance of the rebels taking New Orleans
without iron-clad vessels, yet do not omit your vigilance\for a
raoraent. If they wrest it from you, you and the country lose
everything. Do you think I could have borne the climate
through the summer? I do not know, I was so thin it
seemed there would be nothing left of rae, I sent you a let
ter this morning, another this afternoon, and yet this evening
I am writing again, I have been so unhappy the last week,
painfully so, but I will not write again when I feel so badly.
These ships that have come in wUl bring me more letters to-
raorrow. It is the only pleasure I get. You are kind enough
to write often, I would gladly repay you in kind, but fear
I may not always be able to do it, Haggerty raust be with
you nearly a week. The "Ocean Queen" was spoken with
by one of these vessels that came today at the mouth of the
Mississippi, so that she arrived directly after these left. Good
night, dearest, I shall not finish this till I get one frora you
tomorrow.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 203
Dearest, your letter carae this raorning as I expected, I
ara so glad not to be disappointed. Your Order No, 54 is
capital. The only thing to lament is the great loss of Gen,
WiUiams and those who feU with him. Do not feel too secure
that they wiU not make another attack, I hope things wUl
not come to extremities between you and Gen, Phelps; I
thoroughly lUie and respect him. The Government I trust
wUl decide it. It is evident your health is not reliable from
what you write — not as good as I had hoped, I wish it were
possible you could come home if only for a short time, but I
dare not ask it. We have entered upon this sea of troubles
and must meet its perils. Thank Heaven, the sumraer is
alraost over, and thus far you have escaped the fever. It is
thought to be too late for it now, but enforce the quarantine
until the first frost. That has been your safety thus far, I
have not yet heard if Kinsman went out with Capt, Haggerty
but believe he did. On Thursday I shall go to Boston and try
once raore for a picture, I think, after all, my picture had
better be painted with the figure, the dress can be plain not
striped. The vessel did not start till yesterday. The pictures
and letters have been on board a week. Do not leave ray
letters where others can read them — enclose and send thera
back with your own, Fisher has been telegraphed by "Whitney
to go on to New York and take his papers with him this morn
ing. But he has no papers, I suppose they will manage sorae
way. Wanting to see you so rauch, I ara
Your affectionate Wife
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 19th, 1862
Col. H, E. Paine, Commanding at Baton Rouge
Colonel: Upon your representations, through Mr. Bates,
of the state of the public charitable and penal institutions at
Baton Rouge, wherein the orphan, the insane, and the helpless
are confined and housed, so that the innocent and helpless
must be so greatly the sufferers, I am inclined to countermand
my order for burning the town.
You wUl leave it as whole as you can, unless you are obliged
to burn it as a raatter of defensive action. I have not changed
ray opinion of the great railitary advantage it will be to the
eneray to have it, but I am impeUed by a sense of just humanity
to overlook this advantage. Its iraportance is not such to

204 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
justify that destruction upon the unoffendrag. With New
Orleans it would be different, which raust be held at all hazards
or destroyed. It is the key to the River, and the Arsenal and
Banking House of the rebellion. I have the honor to be.
Your obedient servant,
Benj. F. Butleb, Maj. General Commanding
P.S. You wiU not delay the raovement on account of the
Statue of Washington; leave it in safety if you do not bring
it away. From Jameis T. Whitney to Mrs. Butler
St Nicholas HoUl, Aug. 19, 1862
Madam: The steamer "Saxon" I have advertised to saU
for New Orleans Friday next. The vessel will be most happy
to take — free of charge — anything you raay wish to forward
to the noble General, your husband. The "Saxon" wiU take
on raaU and wUl raake speedy return to this Port. With the
highest respect, y^^^ ^^^^ g^^_^ j^^^ rj. w^i^ney
From General Butler to the Captain of the "Cardenas"
Head Qrs. Department of ihe Gvlf, New Orleans, Av,g. 19, 1862
Sib: In making you the proposition in ray former note, I
by no means intended to enter into a correspondence which
would add to ray official labors. You have "grasped" the
opportunity to bring to my notice several matters, wherein
you complain of ray action toward the Spanish residents and
raerchants. I cannot take time to reply to these at length,
but the respect due to your official character demands that I
should at least set you right in regard to some of thera. In
respect to the Spanish merchant who is consul here, I was
inforraed that he refused to give a bill of health to the Araerican
vessel, the "Roanoke," when this city was wholly free frora
epideraic, and said that he did this because I refused to allow
the "Cardenas" to come up. I sent for him, and told him
that if he did not give precisely the same bill of health to the
"Roanoke" as he would have done and was required to do by
the laws, irrespective of "Cardenas," I would send him to
the Captain General at Cuba.
To this he replied that he should be glad to go — but that
the Captain General would send rae no raore vessels. To that
I replied that he would give my compliments to Captain

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 205
General, and say that he could do me no so great a favor as
to send me no more vessels of any sort (Spanish or others)
frora Cuba until the sickly season was over. And I subrait to
yourself. Captain, as a raan of honor, if in either case I was
wrong, acting upon the inforraation I had received.
Upon the seizure of the house of Puig Brothers, the Spanish
Consul addressed me a note in substance saying that he desired
to know the cause of the seizure. To that I answered in sub
stance that if he would bring Mr, Puig with him to rae, I
would be glad to explain the cause of the seizure of his house.
To that the Consul replied that such was not his custom.
After the arrest and punishment of a crirainal official by me,
a clerk of Puig made a reclamation of such character that I
have put it under investigation, and I hope to show its falsity
and be able to punish the clairaant. While this matter is being
investigated I have not answered the communication enclosing
it, I ara not aware of any other letter of the Spanish Consul
that seeraed to require an answer that has not been replied
to. If there is, it is to be attributed to the press of official
correspondence and business which has caused it to be
overlooked. As regards the correspondence of the Consul, I can assure
you that no letter of his, coming through the regular channels
of coraraunication, has been exarained, although I reserve to
myself the right so to do as the coraraander of a Military post,
I found a large bundle of letters on board a vessel running the
blockade directed to the Spanish Consul; these were opened.
Again I found a large bundle of letters of the sarae direction
on the person of one whora I have arrested, a spy, being a
member of a large mercantile house who had srauggled hiraself
between here and the enemy's lines at Mobile in the disguise of
a bar keeper. Finding letters directed to the Spanish Consul
in the hands of this spy, I caused thera to be exarained, as I
did letters thus surreptitiously conveyed here directed to the
French Consul.
If the Representative of Her Most Catholic Majesty wUl
have his letters corae to him through the hands of spies and
smugglers when our raails are all freely open to hira, I shall
be obliged to exaraine them.
In regard to the Quarantine imposed upon the "Cardenas"
and other Spanish vessels, my orders are imperative and dis
tinct to ray health officers to subject all vessels coraing from
infected ports to such a quarantine as shall insure safety from

206 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
disease. You yourself wiU bear witness with what success
this quarantine has been carried out as regards the health of
the city.
"Whether one day or one hundred is necessary for this pur
pose, it wiU be done. It wiU be done if it is necessary to take
the vessel to pieces to do it, so long as the United States has
the physical power {pouvoir material) to enforce it, I have
submitted to the judgment of my very corapetent surgeon
at the Quarantine the question of the length of tirae and the
acts proper to be taken to insure safety, I have by no order
interfered with his discretion. If he thinks ten days sufficient
in a given case, be it so, if forty in another, be it so, if one hun
dred in another, it shall be so,
I should think, however, that the Surgeon would raake a
difference in length of quarantine between a vessel which only
touched at Havana and one that loaded and shipped her
crew there. This raay account for the different length of
quarantine. Some of the vessels you name carae earlier in
the season. But with this I have nothing to do except to en
force rigorously such quarantine as my health officers think
proper. In regard to the petty officer and men of your ship, I had
not been inforraed save by your letter.
If you had done rae the honor to notify rae of their arresta-
tion, I would instantly have seen to it that they should have
had every advantage upon their trial. Convince me now that
injustice has been done and they shall be pardoned. You will
remember that I cannot personally superintend every admin
istrative and judicial act. If you have listened to the unrea
sonable complaints of bad raen so as not to feel at liberty
to approach me with the freedom and promptness which has
characterised the intercourse of the Coraraanders of the
French ship "Milan" and the British ship, "Rinaldo," —
whenever their country men needed redress, I am sure you
will acquit rae of all blame so far as official and personal
courtesy toward yourself is concerned,
I have to apologise for the delay in this reply. My trans-
later was absent, and I do not read your language with suffi
cient accuracy to allow myself to reply to the language of
accusation without a translation. With sentiments of respect,
I have the honor to be, ^. 7 j. ^
Your obedient servant,
[Benj, F. Butleb]

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 207
From J. A. G. Fisher
By Telegraph from Quarantine, August iOth, 1862
To General Butleb
In closely questioning the Capt, 'of the Bark "Raamen"
in quarantine frora Key West, I ara satisfied that yellow fever
exists at Fort Taylor in an epideraic form of a malignant type,
death occurring in nuraber of instances the first 24 hours, I
would recommend a very strict quarantine on all vessels from
^ ' J, A, G, FisHEE, Quarantine Surgeon
From C. Roselius Washington, August iOth, 1862
Major General B, F, Butleb
Deab Sib: I arrived here on the llth instant, and iraraedi-
ately waited upon the President, Mr, Seward, Mr, Blair, and
Mr, Stanton, by all of whora I was well received; in the differ
ent interviews I have had with the President and the Secre
taries of State and War it was deterrained by them to recall
Gen, Phelps at once, and when the resignation of that officer
was communicated by you, it was at once accepted, as no
doubt you have been already informed. As I shall be home
almost as soon as this letter reaches you, I prefer communi
cating to you verbally the particulars of my mission. It
appears from the papers that you have had stirring times since
ray departure, and I congratulate you in your success, I ara,
dear General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C, Roselius
From Henry Copeland New Orleans, August iOth, 1862
To Major General Butleb, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Deae Sie: It is a duty that I owe to my country to present
the foUowing facts which I know to be true concerning parties
in the Gas Works, who are to-day plotting treason against the
U, S, Government, although claiming British protection —
have aided and abetted the Rebels in acts as foUows, viz:
1st. These parties assisted in raising a Company designated
and known as the "Scotch Rifles," and sent them into the
Confederate Service,
2nd. They fumished several steamships with Coke to run
the Blockade and prey on United States coraraerce.

208 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
3rd. Thfey had an experimental Fire Raft raade for the pur
pose of testing it on the water, it having satisfied thera they
had frora fifty to one hundred Barrels filled with Coal Tar to
use on the Fire Rafts on the Mississippi against the United
States fieet on its arrival before the city,
4th. Taking away of the Specie from the "Merchant's
Bank," hauled away with then- Coke Carts to the N, O, &
I, R. R.
5th. Taking from the Gas Works a gang of "White laborers
to the R. R. Shop to remove Machinery and rob it of its
contents. 6th. Making a large araount of "Bowie Knives" in the
Blacksraith Shop attached to the Gas Works, for use in the
Confederacy, and by many other acts too numerous to
mention. The names of the parties in the acts enumerated above are
as follows, viz: P, N, Wood, formerly President of the Gas
Co,, Wm, McCuUough, Manager, Robert Silcott, Master
Bricklayer, McLoughlin, Gas Go's, Office, 125 Comraon St,,
Joseph McCuUough, Master Carpenter.
I will hold rayself in readiness on behalf of the United States
to prove these facts before you any tirae I ara called upon.
Yours respectfully, Henby Copeland
No. 109 Howard St. New Orleans
New Orleans, Aug. iOth, 1862
Maj. Genl. Butleb
Sib: Another fact which I wish to bring to your notice is
the equipraent of a corapany known as the "Mercier Guards,"
Capt, Walker, by Dr, Mercier, who gave one hundred dollars
to the first colored Company raised in New Orleans for the
Confederate Service, From the Quarter Master General
Quarter Master General's Office, Washington City, Aug. ilst, 1862
Major Gen. B, F, Butler, Commanding Department of the
Gulf
General: The enclosed is a copy of a letter received from
Moses Bates relative to the employment of the convicts and
machinery in Louisiana State Penitentiary, in the manufac
ture of supplies for United States troops.
The Quartermaster General directs me to state that it will.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 209
in his opinion, be well to employ the machinery and convicts
in the raanufacture of tents and tent cloth, which is very
rauch needed. The chief Quartermaster of the Departraent
of the Gulf under the approval of the Major General coraraand
ing, can arrange the detaUs,
Very Respectfully Your Obdt. Servant,
By Order of the Q, M, G„ Alex, I, Pevie, Q, M, G.
From General Butler
Head Quarters Department of the Gvlf, New Orleans, August ilst, 1862
Captain Bonfanti
I HAVE the honor to answer your sarae official communi
cation, in regard to the exchange of commodities for cotton, by
enclosing a Copy of a letter patent to the officer Comdg, Confd,
forces at Mobile, I stand by its terms. My Government
seeks to do nothing by indirection, and its pledged faith has
never been violated.
Respectfully, Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, August ii, 1862
General Orders No. 63
Whereas, on the 23d day of April, in the year eighteen
hundred and sixty-one, at a public meeting of the free colored
population of the city of New Orleans, a mUitary organization,
known as the "Native Guards" (colored), had its existence,
which military organization was duly and legally enrolled as
a part of the mUitia of the State, its officers being commis
sioned by Thomas O, Moore, Governor and Comraander-in-
chief of the militia of the State of Louisiana, in the form
following, that is to say:
"The State of Louisiana, (Seal of the State),
"By Thoraas Overton Moore, Governor of the State of
Louisiana, and Comraander-in-Chief of the MUitia thereof:
"In the narae and by the authority of the State of
Louisiana :
"Know ye, that  , having been duly and legally
elected Captain of the 'Native Guards' (colored), 1st Division
of the Militia of Louisiana, to serve for the terra of the war,
"I do hereby appoint and comraission him Captain as afore-
VOL. II — 14

210 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
said, to take rank as such from the 2d day of May, eighteen
hundred and sixty-one,
"He is, therefore, carefuUy and dUigently to discharge the
duties of his office b'y doing and performing all raanner of
things thereto belonging. And I do strictly charge and re
quire all officers, non-coraraissioned officers, and privates under
his coraraand to be obedient to his orders as Captain; and he
is to observe and follow such orders and directions, frora tirae
to time, as he shall receive from rae, or the future Governor of
the State of Louisiana, or other superior officers, according to
the Rules and Articles of War, and in conforraity to law,
"In testiraony whereof, I have caused these letters to be
made patent, and the seal of the State to be hereunto annexed,
"Give under my hand, at the city of Baton Rouge, on the
second day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-one, ..^^^ q -^^^^^
"By the Governor: P, D, Hardy, Secretary of State
(L. S,) {Endorsed)
"I, Maurice Grivot, Adjutant and Inspector General of the
state of Louisiana, do hereby certify that  ,
naraed in the within coraraission, did, on the second day of
May, in the year 1861, deposit in ray office his written accept
ance of the office to which he is comraissioned, and his oath
of office taken according to law,
"M, Grivot, Adjt. and Insp. Gen. La."
And whereas, such railitary organization elicited praise and
respect, and was corapliraented in General Orders for its patri-
otisra and loyalty, and was ordered to continue during the war,
in the words following:
Headquarters Louisiana Militia, Adjutant General's Office, March 24, 1862
Order No. 426
"I. The Governor and Commander-in-chief, relying implic
itly upon the loyalty of the free colored population of the City
and State, for the protection of their homes, their property, and
for Southern rights, frora the pollution of a ruthless invader,
and believing that the military organization which existed
prior to the 15th February, 1862, and elicited praise and respect
for the patriotic motives which prorapted it, should exist for
and during war, calls upon thera to maintain their organiza-

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 211
tion, and to hold theraselves prepared for such orders as raay
be transmitted to them,
"II, The Colonel Coraraanding will report without delay
to Major General Lewis, coraraanding State Militia,
" By order of Thos. O. Moore, Governor
"M, Grivot, Adjutant General"
And whereas, said military organization, by the same order
was directed to report to Major General Lewis for service, but
did not leave the city of New Orleans when he did:
Now, THEREFORE, the Commanding General, believing that
a large portion of this militia force of the State of Louisiana
are wUling to take service in the Volunteer forces of the United
States, and be enrolled and organized to "defend their horae
frora ruthless invaders;" to protect their wives and chUdren
and kindred from wrong and outrage; to shield their property
from being seized by bad men; and to defend the Flag of their
native country, as their fathers did under Jackson at Chal-
mette, against Packenham and his rayrraidons, carrying the
black flag of "beauty and booty," '
Appreciating their motives, relying upon their "well-known
loyalty and patriotism," and with "praise and respect" for
these brave men, it is ordered that aU the merabers of the
"Native Guards" aforesaid, and all other free colored citizens
recognized by the first and late Governor and Authorities of
the State of Louisiana as a portion of the Militia of the State,
who shall enlist in the Volunteer Service of the United States,
shall be duly organized by the appointment of proper officers,
and accepted, paid, equipped, arraed, and rationed as are
other Volunteer Troops of the United States, subject to the
approval of the President of the United States, All such
persons are required at once to report theraselves at the Touro
Charity Building, Front Levee Street, New Orleans, where
proper officers will rauster them into the service of the United
^ ^^' By command of Major-General Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. and A. A. A. G.
From Richard S. Fay Jr. to General Butler
Boston, August 23rd, 1862
Dear Genebal: A fortnight since a draft was presented
purporting to be drawn by you for $1200, at sight. It was
endorsed by you, but the signature as drawn was not yours.

212 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
It was presented three tiraes by different parties, and refused
each time, as none of them could guarantee its genuineness.
I ought to have notified you at the tirae but neglected to do
so. It was not advised by you, and Mr. Carney's letters
agreed with rae that the signature on the face was not yours.
I have been iU for nearly a raonth, so as to be barely able to
come to ray office for three or four hours every other day.
I have therefore not been to Lowell, and have not seen Mrs.
Butler again.
Inflation rages under the dogstar and the new levy of raen.
Fleece wool is worth 65 cents (N.B, we have 700,000 lbs, at
53 cents, and foreign wool for any goods cost 35 cents against
IS cents a year ago). That and other property are in propor
tion, I ordered, about July 1st, the Times Weekly Courier
sent you regularly; I hope it has gone.
Under the influence of your brother's encouraging letters, I
ara shipping raore and raore goods to hira, although so rauch
has been sent out that I hardly see where the returns are to
corae frora,
Aug^ust iSth,
Mr, Dexter left here to-day, and will probably go in same
vessel as this letter. We have plenty of rumors, but nothing
reliable, of abundant fighting on the Rappahannock. At any
rate, our armies are united, if stock keeps up.
I have fairly broken down, and am going into the country
tomorrow for a fortnight to recruit. I wish it were to be
recruited. The rumors lately current about transferring you
to some other command have all died out. I never believed
them, for I could not think so ill of Mr. Stanton as to suppose
his very warra expressions of confidence and approval meant
Sincerely yours, Richaed S. Fay, Jb.
From General H. W. Halleck
Head Quarters of the Army, Washington, August 23rd, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butleb, New Obleans, La,
Genebal: You will cause an iraraediate investigation to be
made of the charges against Charles Heidsick, Esq,, and report
to these Headquarters the causes of his arrest and detention.
If in your opinion the exigences of the public service require
his detention, you will have him confined in as healthy a
place as may be practicable. But if there be not good cause
for his detention, you will immediately discharge hira. It is

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 213
expected that you will report on this case with the least pos-
^' Very Respectfully, Your Obdt.. Servant,
H, W, Halleck, Gen. in Chief
From General Butler
Headq-uarters Dept of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, August 23, 1862
Special Obdeb No. 294
The Merchants' Bank and Crescent City Bank, having by
their own showing not such Cash assets as would under the
laws of Louisiana entitle thera to continue to be banks of issue
and deposit, are hereby ordered to go into liquidation, and
to suspend all business save the collecting of their own assets.
The several Boards of direction are respectively raade a
board of trustees to wind up the affairs of the bank. They will
issue no bills, pay no deposits, contract no new obligations, nor
cancel any obligation without a full equivalent, in behalf of
the bank, and pay no debts without further orders.
They will respectively make report, under oath of a majority
of the board, weekly of the exact condition of the bank, and the
change frora each report.
The directors will send to these Headquarters a written
acceptance of the trust.
In order that the public raay be assured in their confidence
in the final redemption of the liabilities of the Bank, it is furthur
ordered that the slightest breach of good faith in the officers
of the Bank, or in winding up the affairs of the Bank, will be
suraraarily and exeraplarily punished.
The United States and all Billholders will be preferred
Creditors, and entitled to be first paid from the assets.
The bills of the Merchants' and Crescent City banks are
no longer to be regarded as Currency,
By Order, of Maj, Gen, Butleb
R, S, Davis, Capt. & A. A. A. G.
From Sister Clara to General Butler
August iSih, 1862
Sib: I have commissioned Mr. GUI to purchase sorae pro
visions for the female orphan asylum of DonaldsonviUe, as
they are badly off on account of the troubles which have lately
occurred in that unfortunate little town. To my great pain
and astonishment the asylum, under the care of the sisters of

214 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Charity, was borabarded, and I only attribute our safety to
the rairaculous intervention of Divine Providence, This
borabardment has caused us to lose rauch, for although I
reraained with ray sisters and orphans during the borabard
ment and the fire which was set, yet I had to leave the place
for some time, as the asylum and Church were threatened with
entire destmction, should the guerillas fire again on the U. S,
transports. The guerUlas having continued to fire, I had to
seek an asylura at the Sacred Heart Convent until we are
either burned or out of danger. Our house is a poor institu
tion without income, as we are there for the poor, destitute
children of the vUlage and the orphans, I feel much grieved
to think that when our sisters have been nursing the Federal
Soldiers since the beginning of the war, and one hundred more
who cheerfully started at the first call to nurse your sick and
wounded at Fortress Monroe and other points, your comraand
ing officers should corae and borabard ray faraUy and innocent
orphans, especially when our house was out of the operation
oi DonaldsonviUe, though near. Do you think it just. General,
that our sisters or any one of our society should be thus treated,
when a part of the same society are rendering your soldiers all
imaginable care of soul and body? Is it a just and grateful
return for the services we render your sick at the risk of our
lives? I trust you are too rauch of a gentleraan and too generous
to approve such a conduct, and I rely on your kindness for
my orphans, who are without Provisions, and who lost rauch
in the raoving I had to undergo. It is in your power to indera-
nify them, and to give thera provisions, and by sending some
to them you will in sorae raanner efface the stain attached to
such an inhuman and atrocious deed as the one perpetrated
against us, I am sure President Lincoln never intended the
Sisters of Charity to be molested in this manner, and surely
you do not approve either of such cowardly and base feats.
In the narae of God I entreat you to take into consideration all
our sufferings through your soldiers and officers, and extend
to the poor orphans a helping hand. By so doing you will be
entitled to our lasting gratitude, and to our prayers for your
Respectfully yours,
S. M. Claba, Superior and Sister of Charity

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 215
From General Butler
HeadquaHers Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. ind, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Santa Maeia Claba, Superior and Sister of Charity
Madame : I had no inforraation until the reception of your
note that so sad a result to the sisters of your coraraand had
happened from the bombardment of DonaldsonviUe,
I am very, very sorry that Rear Adrairal Farragut was
unaware that he was injuring your establishraent by his shells.
Any injury raust have been entirely accidental. The destruction
of that town becarae a necessity. The inhabitants harbored a
gang of cowardly Guerillas, who comraitted every atrocity,
araongst others that of firing upon an unarmed boat crowded
with woraen and children going up the coast, returning to their
horaes, many of them having been at school at New Orleans,
It is impossible to allow such acts, and I am only sorry
that the righteous punishment meted out to thera in this
instance, as indeed in all others, feU quite as heavUy upon the
innocent and unoffending as upon the guUty,
No one can appreciate raore fully than rayself the holy,
self-sacrfficing labors of the sisters of Charity, To thera our
soldiers are daily indebted for the kindest offices. Sisters of
all mankind, they know no nation, no kindred, neither war nor
peace. Their all-pervading Charity is like the boundless love
of "Him who died for all," whose servants they are, and
whose pure teachings their love illustrates,
I repeat my grief that any harm should have befallen your
society of sisters, and I cheerfully repair it as I raay in the
raanner you suggest, by fiUing the order you have sent to the
City for provisions and medicines.
Your sisters in the city wUl also further testify to you that
my officers and soldiers have never failed to do for thera all in
our power to aid thera in their usefulness, and to lighten the
burden of their labors. With sentiraents of the highest respect,
Beheve rae. Your friend, Benj, F, Butleb
From General Ruggles
Headquarters, C. S. Troops, Ist District, Dept No. 2, Aug. iS, 1862
To Comdg. Officer Federal Troops, New Obleans, La.
Sib: Mrs. Charles Clarke, wife of Brig. General Charles
Clarke, C.S.A,, now a wounded prisoner in your hands, desires

216 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
to be aUowed to remain with her husband during his convales
cence; for this purpose she accompanies a "Flag of Truce" to
your lines, trusting to your kindly consideration. Having
every reason to believe you will afford her all necessary facili
ties to accomplish her wishes, I have the honor to remain
Very respectfully. Your obedient servt.
Daniel Ruggles, Brig. General, C. S. Army
From Lieutenant Colonel Shields
Headquarters, Baton Rouge, August i6ih, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
To Mrs. Chaeles Claeke, near Baton Rouge, La,
Madam: I have the honor to enclose herewith coraraunica-
tions received from the General Comdg, this Dept,, one order
ing an escort to conduct you to the eneraies' lines. New Orleans
and the other a letter to the Federal Coraraander, requesting
safe conduct to the bedside of your wounded husband.
Hoping, Madam, you may succeed in relieving the suffering
of the gallant General, in restoring him to health, I ara with
great respect. Your most obedient servant, Thomas Shields,
Lt. Col. La. Vols., Comdg. Baton Rouge
From Thomas S. Burbank to General Butler
New Orleans, Aug. iOth, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Deab Sib: I regret to have to trouble you with my cor
respondence, but out of feelings for my Brother I ara corapeUed
to do it. He is now near St. MartinsvUle, confined in a hog pen
without a blanket, and alraost without clothes, and covered
with vermin. He has been sick for two weeks without any at
tention whatever, and he is now failing quite fast and cannot
without some rehef last longer. I cannot go to him, and under
the circumstances I do not see how I can afford him any relief.
And now, ray dear Sir, I would beg that you confine Capt.
Deslonde untU ray brother is either released or patoled. He
is an iraportant character, as he is brother-in-law of Slidell
and Beauregard, and has influence with the Rebel authorities.
He can send a raessenger by your consent and have my brother
paroled, if nothing raore, at any tirae.
Capt. Deslonde is now about the city and enjoying all the
comforts of life, whUe my brother is suffering for soraething to
sustain life, and has not even a blanket to cover him from the

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 217
night air. I do beg and pray that you would shut this man
up at once, as it wiU have the desired effect. I thank you.
General, for the kindness you have shown rae, and hope that
it may not be long before I can raise the glorious old Flag
again over my horae, and live in peace as of old.
I ara happy to know that you are now deahng with these
people as they deserve, for severity is the only thing that wUl
ever bring them to their senses. I remain
Yours with much respect, Thomas S, Buebank
Comer of Maggin and Gravin Streets, New Orleans
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Augst, iSth, 1862
To the Officer Commanding Forces at Opelousas
Sie: I have sent Mr, A, Deslonde to you, a well-known
gentleraan of this state, who has been captured and held by
me under his parole, and as one of the hostages for the safety
of Wra, Burbank and other peaceable Citizens of the United
States who have been taken by your forces. He has been
selected as a messenger because he has peculiar and personal
interest in the question presented by him, and goes under his
solemn parole to return in any event,
Mr, Deslonde bears a copy of a letter from the Brother of
Mr, Burbank to me, disclosing a course of treatraent toward a
citizen of the State of Louisiana that I can hardly conceive to
be true.
One purpose I have in sending this note is to ask you to
certify to me officially what is the treatment accorded to Mr.
Burbank, so that I may relieve the mind of the brother from
what I shall believe, untU officially informed to the contrary,
raust be an exaggeration, and I have also desired the official
inforraation so that I might be in condition to act under
standingly upon this and like cases.
Mr. Deslonde is farther desired to confer with you whether
it is not possible that some arrangement be entered into by
which the citizens who are quietly at home may be unraolested.
Of course, this is a raatter as regards numbers that may be
attested of rauch raore iraportance to the forces which you
command than it can be to me. Yet it should seem to be
desirable that some convention upon this subject raight be
had, which would relieve the war of its pressure upon the
non-combatants on both sides.

218 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Mr, Deslonde is inforraally possessed of my views upon this
topic, and he may be able to so far convey to me the views of
the authorities upon your behalf as to raake a basis of raore
forraal action, I have the honor to be.
Your Obdt. Servt.,
Benj. F. Butleb, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler
Lowell, Aug. iSih, 1862, Monday Morn
Deaeest: Your letter of the 12th of Aug. carae this raorning.
I see you have not received ray letters, or this matter of house
keepers would not be presented either for blondes or brunettes.
But let that pass, Gilman can look that the negroes do not
destroy, there should be no other servants in your house, I
speak now for your own honor, what raight be supposed to
affect me is of little raoraent. None can raake me less than I
hold myself, as expecting consideration, if I deserve raore it
will be estimated hereafter. Major Strong and family left
this morning after a short visit, I was very glad to see thera.
He sails next Saturday for New Orleans, and would be pleased
to have rae go with hira but does not like to urge it. On Friday
I send Blanche back to school. So that I have but little time
to be ready. And I do not know if you wish me to come.
You write of returning horae, but nothing of my going out,
and I do not know if you think it advisable for me to be there,
I cannot but think you would be well pleased to see me, but
yet it raight be better to wait until you have said so. That
may be in the next letter. Major Strong looks very well, and
is in excellent spirits, but I fear he is going a little too soon;
he was so prostrated by the climate before. Mrs. Strong
expects to go to New Orleans this Fall — if you find his health
failing, send hira back if you have occasion to send despatches,
and I will go back with thera if you would like rae to be there.
Major Strong has received no proraotion. He would like it,
of course, as there are two or three now on your staff who
rank hira. He has shown hiraself able and courageous, and
he lUces you thoroughly. These reasons are good enough for
rae, if it were in ray power to aid hira. The "Saxon" carae in
on the fifteenth. Fisher was here but a little while last evening
to see Major Strong. I saw hira only a few minutes alone. He
told me what Whitney said his Captain reported, but said
there was nothing I need write to you. He said that he told

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 219
Whitney that he had better write if he was not satisfied, just
as he would in any other business transaction. Whitney on
reflection decided to let it be for the present. Perhaps I ought
to say nothing, but it has been usual for rae to write you
everything I hear that relates to you. J — n appeared as he
usually does, blustering and overbearing, and as though he
had raade a poor thing of it to Capt. Pepper, when it was
understood that he had received seventeen thousand or raore.
I cannot write this critically because I had not tirae to under
stand it, and the payraent for the vessel is less than that paid
by the government. You received Captain Pepper kindly and
courteously, he said, and on his statement, ordered J — n to
make up his account. How far it is satisfactory to Whitney you
can imagine. Government offered hira four hundred and fifty
a day to run her to Hilton Head as soon as she arrived. But he
has taken freight at eight dollars a barrel, and sent her back to
New Orleans. "Whitney has great esteera for you, and sent me
a very handsome note, offering to take anything out in the
"Saxon" free of expense for rae, and praising you highly. The
one who had his vessel, I think, he would not care to deal with.
I ara writing you a raiserable letter, but so many things have
crowded along I have no tirae to think. After the Major left I
started Paul and your raother by the cars at twelve to go to old
Dr. Richardson's, to stay a week. I wish to send this at four for
the night train. I have not written for three or four days, and
you asked me to write oftener, but I want to see you so much, so
very rauch, and why could I not start in this vessel? That
thought will keep ray head throbbing all the week. Would you
° ' Most truly and affectionately, Sabah
P.S. Write rae precisely about your health or I shall start
without any word frora you.
From Baron Fr. Gerolt
Prussian Legation, Washington, Aug. 26, 1862
Hon. William F. Sewaed
Sie: I have the honor of informing you that by the enclosed
general order No. 55, Aug. 4th, of the Commanding General at
New Orleans, Major General Butler, a contribution has been
enforced upon several coraraercial houses and persons at New
Orleans as a penalty for having invested in a loan effected by
that city on the 3d. of March last.

220 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Araong the persons assessed for the said contributions are
the partners and heirs of the deceased Williara Vogel, late
Consul of Prussia, at New Orleans, and the firra of Reichard &
Co., in liquidation, in whose narae the subscription to the
foreraentioned city loan was raade, invested the questioned
money in their capacity as agents for account of the foresaid
heirs and partners of Vogel & Co.
I beg to enclose a true statement of the case in a letter of
the 7th inst., addressed to General Butler by the Acting
Consul of Prussia, J. Kruttschnidt, who is liquidator of the
firra of Reichard & Co., and in another letter from the Testa
mentary Executor of the late Williara Vogel, Mr. F. Grima,
to General Butler on the sarae subject.
In presenting to you these documents, with a copy of the
peremptory answer given by Gen. Butler on the 12th inst., I
respectfully express the hope that the explanations contained
in these letters will relieve you from any doubt in regard to
the injustice done to the parties concerned, in the proceeding
of General Butler, and that orders will be given for the redress
of their grievances.
I have the honor to be Sir, with great respect
Your obdt. Servt., Baeon Fe. Gebolt
From the Acting Consul of Prussia
New Orleans 7th August 1862 [Not in chronological or3er]
Major General B. P. Butleb, Commanding Department of the
Gulf, New Orleans
Genebal: By your general order No. 55 I perceive that,
amongst others, the firm of Reichard and Co. is assessed in
the sum of $2500 as a contribution to relieve the poor of the
city, and as an offset for having contributed $10,000 to the
city loan, effected under the city ordnance No. 5949, approved
3rd March last.
I, the undersigned, as liquidator of Reichard and Co.,
would respectfully represent that the subscription, although
made in the name of Reichard and Co,, in liquidation, was
raade in their capacity as agents chiefly, for account of third
parties for whom they had money in hand waiting for
investments. The amount $5000 was thus taken for account of Mr,
Vogel, and subsequently I took for the sarae and in his narae
direct $20,000 raore of the loan in question, and out of the

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 221
amount originally subscribed by the Citizen's Bank (in schedule
A, Widow Vogel is mentioned, which is an error).
The letter, which I addressed under date of 10th March,
a,c, to Mrs, Vogel, residing in Paris, shows sufficiently well
the reasons which prompted me in subscribing to the question,
moreover, as far as Mr, or Mrs, Vogel is concerned, my actions
were subordinated to the advice of Mr, C, Roselius, who is
the legal advisor of Mrs, Vogel, I wrote to Mrs, Vogel as
follows, which is a translation copy, "New Orleans IOth March 1862
The difficulty which exists today in investing money with
security is exceedingly great, it is irapossible to find mortgage
paper even @ 6% or 5%, By authorization of Mr, Roselius,
I agreed to take $5000 of the new city loan, the details of
which will be forthcoming in my next. This sum will reduce
by about one-half the funds which I now hold for account of
Mr, Vogel, and if hereafter I can lay my hands on anything
like good securities, you may rest assured that I shall not let
the opportunity slip by," 14ft March 1862
P,S, "Dubois and Mish have paid, day before yesterday, by
anticipation their notes of together $28,000, due 18th instant,
and in view of the difficulty, not to say the impossibility, to
invest money at present, I thought I could do no better than
to take $20,000 more of the new city loan, of which mention is
made above, for account of Mr, Vogel, raaking in all $25,000
invested for that account,"
Mr, Vogel has been an absentee for several years, and has
been recently declared dead at the beginning of June last by
the second District Court, his succession has been opened,
Mr, F, Griraa has been named testamentary Executor, and I
have delivered to him all the assets pertaining to Mr, Vogel's
Estate, Mr, Griraa, who is also addressing you in this matter,
acknowledges that the succession of Mr, Vogel is interested in
said loan to the extent of $25,000, and I would therefore respect
fully request you to have the assessraent entered against
Reichard and Co, dimmished accordingly.
In the remaining balance, Mr, F, W. Schmidt, of Hamburg,
Germany, is interested to the extent of $2500, — and as a
foreign resident, I may perhaps ask in his favor a total exemp
tion from the effects of the assessraent.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
I submit this explanation to you with a fuU belief that your
sense of justice wiU prompt you to grant rehef in the premises,
and remain. General, with much respect.
Your very obdt. servant, V. Kbuttschnidt
Endorsed: — Kruttschnidt was a brother-in-law of Benjamin,
and busmess partner with Reichard, late Prussian Consul, but
now a rebel Colonel, Kruttschnidt is his successor.
General Butler's Reply to Foregoing Letter
Head Quarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 12, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
J, Kbuttschnidt, Esq., New Obleans
Sib: I am directed by the Coramandmg Genl, to inform you
that you raust pay the araount. If there are others also inter
ested, will issue orders to have them pay, I have the honor
\- r\ Vk£h
' Very Respectfully, Your Obedt. Servant,
Wm, H, Wiegel, 1st. Lieut. & A. D. C.
From the Secretary of War
War Depart-ment, Washington City, D.C, August i9th, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Sie: The enclosed copy of a communication from the
Departraent of State is herewith transraitted to you by direc
tion of the Secretary of War, for your inforraation and in
order that Mr. Kruttschnidt raay be duly recognized by the
military authorities of New Orleans as Acting Consul of the
Republic of Bremen at that city. With much respect.
Your obedient Servant,
P. H. Watson, Asst. Secretary of War
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Department of State, Washington, iSth, August, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War
Sie: Inforraation has been communicated to this Depart
ment by Mr. Rosing, Charge d'Affaires of Bremen, of the
appointment of Mr. J. Kruttschnidt as Acting Consul of that
Republic, at New Orleans, vice Mr. Rudolf I. Kens. Mr.
Kruttschnidt, who is a German by birth and not a citizen of
the United States, is also the Acting Consul of Prussia at New
Orleans,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 223
I will thank you to acquaint the railitary authorities of that
City with appointraent of Mr, Kruttschnidt, in order that his
official acts as Consul of Breraen raay be duly recognized, I
have the honor to be. Sir,
Your obedient servant, F, W, Sewaed, Acting Secretary
From General Halleck
Head Quarters of the Army, Washington, Aug. 26ft, 1862
Major Gen. B, F, Butleb, Comdg. etc. New Obleans
Genebal: Reinforcements will be sent to you as early as
possible, the new levies are only just beginning to come in
and are stUl unorganized,
I cannot think that there can be a very large force under
Van Dorn, as the main array that retreated frora Corinth is
now operating against Buell and Morgan in Tenn, and Ken
tucky, They estimate Bragg's forces at over eighty thousand,
and it is known that very considerable detachments of Beau
regard's array are now in Arkansas and Miss,
It is deemed of the greatest possible importance to hold
New Orleans, and reinforcements will be sent as early as
^ ' Very Respectfully, Your obdt. Servant,
H, W, Halleck, Gen. in Chief
From George B. Loring to General Butler
Salem, August 26ft, 1862
My dear Butler : I take advantage of the return of Lieut.
Allen to New Orleans, to remind you that I still live, and
watch each step of your progress with the deepest interest.
It is not extraordinary that I should desire now and then to
be near you, when I see the complications which surround you;
but I am able to subdue every anxiety when I remember the
patience, and skUl, and prudence, which characterized your
career while you were arranging your Expedition here. How
ever much others raay have distinguished themselves as gen
erals in this war, no man has carried into the contest any
ability as a lawyer, and statesman, and diploraatist, to cora-
pare with what you have displayed. I say this not by way of
flattery, but for the sake of that encourageraent which one
friend owes to another, and in order to remind you that in
proportion to the magnitude of your active powers, and of
your sphere of operations, should be your possession of all

224 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
your highest and best faculties. My sermon is ended, and I
doubt not you are very glad of it.
The coraplications of the war, as seen from this point, are
amazing. WhUe naval plans have been proposed, and naval
enterprizes undertaken by naval Generals; whUe the rainds of
our political leaders have been anxiously endeavoring to dis
cover the raost profitable use to be raade of the negro ques
tion, until a sort of popular irapatience of confusion has been
created at the North, the South have pursued their course with
the concentration of the early Christians who were of one mind
and one heart. We have been compelled to listen to lunatics
when we should have been guided by generals and statesmen.
The President has given respectful audience to every raad
agitator, whose presuraption has been increased by the patience
of the administration. Instead of pursuing the plain and
simple course laid doAvn by you more than a year ago, on the
subject of slavery and the treatment of the negroes, a course
which, if adopted manfuUy, would have silenced all agitation
long ago, and would have disarmed hundreds in the South,
and strengthened the border states, and given encourageraent
to the Union raen of the North, every foolish and exasperating
expedient has been adopted for the sake of preserving that
cursed Chicago platforra and the Party which made it. The
consequences are just what you might expect.
The opposition to all this is rapidly increasing among the
laboring men of the North, They desire an honorable peace
based on victories for the Union, And when the tide is fully
turned that will be the issue, I think anxiety for the Country
has at last outstripped anxiety for the negro; and men are
looking for and fighting for the blessings which we have en
joyed under the Constitution, Whenever I speak in public
now it is for this end, and I always find an enthusiastic
audience. But we must have a victory soon or we are gone, lost. Unless
Richraond is occupied before winter by the federal Array Mr,
Lincoln cannot complete his term of office. If the question of
division does come, God only knows how it wUl end.
For rayself, I farm much, deliver an oration now and then,
and wait with patience. Ignoble business, I know, in this
crisis. But it is all I can do. And don't discourage rae by
saying that the day of the civUian is over, I hope you railitary
gentleraen will not entirely usurp all our duties,
I ara having an odd difficulty about the charter of the

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 225
"Parliaraent," Frazer, who agreed to pay rae 5 per cent on
the charter as compensation for my services, and who, after
the charter was taken, endeavored to reduce the rate of my
comraission, now objects to paying anything, on the ground
that my influence had nothing to do with securing the charter,
I propose to flght him on this, and beat him too. Did you not
understand that George chartered the "Parhament" at ray
solicitation? God bless you and bring you honorably and gloriously
through your task, Reraember rae to Shepley, if you think
Truly your friend, G:eo. B. Loring
P.S. Lieut. Allen is a most worthy gentleman.
From Richard S. Fay, Jr. Boston, August 26ft, 1862
Major General Butler, Comdg. Dept.
Dear General: This wUl be handed you by my friend,
Mr. T. C. A. Dexter, who goes out in charge of some mer
chandise purchased on J/a with me, and with a view to estab
lish connection for future business. I have raade Mr. Dexter
my agent for any business with which I am connected in
New Orleans as fully as it is in my power to do so, by power
of atty.
I should like also to transfer to him, for the tirae being, the
kind protection and assistance with which you would favor
me, were I out there, I have explained to Mr. Dexter very
fully the position of the business in which you are interested,
and have shown hira ray correspondence with the War Depart
raent and the Quarter Master. He is fully authorized to under
take any new business for rae, and to use ray credit in doing
so. I reraain as ever. Sincerely Yours, Richard S. Fay, Jr.
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler Lowell, Aug. 26ft, '62
Dearest: I wrote you a letter yesterday, but forgot some
things I wished to say. The vessel Fisher sends out has been
delayed for almost a fortnight. After bursting her escape
pipes in Boston, and stopping a week to repair, she was obliged
to put into New Bedford from some other damage, I believe
she is now off. She has all our pictures cased up in the same
vol. ii — 15

226 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
box you sent the plate in with your picture painted on it. If
they are lost they can never be replaced- I sent the originals
taken years ago of myself and the children. Also the speech
copied by Blanche that you sent for. I am very sorry they
were not sent by the "Saxon," but we did not know she would
be here when they were sent aboard. I trust they will reach
you in safety, but fear it will be a long time before you get
them. I do not know the narae of the vessel. You write
of going to Mobile in a month (that would be a fortnight from
now) if you can get force enough. Major Strong thinks the
Government will send you reinforcements. But it is not lUsely
at so early a period. Nor are you expected to raake a move by
any person at the north. Indeed there is great fear you will
not be able to sustain yourself in New Orleans. Do not think
of making a preraature start and risk losing what you have
gained, that would be fatal; wait till you are fairly reinforced,
and the weather cooler. If New Orleans should be taken from
us we raight as well go into Canada. George  has applied
to Judge  for inforraation of your life, and he has referred
him to Fisher. What is there to say that has not already been
written? I could write a life that would interest the reader,
but the public can have but a bald outline, and that is rarely
correct. The public life of one man will answer well enough
for another. The surface of life, if it glitters, is enough for
the public. Do you think of anything to suggest that has not
been said? I could write you a brilliant history not altogether
perfect, that is beyond nature, nor do we expect or wish to
find it in any character; it would show but a dead level. It
is the opposing elements in a man's nature, strongly developed,
but the good triumphing, that excites admiration. These I
could picture better than most historians. The gentleman who
now offers to sketch your life is an elegant writer, I wish he
knew you intimately. Aug. 27ft
Oh, Dearest, your letter of Aug, 14th is here. Have I
hurt you so badly, or is the last page written to rouse me,
and show the folly I have been guilty of in writing to you as
I did? If I have shown to you that my thoughts went beyond
the bounds of sense or reason, forgive rae! Do not say you do
not wish rae to come to you! Or that I need write no more,
but to say I ara well. I know you do not feel so now, and that
you would ^e glad to have rae there, as I should be to be with
you. Say so, dea,rest, in your next letter, and let rae join you

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 227
again. If that good tirae ever coraes for us to raeet, we will
return together, or stay away together, I will not come
back alone, I am ready "to tread the weary path" with you,
wherever it leads, and can find no pleasure in any other. If
you are to raove, I shall find no trouble in raoving with you.
Bear with ray infirmities of feeling as well as you can, I shall
improve, believe rae. The sad complaining that annoys will
wear away, I shall yet walk with " cheerfulness," that " nymph
of healthiest hue" and "hope" will sing again her "delighted
measure!" Even "sport" shall "leap up, and seize his beechen
spear," So, do not say I must not come, but tell rae when to
start. You did not feel when you began the letter so bitterly
as when you closed. Do not think me entirely wrong in what
I wrote. If no meaning were given but the one I ought to
have shown, that is, how it looked to others, you would not
have cause to be angry with me. For in that I wrote truly.
You would be subject to comraents. But be subject, now,
to tenderness, dearest, forget your anger, kiss rae, and tell me
to corae, and raake happy y^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^
From James T. Whitney to General Butler
New York, August 26, 1862
My dear General: Did I not know that with all the mighty
cares of your position, your heart has not grown cold toward
your friends, I should not venture to again address you upon
business matters of my own. As it is I think I shall be
pardoned. The Steamer "Saxon" I have ordered back to New Orleans
with freight on account of Shippers here. She was offered
$450, per day by the U, S, Quarter Master here, to go to Hilton
Head, which I refused, as she pays much more by taking
freight there, her freight and passage raoney, both paying as
much as 30 days. Government Charter,
I wish to bespeak for the "Saxon" your kind indulgence
when in New Orleans, She will return imraediately to New
York, and wishes to bring back passengers and freight, I
have sent Mr, Richardson out as Supercargo of "Saxon," who
will call upon you. Mr, F, A, Hildreth wrote you yesterday in
relation to the "Saxon" and "Relief," A few raoraents before
the cars left, he received a telegrara that the "Relief" has
stopped at New Bedford, would be detained four days for
repairs of her machinery, so that the "Saxon" will be in New

228 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Orleans before the "Relief." Mr. Hildreth therefore requested
me to write you that he desires the "Saxon" to take the maUs
and whatever else you raay desire to fprward. I hope to for
ward with Major GiSdings a box to your Quarters,
Mr, Hildreth left for New Bedford last night, not having
tirae to write you after receiving telegram in relation to
"Relief," And now. General, let rae say, your position in your Phelps
Correspondence is right, and the Country sustains it, and wUl
sustain and ultiraately applaud you. You are the only Gen
eral in the field whose correspondence will live in History,
Pointing to an irapregnable necessity in your Phelps letters,
you cannot be shaken, and the conservative General is the
one that ultiraately receives the gratitude of succeeding gen
erations, and the plaudits of the present.
May God keep you stUl in the path that will (if anything
can) lead to a settleraent of this unholy war! With the highest
' Your obedient servant, James S, Whitney
From George S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase
New Orleans, Aug. 26, 1862 1
Dear Sir: The troops at Baton Rouge have evacuated the
place without destroying it, and are now joined to Gen, Phelps'
coraraand at Carrolton, His effective force is now about six
thousand men and many guns, and is sufficient for the defence
of the place. The fortffications are strong, and Gen, Phelps
has the entire confidence of his men. An attack on the City
was feared, and therefore the troops were brought down from
Baton Rouge, The secessionists confidently expect the city
to be taken soon, and had they succeeded at Baton Rouge,
an attack on the City would have followed immediately, I
do not believe it will now be made, but if attempted will
certainly be unsuccessful. They expected aid in the City, but
Gen. Butler has disarraed all citizens. About 25,000 arras of
various kinds have been given up.
The first Louisiana Reg't. is full and ready for service,
and nearly enough raen enlisted to forra a second Reg't,
The men are generaUy foreigners — raany Gerraans — and
will do good service,
A free Colored Regt,, formerly in Rebel service, is being
' American Historical Association Report 1902, Vol, II, p. 310,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
organized. Probably this Regiment wiU be increased to a
Brigade, I urged this raatter upon Gen, Butler, but he had
already decided upon it favorably. The free negroes of Louisi
ana, are certainly superior, as a class, to the Creoles (descend
ants of French and Spanish settlers). They are intelligent,
energetic, and industrious, as is evident frora the fact (as
stated to rae) that they own one-seventh of the real estate in
this city. This is their own work, for they coraraenced with
nothing, of course.
These raen will be good soldiers. Gen, Phelps has at his
carap 1,500 raen — escaped slaves. Enough to make a full
regiment are drilled (without arras) and go through all the
raoveraents well, I do not know whether Gen, Butler intends
thera to have arras. They are good-looking raen, and I believe
wUl be good soldiers.
The health of the troops is good, except those lately at
Vicksburg, among whom, however, deaths have been few. The
City is quite healthy, and there is no longer rauch danger
from Yellow Fever, This is owing to Gen, Butler's severe
quarantine regulations, A few more days of health will render
us perfectly secure.
The Union sentiraent is developing itself satisfactorily. The
laboring classes are our friends. When the great Southern
armies are broken up, they will no longer be afraid, and all
will be well.
Provisions are high, and there is much suffering in the
City, It is rauch to be regretted that the River was not
opened, so that provisions raight be cheap. The condition of
the people now is scarcely better than under rebel rule — as
to food, I raean. For other reasons, the opening of the River
is of the utraost consequence.
Much coraplaint is made by Union men, and justly, that
those who have been secessionists are frequently given era
ployraent by the authorities to the exclusion of Union raen.
Concerning the Custom House, there have been no such
complaints, I believe, for I have been particularly careful in
selecting officers, but I regret to say that other departments
have not exercised the same care, '
Col. Butler is a brother of Gen'l. Butler and came out with
the array, and imraediately coraraenced doing business. He
is not in govemraent eraploy. He is here for the sole purpose
of raaking raoney, and it is stated by secessionists — and by
sorae Union men — that he has raade half a million dollars, or

230 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
raore, I regret his being here at aU, for it is not proper that
the brother of the coraraanding General should devote himself
to such an object. It leads to the beUef that the General
himself is interested with him, and such is the belief of our
enemies and of some of our friends. The effect is bad. Gen
eral Butler seems entirely devoted to the interests of the
Government, I have observed closely his brother's course.
I do not believe the General is interested in his speculations.
I have delayed mentioning this matter until now, hoping to
be better informed. Hon, Reverdy Johnson can give you as
much inforraation as I can, I believe Gen, Butler is dismter-
ested, and that he is a most able officer, though in a difficult
position. Should I leam anything further, you wiU be
informed, (George S, Denison)
From General Butler
HeadquaHers DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 27ft, 1862
Brig. Gen. Arnold, Comd'g Dist. of West Florida
General: I send with the "Ocean Queen," Capt. Kensel,
Chief of ArtUlery, to confer with you upon raatters of raoraent.
Capt. Kensel is fully possessed of ray views.
It would give rae the sincerest pleasure to have you here in
person to aid rae in defence of a threatened attack on the City.
I am so ignorant of the condition of your district that I can
give no order. I wish you would send rae at least one regiment
and as many of your regulars as can be spared, by the "Ocean
Queen." Come yourself, if possible, if only for a few days, for
the purpose of consultation.
If you have a good map of your district please send or
bring it, as I have none. Perhaps, in any event, an exchange
of troops might be beneficial. But this is matter of arrange
ment upon consultation.
It is needful that I should have early dispatch with the
"Ocean Queen," with whatever reinforcements you can spare.
I sent a quantity of political prisoners from Forts Jackson
and St. Philip so as to put the forts in fighting trim. You will
have thera confined in Fort Pickens or outside on the Island,
as you prefer. I have the honor to be.
Your obedient servant

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 231
From Thomas S. Burbank
New Obleans, Aug. 27ft, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butler
Deab Sie: A raessenger carae through yesterday frora
Lafourche with the unwelcome intelligence that ray brother
was very sick and not like to recover. This, Sir, is all from the
inhuman treatment he receives. They are murdering hira
slowly to get rid of hira, so that it will not be said that they
hung or shot hira for fun, that you raight retaliate on those
that you hold here. My brother is confined in a filthy place
without bed or blanket, and not even a change of clothes. He
is not even allowed to go outside of his prison, and is treated
to all the vile epithets that can be heaped upon hira. My
brother, E. W. Burbank, who was taken at about the same
time, and afterwards paroled, has after importuning a long
tirae been allowed to go and see hira, and is now on the way
there, and will do all that he is aUowed to for his comfort. I
do now beg of you to retaliate on those you hold, as it will
certainly procure his release if alive. As long as they are
permitted to go at large and enjoy all the comforts of City life,
my brother raust reraain in captivity and be tortured to death
by those vile creatures that broke up this glorious Union.
There is a few raen on the Coast above the City, if it was
convenient, would be well to arrest. One is Capt. Joseph La
Bourgeois, who fed and entertained the Rebels the night that
they arrested ray brother. He had about one raonth ago a
full set of Cavalry equipments that were stolen from the arsenal
at Baton Rouge, but I presume are now in the use of the
Guerillas. Also, James Godbury and Doct Haidel, who joined
the Company in the arrest, and pointed out the place where
my brother slept. If these iraportant characters were sent to
Fort Jackson it would have a good effect.
I ara instructed to ask you to send a gunboat to Berwick's
Bay, if it is possible, in order to cut off the supplies of the
Rebels near the City. There is now only four Companies
this side of Lafourche, but they are expecting reinforcements
amounting to three thousand Militia and eight hundred Cav
alry. They have now but a very little amraunition and but
one or two sraall pieces of Artillery, and if a gunboat could only
be got into Berwick's Bay they could not obtain supplies of
any kind.
There is now eight hundred Guerillas at Bonnet Carre,

232 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
thirty six miles above the City, and it is also reported that
they are building bridges across the streams from Manchac
to the Mississippi, and have got them nearly completed.
Gov. Moore has arrested Gen. Robert Martin, of Confed
erate notoriety, for forbidding any further depredations by
the GuerUlas on the U. S. transports on the River. The lesson
that was taught thera at DonaldsonviUe had a good effect,
and I can assure you. Sir, that severity is the only thing that
wUl bring this people to their senses.
There is a great araount of sugar on the coast belonging
to the Confederate Gov. Would it not be weU to confiscate
it before it is aU sent to raarket? It was subscribed to the
produce loan of the Confederate Gov. about one year ago.
I presume you know that the Confederates are pressing all
into the ranks at the point of the bayonet, and that within
a short distance of New Orleans, but they can only arm thera
with shot guns. I reraain
Yours most respectfully, Tho. S. Burbank
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler Lowell, Aug. 27, '62
Deaeest: You see I cannot heed the request to write no
more, but must even go on as if I had not heard it. And that
is what you wish me to do. Blanche left home for Georgetown
this afternoon. I went with her to the cars. Fisher goes on
with them, but thinks he may be obliged to bring them back.
All news of the army has been suppressed for the last week.
Today we hear that Pope is broken up and the rebels occupy
Manassas once raore. Their next raove must be for Wash
ington, and if our army can do nothing but retreat why raay
they not take it? Fisher will go frora Washington to Fortress
Monroe. The stearaer he has bought and freighted has sprung
a leak, and the Captain has telegraphed for hira to come on
and see what can he done. The Captain put in at Fortress
Monroe. My box of pictures, letters frora rae and Blanche
to you, a copy of the speech you wrote for, a letter from me to
Mr. Chubbuck, — all these were on board. I despair of your
ever getting them. I told Fisher to get the box and put it on
board another vessel. It is now three weeks on Monday since
the letters were sent aboard. The house is more lonely to
night than ever, we nriss Blanche so much. I sent the picture
of the Crucifixion to the Directress. Caroline carae this raorn-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 233
ing, and brought a box of lovely flowers, for the hair. They
will look sweetly on Blanche for her first ball, I never saw
anything raore exquisite. They were sent to rae, let rae thank
you a thousand tiraes, kiss rae, and say your annoyance and
bitterness is over, and that you look for ray coraing as the one
pleasant thing to expect. Not so pleasant as to return horae,
but the next best thing to it. Major BeU will be here tomorrow,
or on Monday, From him I shall learn more of what you are
doing and when you expect me to go, I will write no more
tonight, I hope you are well and happy, and feel kindly to
me. From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, Aug. 27, 1862
My deaeest Sabah : Your note of August 10th, finished on
the 12th, reached me on the 26th, It was a dear, kind, loving
letter — such a one as gives rae new life to receive, I read it
over twice. Do write me such letters or none, I cannot live
if you write others like those you have written. They are
causeless, useless, hurtful. The boat has not yet come with
the Daguerreotypes,
Your letters were not lost. They sometiraes corae two or
three at a tirae. Having written me to burn thera, which I
have done save the last, I cannot very well send them back.
I have been very weU except two days when I was a little
under the weather.
I ara preparing for the defense of New Orleans, and I shall
hold it too. Baton Rouge has been evacuated by us without
haste, without loss, without trouble of any sort. I could have
held it till doomsday so far as the enemy were concerned, and
ara holding it now with a couple of gunboats, but the whole
rebel army of the Southwest are concentrating to move upon
me, and I am not in condition to cut my force in halves.
I have brought off the State library and the Statue of
Washington by order, beside pretty much all the plunder of
the town without order. I have put a stop to that, however.
We are fast coraing, however, to the point where devastation
is a necessity. We have kept out the yeUow fever so far, and
shall hardly have it to any extent. I believe not at all. They
have it fearfully at Key West.
As you will see, the Govemraent have added Pensacola
and General Arnold to my comraand. I wUl send for hira.
They have sent me Genl. Sherman, of Port Royal fame, as

234 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Brigadier. You wUl see my action in regard to Phelps, and
also my raising the free colored regiraent. Write rae what you
think of it. I ara succeeding adrairably with ray Louisiana
Volunteers. Andrew is shipping Fisher some thousand hogsheads of
sugar. It wUl be of prime quality and wiU pay, he thinks. I
do not understand Mr. Fay quite, but I think that it is weU
enough to have the change raade. It would hardly do to
make it earlier.
Love to the chUdren and Blanche. Tell her that she raust
write rae every week. I can't write her so often as I wish. If
she does not write, I won't eaU her little Buntie any more, but
Great Blanche. A thousand kisses for you. Was the wreath
pretty? It is of New Orleans make. Benj
From the Adjutant General
War DepaHment Adjutant General's Office, Washington, Jvly 23rd, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Maj. General B. F. Butleb, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding
Dept. of the Gulf, N. O., La.
Sib: It would appear frora docuraents submitted by the
Governor of Massachusetts that Lieutenant James B. Prince,
Jr., of the 30th Regiraent of Mass. Volunteers, appointed by
His Excellency and duly coraraissioned, has not or had not
up to a late date, been allowed by you to go on duty with his
regiraent. The Secretary of War thinks there is possibly some
mistake in the matter, but he desires you to inform hira of the
state of the case; and, at any rate, to recognize the com
raission of Lieutenant Prince, and perrait him, without opposi
tion, to enter imraediately upon his duties, if it has not already
been done. I am. Sir,
Very Respectfully, Your Obdt. Servant,
L, Thomas, Adjutant General
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 28ft, 1862
-General L, Thomas, Adjutant General
Genebal: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
yours of the 23rd ult, relating to Lt, J, B, Prince,
This Gentleraan carae to this departraent with a coraraission
frora the governor of Massachusetts, having been examined by
a board of officers under act of Congress whUe I was in com-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 235
mand of the Departraent of New England, and rejected be
cause found deficient, — I thought it ray duty before placing
hira in command to have him again examined.
With pleasure I learned that he had applied himself dili
gently to the study of his profession, and passed a very satis
factory examination, and he was at once ordered to duty, and
I learn behaved very well in the battle of Baton Rouge,
I do not think I need a direct order from the War Depart
raent to do ray duty, I shall respect Gov, Andrew's cora-
missions when they are respectable, not otherwise.
He has sent down here comraissions to annoy me to almost
every person whose application for official position I had
rejected while recruiting my troops, I have given thera their
positions when they were qualified, and shall continue to do
what I think ought to be done until I ara retired from the
comraand of the Department, I have the honor to be.
Your obdt. Servt.
B, F, Butleb, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler to the Mayor of New York
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. 28, 1862
Me, Mayoe: Upon the withdrawal of the troops from
Baton Rouge, to leave the town under the care of the Gun
boats, it seeraed probable, in case it was stripped to prevent
the erection of works there by the eneray, that the State
House with its contents would be destroyed. The bricks and
mortar could easily be replaced, but not so the works of art <
which once lost are gone forever, I therefore ordered Powers'
Statue of Washington in marble to be removed for safety,
and I believe it has been done without injury.
There is in New Orleans no suitable public building wherein
the Statue be placed. Besides, in the present temper of mind
of the governing class in Louisiana, I do not see what need
they have of a Statue of Washington, They are striving to
undo his work, to overthrow the Government which was set
up more by his agency than aU else human. If, indeed, the
sight of his calra, noble features would recaU thera to a sense
of duty, loyalty, and subraission to that govemraent of which
he was the first President, then it would be well to retain the
raarble here. But alas! Madness rules the hour. The good
people are already loyal, and the bad wUl require sterner and
less sentiraental arguraents for conviction of their foUy.

236 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
I have taken leave, therefore, to send the Statue to the
city of New York, asking the city through the chief executive
officer to hold it in trust for the people of the State of Louisiana
untU such time as they shall return to their senses. When
loyalty to the Union and Constitution is restored as the ruling
sentiment of Louisiana, and the Government of Washington
is recognized by the elected authorities of the State there, let
the Statue be sent back to a State fitted to receive it and
appreciate it.
The City of New York wUl accept this trust. With senti
ments of respect and esteem, I am, Most truly yours,
Benj. F. Butleb, Maj. Genl. Comdg.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
H'd Q'rs. Dep'i of the Gulf, Boston, Aug. 28, 1862
My DEABEST wife: The boat is delayed sailing a day, so
that I can give you one day later from New Orleans. I was
out to review Brigade at CarroUton yesterday where we are
getting ready, so you wUl conclude I ara quite well.
I have sent to Pensacola and hope to get a regiraent from
thence. Fisher's vessel has not yet arrived here. The delay
is not fortunate. Andrew is shipping much larger amounts of
sugar to Fisher than I supposed. He will tell you about it.
You ask if I spend my tirae at the Custom House or at the
house? Shall I give you a day's work? Get up at six, write
an hour or more in ray roora . . . then breakfast, then calls
for an hour, then go to the office and business tUl 4 o'clock,
then dinner at 5, then opening raail and answering letters and
calls till eight, then tea; soraetimes a walk of half an hour in
the evening, then a chat or writing till twelve, and then to
bed. And sometiraes not to sleep. There you have a day, as
like another as two peas, save a review, inspection of a hospital,
or something of that sort — or telegrams of trouble or any
little diversification.
You see I am writing in ray room, having just finished my
despatches to the Government, and WiUiaras is waiting to
dress. There now, isn't it real good of rae to think of you
and write you now. Don't you think it deserves a kiss?
Benj.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 237
From General Butler
Headq-uarters Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, August 28ft, 1862
Special Obdeb No. 326
It is raade to appear to the Commanding General that
Marcelin Licard, an old soldier of the war of 1815, under
Jackson, did not give his arras under the General Order No.
60, and has been sentenced by the Provost Court to iraprison-
raent for 30 days therefor.
Knowing the love an old soldier has for his arras, and believ
ing that soraething is to be pardoned to that fond feeling, the
sentence is reraitted. r, r\ j j-tvt /-> t.
By Order of Maj, Gen, Butleb
W, H, Wiegel, 1st Lieut. & A. A. A. G.
From General Butler
Headquarters, DepaHment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Aug. 29ft, 1862
Brig. General L. Thomas, Adjutant General
Genebal: I herewith enclose a Roster of the Officers for
Coraraission of the 1st Regt. La. Vols. Also a forra of Provi
sional Coraraission which I have issued to them.
They being now on the lines at CarroUton in presence of the
enemy, I thought it necessary for their protection that the
Officers should have sorae authorization in case of being taken
prisoner. Perhaps it is a very considerable labor to issue new Cora-
missions, A simple order of the War Department confirming
the Provisiopaal Commission issued would be sufficient.
This Regiment is one of the finest in its material in the ser
vice, both as regards Officers and raen.
The Recruiting Fund not having arrived yet, from the
necessity of the case I have borrowed ($50,488,00), fifty
thousand four hundred and eighty-eight Dollars from my
City Relief Fund, to pay the Advance Pay and Bounty, which
I shall ask the disbursing and Recruiting Officer to repay
when he arrives, I have the honor to be.
Your obedient servant,
Benj. F. Butleb, Major General Comdg.

238 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From Richard S. Fay Boston, August 29, 1862
Major General B, F. Butleb, New Obleans
My dear General: Your favor of August 17th is received.
My son left yesterday for a fortnight's absence, being ordered
off by his physician, and being corapletely used up,
I have looked over the accounts to see if I could answer
your question about the $10,000, It stands rightfully to your
credit, as weU as the shipraent of Sugar on Government account,
no account having been made with the Government, and no
money will be paid over to it until your return and authoriza
tion. As I understand the raatter, Richard insisted on the
sale of the Sugar and the control of the business, acting as
your agent, and in order to protect your interest. Rely upon
it, ray dear friend, that everything shall be done properly and
in order, and that your wife and family whora may you live
long to be their honor and support, will be cared for, God
grant you a good deliverance, for none of them now in the
field deserves it more than yourself, I have forwarded your
letter to Richard, but as he wUl not receive it in season to
answer it by the "Roanoke," I have written this.
Very truly yours, Richard S, Fay
From Commodore Henry W. Morris
V. S. Sloop Pensacola, New Orleans, Aug. 29, 1862
Major General B, F. Butleb, Comdg. Dept. of the Gulf
Genebal: The U. S. Stearaer "Tennessee" from Pensacola
found it absolutely necessary to corae up to the city last night.
She had broken her delivery valve, which is below the water's
edge, and the water flowed into her in a very large stream
through it. She was only able to keep herself free by means of
her steam pumps, when her engines were working; therefore
whilst at anchor she was in very great danger of sinking, as her
hand puraps were not sufficient to keep her free.
In accordance with the perraission sent rae last night by
you — "that if it were an urgent necessity to prevent her
from sinking, she could reraain," I directed her to haul along
side the "Fearnot" store ship, and discharge as much of her
cargo as necessary to lighten her, to prevent her leaking any
more, — and she is now employed doing so.
I had written thus far when your orderly brought me your
despatch in relation to the "Tennessee's" coraing up. I ira-

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
mediately sent to Capt, Johnson to make a written report of
the causes which induced hira to break his quarantine. That
report I now send you a copy of. You wUl perceive by it that,
in his opinion, the vessel would have sunk at her anchors in a
few hours had she reraained at the quarantine station, I sent
an Officer to you last night to explain these facts to you,
which he did correctly.
If the "Tennessee" is corapeUed to return to the quarantine
station, she wUl be compelled to run upon the bank and lie
there. If you require her to do so, I wUl send her down, I am.
Very respectfully. Your obedient Servant,
Heney W, Mobeis, Commodore and Senior Offr.
From General Butler
Hd. Qts. Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Augst 29ft, 1862
Commodore Mobbis
Sie: The Steamer "Tennessee" ran past the Quarantine
Station without perraission. She was reported to rae by an
Officer, purporting to come frora you, as having done so be
cause she was in a sinking condition, I ara now inforraed that
it is not the fact, I assented to her action upon the ground
only that it was a matter of necessity.
The "Tennessee" must therefore at once leave her Anchor
age and proceed below the Quarantine Station, I ara grieved
and alarraed at this instance of insubordination in the Navy,
I ara now engaged in a very delicate & troublesorae Corre
spondence with the Spanish Authorities upon the alleged com
plaint that I treat their vessels different frora ours.
This action of the "Tennessee" gives color to the coraplaint
and may involve us in a National Difficulty, I shall require
the amplest apology from the Officer Comdg, the "Tennessee,"
as well as frora the Officer who raade the false report to me
that she was in a sinking condition, or I shall feel it my duty
to report them to the Department, and take such other
measures as shall prevent all coraraunication between the fleet
and shore while an unquarantined Vessel is suffered to have
coraraunication with the fleet,
I have successfully thus far kept the Epidemic frora the City,
and I shall be sorry to report to the Govt, that I have not the
aid of the Navy in the vital necessary precaution for the Health
of the City and my troops, y^^^ Respectfully,
Benj, F. Butleb, Maj. Gen. Comdg.

240 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From Commodore Henry W. Morris
U. S. Sloop Pensacola, New Orleans, Aug. 30, 1862
Major General Benj, F, Butleb, Commdg. Dept. of the Gvlf
Genebal: I sent you yesterday, by your Orderly, a letter in
relation to the "Tennekee's" breaking her quarantine, together
with a copy of Capt, Johnson's report to me, giving his reasons
for so doing.
Will you please inforra rae, by the bearer, what decision you
have corae to, as to whether she is to be permitted to dis
charge her cargo into the "Fearnot," for the purpose of
raaking her repairs; or whether she is to go down to the
quarantine station, to lay on the bank there to prevent
her frora sinking, I ara.
Very respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
Henby W. Mobeis, Comdr. and Senior Officer
From General Butler
Headquarters, DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. SOth, 1862
Commodore Mobris, Commdg. Naval Forces at New Orleans
Dear Sir: Upon the assurance of the Captain that the
"Tennessee" is in a sinking condition, and must be beached
if she is to go, I must make a virtue of necessity and allow her
to remain here to discharge the Cargo. It is a matter I, a
landsraan, cannot understand. The "Tennessee" stiU lays in
the streara, has lain there for thirty-six hours, and yet does
not sink. It shows well for the quality of the water at New
Orleans. I ara now so far relieved that I can officially assure
the Spanish authorities that the "Tennessee" was only allowed
to corae up to save her from sinking. I ara.
Very respectfully. Your obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butler
From Moses Bates
Office of the La. State Penitentiary, Baton Rouge, August 19ft, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Maj. General B. F. Butler, Commdg. Dept. of the Gulf
My dear Sir: There are in this institution several children,
born in the prison of feraale convicts, between the ages of one
and ten years. By the laws of the State of Louisiana these
children are State property, and the custom has been to sell
thera into slavery at the age of ten years, and appropriate the

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 241
proceeds to purposes of State expenditure. In view of the
evacuation of the city, and possibly the abandonraent of this
institution, it has become a serious matter. What shaU be
done with these children? Knowing your sentiraents too well
to believe you will order these prisoners, who have never yet
gone beyond the confines of the Penitentiary, sent into slavery,
and not caring to take a responsibility which you would so
willingly assume, I ask to be directed with regard to these
children of incarcerated parents.
Very Respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
Moses Bates, Supt. La. State Penitentiary
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Aug. SOth, 1862
Moses Bates, Esq., Superintendent State Penitentiary
Sir: I certainly cannot sanction any law of the State of
Louisiana which enslaves any children of female convicts bom
in the State Prison,
Their place of birth is certainly not their fault. You are
therefore to take such care of thera as would be done with
other destitute chUdren,
If these children were born of feraale convict slaves, pos
sibly the master might have some claira, but I do not see how
the State should have any. I ara.
Very Respectfully Your obedient servant,
Benj. F. Butler, M. G. C.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
New Oblibans, Sept. 1st, 1862
My dear Wife: This wUl be handed you by Mr. Bonfanti,
who is about visiting your city en route to Europe.
If he is not fortunate enough to have Mr, Fay vrith him
when he calls, will you get Mr, Webster or Hildreth to show
him the city, and especially the mills which he rauch desires
to see,
Mr, Bonfanti has been of sorae service to rae; you will find
hira a pleasant gentleraan, and he has been kind enough to
desire to be presented to you.
Truly your Husband

vol. ii — 16

242 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From J. George Brown
Parish Prison, September 1st, 1862
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butleb, Comd'g Dept. Gulf
Genebal: Do you know that measures are being taken to
involve your brother. Col, Butler, to say nothing of yourself,
with the cabinet at Washington, on the most serious charges
backed with no light force? Rumor says you are about to
leave — you have treated ray letters to you with conterapt,
thinking I am influenced by selfish motives, had I have been,
you would never have received this. Enough, I shall not
trouble again, but remember the Mouse and the Lion, and
that to the last I wished to serve you.
Do not show this to any of your officers, — why should I
have a powerful eneray by writing you this. Send for me.
With respect, I have the honor to be.
Ever your well-wisher, J, Geoege Beown
It is iraportant I should see you before the Northern raaU
leaves. From General Butler
Headquarters DepaH-ment ofthe Gvlf, New Orleans, Sep*. 1st, 1862
Major General Heney W, Halleck, Commander-in-Chief
Armies of the United States
Genebal: Nothing of interest has occurred to the troops
of this Departraent since the last despatch.
Our disposition being raade for defence, the forts which the
enemy expected to surprise strengthened, I am inclined to the
opinion that he has for the present abandoned his plan of attack.
My informers also confirm this view by their intelligence.
Since the plan of attack was abandoned, Breckinridge has
gone with a portion of his Division to Mobile, and is said to
be en route for Virginia,
The condition of the people here is a very alarraing one.
They literally corae down to starvation. Not only in the city
but in the country. Planters, who in peaceful tiraes would
have spent the summer at Saratoga, are now on their planta
tions, essentially without food.
Hundreds weekly by stealth are coming across the Lake to
the City, reporting starvation on the Lake shore, I ara dis
tributing in various ways about $50,000 per month in food,
and more is needed. This is to the whites. My comraissary

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 243
is issuing rations to the amount of nearly double the amount
required by the troops. This is to the blacks.
They are now coming in by hundreds, nay thousands almost
daily. Many of the plantations are deserted along the "coast,"
which in this country's phrase means the River, frora the
City to Natchez, Crops of sugar-cane are left standing to
waste. Guerillas interfere with all white labor, which would
be peaceable, and impress it into the Rebel army.
The act of Congress which allows no proper punishment to
these marauders renders it impossible to restrain them. It is
useless to tell rae to try them, send the Record to Washington,
and then to shoot them if the Record is approved. Events
travel altogether too rapidly for that. In the meantime, they
hang every Union raan they catch, and by their proclamation
(see Governor Moore's on file in the War Department) they
threaten to hang every man who has ray pass. All this, while
they are prating in their papers and by the raessage of Davis
about carrying on a civilized warfare.
We have with us a great many Negro women and children,
barefoot and half naked. May I ask in what way, in view of
the coming winter, these are to be clothed? I can house thera.
There are houses of rebel Officers enough to cover them, I
learn by the Secession Newspapers that I ara to be relieved of
this Coramand, If that be so, raight I ask that my successor
be sent as early as possible, as my own health is not the strong
est, and it would seem but fair that he should take some part
of the yellow fever season, I have the honor to be.
Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept Ist, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sie: I send enclosed General Order No, 62 of this depart
ment, wherein honorable mention is made of several non
commissioned Officers of this Division for gaUant conduct at
Baton Rouge, I would suggest that the medals for meritorious
services, provided by the act of Congress for soldiers in such
case, be forwarded to these brave men.
Since I wrote the Coraraanding General, I am more and more
satisfied that the immediate attack upon this City is put off.
My information confirms that frora every source.

244 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
The delay is in part owing to the fact that the enemy is
buUding and altering two Gunboats in the Yazoo River,
with which he hopes to embarrass the fleet, A movement
frora above raight destroy those boats, which are only guarded
by sraaU railitia force. We cannot reach thera from below,
as we must pass Vicksburg to do it.
I take leave to send, for the use of your Office and that of
the Comradg. Genl., photographs of our position at CarroU
ton, and the surrounding Country, reduced from a survey that
I have thought it necessary to make. The health of the City
continues admirable, and the troops are fast recovering from
their sickness and fatigue of the Campaign at Vicksburg.
I have succeeded wonderfully in ray enlistraents of Volun
teers here. A full regiraent, three corapanies of Cavalry —
Six hundred to forra a new regiraent, and raore than 1200
raen enlisted in the old regiraents to fill up the ranks. I shaU
also have within ten days a Regiraent 1000 strong of Native
Guards (Colored), the darkest of whora wUl be about the
coraplexion of the late Mr: Webster.
I shall have the honor to have increased my Division by at
least three thousand men. One-fifth of the whole after a
Nine Months' Campaign in the unhealthy South. I have the
honor to be, y^^^ g^^^ ^^^^^^^
Benj. F. Butleb, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From Colonel S. Thomas
Head QuaHers Sth Regt. Vi. Vols., Algiers, La., Sept. 3rd, 1862
Maj. Gen. B. F. Butleb ^''°' '° chronological order]
My deae Genebal: The report of a want of protection for
the Negroes is correct, and I have been trying to-day to secure
suitable shelter for them, but they have come in upon me so
fast I have found it very difficult. Be assured I will spare no
pains to care for thera, for they are reliable friends. I am
Truly Your obdt. Servant,
S. Thomas, Col. Sth Regt. Vt. Vols.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept ind., 1862
^ 7 p [Not in chronological order]
Genebal: I am informed that some of the negro women
and chUdren who have sought protection within your lines, are

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 245
not sufficiently provided with shelter frora the inclemency of
the weather.
You wUl direct your Division Quartermaster to take pos
session of such houses in your neighborhood as belonged to
well-known and ascertained rebels, as will be sufficient to
cover those you have and provide for those coming in, I am.
Respectfully Yours,
Benj, F, Butleb, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
A, F, Puffee, Capt. & A. D. C.
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept. 1st, 1862
Brig. Genl. Thomas, Adjutant General
Genebal: A press of much raore iraportant business engage-
raents have prevented my reporting upon the letter of Captain
Porter, With the Commodore, now Admiral, Farragut, there has
been ever the utmost reciprocity of aid and the warmest
sympathy. I was very anxious that the expedition should get off to
Vicksburg as early as possible, and I did everything I could
do to speed it. Captain Porter in his letter to me expressly
so states. The stearaer "Empire Parish," which was a boat
belonging to a private party here, that had come to the City
relying upon the safeguard, was as rauch within his control
as mine. Nay, at the very time Capt, Porter complains, as
will be seen by the affidavits herewith submitted, the "Erapire
Parish" was seized by hira and wholly under his control. It
will be seen also that at the very tirae Captain Porter com
plains to the Departraent of the delays of the Steamer "Fox,"
she was under the order of Commodore Morris, his senior
officer, and in his employ. I enclose the original order which I
desire preserved. It is true that the Master of that stearaer
got drunk and behaved badly at the Passes. That truth Com
modore Porter states, but he omits to state that the Master
was punished by instant Discharge.
Why suppress the fact which was known to Capt, Porter?
If there is a Naval Officer on the station that will not bear the
fullest testimony to the exertions of myself and coramand, to
aid the Navy everywhere and at all times with the exception
of Captain Porter, they certainly will do very differently
from what they have personally stated to me.

246 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
My Chief Quartermaster, Col, Shaffer, knows the facts
relating to this transaction, and I desire the fullest inquiry
should be made of hira, I have the honor to be
Your obedient Servant
Benj, F, Butleb, Major General Commandir^g
From Commodore David Porter
TJ. S. Steamer Octobaba, off Vicksburg, Jvly Sth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Majm- General B, F, Butleb, Commdg. U. S. Army
Sie: I was very much surprised to hear through Lt.
Comradg Breese that ray letter to you of the 12th of June
had been severely comraented on by you, also that you had
accused rae of raaking misstatements, I wrote to you at that
time for the purpose of informing you that your orders had
been disregarded. As far as related to supplying the mortar
vessels with towage, I made no statements whatever other
than what I received from Capt, Brady himself, who informed
me "that the Capt, of the 'Fox' got drunk, brought up two
merchant vessels by private arrangements with the Captains,
and had neglected entirely the business on which he was
sent," As regards Mr, Eddy, I said he was either not sincere
in his efforts to carry out your orders, or else he was not
invested with the proper authority to make his subordinates
obey hira, I see no reason to change the opinion I then ex
pressed, I am much surprised that a gentleraan holding your
high position should have thought it necessary to have affi
davits taken to prove that I had made misstatements, or that
he had been zealous in the perforraance of an important
public duty. As regards the latter, I will add my testiraony,
and unhesitatingly say that you were prorapt in acceding to
all ray requests, and desirous to promote the interests of the
expedition and from the anxiety you displayed to get it off I
was induced to appeal to you again, when I found your orders
were not obeyed, presuming you would bd obliged to me, I
never supposed it was a high offense to inforra a general that
the public duty was neglected, nor did I expect ray expressions
to be misconstrued into misstateraents,
Misstateraent is a word I ara unused to, and an expression
that I will perrait no one to apply to rae, I have raade the
above explanation to give you an opportunity of recaUing the
very offensive language used toward me. Your own sense of

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 247
propriety wiU tell you that no gentleman would rest quiet
under such an imputation, I have the honor to remain.
Very respectfully. Your obdt. servant,
David D, Poetee, Commdg. Flotilla
From the Secretary of War
War Department Adjutant General's Office, Washington, Oct. ind, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major General B, F, Butleb, U. S. Volunteers, Comdg. Dept.
of the Gulf, New Obleans, La,
Sib: Your report of September 1st, upon the letter of
Coraraander D, D, Porter, has been subraitted to the Secre
tary of War, and is satisfactory, I have the honor to be. Sir,
Very respectfully, your obdt. Servant,
L, Thomas, Adjutant General
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler
Monday moming. Sept, 1st [1862]
Yesteeday there camp a telegrara frora Pope that he was
victorious, had driven thie rebels, taken a thousand prisoners,
lost on our side eight tnpusand men killed; that the rebels
after retreating had made a stand, and the battle would be
renewed as soon as reinforcements came up on our side. Later
in the day carae word that Stonewall Jackson was taken, this
is not confirraed. Last evening ruraours were afloat that
Pope was cut up and forces scattered, I have sent down this
raorning for the news, and trust we shall hear the last report
is false, Tim  and George Pearsons were both here last
night, Tim  will send you a speech of Ward Beecher's
wherein you are commented on and praised, he says, Harriet
has returned with the news. The rebels have the advantage.
Pope is driven back to CentrevUle, He is reinforced, and
will raake a stand there, Fisher on his return from Fortress
Monroe will be likely to bring the children back. Fifty sur
geons have goneJ;o Washington frora Boston, During Sun
day the churches were dismissed, and the ladies in great
nurabers spent the day in scraping lint, rolling bandages, and
packing luxuries to be forwarded to the sick and wounded.
Tomorrow may bring us better accounts, I expected a letter
from you today. You have not written the two last mails,
Ara I to conclude you have adopted what you proposed to
me, to send only a bulletin of health? In your case, the news-

248 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
papers would raake the announcement. In those sent to Mr.
Webster there is no mention of your health, so I trust you are
weU, and every day the danger is growmg less. When you
receive this letter I wish you to answer it, and teU me truly
whether I am to go or not; write just as you desire it. With
earnest love and tenderest regard.
Your affectionate Wife
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler September let, 1862
My deaeest Sabah: The "Secesh" newspapers say that I
am to be relieved frora ray coramand. Be it so. I shaU be
very glad to get home to you and the chUdren. No better
thing can happen to rae personally, but God help Genl. Dix
if he is to manage this people for the next six months — and
especially without previous experience.
Get Home! is it possible there is any such good hope for me.
I trust so. I do not feel aggrieved at this order — it is all for
the best for me personally, and I ara in condition to be relieved,
having borne all the burden and heat of summer. It is right,
of course, that another should come here when it is healthy.
Now, then, to count the days until I see you and home. I
send you by bearer a little package which will speak of repose.
When I corae I shall bring you the nicest washer, mender,
ironer, and chamber girl you ever saw, that takes the best
possible care of ray clothes, — has no possible fault but a
devU of a teraper, and is much attached to your humble ser
vant. She is not quite as black as the ace of spades, but about
the color of "maple molasses." I say attached, for she quarrels
with all the servants for stealing ray cigars, and insists upon
ray wearing a fresh pair of white pantaloons every day. If
that isn't proof of attachraent, as she has to wash them, I
should like to know what is. She has no master; he has run
away, so I shall be interfering with nobody's rights. I have
had no letter yet since the tenth of August — we are expecting
a raail every day.
Now, dearest, get fat, saucy, and lively, and we wUl throw
away all care and have such a good tirae, I mean to do noth
ing but stay at home aU through the Indian summer, and
ride out on horseback with you. Don't you want to ride?
Kiss Paul and Bennie for me — tell them I am coming horae
and that we wiU play "tag," Say to them that I am not so

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 249
fat as I was last faU, so I can run better and have better sport.
Goodbye, dearest, for a while, ^rYour Husband
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept ofthe Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. id, 1862
Senor Juan Callejon, Spanish Consul
Sie: I enclose to you for inforraation a copy of a report of
the Quarantine Physician, I have directed the two Spanish
vessels to be allowed to come up at once in accordance with the
recommendation of the Health Officer.
The "Cardenas" wUl be up as soon as her Cargo is loaded.
You will see the wretched state of health of the Italian Bark,
showing the necessity of the strictest Quarantine. With senti
ments of regard and esteem, I am
Your Obdt. Servant, Benj. F. Butleb
From Joseph Elliott New Orleans, September i, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butleb
Deae Sib: Frora some Military authority I was told that
you was going to leave New Orleans, for some other quarter;
I am really sorry to learn that news. If you would confer
a favor to me, I will ask you to let me send you ray fine car
riage and driver every day until you leave us; I shall be
proud if you satisfy ray wishes, for all your kindness to rae in
several occasions. Please send word to me by Gilbert. I
Very respectfully Yours, Joseph Elliott
Endorsed: Thank Mr. Elliott for his consideration.
Benj. F. Butlee
From General Butler
Head Qts, Dept, ofthe Gulf, New Orleans, Sept id, 1862
The Quartermaster General
Sir: I am desired to give Messrs, Stanton & Palmer Cer-
tfficates of the use of their boats, the "St, Charles" & the
"Anglo American," The one was taken possession of on the
first of May by the Army, and the second on the 12th of May,
and been used till the 2Sth of July,
I give this Certfficate because there is nowhere any Quarter
master whose knowledge covers the whole tirae as raine does.

250 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
There are large repairs done on the "Anglo American"
before she was fit for use. The "St. Charles" was at least
one-quarter owned by admitted rebels.
Having agreed that Messrs. Stanton & Palmer should have
their boats, having been recovered frora the rebels — one of
them captured in rebel raUitary eraploy, I think the Govt.
has done its fuU duty to these Gentleraen, specially as the
Agent of their firra was kept in existence here all through rebel
rule here, and the firra actually subscribed $500 to the Two
Million defence Loan of the City of New Orleans, In other
words, I believe the Govemraent has done its duty to them
quite as well as they have to the Government, and if the matter
was within ray discretion I should not allow the Claira for
use of the Boats, I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully, Your Obdt. Servt.,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From R. S. Fay, Jr.
Boston, Mass., September ind, 1862
Major General Butler
Dear Sir: Your favor of the 20th instant has corae to
hand, I note your draft on rae for $25,000 in gold, and as it is
rising I have telegraphed to New York for the purchase of it,
by the advice of ray father. Shall write you fully when the
purchase is coraplete and the draft paid. Yesterday, gold
was quoted in New York at say 117 to 117j,
Very truly yours, R, S, Fay, Jr,
From the Secretary of War
War Department, Washington City, September id, 1862
To Major General Butler, Commanding, &c..
New Orleans, La,
General: I enclose herewith for your inforraation copies
of several communications addressed by the Department of
State to the diploraatic representatives of Great Britain,
France, and the Netherlands in this city, growing out of the
conflict between the military authorities and the consuls of
those Countries at New Orleans. ^^ „ ,
Yours Iruly,
Edwin M, Stanton, Sec. of War

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 251
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
Department of State, Washington, 20ft Aug., 1862
[Not in chronological order]
The Honorable William Stuart
Sib: In the matter of the seizure in New Orleans of certain
sugars, raade by the order of Major General Butler, and
claimed by certain Greek, English, and other foreign mer
chants, I have the honor to state that the same, under the
authority of the President, was investigated by the Honorable
Reverdy Johnson, during his recent mission to New Orleans,
and that he has reported to this Department that the sugars
should be returned. This report having been approved by
the President, directions will be given to the Major General,
or the commanding officer of the United States at New Orleans,
to release the sugars to the claimants, A copy of so rauch of
Mr, Johnson's report as relates to the transaction is herewith
enclosed for your inforraation,
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir.
Your obedient servant,
William H, Sewaed
Depart-ment of State, Washington, 20ft Aug-ust, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
The Viscount Treilhard
Sir: You have already been inforraed that the coraplaint
raade by your Legation to this Department, concerning a
request or requirement made by Major General Butler, com
manding at New Orleans, upon Count Mejan, the French
Consul there, that he would retain ($716,196) seven hundred
and sixteen thousand, one hundred and ninety-six doUars
which he said was deposited with him by Messrs, Dupasseur
& Co,, was by rae referred to the exaraination of the Honorable
Reverdy Johnson, who had been appointed by the President
as a Commissioner for this Departraent,
I have now the honor to inform you that Mr, Johnson has
performed the duty confided to hira, and has subraitted his
report thereupon, I think it proper to furnish you with so
much of Mr, Johnson's general report as relates to that trans
action, and I have further to state that it has been approved
by the President,
In accordance with the conclusions of the report, I have the
honor to advise you that instructions will at once be given to
Major General Butler, or the actual military authority at

252 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
New Orleans, to relinquish aU claim on behalf of the United
States upon the fund in question, so that Count Mejan wiU
be at liberty to pay it to whomsoever may be entitled to
receive the same,
I avaU rayself of this opportunity to renew to you. Sir, the
assurances of ray high consideration,
William H, Seward
Department of State, Washington, 20ft Aug-ust, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Mr. ROEST VAN Limbueg, &c., &c., &c.
Sie: The Honorable Reverdy Johnson, who, as you have
heretofore been inforraed, was appointed by this Depart
raent as Coraraissioner to proceed to New Orleans and investi
gate, araong other affairs, transactions which occurred there
affecting the Consul of the Netherlands and certain subjects of
the King of the Netherlands, under the direction of Major
General Butler, has performed that duty, has subraitted his
reports concerning the sarae, and they have been approved by
the President.
I have thought it not improper to furnish you, for the infor
raation of your Govemraent, a coraplete copy of so rauch of
those reports as relates to the transaction herein above
raentioned. As a result of the approval of Mr, Johnson's proceeding
in the preraises, I have now the honor to inforra you that the
eight hundred thousand dollars in coin which was taken by
Colonel Shepley, under direction of Major General Butler,
frora the possession of Amedie Conturie, the Consul of the
Netherlands at New Orleans, and which was claimed to have
been deposited with him to the use of Messrs, Hope and Com
pany of Amsterdara, and which is raore particularly described
in the correspondence which has heretofore taken place between
yourself and this Departraent, wUl be restored by the Major
General, or other United States officer comraanding at New
Orleans, to either Mr, Conturie, the Consul of the Netherlands,
or to Mr, Forstall, as the agent of Messrs, Hope and Corapany,
or to the Citizen's Bank of Louisiana, whichsoever of thera you
raay designate, I refer the designation to yourself, because
your Govemraent has intervened in regard to the transaction,
whereby its consent to the designation has becorae necessary,
and it will of course be conclusive.
Secondly, I proceed to speak of the articles of property

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 253
\
other than coin, described specifically by part Nuraber Two,
in a statement of the said Consul, Mr. Conturie, dated May
13th, 1862, and which was submitted to this Departraent by
you, — as follows :
"One tin box, to which we give the name of a Bank box in
this city locked, containing 1st. Ten bonds of the consolidated
debt of the city of New Orleans for (1000) One thousand dollars
each, making the nominal value of Ten thousand dollars.
2nd. Eight bonds of the city of MobUe of the value of (1000)
One thousand dollars each, the nominal value of which is
(8000) Eight thousand dollars, claimed by Mr. Conturie to
have been deposited with him on the 12th day of April last
by Edmund J, Forstall, Esq,, in the capacity of Agent, and
as the property of Messrs, Hope and Company, 3rd. Divers
papers, being titles and deeds, the Consular Coraraission of
Mr, Conturie and his Executor;
"No. 3. Six other tin boxes, marked with the name of
Amedie Conturie, containing private deeds, silverware, &c,,
which boxes are claimed to be the property of divers persons
for whora he was acting as agent,
" No. 4- Two or more tin boxes, the property of the Hope
Insurance Corapany of the City of New Orleans, which occu
pied a portion of the premises in which the Consulate is
located," The extracts frora Mr, Johnson's report will show you that
under his direction all this property would have been delivered
to Mr, Conturie if he had not declined to accept it, for reasons
specffied by him in a letter to Mr, Johnson, Upon his thus
declining, the eighteen bonds were delivered by Major General
Butler, under Mr, Johnson's direction, to Mr, ForstaU as
agent for Messrs, Hope and Company; a copy of his receipt
for the same is herewith transmitted to you, and the original
wUl be handed to you or given to whomsoever you may indi
cate. The other articles naraed in said stateraent No, Two,
wiU be delivered by Major General Butler, or other officer
coraraanding at New Orleans, to Mr, Conturie, unless you
shall designate some other person to receive them.
In your note of the 2Sth of July last, you inforraed rae that
your govemraent shared the satisfaction which you had
experienced when, on a previous occasion, I announced to
you that the President and Government of the United States
viewed the conduct of the military authorities of New Orleans,
in regard to the transactions in which Mr, Conturie, the Con-

254 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
sui of the Netherlands, was concerned, as a violation of the
Law of Nations, and that they disapproved of it and disap
proved the sanction which had been given to it by Major
Genl, Butler, You added, however, that your Government
flattered itself that the United States would go farther, and
that in the view of the govemment of the Netherlands the
gravity and publicity of the outrage (as you are pleased to
call these transactions) deraand that the Government of the
United States give public evidence of its regret, for exaraple
by manifesting by some public act its dissatisfaction with
Major General Butler,
You further add that the Government of the Netheriands,
considering, until proof is received to the contrary, that Mr,
Conturie, its Consul, has acted in good faith, expects that the
Government of the United States wUl not refuse to do lUce-
wise, and that it wiU please, consequently, to invite the Consul,
who on the avowal of the Araerican Govemraent itself has been
very ill-used, to resume his Consular functions,
I cannot avoid thinking that these requests are raade by
your Govemraent under a mistaken idea that the United
States for some reason desire in sorae way to cover or conceal
from the World the proceedings which they have taken in
regard to these questions. If this be true, your Govemment
has fallen into a serious error. The whole of the proceedings
have been direct, frank, and unreserved. The United States,
as you are aware, did not only express their regret for the
transaction and their dissatisfaction with General Butler in
the preraises in the language you have quoted, but they also
sent an Agent to ascertain the extent of the injuries which
were coraplained of, to the end that they might promptly be
redressed and that restitution might be made.
That redress has now been made, and that restitution ordered
immediately upon the facts on which it depended having been
established. Moreover, you were advised in my former com
munication that, simultaneously with the appointraent of
Mr, Johnson as Commissioner, Major General Butler was
relieved of his functions as Military Governor of New Orleans,
and Brigadier General Shepley was appointed military Gov
ernor of that city. The Military authorities were at the same
time directed to invite Mr, Conturie to resume his Consular
functions. These proceedings fully appear in the official cor
respondence which has taken place between yourself and this
department. This correspondence is not a private but a public

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 255
one, which your government is at entire liberty to promul
gate without reserve whenever it shall please to do so; and,
whether your government shall think proper to so promulgate
it or not, it will, according to our national habit, be comrauni
cated without any reservation to Congress on their assembling
here on the first Monday of December next. Nor is it at all a
matter of reserve on the part of this Government that the dis
satisfaction with Major General Butler's precipitancy and
harshness in the transactions concerned were among the causes
for transferring the administration of public affairs at New
Orleans to General Shepley, It is very true. Sir, as you remark,
that Mr, Conturie has been very ill-used, and upon that ground
General Shepley will be directed to invite hira to resume his
consular functions at New Orleans, if indeed he has not done so
already under previous instructions. But I must nevertheless
accompany this invitation with the declaration that, in the
judgment of this Government, Mr, Conturie has acted through
out the transactions which have been reviewed, and even
throughout the investigation of them which has taken place,
in a manner that was very indiscreet, and calculated, though
I presume not intended, to erabarrass the relations between
your country and our own, and that unless his conduct hence
forth shall exhibit raore of consideration for the authority of
the United States, it raust not be expected that the President
will be content with his remaining in the Consulate at New
Orleans, I trust. Sir, that your government will be satisfied that the
United States have resolved the questions which have been
discussed in a spirit not only of good faith, but also of friend
ship and good will towards their ancient and esteemed friend,
the Netherlands,
I avaU myself of this opportunity to renew to you. Sir, the
assurance of my very high consideration,
William H, Sewaed
Department of State, Washington, 25ft Aug., 1862
[Not in chronological order]
The Honorable E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I have the honor to acquaint you that this Depart
ment has been inforraed by the Minister of the Netherlands,
accredited to this Govemraent, that since the 10th day of
May last Mr, Araedie Conturie has not exercised the func
tions of Consul of the Netherlands at New Orleans, and that

256 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
the Count de Mejan, the Consul of France at the same port,
is charged ad interim with these functions. The Count de
Mejan has consequently been recognised as the temporary
Consul of the Netherlands for that port. I ara sir
Your obedient Servant, William H. Seward
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler
Wednesday evening, Lowell, Sept. 3d, '62
Dearest: Major and Mrs, Bell carae today. He brought
me your note and the pistol case. They come up on Friday
next to spend the day, I was very glad to get your note, and
so thankful your annoyance, perhaps I should say your anger,
. is passed in part. But you are grave, and do not wish rae to
join you. From anything that I know, I see no likelihood or
very little of your returning home this winter. If you are to
remain, I should be very sorry to pass the winter here. After
the raonth of October is past, I should have more fear of en
countering storms on the coast, I had decided to start the
fairest tirae in the raonth, I do not think you will be recaUed;
if soraeone else is sent to New Orleans, you raay still be kept
soraewhere about the Gulf, If you are to change from point
to point, fighting your way, remeraber I do not trouble you in
tiraes of danger; indeed, I hope not to do so at any time, but
rather to encourage and sustain so far as ray slight abUity
will perrait. Think then, again, if the chances are that you
reraain, as I think they must be, if you stUl consider it better
to stay there for the next six months without me. If you have
a reluctance lest I should embarrass your raoveraents, or any
reason why you do not wish me to go, I must cease to urge it.
That I would rather go is very clear. In truth, I know not
very well how I can stay. Major Strong is on the way to join
you, give him my regards and the other gentlemen whom I
knew best. Say to Mr. Chubbuck that he has a letter from
me, three weeks on the road, and I hear it is now no further
advanced than Fortress Monroe. Fisher has not yet returned
from Washington. The news is of the most doleful kind. The
rebels are within twelve railes of Washington, and Jackson is
reported to be advancing on Baltiraore by Leesburg with
forty thousand raen, McClellan coraraands the defences about
Washington, The hospitals, hotels, the college at Georgetown,
and even the "White House, if I am not mistaken, all are filled
with the wounded and dying. The newspapers pour forth ex-

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 257
clamations, and urge the new regiraents to hurry forward. The
woraen are packing delicacies and scraping lint. Cincinnati
is threatened. The Gov. has proclairaed raartial law, stopped
business, and ordered the citizens to prepare for defence. The
exciteraent has never been greater or the danger raore alarm
ing. I think Fisher will not return without the children. The
coming week will have a fearful story for one side or the
other; in fact for both. The rebels are attacking at all points,
and you expect thera at New Orleans, But if you have the
Fleet there I cannot think they will venture it. Yet, they seem
desperate, so it is well to expect thera. Believe rae, I am
proud enough of you already, and do not want a danger to
enhance that feeling. My "affections do not that way tend,"
nor wUl I disturb you hereafter with vain imaginings, but
write to you all I can gather that I think will interest, I am
glad you think your last letter a little too severe. Nothing can
exceed the kindliness, the tenderness, I feel toward you, the
sympathy and pity, obliged to stay in that hot town while the
summer lasts. I have but one regret, that I did not stay with
you, yet I believe I should have died if I had tried it. And you
could not spare rae very well, trouble as I am. The children
are very well, and talk much of what you are doing. I shall
be all ready when you send for rae.
Most affectionately. Your Wife
I wish you would destroy all ray letters or send thera back,
lest they should be read, or even published if they fell into the
wrong hands. The news today is no better. Heaven, keep,
save and bless you! Sarah

From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. ith, 1862
To the Treasurer of the City of New Orleans
Sie: Enclosed herewith please find Three thousand and
one hundred and eighty-two 50/100 DoUars, ($3182,50), being
the amount recovered by my order frora Mr, Pelie, late City
Surveyor, which was taken frora the Treasury unjustffiably
under the following circumstances,
Messrs, Pelie, father and son, have held the office of City
Surveyors for forty years or thereabouts. Of course, in the
execution of that Office, it was then- duty without other
reward than their salaries to have put upon the City books all
VOL, II — 17

258 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
the real property of the City which had come to their knowl
edge, and this they did do, — but Pelie, the younger, being
about to resign his Office on the 1st of June last, because he
would not take the oath of allegiance, claimed of the City
five per cent Coraraission for property to which he had ascer
tained the title of the City and put upon his books. This
claim covered the time from 1846 to the present.
The finance committee of the Govemraent, theraselves about
to retire for the same reason, being the same raen who had
wrongfully invested alraost one-third of a raUlion of the Charity
fund of the City entrusted to them, approved that bUl by
means whereof these Three thousand Dollars were taken out
of the City without the knowledge of the acting Mayor.
This seemed to be part of the last desperate plunge of the
hands of unprincipled men in the City Treasury, and this
amount, as soon as it carae to my knowledge, I caused to be
disgorged and now return it to you. I have the honor to be.
Your obedient servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Comd'g
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler Lowell, Sept, 5, '62
Dearest: Major Bell carae today and took dinner with
us, Mrs, BeU was sick, she will come up with him next week
to pass the day. Of course, I had time to ask a great many
questions, and from what he tells rae I see no reason why you
should not corae horae. When Gen. Shepley is fairly estab
lished nothing could give me so much pleasure, and I know
weU enough how you would rejoice to corae. But for a man
holding a position like yours a change requires consideration.
What can the Government do with you? It would be easier
for them to send you reinforcements to attack in the Gulf,
than find a place for j^ou here, unless there is an opening ready
for you. They cannot allow a man lUie you to rest quietly at
home. You have shown such efficiency there would be clamour
if you were not eraployed in these disastrous times. You
might leave for a time, and try your own powers of persuasion
for reinforceraents at Washington, but I cannot see how you
can be withdrawn from the Gulf until you can be transferred to
another place. If Gen, Shepley takes the full authority of a
Military Gov,, it is clear there is nothing left for you to do in
that one town. If he has the abUity and energy to hold it

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 259
with the force you have there, then it is equally clear that you
want a force to do service elsewhere. But I think you will
have to come north to get it. And then, if you go back I will
return with you. Fisher and George have gone to Baltimore
to put their freight on a saihng vessel, the steamer is to be
retumed to New York and put on the stocks for repairs, I
advise thera to sell the freight and start new, I shall know
when they return, I have told Fisher to bring back the pic
tures. If ever I get thera they will not be sent again, but I
will forward copies as soon as I can get thera taken, by mail,
Blanche and Florence have returned. Our army is driven
clear back to their old entrenchments. Two days ago there
was a report that Jackson with forty thousand men was in
Baltiraore, etc, Fisher did not dare to leave them, I shall
send them back as soon as there is a feeling of confidence,
Mr, Maginnis called, I carried hira over to Dracut to see Mrs,
Parker at Milton's request, and showed hira all necessary
attentions. He told me a Mr, Baldwin, to whora you entrusted
a letter to rae, desired hira to say to me that the letter was
blown overboard with some letters of credit of his own, by care
lessly pulling them out of his pocket while he was on deck,
I hope the letter contained nothing of importance, I think it
safer always to send by raail unless an intiraate friend is
coraing to the same town you wish to send it. Now I must
tell you something funny. You sent me the key to the pistol
case, and asked me to be careful of it as you valued it highly
as a present, I took one glance and felt no further curiosity
until today, nearly a week from the time it carae, I raust say
on examination they are the finest possible, I do not wonder
you desired me to take care of them. They are the prettiest
gems of pistols, — if ever I fight a duel it shall be with these,
and you shall figure as second. What do you think, dearest,
the sumraer is over with us, almost with you, how I have
wished it away; one month more and the danger of climate is
over, I am less oppressed with anxiety and restlessness, and
am really getting flesh, and spirits to move with life and pleas
ure. Would you like to see me gay, saucy, and a little boister
ous when you return? If you are thin, the voyage home will
brmg you up, and after a week at horae the whole expedition
with all its attendant dangers wUl seera like a romance read
.of another's life. You wUl be welcomed by all, but by none so
dearly as I shall welcome you. Ever most affectionately, Sarah

260 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From Gen. George F. Shepley
state of Louisiana, Executive Department, New Orleans, Sept, Sth, 1862
Major General B. F. Butleb, Commanding Department of the
Gulf
General: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of
letter from the Hon. W. H. Seward, Secretary of State, in
relation to the case of Mr. McLaurin, a British subject, whose
release is requested as a favor by Earl Russell, as you will see
by the papers which accompanied the letter of the Secretary
of State, and which are herewith subraitted for your
exaraination. If McLaurin is not already released, I have the honor to
request that you will discharge hira, if, in your opinion, con
sistent with the public interest. With great respect, I have the
honor to be, y^^^ obedient servant,
G. F. Shepley, Military Governor of Louisiana
(After perusal, please return the docuraents other than the
letter of the Secy, of State.)
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
Department of State, Washington, 18ft August 1862
[Not in chronological order]
To General George F. Shepley, Military Governor of
New Orleans
Sir: I enclose a copy of an instruction frora Earl RusseU to
the British Charge d'Affairs here, and of the papers by which
" it was accorapanied, asking for the release of a Mr. McLaurin,
a countryraan of his, who, it appears, has been iraprisoned on
a charge of being concerned in the importation of rifles at
New Orleans for the use of the insurgents. As the release is
asked for as a favor, on account of the age of the prisoner, and
of his having a dependent family, it would be advisable to
grant it under the circurastances, unless there should be objec
tions of which we are not aware. The case is accordingly com
mended to your favorable consideration by
Your obedient Servant, William H. Seward

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 261
Foreign Office, August ind, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
The Honorable William Stuart, &c., &c., &c.
Sir: I enclose a letter from Mr. Scholefield, the Member of
Parliaraent for Birmingham, forwarding a Declaration sworn
to by Mr. Goodman, the Chairman of the Birmingham Sraall
Arms Trade, relating to Mr, McLaurin, a native of Scotland,
established in business at New Orleans, who is reported to
have been placed under arrest on suspicion of being implicated
in the purchase and importation of Rifles for the Confederate
Army, I have to instruct you to take an early opportunity of plac
ing these papers unofficially in Mr, Seward's hands, and sug
gesting to hira that as I am informed Mr, McLaurin is advanced
in years, and has a family entirely depending upon him, and
entire credence may be given to any statement supported by
Mr, Scholefield, it would be an act of kindness on Mr. Seward's
part if he were to use his good offices in procuring Mr.
McLaurin 's immediate release, I ara with great truth. Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant, Russell
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept, 6ft, 1862
Hon. Geo. F, Shepley, Military Governor of Louisiana
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge yours of the 5th,
with enclosure of Hon, W, H, Seward and Earl RusseU in
regard to Archibald McLaurin,
Mr, McLaurin was arrested upon inforraation that arms
were consigned to him, and that he was engaged in selling thera
to the Confederates, — being a breach of our laws and the
Proclaraation of Her Majesty the Queen,
After his arrest, Mr, McLaurin made a fuU apparently frank
statement under oath of the facts in relation to the arras and
his connection therewith, which stateraent exculpates him
and mculpates the President of the Birrainghara Arras Co,
This affair I have already had the honor to forward to the
State Departraent, Mr, McLaurin was therefore discharged
upon his parole to appear as a witness when wanted, I
have the honor to be.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Com.

262 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From Richard S. Fay, Jr., to General Butler
Niagara Falls, Sept, 6, 1862
My dear General: My father has forwarded to rae yours
of 17th with his answer, which I confirra as precisely correct.
Your raisapprehension arises frora my having opened two
accounts with you on ray books, one for the raoney and divi
dends you left with me, and the other for our business transac
tions since your departure. So far from crediting the Govt.
the Naval Paymasters' draft $10,000,00, I have credited the
Govt, nothing. Everything shipped by you, or its proceeds,
stands to your individual credit, and is subject to your draft
or order, with the exception of the profits upon your first four
shipments. These amounts I cannot pay to any one untU it
is decided between you and the Dept, to whom it belongs, I
am joint agent of yourself and the Govt,, and I raean to do
my duty equally to both. It is only since Col, Butler has sent
rae corrected invoices of these shipraents that I have known
what these profits were. From your present letter I presume
that 12% exchange for prera, on gold is to be added to the cost ;
of the goods, and I shall so add it. Please reraark that this
is the first tirae that I have had the raaterials for raaking up
this account correctly furnished to rae.
On ray return to Boston, I shaU have the pleasure of send
ing you account sales of these cargoes, having already sent
Col, Butler sales of all subsequent ones, I shall also enclose
you a copy of your letter accorapanying the first invoices,
containing distinct instructions to offer this mdse, to the Govt,,
and enclosing a letter to the Sec'y, of War offering thera your
self. In my opinion the letter is capable of but one construc
tion, that upon which I acted. You say in the letter I have
just received, "I wish to know that I am not wronged in the
account," If you alluded to my account, or to my acts for
your account, I shall feel obliged if you will narae some one
versed in business to whora I may turn over your affairs,
after satisfying him that my stewardship has been honest if
not able. I do not think, however, you have any such mean
ing, but are annoyed through the misapprehension I have
already alluded to. I ara very sorry to learn that you are in
trouble at New Orleans through the neglect of the Dept. No
one has deserved its cordial support so well, and if through
their fault you lose the splendid position you have gained, they
will deserve and obtain the unbounded execration of every

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
decent man at the North. The administration has forfeited
all confidence, it is unsuccessful in everything, in choice of
men and planning of measures, it has proved utterly weak,
vacillating, and cowardly. I believe as fully as I believe any
thing that there are impending such disasters as will compel a
change not only of our rulers but of our forra of Govemraent,
and that we shall be purified by fire to a better order of things.
If raatters in New Orleans take the course you apprehend.
I suppose any shipments there will be nearly a total loss. It
will take pretty nearly all I ara worth, but I should care little
for that corapared to the injury to the cause that the loss of
the city would prove.
The story of the recent fighting before Richmond is as usual,
defeat and disaster to our forces. If the eneray does not take
Baltimore, it will be because he does not want it, I am here
for ray health, which is very much impaired by my hard sum
mer's work, I return to Boston in about a week
Very truly yours. Rich, S. Fay, Jr.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Se-pt. 6ft, 1862
Rev. J. T. Champlin, President of Waterville College
My dear Sir: Your note informing me of the very kind
and complimentary action of the board of Trustees of Water-
vUle College has reached me here.'
Deeply affected by the remembrance of ray Alma Mater,
cheering me in the path of duty, for the performance of which
her solid teachings were an appropriate fitting, I shall cherish
her smiles as the highest reward I can receive fbr any effort.
Please carry to the Trustees mdividually my regards and
thanks for the degree conferred upon me. I ara
Most truly your friend, Benj, F, Butler
From Sidney S. Norton
Custom House, New York, ith Division, Collector's Office, Sept. 6, 1862
Hon. William Barney, Collector of Customs, N,Y,
Sir: Since the first day of June last, the date of the Presi
dent's Proclaraation declaring the ports of New Orleans,
Port Royal, and Beauport open to the Coraraerce of the World,
one hundred and sixty -two vessels, many of thera large Steara-
ers, have been cleared at this port with Cargoes for the port

264 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
of New Orleans alone. On opening these ports, it was deemed
prudent by the Treasury Departraent to declare certain goods
contraband of War, a list of which has been furnished this
office, and by which we have been governed.
This list, it wUl be perceived, left a wide margin for ship
ments, and our merchants have avaUed themselves very
largely of the privUege of shipping such goods as are not in
cluded in this Schedule, on which, in some instances, fortunes
have been raade by a single venture.
Stearaers have been chartered, at the round sura of one
thousand doUars per day, for a voyage out and back, usually
occupying at least three weeks, and the charterers have in
sorae instances paid the entire amount of the charter by the
sale of the single article of flour on arrival out. Imraense
quantities of almost every variety of goods, araong which raay
be raentioned the itera of ninety thousand barrels of flour,
have been sent from this port: raore than sufficient, it would
seem, to supply the wants of the city, and it is believed that
a large portion of the goods thus hurried into New Orleans
will find its way into the hands of those who favor the interest
of the rebels.
The high prices ruling in rebeldom on certain articles offer
great induceraents to raen of "easy loyalty" to supply the
wants and necessities of the rebels, and when trade is so brisk
and so varied as it necessarUy must be, at the present time, it
cannot reasonably be expected that the rules be confined to
loyal persons.
Take, for exaraple, the article of Sulphate of Quinine, which
is not included in the list of articles declared contraband by
the Secretary of the Treasury, and we can see at once the
extraordinary induceraents offered to srauggle it into the rebel
array. It is estimated that at least twenty-five thousand
ounces of this, to thera indispensable raedicine, have been
shipped at this port alone for New Orleans since the first day
of June; an amount which no one for a moment believes is
required or needed for the use of our army, or the loyal people
at that port. "While the prices here have varied from two to
two and a half dollars per ounce, the rebels have paid as high
as sixty dollars per ounce for it. Other articles of a simUar
character, such as morphine, chloroform, surgical instruments,
and many other articles sadly needed in the rebel army, it is
believed, have found their way into rebel hands by reason of
the enormous prices ruling there, and if so, the opening of

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 265
these ports may be considered of doubtful benefit and may
perhaps be the means of prolonging the War,
Respectfully submitted, Sidney S, Norton
From Major General R. Taylor
Head Quarters Dist Westn. La., Thibodeauxvillb, Sept. 8, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding U. S. Forces at
New Orleans
General: I send the Hon, R, C, Wickliffe, a distinguished
citizen and a former Governor of the state of Louisiana, as
the bearer of this coraraunication to you.
My object in raaking it is, in the first place, to inforra you
that by appointment of my Govemment I am in command of
aU that portion of Louisiana which lies west of the Mississippi
river, and farther to state that the troops with which I have
hitherto conducted and shall continue to conduct railitary
operations in this District, are raen only as have been regularly
enrolled in the service of the Confederate States, together
with the State forces which have been turned over to rae by
the Governor of Louisiana under the laws of the State and of
the Confederate States,
My main object, however, is to address you as the Senior
officer of the United States Government in charge of its forces
waging war in this portion of the Confederate States, with
respect to some recent occurrence in this state by troops under
your coraraand.
Marauding expeditions, started either frora the city of New
Orleans or frora sorae point on the Opeloraay Rail Road, have
fallen upon the line of coast on both banks of the Mississippi
River for a space of at least thirty raUes above the city. Their
track has been marked with devastation and ruin. The dwell
ings of its peaceable and unoffending inhabitants have been
entered and pillaged by a ruthless soldiery. Every movable ob
ject upon their plantation and in their horaes has been either car
ried off or destroyed — nor has there been any distinction of
person or of sex. The rich and the poor raade to suffer alike,
woraen and children have been exposed to indecent search, and
articles of apparel or of ornament taken frora their person.
I do not derive the knowledge of this condition of things
frora the sufferers alone — letters written and diaries kept by
officers and raen, sorae of the very parties engaged in these
lawless and inhuraan acts, whora the fortune of war has placed

266 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
I
in ray hands, discloses a scene the horrors of which no language
can exaggerate,
I hesitate to believe that these excesses can have been sanc
tioned by the authorities of the United States, who are respon
sible for the proper conduct of their troops in the locahties
they occupy; or that the well-known perpetrators of thera wUl
be permitted to go unpunished, I need not say that this is
not civilized warfare, and that the sanction or tolerance of it
by your Government will lead to the most summary reprisals
by my own,
I have in ray possession one hundred and thirty-six of your
officers and raen, the survivors of one of these predatory
bands. Many of them when taken were found with objects of
more or less value which they had plundered frora our help
less citizens, I have determined to suspend the operation of
the General cartel with respect to these men, until I can com
municate with and receive instructions frora my Government,
But in order to protect for the future the non-combatants
residing within ray district frora the repetition of their acts of
lawless violence, I shall be corapeUed to work the raost strin
gent measures I have it in my power to adopt.
I have accordingly to notify you that upon a repetition of
thera, I shall select by lot frora araong the prisoners in my
hands ten officers and men for immediate execution; leaving
the responsibility for inaugurating this sytera of warfare to
act upon your Govemraent, to which for its toleration of this
conduct of its troops it will properly belong. I ara. General,
Your obt. servt., R. Taylor,
Maj. Gen. Comdg. Dist. Western, La.

By General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. 10ft, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
General Richard Taylor, Commanding
General: I received your letter by the Hon, R, C, Wick
liffe, in whora I at once recognized a gentleraan of the highest
respectabUity, but I take leave to suggest that a flag of truce,
bearing coraraunications frora one mUitary officer to another,
is usually in charge of an officer of the Comraand of the party
sending it,
I am pleased to be informed as to the Comraand of the
Confederate forces on the Western side of the Mississippi,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 267
No information has reached these Headquarters, save by
your note, of the occurrences of which you write. The troops
at the Bayou des AUeraands were an advance post guarding
a Railroad bridge, and not an expedition at all, nor were they
allowed to go on any expedition up the coast or elsewhere, so
that upon this topic I am constrained to believe you were
misinformed, -
I need not say that acts such as you describe are neither
ordered nor tolerated by the Government or by myself, I
enclose a copy of ray General Orders and also the Orders of
the War Departraent upon this subject.
That unlicensed acts are comraitted by troops on march
ing service is the well-known fact of all civilized warfare.
If any deeds such as you describe have been committed,
and you will send me the written evidence which you may have,
together with the parties, ray acts heretofore should convince
you that they will be properly punished. Therefore, if you
have the guUty parties you will do well to allow thera to be
exchanged, as it will be impossible for me to ascertain their
guUt if you retain thera,
I could have wished that this answer to your communica
tion could have ended here, and that you could have contented
yourself not to threaten.
It is true you have 136 raen duly enlisted in the Sth Ver
mont Regiment, including their officers. But how captured?
In part by ambush of a supply train. This savors rather of
Indian than of civUized warfare, "But the worst remains
behind," I ara informed that the GueriUa force which made
the capture of the Post at Bayou des AUeraands raised a flag
of truce, that it was answered by another flag frora ray raen,
the bearers of which were seized and detained. That a second
flag was sent out to request the return of the first, that this
also was seized, and the bearers of both were placed at the
head of the advancing column so that my men could fire only
upon their friends. Is this civUized or savage warfare? It
reads precisely like the history of siraUar strategy by Tous-
saint I'Ouverture toward the French forces in San Doraingo,
and would seem therefore to be not even original,
I say most unhesitatingly. General, that I do not suspect
even that this act was in any way known to or sanctioned by
yourself, educated in the United States and the son of one
who led the United States Array to victory, and died the
recipient of his whole country's highest honors.

268 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
The mischief arises from the employment of a GueriUa
force of undisciplined and lawless men, brought from a neigh
boring state into a community where they have neither inter
est nor restraint. Now, I am aware that your authorities
have caUed this force "Partisan Rangers," but that neither
alters their conditions, their habits, their disposition, or acts.
Lawless violence has been and will ever be the distinguishing
character of such force. Organized originally in Spain and
Mexico, frora a part which these raen came, it is known what
. they wiU do, nay what they must do. Now, although I have
some thirty of the very raen who so abused a flag of truce, I
shall raake no threats of reprisal,
I take leave to call your attention to the fact that I sub
raitted through Mr, Deslonde a proposition to you that some
arrangement may be made by which non-combatants raight
have sorae protection frora the severities and hardships of
war. You are reported to rae by Thos, O, Moore, who assumed
to be the Commander of the forces at Opelousas, and took
upon hiraself to answer ray communication to that officer,
through some supposed Adjutant General, to have declined
any arrangement for the protection of non-combatants,
because they would need none if the war was conducted on
our side as the Confederate Government has always conducted
it, according to the rules of civUized warfare.
I am at a loss to distinguish between the conduct of the
State and the Confederate Governments.
If the proclamation of the late Governor Moore, which
promises short shrift to those who may even buy provisions
to keep thera frora starving in New Orleans, which threatens
each person leaving ray lines with my pass with imprison
ment; if, in its intent, its meaning, and scope that Proclama
tion is according to any rules or usage of either civUized or
uncivilized warfare, I have faUed to have been inforraed of
thera. That burning cotton of peaceable planters, rolling their
sugar into the river, and destroying their sugar houses, as
has been done all along the river by "Partisan Rangers,"
and that too to their very friends and syrapathizers for the
crime of only desiring to sell their crop and getting something
to buy provisions for themselves and their negroes, is not civU
ized, I certainly need not reraind a late soldier of the United
States Array.
Firing upon an unarmed boat filled with women and feraale

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 269
school chUdren, and almost with those only, is neither civUized
nor brave.
As an example of the unacquaintance [with] the rules of
civilized warfare of a portion of the forces under your cora
raand, please take the firing of thirty men, protected by a
viUage, with double-barrel shot-guns, upon a United States
Steam Sloop of War passing quietly down the river,
I shall only fatigue you by enumeration, I have within
my lines and my power five times one hundred and thirty
officers and men of the Confederate Service as prisoners of
war, from a Brigadier General to the inconsiderate lad of six
teen, I shall treat these with every courtesy due their posi
tion. No hair on the head of one of my captured soldiers
ought to be touched upon any pretext of reprisal or retalia
tion, I trust you wUl reconsider your determination to do so
in any event.
That I punish the guilty marauders with promptness, the
women and children of New Orleans who sleep in calm undis
turbed quiet under our fiag wiU teU you. That I deal gener
ously with my eneraies, a thousand and nineteen faniUies of
Confederate soldiers, now being fed frora ray rations will
testify. That I will take care of, protect, and avenge the wrongs
and lives of ray fellow-soldiers, confided to ray care, you, as
a soldier, can judge. I have the honor to be.
Your obdt. Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Major Gen. Comd'g
P.S. Since writing this note, I have received a letter from
Commander Porter. If true it only adds another example of
the infelicity of employing such Partisan forces. If false, it
shows the danger of reprisals and retaliation upon any report
^^^t^v^""- Respectfully, B. F. B.
From Commodore W. D. Porter
On board TJ. S. Gunboat Essex, off New Orleans
Major General B. F. Butler
General: I understand you have this day captured sorae
Guerillas. On the 15th August ray fourth Master, Mr. Spencer Kellogg,
with four of ray seamen frora the "Essex," were raade prison
ers by sorae GueriUas at Port Hudson, when engaged ui cutting
adrift some flatboats used by the Rebels for conveyance of

270 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
supplies frora West Bank to the East Bank of the Mississippi;
the next day they were hanged. So I understand frora a
citizen of Bayou Sara, in whora I have rauch confidence,
I would ask you under the circumstances that retribution
be carried out, and would respectfuUy suggest that for each
seaman of raine hanged, one GuerUla be shot and for my
officer ten, y^^^ respectfully. Your obdt. Servant,
W, D, Porter, Commodore U. S. Navy.
From George S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase
New Orleans, September 9ft, 1862 '
Dear Sir: The newspapers which I send, wiU give you most
of the local news.
One Regiraent of the Free Colored Brigade is fuU, and about
500 raore are already enlisted. Surgeons and officers speak
highly of the physical qualities of the men. Most of them are
a very light color, and, I believe, will make good soldiers, I
adraire the characteristic shrewdness with which Gen, Butler
has managed this affair. By accepting a regiment which had
already been in Confederate Service, he left no roora for com
plaint (by the Rebels) that the Government were arming the
negroes. But, in enlisting, nobody inquires whether the recruit
is (or has been) a slave. As a consequence, the boldest and
finest fugitives have enlisted, while the whole organization is
known as the "Free Colored Brigade," Without doubt it
will be a success.
It is understood here that Gen, Phelps' resignation has
been accepted. The controversy between Generals Butler and
Phelps is much regretted by the best Union men. Gen,
Phelps is beloved by his soldiers, and no raan has suspected
his integrity and disinterestedness. This is not strictly true
of Gen, Butler, for while all admire his great ability, raany of his
soldiers think hira selfish and cold-hearted, and raany soldiers
and citizens — Union and Secessionists — think he is inter
ested in the speculations of his brother (Col, Butler) and others.
Sometimes circumstances look very suspicious, but if I
happen to hear his explanation of the sarae circumstances,
suspicion almost entirely disappears, I have never been able
to discover any good proof that Gen, Butler has improperly
done, or permitted, anything for his own pecuniary advan-
' American Historical Association Report 1902, Vol. II, p. 312.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 271
tage. He is such a smart man, that it would, in any case, be
difficult to discover what he wished to conceal.
But it is the general impression here that raoney will accora-
plish anything with the authorities. It seeras probable that
this irapression would not exist without some foundation. It
is much to be regretted, but Gen, B,'s abilities, shrewdness,
and just severity toward secessionists — and proper appre
ciation of the whole rebellion, cause him to be respected and
adraired even by his eneraies, I believe Gen, Butler's opposi
tion to the enlistment of negroes by Gen, Phelps was not a
matter of principle. Gen, Phelps had the start of him, while
Gen, B, wanted the credit of doing the thing himself, and in
his own way. And he is doing it, shrewdly and corapletely,
as he does everything.
Notwithstanding the impression above raentioned, it would
be difficult to find a man capable of filling Gen, Butler's
place, and who would give the same satisfaction to Union
men. The City is very healthy, and the coming of Yellow Fever
is no longer feared.
The Irori Clad Gunboat "Essex" is here from up the River,
(George S, Denison)
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. 9th, 1862
My dear wife: I enclose your two last letters according
to request, and farther give you an account of my health in
full as you request, I cannot write at length as ray right hand
is quite stiff frora the effects of a large boU on the back of it,
I have one or two raore on various parts of the arm which
are quite troublesome. Otherwise ray constitutional health
is good. We are aU troubled here with what is known as
"prickly heat," i,e,, eruptions on various parts of the body,
lUie the rash. This I have had to sorae extent on the arras
and legs. It seeras to be nothing raore or less than this. The
skin kept in a high state of perspiration, and thus moist,
becomes at last inflamed, and thus endeavors to restore itself,
but the eruptions being over so large a surface cannot aUow
the skin to clear itself of all the secretions, and therefore they
are discharged through larger eruptions known as boUs, I
learn that all this people are afflicted with boils, and sorae of
them to a fearful extent. My surgeon, Dr, McCormick, tells

272 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
me that when he formerly practised here he knew one lady
that had three thousand, and another five thousand boils,
but the last died of thera. All this disappears when the
weather becomes cooler. We have all had it, especially the
fleshy ones — Andrew and French, although I hardly reckon
myself amongst that nuraber.
The city stiU continues healthy. My comraand is saved
wonderfully in health. Many of the offlcers have been fright
ened home by fear of yellow fever, which, although they have
managed to get it in the fleet over at Pensacola, and I have
[it] down at the Quarantine here, yet we have kept out of the
city. You did rae great wrong in your letter, and I replied to it
as I felt — pity, anger, sorrow, indignation, all were, as they
rose, penned down. Why do you take such foolish notions?
I can take care of ray own honor among woraen or raen.
We are in receipt here of very terrible news frora the Poto
mac, nothing less than the rout of McClellan's entire army. If
true, I shall have trouble enough here, but fear not. We shall
hold New Orleans, Indeed I think they had better move the
Capital here as the safest place. Do not doubt that I would
be glad to see you and have you here. It is not time now to
come. No need to expose yourself either to fever on land or
the hurricane at sea, I will write you when I think you can
come. Another difficulty is if you corae we shall have every
soldier in the division asking to bring his wife; they are begin
ning to do it now. The "Relief" (Fisher's Boat) has not yet
made her appearance, I know not what her cargo is, no invoice
having been sent forward, but this delay will make it an un
profitable one, Fisher need not come out here, indeed he
must not.
But why do I talk of this. If the news is true, we are all
required to look a sterner reality in the face than has yet been
done. This war raust then be carried on as one of extermina
tion until any white man not a United States soldier, or
openly and fully acting with the Government, is exterminated.
Indeed, I don't see but we raust fight for our own existence.
It is coraing — a "Military Dictator," God grant the man
may be one of power and administrative capacity. Let it
come — the raan has not developed hiraself yet — but he
wUl — in the field too, before long. The day of small expedi
ents and small men is getting by. Well, an erapire is the
repose as it is the ripeness of nations.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 273
I only wish they would recaU me frora this place — irapor
tant enough no doubt — but only Lieutenancy, something too
much of this, ,, t. t^ t.
Yours, B, F, Butler
P,S. You will see, dearest, by the signature how rauch the
mind wandered away from the thought of writing you, I
do kiss you and love you, but let rae do so without wounding
rae. Benj.
From General Butler
HeadquaHers DepaHment of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. 9th, 1862
Rear Admiral D. G. Farragut, Commanding Western Gulf
Blockading Squadron
My dear Admiral: A week or two since there were irami
nent threats of attack upon New Orleans. I believe now that
has been put off tiU about the middle of October, when the iron
clad fleet in the Yazoo wUl be finished. This ray inforraation
gives as the settled plan. The Govemraent should give us one
of the new iron-clads to end these hopes of the rebels,
I have now an expedition up river under convoy of the
"Mississippi," The "Essex" is here, not at the raouth of
Red River where she is needed,
I wUl be able, I think, to aid you at Mobile; at any rate I
will see you within the next ten days. It would be irapossible
to spare the "New London" on the Lake, I am causing a
crew to be enlisted for the "Calhoun," We shaU need her
also to be just as we would be in event of an attack.
My advices are such that I shall quarantine "Pensacola"
no longer, although it was fortunate I stopped the "Rhode
Island," The health of the City is improvmg. You wUl
hear fearful news frora Washington, but I hope it is not so
bad as it looks.
You will be pleased to hear of the proraotion of Lieut,
Weitzel to Brigadier General. y^^^^ ^^^ ^,^^^
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. C.
From General Butler
Head Quars. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept 9th, 1862
Ordered The Provost Marshal General wUl proceed to CarroUton
and take possession of any and all captured property, espe
cially horses and raules, and turn over the sarae to the Chief

274 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Quarter Master at New Orleans. He wUl take the horses of
any Officer or soldier not entitled thereto by regulations as
captured property.
Any Officer throwing any obstacle in the way of the prompt
execution of this order, or not disclosing, when called upon,
the existence of such property, wiU be reported for investiga
tion, and if found guilty will be dismissed frora the Service.
Any enlisted raan so acting wiU be arrested by the Provost
Guard and brought to New Orleans for punishraent.
The Provost Marshal General will cause this order to be read
to each corps which raay be called into line for that purpose.
From the Assistant Secretary of War to General Butler
War DepaHment, Washington City, September 10ft, 1862
General: The Secretary of War directs rae to transmit
herewith a copy of a letter dated the 9th instant, received
frora the Department of State, together with a copy of the
translation of the Spanish Minister's coraraunication, to which
reference is therein raade.
In view of the coraplaints alleged by the Minister from
Spain against the adrainistration of the quarantine laws at
New Orleans, the Secretary of War requests that you will, as
early as practicable, subrait to this Departraent full explana
tion of the questions involved, and at the same time, as sug
gested by the Secretary of State, consider "the expediency of
allowing the Spanish tobacco ships mentioned by Mr. Tassara
their clearances as soon as raay be compatible with the public
Very Respectfully, Your obedt. Servant,
P. H. Watson, Assistant Secretary of War
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Department of State, Washington, September 9, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I have the honor to transmit a translation of a com
munication which has been received at this Department from
His Excellency, Mr. Tarsara, the Minister from Spain, pre
ferring complaints alleged by Spanish subjects against Major
General Butler's administration of the quarantine laws at
New Orleans, and to call your attention to allegations in
effect of a capricious discrimination to the prejudice of Spanish

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 275
vessels trading at New Orleans. This Departraent does not
doubt that Major General Butler is acting with perfect justice
and irapartiality; but it is bound to acknowledge that the
Spanish Government seems to be acting in a very conciliatory
and liberal spirit towards the United States. I wiU thank
you, therefore, to transmit a copy of Mr. Tassara's corarauni
cation, together with a copy of this letter, to Major General
Butler, and to ask him for such detailed explanations of the
subject as will enable me to give a full and satisfactory answer
to the Spanish Minister.
I would submit also, for General Butler's or General Shep-
ley's consideration, the expediency of allowing the Spanish
tobacco ships mentioned by Mr. Tarsara their clearances, as
soon as raay be compatible with the public health. I am, sir.
Your obedient servant, William H, Seward
From the Acting French Consul
Translation. New Orleans, Sept. 10ft, 1862
Major General Butler, Commanding Army of the Gulf
Sir: I do my duty in addressing you in behalf of Mr, Dubos,
one of the editors of the Compilateur and a French citizen,
Mr Dubos has written rae a letter in which he excuses himself
for the wrong he raay have done you or your government,
saying that he had no idea that you would take in such a
serious manner some articles written in the style of the
"Vanity's Fair" in New York, and that he never had the
intention to attack the politics of the U, S, Government,
I do not mean to defend the right Mr, Dubos may or may
not have to publish these articles, but I come to solicit your
generosity in behalf of a Frenchman who is more imprudent
than culpable, and would be seriously punished if he was to
lose his liberty on account of his iraprudence.
Most Respectfully, Your Obedt. Servt.,
Fauconnet, Acting French Consul
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept Uth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Hon. Wm, H, Seward, Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honor to enclose to the State Departraent,
in obedience to orders, copies of newspapers with translations
of objectional articles raarked, and to certify to the Depart-

276 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
ment that I have caused the paper to be suppressed and the
writer of the articles to be imprisoned, one Francis Dubos.
He is a French citizen who has come into this country
within two years, and feels himself corapetent to instruct us
in our pohtical and national relations. I have judged other
wise, and have put hira out of harra's way for the present. If
any representations are sent to your Department, the facts
are all before you. I have the honor to be,
Very Respectfully, Your obdt. Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From Merchants of New Orleans
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Obleans, Sept. 10, 1862
To Major General Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
The undersigned, raerchants residing in New Orleans, being
informed of the arrest of Mr. Chas, Heidsick by your order,
respectfuUy beg leave to bring to your knowledge how sorry
and grieved they are to see this gentleman in so painful a
position. They take the liberty. General, of informing you that they
have always known Mr, Heidsick, who for raany years is
doing business in the United States, as an honorable man,
deserving in every respect the sympathy and esteem of all
persons acquainted with hira,
Mr, Heidsick is a Frenchman by birth, belonging to one of the
most respectable families of France, his reputation of integrity
and honor is well appreciated by our whole community.
In the opinion of the undersigned, Mr, Heidsick is incapable
of comraitting intentionaUy an indelicate action, and he would
be the last man to infringe or violate the obligations of neutral
ity iraposed upon strangers towards the Great Araerican
Republic at this critical raoraent of its political troubles, when
said strangers are so liberally tolerated in this country.
Under these considerations, General, perrait us to ask of
you respectfully to extend your cleraency on the fate of Mr,
Chas, Heidsick, We know. General, that when sincere none
apply in vain to your cleraency. Pardon, General, Mr, Heid
sick, History will record with your glory the numerous acts of
your generosity you have so often bestowed on so many per
sons during your passage in this great but unfortunate city.
S. Playson, T, Bailey Blanchard, Jr,, P, A, Sivanler,
A, Carnere, Paul Juge, flls, Paul Juge & Tabby

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 277
Answer: Write Mr. Playson that H. wiU be released on his
getting a first boat, and not returning untU the close of the
war. B. F. B.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters Dept of the Gulf, New Obleans, Sept. 10ft, 1862
My deab Sabah : I wrote you a long letter yesterday by the
"Ocean Queen," but as she goes by Pensacola this may reach
you first. My health continues good save that I am afflicted
as was Job with sore boUs, which are the plague of the Country,
whUe the annoyance of the Country is "red ants." You saw
none of them to speak of.
The "Relief" has not yet made her appearance. Nor the
" Saxon." There need be no different course about the " Saxon "
than in any other business. She was retained in the Govem
ment service so long as she was serviceable. Then a suitable
number of days were allowed her to return home. Those
were used in indispensable repairs, and she was run up the
coast until a change of military operations rendered it no longer
profitable. If there is any reason to believe that an untrue
account has been rendered, send the facts on which the belief
is based and I will investigate it. If the Government pro
posed to give four hundred and fifty dollars a day fee to go
anywhere, I think the owners were not wise in not accepting
the proposal. It is more than she is worth any where,
I ara very glad to get your letter by Strong's vessel. He has
arrived here in good health and spirits. Your letter gave me
some life about the future. It breathed more of hope and
cheerfulness. Our future may be cheerful, but Oh, my country,
what for thee. It seeras as if the devil has entered into strategy
of aU of us,
Washington again besieged. Our work all to do over again.
Let it be well done this tirae, I'ra anxiously waiting the
news. Why wUl not the Adrainistration send for the Array
of the Gulf, and let us whip out those Rebels in Virginia?
I suppose you will get frightened about sending Blanche.
I do not know what to advise. Will do so when I can hear the
news. I do kiss and embrace you dearly. Adieu.
Husband

278 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From General Butler
Headquarters Department ofthe Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept. 10, 1862
Dr. W. N, Mebcee, Pres. Bank of Louisiana
Sie: I have carefully examined the raeraoranda of resolu
tions passed by your board of Directors and subraitted to
me, on the subject of drawing against the specie of your Bank
now not in its vaults.
The proposed arrangement, if carried out in good faith,
would re-assure the standing of the Bank, save its stock
holders frora loss, and benefit the currency of New Orleans,
With these views I consent to it on behalf of the United
States Govemraent, I have the honor to be
Your obdt. Servant,
Benj, F, Butleb, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. 10, 1862
Major General Halleck, Commanding Armies of the U. S.
Genebal: I have the honor to report that on Saturday,
the 7th, a regiment of Partisan Texas Rangers, under the
command of Major Walles, ambushed a detachment of the
advanced Pickets of the Sth Verraont Volunteers at the Bayou
Des AUeraands, 32 railes from Algiers, on the railroad when
they were coming down to Algiers for provisions, and wounded
a number of thera. The GuerUlas then proceeded to the
Bayou, and by means of abuse of a Flag of truce to which
they induced an answer, and then seized the bearers and put
them in front of their column of attack, caused a surrender of
the remainder before the supporting force could reach them.
These supports were detained by the unfortunate accident of
running an ox upon the track, which broke up the train and
wounded several of the troops. Still, I cannot approve of the
conduct of the pickets in not holding out and making a contest,
as they would have been immediately supported. Emboldened
by this success, this Cavalry force raade their appearance on
the West River Bank, some thirty railes above the city. I im
raediately ordered Col, McMillan to take a portion of the 21st
Indiana Regiraent and 9th Conn, and land below them, and
asked Coraraodore Morris to send a gunboat up the Mississippi
to cover the landing in case the eneray should be supported by
artillery, which request was proraptly complied with.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 279
The raovement was adrairably executed, and resulted in
hemraing in between the river and the swarap the entire
body of Guerillas,
Upon being called upon to surrender, they fled frora their
horses into the swarap, and were then pursued by our raen,
who succeeded in capturing sorae forty prisoners, including
several offlcers, 250 horses with their equipraent, which could
not be taken into the swaraps.
The eneray lost 8 killed and wounded. This GuerUla force,
which has been the terror of all that part of the country, has
been thus thoroughly disposed, disraounted, and disorganized,
I wUl endeavor as soon as I get reinforceraents to organize
an expedition which shall relieve the Western part of Louisiana
frora the presence of any force of eneray,
I ara convinced that all atterapts upon New Orleans are
abandoned for the present, and that the eneray await the
finishing of the iron-clad boats which they are raaking near
the raouth of the Yazoo River, These they expect to finish
by the middle of October, I am
Very truly Your obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butlee, Major General Commanding
War DepaHment, Washington City, D.C, September Uth, 1862
Major General B, F, Butlee, Commanding at
New Obleans, La,
Sib: The Secretary of War du-ects rae to transmit to you
the enclosed copies of a correspondence which has taken place
between the Minister of Spain and the State Department,
touching your action in regard to the house of Messrs Aven-
dano Brothers, at New Orleans, and to request such explana
tions as wUl enable the Secretary of State to answer the
complaint in question.
Very respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
P, H, Watson Assistant Secretary of War
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
Translation, iejaiion ,0/ Spoin, Washington, i6 August, lS6i
[Not in chronological order]
Hon. Wm, H, Sewaed, Secretary of State of the U. S.
The undersigned. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of H, Catholic Majesty, has the honor to caU
the attention of the Honorable Secretary of State of the
United States to the facts which are related in continuation.

280 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
A Confederate steamer being captured in Berwick Bay,
coming frora the Havana, there were found on board of her
sorae letters addressed to the Spanish house of Avendano
Brothers at New Orleans, one of thera containing mvoices of
goods sent in consignment, but not for account of said house,
by different vessels, and a bill to their order for sorae hundred
doUars, A few days after this event above cited occurred, Messrs,
Avendano received a note frora General Butler saying that he
wished to see thera. One of the individuals of the house
went to hira, and General Butler showed him the letter of
which mention has been made, the bill and two others — sec
onds — for value of 1900 sterling pounds, on London, requir-
ing^ayraent of the araount.
The representative of Avendano's house assured hira that
it had nothing to do with those bUls, because they did not
know, even by narae, the persons, by whora they were drawn,
but his protestations served no purpose unless to enrage the
General, who insisted on his pretentions under penalty of
iraprisonraent in Fort Jackson, &c,, directing at once that he
should be kept under arrest, and next ordering an officer to
take possession of the correspondence which should be found
in the counting house.
In this state of things, Messrs, Avendano instructed a lawyer
to see General Butler, and cause him to understand the injus
tice he had done against them. The General admitted that
the bills and even the goods pointed out by the invoices were
not in fact the property of these gentlemen, but — added he
— the gains they must have made by the exportation of cotton
and importation of arms raust have been so much augmented
that they may consider theraselves very fortunate if they are
not compelled to pay a larger sum.
In face of this violence, there was no remedy but to yield,
and Messrs, Avendano, fearing to become the victims of an
outrage, signed a bill of exchange to the order of General
Butler for the value of 1900 pounds or $9000 dollars. Then,
and then only, was the arrested partner, who had meantime
been at large on baU, set completely at liberty. It should
still be added that the head of the house, Don Peregrim Aven
dano, not yet knowmg to what he might not be exposed, judg
ing from the past oppressions, resolved to go to the Island of
Cuba, as in fact he has, abandoning his business.
The undersigned deplores the necessity under which he is

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 281
placed of coraplaining so repeatedly of the proceedings of the
MUitary Authority at New Orieans ra regard to the subjects
of her Catholic Majesty, The exaction of which Messrs,
Avendano have been the subjects is a new and odious arbitrari
ness, and the charge mforraaUy specffied against thera cannot
be anything else but a pretext to cover it up.
The Spanish Government has no need to repeat that it
withdraws its protection from those of its subjects who break
the laws of neutrality in the contests in this country. But
besides, vague asseverations are not sufficient to prove an
offence, especially in particulars such as the violation of a
blockade, which frequently bears its punishment with it, and
which, even when established, cannot yet palliate such down
right injustice as that mentioned.
The Government of the United States is therefore under
obligation to make restitution of the sura of $9000, extorted
by violence frora Messrs, Avendano no less than of the cor
respondence, which the said house was also corapeUed to
deliver, being in addition responsible for the daraages and
inderanities which the case requires.
The undersigned does not question the proper disposition
of the Government of the United States to give effect to its
protection of Spanish subjects residing in this country, but
in the presence of facts of the nature of those which are tak
ing place at New Orleans, such protection seems to be null or
insufficient, and such abuses demand urgent remedy.
The undersigned avails of this occasion to reiterate to the
Hon, W, H, Seward the assurance of his highest consideration.
Gabbiel G. Tabsaba
Department of State, Washington, 9ft, 1862
Senor Don Gabbiel Gaecia Tabsaba
Sie: The note which your Excellency addressed to me on
the 26th of August, during my absence frora this city, has only
just now been received. It prefers a coraplaint by your Gov
ernment raade in behalf of the Spanish House of Messrs.
Avendano Brothers, at New Orleans, for severities and exac
tions alleged to have been coraniitted there by Major General
Butler while in the railitary coraraand of that city. More
especially it alleges that, without sufficient cause or grounds.
General Butler exacted of the aforesaid house, under threats of
violence, a bill of exchange for £1900, equal to nine thousand
six hundred dollars.

282 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
This complaint is a very grave one. The President, of
course, is not prepared to believe that it is justly raade. You
raay, however, without hesitation, assure your Government that
an investigation of it will be raade with the least possible delay,
and that araple redress will be proraptly given if Major General
Butler shall fail to justify his proceedings in the transaction.
The Govemraent is above all things desirous to direct its
proceedings in suppressing the present insurrection in such a
raanner as to do no wrong to individuals, and especially to the
subjects of friendly nations. The present seeras to be a proper
occasion for me to inform you that Brigadier General Shepley,
who some time ago was appointed Military Governor of Louisi
ana, has now assumed that offlce and is charged with the con
duct of civU affairs in that State.
It may sorae tirae happen that difference of opinion may
arise between this Government and of Spain upon the merits of
complaint raade by the subjects of Spain against the American
authorities, or complaints made by citizens of the United
States against the authorities of Spain. In view of such a
possibUity, I beg leave to suggest the expediency of establish
ing a joint coraraission for their settleraent, to be coraposed of
Coraraissioners rautually agreed upon by the two Govern
ments. A similar proposition has been made by the United
States to Great Britain, and it is understood that there is a
probabUity of its acceptance.
I avail rayself of this occasion to offer to you renewed
assurances of ray highest consideration.
William H. Sewaed
From Mrs. Butler to F. A. Hildreth Lowell, Sept llth, 1862
Deab Fishee: I wish you would write me a line if you are
to be away some time, I wish to know if you have my box of
pictures, and also if you have forwarded ray letters that were
aboard your ship, as I wrote you to do in a note sent to the
St, Nicholas, The box I wish brought horae. Major Ladd
called yesterday, and offered to take the children on to George
town, If he could haVe waited a day longer I should have
sent them with hira.
There is a letter here to you frora Mr, Butler, He writes
of being recalled and Dix sent in his place. He writes confi-
dentiy as though he felt sure of it from the information he

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 283
has got, but he has received no order, and I think he is mis
taken in his conclusion, I do not think he will be recaUed
whUe there is danger of an attack. When that is over, the
chances are that he will be. He sends regards to Capt, George,
and is very desirous to see and have a long talk with hira, I
wish you would write rae how long you are lUsely to be in
New York, The danger is over, and the chUdren ought to be
at school, I could join you there and send thera forward if
you think it advisable, ajv .• . i
Affectionately yours, Sabah
From Major Bell to General Butler
New York, Sept lift, 1862
Genebal: In the present distracted state of affairs here at
the North, there seeras very little chance for immediate
assistance for those of you at the South, Indeed, you can get
no one to listen to you at Washington on account of the terror.
A very few days will undoubtedly set matters to running in
the other direction, and so soon as that is done you will have
no want of troops. In the meantirae, you raust do as you always
have heretofore done, take care of yourself and of those who
ought to assist you. There have been nonsensical rumors
that General Dix, and General Cadwallader, were to super
cede you. There is nothing whatever in this that a reason
able raan can discover. They are mere newspaper rumors.
The entire people here are with you, great and sraall and of all
coraplexions, I believe that they would be glad to see you at
horae to take general command, but for that and for no less a
purpose. So said Mr, Chief Justice Bigelow, speaking from
his heart. The condition of the country is lamentable beyond
expression, party feeling quite as bitter as ever, and a general
distrust of everybody and everything the rule. Defeats only
seera to raake this distrust more fearful. If a change does not
speedily corae over us the result wUl be fearful. Nothing can
be done for you here, you have already done everything for
yourself. If any fool shall reraove you it wUl be yPur gain
every way, but there is no danger of that,
I have had the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Butler twice since
ray return, and found her well and happy though a little
anxious. Your place looks to-day like Paradise, PersonaUy
I was never so weU as at the South, for I have had a raiserable
time since I got home with each particular bowel and inward,
but am puUing up and hope soon to start on my return.

284 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
I found here Capt, Clark and old Shaffer, who are fuU of
good news. Please to present ray regards to the staff and
believe rae. General,
Your obliged friend and obdt. servt., Jos. M. Bell
From Dwight Foster to General Butler Sept 11, 1862
My deae Genebal: I have wished for some tirae to send
you a line to congratulate you upon the success you are meet
ing with, and the constantly augmentative fame you are
winning in your military department. All classes of men and
all shades of opinion unite in your comraendation, and the
very attacks raade upon sorae of your orders by the eneraies
of the Union greatly promote you in the affections of your
country-men. I have watched your entire course and read all your printed
orders and proclaraations with the greatest satisfaction, and
I think you have been equally felicitous in disposing of the
she adders and the rich rebels, who have by their raoney
sustained the rebellion and the negro mUitia of Louisiana.
I do not know what trials or even reverses may be in store
for you, as enough of calamities just now are faUing upon us
in every direction, but the past is secure, and the record of
your military and political administration as Dictator in New
Orleans, for such in fact you have been, will be one that you
and your children must always read with pride and unalloyed
satisfaction. It won't do you any good to know that these are my senti
ments, but it is a pleasure to me to express thera and to sub
scribe myself. Very respectfully, and Faithfully your friend,
Dwight Foster
P.S, You are fortunate indeed to be out of the atmosphere
of suspicion, recrimination, and mortffication which has for
sorae tirae enveloped every General comraanding in Virginia,
General Butler's Reply to Foregoing Letter
My dear Foster: I see in your note the same kind hand
that shook mine so warmly when we parted at the "Beloy
House," and left your cloak to cover me frora the cold rains
of spring. Believe rae, I never forget a friend or an eneray,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 285
and if the exigencies of pubhc service in the apparent dis
crepancies of politics may keep our paths apart, yet the reraera
brance and love for your kindness is among the warmest and
purest thoughts of ray life. Your promise is most valuable,
and with it I know I must have the good opinion of the patri
otic and just, nr - . 7 ,. ¦ 7
Most truly your friend
From John Clark to General Butler
New York, Sept. lift, 1862
Dear General: We arrived yesterday. We found public
affairs in the saddest condition; Pope beaten and banished;
and the people following leaders whom they fear. But you
will know all this from so many sources, it is not worth while
for me to trouble.
We telegraphed for Major Bell last night, and he is with us
this morning. His advice was needed. He tells rae — as I
had learned the fact frora another source — that Johnson and
Bullett were working for the negro raen and for the negro
raen alone,
Andrew was re-norainated yesterday. He will be re-elected,
Sumner wUl try hard for the Senatorship, but he will find
opponents in his own party,
Maine has elected a Democrat to Congress,
I find, araong those I talk with, little of what we call pa-
triotisra. The leaders of "the Party" are selfish,
I shall be in Boston in a day or two, and shall from direct
observation strive to learn something of our political condi
tion in Baltimore,
Major BeU and Col. Shaffer have written fully on the chief
matter in hand.
Fletcher Webster has been kUled and buried.
It is a gratifying thing to hear sensible raen of all parties
discuss you. You are greatly praised. I shaU ask Mrs. Butler to
request that you be not vara. y^^^ ^^^^^ j^^^ Clark
From General Butler
HeadquaHers Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept 13, 1862
General Orders No. 71
As in the course of ten days it may become necessary to
distinguish the disloyal frora the loyal citizens and honest
neutral foreigners residing in this Department:

286 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
It is ordered, that each neutral foreigner, resident ia this
Departraent, shall present hiraself, with the evidence of his
nationality, to the nearest Provost Marshal for registration
of himself and his family.
This registration shaU include the following particulars:
The country of birth; the length of time the person has
resided within the United States; the naraes of his famUy;
the present place of residence, by street, nuraber or other
description; the occupation; the date of protection or certif
icate of nationality, which shaU be indorsed by the Pass
port Clerk, "Registered," with date of register.
All false or siraulated clairas of foreign aUegiance, by native
or naturalized citizens, wUl be severely punished.
By command of Major-General Butler
Geo. C. Strong, A. A. G., Chief of Staff
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept. 13, 1862
My dearest wife: Again, you see, I ara writing you.
You wUl say what a constant correspondent. My health, of
which you will raake the first inquiry, is quite good. Were it
not for the boils and "prickly heat," described to you in my
last, I should say very good.
We have no news from home directly since the 30th, Your
last was dated the 27th, We have daUy telegrams that Wash
ington and Cincinnati are taken through secession, "What
can be doing up there unless all their telegrams are false. We
can hardly tell what to think. We have Pope's despatch
claiming a victory on the SOth, We have Davis appointing a
day of thanksgiving for victory on the same thirtieth, "It's
a muddle," Indeed, I think the only safe place is New Orleans,
They have given up all hopes of attack here for the present.
Have withdrawn their forces, substantially, and left us to
ourselves. I am growing very uneasy, and shall soon follow
them and ship all that remains of thera out of the state.
I have heard nothing of the Stearaer "Relief" yet. She
raust be now out 20 days. Nor of the "Saxon,"
I am sure you had better not come out here till the first of
October, and then I shall be glad to see you if you are in
good flesh. Not otherwise, as you will run down even during
the Winter, Seriously, lovingly, with every kind thought,
hope, and wish, I would be very happy; very, very pleased;

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 287
yery, very content; very very much solaced to have you come
if you are only happy, contented, pleased, solaced, I cannot
endure to see you unhappy, that operates on me, and from its
effect I make you more and more unhappy,
I would indeed I were at home at once, if only this war was
going well, I hope for the best for ray country. But these
reverses are hard to bear,
Phelps goes horae by the Stearaer, He has given his horse,
epaulettes, sash, and spurs to Weitzel,
Strong starts on a little expedition tonight, I hope for his
sake it wUl be successful. He hopes to win his spurs.
Kiss the chUdren — ride on horseback. My rides are not
to be at home, I wish they had recaUed me. Be happy, do
not muse on unpleasant topics. Goodbye, dearest wife, with
a thousand kisses by tx
Husband
From General Butler
HeadquaHers DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept, 13ft, 1862
Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of Navy
Sib: I send enclosed herewith the coraraunication referred
to rae by Coraraodore Morris,
I need not tell you that I do all in ray power to prevent
either pillage or plunder. The boats were sent to obtain sugar
for the Coramissaries of this Departraent, a raatter not sub
ject of criticisra by Lieut. Roy.
The tenor of the whole coraraunication is so reraarkable that
I forward it to the Navy Department with the indorsement
made by me at the time of its receipt, I have the honor to be
Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butleb, Major General Commanding
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
U, S, Gunboat Katahdin, Miss. River, Sept. llth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Commodore H, W, Mobeis, Commanding Naval Forces
Sie: I was overhauled yesterday by Lieut, Commd'g
Lowery of the "Scotia" while at Bonne Carre' Point, and
directed by hira to follow on as convoy of their transports of
the U, S, Army,
Upon arriving at DonaldsonvUle this day, the transports
landed at the upper part of this town, landed a party of troops
and commenced receiving on board sugar and other merchan-

288 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
disc A few hours later I received positive inforraation that
a corapany of these troops had entered a large mansidn situ
ated near the landing of the Steamer "St, Maurice," had pil
laged it in a brutal raanner, and carried off wines, liquors,
silver plate, and clothing belonging to ladies, I am informed
that several of the soldiers were drunk from the use of the
liquor and wine thus appropriated. This house was inhabited
in the raorning. During this tirae the "Katahdin" was at
anchor with her big guns trained upon the shore over the "St,
Matahda," and to be used for protection,
I respectfully request instruction if the guns of the "Katah
din" are to be used for the protection of the soldiers upon a
marauding expedition, and if I am to use thera in the protec
tion of drunken, undisciplined, and licentious troops in the
wanton pillage of a private mansion, of wines, plates, silk
dresses, the misses' and female apparel, to say nothing of the
confiscation of sugar, which I believe to be without proper
and lawful reasons therefore,
I confess. Sir, that I blush to report that whUe the troops
of the "St, Maurice" were thus engaged in this unsoldierly
and ungaUant, not to say disgraceful operation, I opened my
fire upon GuerUlas hovering in the rear, apparently occupied in
preventing such acts of the U, S, troops,
I feel quite ready to place the "Katahdin" and her guns
under the fire of an eneray, I ara desirous of encountering
eneraies and of injuring them in every manly way, but I
cannot further prostitute the dignity of ray profession, as I
conceive I have done to-day, without an earnest and respect
ful appeal to your authority. It is disgraceful and humiliat
ing to rae to be ordered on guard duty of soldiers eraployed in
pillagmg ladies' dresses and petticoats, and I respectfully
request that I may be relieved frora such service.
Very respectfully. Your obedient servant,
T. A. Roy, Lieut. Comd'g.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept, 13ft, 1862
Lieut. Roy, Comdg. U. S. Gunboat "Katahdm"
Lieutenant: The Coraraanding General directs rae to
say that he had referred to him the paper sent by you to
Comniodore Morris, Upon that paper the General raade the
following endorseraents:

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 289
"The acts of the troops in pUlaging (if true) are without
palliation or excuse. Certainly no raore to be justified than
this iraproper bombastic and ridiculous rhodomontade of a
Sub, Lieut, of the Navy, "Benj, F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Com."
Sept, 13ft, 1862
and caused the sarae to be sent to the Secy, of the Navy with
a letter of which the enclosed copy is sent you for information.
I ara. Sir, tt r, ,. „
Very Respectfully, Your Obt. Svt.,
Wm. H. Wiegel, 1st Lieut. &A.D.C.
From Richard S. Fay, Jr. to General Butler
Boston, Sept. 14, 1862
Deae Genebal: I returned yesterday from an absence of
a fortnight and find your letters of 20th and 1st,, introducing
Mr, Bonfanti and advising drafts, also a letter from Col.
Butler advising your draft for $50,000, and requesting me to
transfer his balance in ray hands to your credit, which I have
done in conforraity to the amount of $20,174.32. I charge
your drafts : —

Sight

1,200.00

5% Specie and premium

29,212.50

Sights

25,000.00

"

50,000.00

Mr. Bonfanti
8,470.00
$113,882.50
If you can do so without much difference, it would be
much more comfortable to me if you will draw (large suras)
at 10 days or even 3 days sight. My return yesterday was
fortunate, as it taxed ray credit pretty sharply to raise $75,000
in a raorning, ray money being lent at 7 to 10 days notice.
My father had lain down under the load and noted one
draft for non-acceptance. I enclose to Col, Butler to look
over and hand to you a memo of your acct, to date. You will
observe that I have consolidated your two accts, by paying
into your business acct,. the dividends, etc, I had collected,
Bal, to your Dr, $63,716,72, You have, as you will see by
referring to this and my previous accts,, been credited with
cash and charges of every description, including 12% prem, on
$60,000, gold, on the merchandise assumed by Government,
The profits on this merchandise, after paying these various
charges, at present stand in my hands as agent for the Govern-
VOL. II — 19
290 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
ment, and I should be glad to be relieved of its custody. The
dept. is, however, in no apparent hurry for a settlement, and
I shall not propose making one until you are ready, I enclose
you a copy of your letter to me of June 1st, which I think wUl
convmce you of the injustice of the tone taken in your letter
of - — . Unless words are to be used to conceal wishes, I can
not conceive any other interpretation than the one I acted
upon when I went to Washington, and siraply asked Mr.
Stanton and Genl, Meigs to take their choice. Furthermore, I
can assure you, it required all my efforts and the strongest
assurances of Fox and Mr, Hooper as to ray character and
position, to prevent your shipraents being served as those by
the "Black Prince" frora Ship Island were. Your drafts
would have had to take care of theraselves but for ray urgent
and peremptory insisting that I would accept neither Q, M.
receipts nor vouchers for the merchandise, and nothing but
the fullest agency in the disposal of the property.
The prices of mdse. seem very low today; they were enor
raous at the tirae, and pay a very large profit on the cash.
You will observe the auctioneer's coraraission charged at 2|%,
this is the rate always charged the U. S. Should the business
be decided within reasonable tirae to belong to you, the charge
will be 1%, and the difference will be refunded. The auction
eers, H, Harris & Co,, are the best and wealthiest auction
house in Boston, and their skill and character is quite sufficient
assurance (when backed by their acct, sales) that you have not
been "wronged" in the disposition of the mdse. You see I
rather harp on that word, though I do not believe you meant to
apply it to me,
I must tell you a good story of Lunt, though a long one.
My uncle, I, S, Fay, my father, and myself have supported
the Courier through the summer for the sake of having a
paper professing our principles kept afloat. It has cost us
about $500,00 apiece, A few days since, ray uncle sent Lunt
an article calling for the most energetic support for you at'
New Orleans, which Lunt refused to print, A day or two
after he copied frora a New York paper a paragraph rather
ridiculing you, upon which my father wrote a remonstrance
(for publication) squashing the paragraph and appealing to
Lunt not to publish and lend sanction to such stuff, Lunt
answered very shortly and impertinently in the third person,
declining to publish the article, or to be dictated to in his
choice of matter for his paper, I cannot do better than give

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 291
my father's answer verbatim: "The Editor of the Boston
Courier's note is rec'd, Mr, Fay has filed it with some other
docuraents in his handwriting, and docketted it 'a new way
to pay old debts, ' "
We are waiting with intense interest for news from Mary
land, Newspaper correspondents have been driven away, and
there has been no definite news from either army for three
days. How I wish we were back at the old place. By every
rule of strategy the enemy has raade a very bad move, and
ought never to get back into Virginia, But in this war no
rules hold, and their dash and celerity raay be too rauch for
Sincerely yours. Rich, S, Fay, Je,
By the way, you signed your draft for $50,000, Maj, Genl,
etc, I have no funds of yours in that capacity. Please con
firra it as "individual" by letter.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. Uth, 1862
Brig. Genl. M, C, Meigs, Quartermaster General
Genebal: It will be absolutely essential for the operation
of this Departraent this Autumn and for the safety of the city,
if we are to be attacked through the Lake, that we have two
or three light-draught steamers fitted out to go outside in the
sea if necessary, and sufficiently shallow to run up the Bayous,
Besides their capability for carrying troops, they should carry
some guns as a protection, with canister, against the ambush
of GuerUlas in the canebreak, and to protect landing. If you
will cast your eye upon the map of the part of Louisiana west
of the river, and so down the coast, you will see the perfect
network of bayous, lakes, rivers, and inlets which cover the
country and render every part accessible by water, indeed
in no other way. Now, all these bayous have this remarkable
condition in comraon; at the raouth of each is a bar, leaving
but 4 or 5 feet deep of water, whUe inside there wUl be ten to
thirty feet.
To raeet this state of facts (the Navy has no boat that
draws less than 7 feet when loaded, so that they are useless
for service), I have taken two steamers (river), and am so
altering and strengthening thera for service desired. They
will draw when loaded about 4 feet of water, and I shaU corae
then with power enough to resist any Guerilla attack. The

292 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
expense with new boUers for one will be in the neighborhood
of twelve thousand dollars.
There is another difficulty under which we labor; these
are high pressure boats, which advertise their approach three
raUes, so that it is impossible to capture anybody or to get
any supplies that can be moved or got out of the way.
I desire, therefore, a light-draught, low pressure boat that
can burn hard coal. Such a one I find here in the "Nassau,"
and if she is suitable in other respects I desire authority to
purchase her. I shaU take her untU I get a return from this
note, and endeavor to do so with privilege of buying, deducting
her use.
The exigiencies of public service in my judgraent clearly
caU for the expenditure. She wiU cost in the neighborhood of
$40,000, less, perhaps. Any delay with the necessary altera
tions wiU embarrass it much. An early answer is requested.
I have the honor to be y^^ ^j^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^
Benj. F. Butleb, Major General Commanding
By General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Sep. 14, 1862
Oedebed That the Coraraanding General having learned that the
farther imprisonraent of Mrs. Phillips raay result in injury to
the wholly innocent, directs her to be released if she chooses to
give her parole that in nothing she will give aid, comfort, or
information to the enemies of the United States.
By command of Geneeal Butleb
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. Uth, 1862
D. T. Walden, New Yoek
Sie: There is referred to rae frora Genl. Shepley your letter
in regard to Philip E. Walden, with the enclosure of a letter
from M, Mudget,
It is painful to address a brother on a brother's wrongful
acts, I felt it my duty to raake a pretty severe exaraple of
Philip Walden, He was the head and front of the robbery of
the U, S, at the New Orleans Custora House, He furnished
both brains and knowledge to guide the acts of imbeciles.
Born a northern man, in the eraployraent of our Government,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 293
he betrayed his birth, his education, his country, exhibited
ingratitude, and plundered her property at the sarae tirae,
and when called on by rae he refused to give inforraation by
which the country raight recover sorae portion of the plunder,
apparently relying in his northern relation for protection, I
have sent hira to Fort Jackson at hard labor, because I see
no reason why his country shall support his idleness, I feel
that if I have erred at all towards hira it has been in leniency.
The Collector of the Port will give you in detail, if you will
apply to hira, the raischief he has caused.
While I sympathize with your feelings as a brother, I know
your justice as a man will applaud my course, I have the
honor to be, y^^^ ^^^ g^^^^^^^
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. liih, 1862
Brig. General L, Thomas, Adjutant General
General: I enclose the soraewhat anomalous application
of Major Holbrook, Comraanding the 7th Regiment Ver
mont "Volunteers, with a copy of the General Order complained
of. It wiU be seen that I only give the result of official re
ports, so that I do not feel personaUy touched by the matter
or manner of the communication.
Of the conduct of Major Holbrook there is no coraplaint;
bemg Field Officer of the day of the Post, he was not in the
action. If consistent with the rules of the service to inquire into
the resume of the Comraandrag General of the events of the
action, I should be glad to have it done, for if the Regt, has
been unjustly treated it could give no one raore pleasure than
myself to see it righted.
As there has been some rivalry of feeling, I do not think
that it would be best to detaU a Court from the Officers of the
Regiment at Baton Rouge, I may further say that I suggested
to Major Holbrook that he might select his court of Inquiry
from any of the officers here, not of that Brigade, I have the
honor to be y^^^ Respectfully Your obdt. Servant,
Benj, F, Butleb, Major General Commanding

294 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Camp Williams, La.
General Loeenzo Thomas, Adjutant General,, Washington
General: In justice to the regiment which I have the
honor to command, the 7th Vermont Vols,, I find myself under
necessity of caUing for an examination into the stateraent
raade by the Major General Commanding the Department m
Orders No, 62, dated Aug, 15th, 1862, which is calculated m
my opinion to bring unmerited disgrace upon the regiment
and the State from which it comes,
I respectfully request that a court of inquiry may be
assembled as soon as convenient to investigate and report
upon the battle of Baton Rouge, and the part taken in that
engagement by my regiment, with the view that justice may
be done to it and the service.
Regretting exceedingly to find myself compelled to ask for
the scrutiny of a victory which should fill all generous hearts
only with gratitude and pride, I have the honor to be. Sir,
Very Respectfully Your obdt. Sevt.
W, C, Holbbook, Major Comd'g 7th Regs. Vt. Vols.
Endorsements to Major Holbrook' s Letter
Hd. Quars. 5th Brigade Dept of the Gvlf, Camp Williams, La.,
Sept. 2, '62 [Not in chronological order]
Received Sept, 1st 1862, and respectfully forwarded to
Adjutant General's Departraent, Washington, D,C,
N, A, M, Dudley, Act. Brig. General
Camp Parapet, La., Sept. ind, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
It is rauch to be regretted that a regiraent in this quarter
should be compelled to defend itself against unmerited dis
honor frora its Coraraanding General, as well as against the
eneray and extraordinary exposure and disease. But I con
cur with Major Holbrook in the necessity of an investigation
into the facts connected with the battle of Baton Rouge by a
Court of Inquiry, with a view of doing justice to the 7th
Verraont Vols., and to the service.
J. W. Phelps, Brig. General
The General Orders No. 62

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 295
^ From Governor Holbrook
State of Vermont, Executive Departmeni Brattleboro, Sept. 12, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butleb
Genebal: I have your note of the 25th ultirao in which
you remark that you "Have had occasion to treat the 7th
Vermont with great severity,"
I have to say in reply, that, as at present informed, I fear
that you have also treated that regiraent with great injustice,
and the State of Verraont with at least raarked disrespect,
I feel obliged, therefore, to deraand of the War Depart
ment an immediate Court of Inquiry, to investigate and
report upon the part taken by the 7th Vermont Regt, in the
recent engageraent at Baton Rouge, and your charges against
the Regt, raade in your General Order No, 62 of August
15th, 1862.
I am sorry. General, to be obliged to write this letter, but
I hope that I may not find that ray forraer confidence in you
has been raisplaced. „ ^j- n
RespectfuUy yours,
Frederick Holbrook, Governor of Vermont
Endorsement: Governor: I shaU be raost happy to have any Court of
Inquiry upon the conduct of the 7th Vermont Regiment.
My General Order was made up frora official sources, and I
believe to be correct. I have no disrespect for the State of
Verraont, and can have shown her none, I must, moreover,
do what I conceive my duty, and if in so doing I have for
feited or shall forfeit your esteera it will be a source of lasting
regret. The Vermont 7th did break, did fire into the 21st
Indiana, and did not go to their succor. It pains no one
more than rayself to write this, and I have' now joined thera
to a fighting brigade to give thera an opportunity of redeem
ing themselves. If they do, no one sooner than rayself will
give them their due. I call attention to the tone of your note.
Would it have been worse had the Court reported against me?
Respectfully Your obt. Servt., B. F. B.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From the Acting French Consul ^
Translation. New Orleans, Sept. ISih, 1862
Major General Butler, Commanding Army of the Gulf
Sir: I have to inform you of some acts of violence, and I
may add piUage, comraitted by U. S. Soldiers at the domicUe
of two Frenchmen in the Parish Plaquemines.
I enclose you hereby copies of letters which have been
addressed to me, in the hope that you will order inquiries to
be made on these facts, and to do justice to the complaints of
these Frenchmen. Accept, General, the assurance of my high
consideration Fauconnet, Acting French Consul
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept of the Gulf, New Obleans, Sept, 15ft, 1862
M. Fauconnet, Actg. Consul of France at New Orleans, La.
Sir: I have sent your letter to Col. Mafford in coraraand at
the Turo Building, with the following endorseraent:
"Let the persons guilty of this outrage be at once arrested
and the affair investigated. If found guilty report them to
rae for exeraplary punishment." I have the honor to be.
Your Obdt. Servt.,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From Adjutant Colonel Charles Paine
New Orleans Barracks, Sept. 15th, 1862
Maj. Gen. B. F. Butler, Comd'g. Dept. of the Gulf
General: I send with a Corporal and guard three of the
slaves who escaped from a plantation down the river last
night among the party fired on by Dr. Knapp's patrol when
eight were wounded. One of the negroes had a double barreUed
shot gun, the only one in the party on their arrival here. The
party also had three cane knives. Neither barrel of the gun
has been fired for several days, both being covered inside with
unblackened rust of some thickness. One barrel is not loaded,
the other is loaded.
I also send Dr. Knapp and those of the patrol whom he
selects. Considerable time has been occupied in sending for
the patrol men. I reraain. General,
Respectfully Your Obdt. Servant,
Chas. J. Paine, Adj. Col. Comd'g.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 297
From F. H. Knapp
U, S, Barracks, Monday, Sept, Iith, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
General Weitzel
Dear Sir: Last night 28 negroes, arraed with guns and
knives, clubs, etc, tried to pass the guard which was cora
raissioned under your orders, Sorae of these negroes were
wounded, and have been taken into barracks, and Col, Paine
has had one arrested as a prisoner as I was passing up this
raorning. He has now detained me here while he goes up to
see Gen, Butler for further orders. May I beg you, for God's
sake, to repair at once to see General Butler while he is there,
and if I have done wrong have rae paroled untU I can get a
hearing, I feel conscious of being innocent of any wrong,
I ara already under raany obligations to you, and your atten
tion will much oblige. Your obedient Servant, F, H, Knapp
Endorsement on Foregoing Letter
Maj. General Butler
What shall I do in this case? By your perraission and
authority this arraed police was organized. What shall be
done with the negroes? Shall they be turned out to the patrol?
Very respectfully Your obdt. Servt.,
G, Weitzel, Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols, and Asst. Mily. Com.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept. 15, 1862
My dearest wife: How can you say I have not written
the two last maUs. No steamer (with one exception, and then
I sent the letter but the stupid orderly neglected going to the
boat to raeet her before she left) has gone from here without a
letter. I have already written on the subject of your commg out
very fully. If you come, bring Nina with you. No, that
would bring Read, and I have no desire for him, "iTou do not
say a word about your own health, I trust it is improving.
Goodbye, I must write two letters more before stearaer
^*^^- Benj, F, Butler

298 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From ihe Secretary of War to General Butler
War DepaH-ment, Washington City, September 15, 1862
General: The Secretary of War directs rae to inform you
that he has been advised by the Secretary of State that the
Dutch Minister has invited Mr, Araedie Conturie to receive
the articles, other than the $800,000 in coin, seized at his house
by the railitary authorities of New Orleans; and to request
that you will accordingly, cause the sarae to be delivered to
Mr, Conturie, Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
P, H, Watson, Asst. Secretary of War
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. 29ft, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: In reply to your favor of the 15th inst, I have the
honor to state that all the raatters have been delivered to
Mr, Conturie except those that have been deUvered to their
owners and the raatter adjusted, I believe, to their satisfac
tion, I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully, Your Obt. Servt,
Benj, F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From the Acting French Consul
Translation. New Orleans, Sept. 16ft, 1862
Major General Butleb, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Sib: I do not intend to raake any claira against your Gen
eral Orders No, 71, concerning foreign subjects; it is evident
that order is one of those authorized by the public safety and
the present circurastances. However, aUow me to, tell you
that it seems to rae not practical, on account of the short
tirae you grant and the enorraous number of French residents
here; for my part it would be impossible for me to deliver to
the thousands of French citizens here the required certificates
in the tirae allowed. The French law does not require of French
subjects in foreign countries to have their naraes registered
on the books of the French Consulates, — they may be away
any length of time, still they remain French subjects unless
there is proof to the contrary; the protection of France covers
thera everywhere and always, and that protection can never

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 299
be refused as long as they retain their citizenship. Especially in
this country of liberty and justice, where the foreigner had so
seldom occasion to make use of his nationality, the French in the
South as well as in the North of the United States never thought
it necessary to be inscribed on the Consular books; before this
impious war, the register of the Consulate had 50 names, now it
contains from 300 to 400, Now, frora this nuraber there is a
great distance to 15000, and I raust repeat it is irapossible for
rae to do my part of the duty you call for in Order No, 71,
Neither do I understand at all the reason why the time to
coraply with this order runs out on the day when the Con
fiscation Act begins, although the latter concerns only the
American & adopted citizens, and you can without trouble
find out the names of those on the public registers.
If, therefore. General, you think it necessary to have your
order carried out, I wish you would give me more tirae, that I
may be able to satisfy all the French subjects in this city,
and for those who have yet papers in their possession, as pass
ports, certificates of birth, etc, to take those papers as certif
icates of their nationality.
Allow me in the sarae time to call your attention on the oath
of allegiance forced upon the foreigner who may be obliged to
claim of the authorities, either a right or sorae favor. Although
the forras of the two oaths have been sufficiently established
in your orders No, 40 & 41, stiU I believe you will understand,
as I do, the raoral irapossibUity of the first and the legal
impossibility of the second, although at some other time the
latter has been accepted by certain officers of the militia in
order to let them remain neutrals, and to serve only in such
capacity as you have seen yourself at the tirae of your entrance
into this city, I should be happy, Genl,, if taking notice of
my remarks, you would consent to abolish any kind of oath
from foreigners, or to raodify it in such a manner that it wiU
reaUy be one of honest neutral foreigners. I reraain.
Most respectfully. Your Obdt. Servt.,
Fauconnet, Act'g French Consul
From General Butler
Headquarters Departmeni of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept 16ft, 1862
A, Fauconnet, Acting Consul of France
Sie: The Coraraanding General directs rae to reply to your
favor of the 15th inst, that the matter therein contained has

300 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
been referred to Gov. Shepley, with a request for an investiga
tion of the matter.
In reply to your favor of this date, the Coraraanding Gen
eral directs me to say that the United States Govemment
never compels impossibilities, and that such time as is neces
sary for the delivery of the certfficates wiU be allowed. I
have the honor to be y^^ ^^^^^^^ g^^^^^f^
A. F. Puffee Lieut. A. D. C.
From General Butler
Headquarters of Departmeni ofthe Gulf, New Orleans, Sept 16ft, 1862
M, W, Benachi, Greek Consul
Sib: In accordance with instructions contained in a letter
dated August 22nd from the State Department, and the exhibit
connected therewith, sugars which were the property of Messrs,
Covas and Megroponte are released frora all claims of the
United States, so far as this Department is concerned.
As the sugar during the detention has risen frora 3 to 9
cents a pound, I am happy that the detention has caused
great gain instead of loss, I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully, Your obdt. Servt.,
Benjamin F, Butlee, Major General Commanding
From Walter G. Robinson
Mechanics and Traders Bank, New Orleans, Sept. 16ft, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butlee, Comd'g Dept. of the Gulf
Sie: The 23rd of Sept, is rapidly approaching. My posi
tion, and that of the directory of this Bank, is one of very
great erabarrassraent, representing as we do large interests
both North and South (the forraer you will have seen by the
list of New York Stockholders furnished you), and fear that
any voluntary act would jeopardize the coin and securities
now within the Confederate lines.
The Mechanics and Traders Bank have, as you are aware,
$250,000 in coin in the Confederate lines, $511,000 City Bonds
in the hands of the State Auditor, deposited in conformity
with law, to secure the redemption of its circulation. The
Bank holds $237,720 in bonds or notes of the Confederate
States, $336,833 in bonds of the State of Louisiana, and bills
or Notes discounted amounting to upwards of $700,000, the
payment of which is mainly dependent on parties now in

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 301
and adhering to the Confederacy, It is irapossible for rae to
determine what action wiU be taken by the Confederate
authorities, and it would be peculiarly hard that by any act
of raine the interest of parties in the United States and Europe,
holding stock in this institution, should be rendered liable to
seizure and confiscation,
I gave ray parole on the 23rd of June in obedience to order
No, 13, The oath then adrainistered was of serious iraport.
It has been respected, and will continue to be observed by
me, as has every Order emanating from authority since the
occupation of the city save the one to which your attention is
now called, and which under the circumstances of the case it
is hoped will not be enforced. An early answer with your views
Very respectfully Your most Obedt. Svt.,
"Waltee G, Robinson, Prest.
From General Butler
New Obleans, Sept 17, 1862
{Brig. Gen. M. Jeff Thompson)
Genebal: Lt. Wiegel of my personal staff is accredited to
you with a flag of truce, for the purposes indicated in my letter
to you of this date. Please speed his return as early as con
sistent with pubhc duty. I have the honor etc.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept 17ft, 1862
Brig. Genl. M. Jeff Thompson, Commanding, etc.
Genebal: Your flag of truce, accrediting Capt. Shaw with
a letter and enclosures relatmg to an exchange of prisoners,
was duly entertained yesterday. Your authorities are wholly
misinformed upon the subject of those enclosures.
I have never refused the exchange of prisoners paroled or
otherwise held. Enclosed find a copy of my Genl, Orders upon
this topic, and the orders issuing from the proper officers of
my coraraand.
On the contrary, ray action has been taken without waiting
for an official copy of the General Cartel, which I have not
yet received, I have, indeed, applied inforraaUy to a bearer
of the fiag of truce with Mrs, Clark upon the subject.
It would be exceedingly inconvenient and expensive to
both parties to transport the prisoners held here and by you

302 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
for exchange to Vicksburg. If there is no objection to it, I
would propose that the prisoners be delivered at a more con
venient point. If an exchange is effected, I would propose to
place the prisoners at any point on the lake or river after ten
days frora date, on a day designated that would be most
convenient. The prisoners held by Gen. Taylor on the West bank can
be sent to DonaldsonviUe or Bonne Carre, or such other point
as he may prefer, or Vicksburg. Will you please name a day
and place for the exchange as soon as other arrangements are
perfected? May I ask you the favor to send back with my yacht some
wounded men which the want or possibility of transportation
rendered it indispensable to leave upon the occasion of the
late visit of a reconnoitering party to Pontchatoula.
I have sent Lt. Wiegel of my personal staff to receive them,
and have allowed Capt, Blount, of the late Actg, Brig, Genl,
Allen's Staff, now a prisoner of war here, to go over with your
flag in exchange for Capt, Thornton, who is of the sarae rank
and wounded. The other wounded raen will be considered in
exchange, I have the honor to be. Your Obdt. Servt.,
Benj, F. Butlee, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept ofthe Gulf, New Orleans, Sept 17ft, 1862
Brig. Gen. M. Jeff. Thompson, Commdg.
Genebal: In another coraraunication of this date I have
proposed to you arrangements of an exchange of prisoners in
courteous answer to your note, which I take leave to call
attention was written me by your Adjutant General, without
the apology of your absence, which I afterwards learned by
the captured correspondence between you.
There is, however, a grave difficulty in the way of a general
exchange of prisoners so far as this department is concerned.
Genl, Taylor, in a letter received this date, of which, from
accident, I regret I am not able to give you a copy, has in
formed rae that having captured a hundred and thirty-six
of the Sth Vermont Regiraent he purposes, upon various pre
tences set forth in his letter, to except them frora the cartel
of exchange, and farther threatens, in certain contingencies
therein set forth, to take the lives of ten of thera by lot, I

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 303
send you a copy of ray reply to this extraordinary
coraraunication. You will see. General, at once that, consistently with ray
duty to the raen entrusted to ray care, I must see to it that
not a hair of their heads is touched unjustly or wrongly, while
I hope and trust that General Taylor will reconsider his, as it
seems to me, Ul- judged determination, I shall be under the
necessity of holding the prisoners (whUe) I have to await Genl,
Taylor's action in the premises.
That Genl, Taylor raay have sorae personal feeling because
of the deprivation of sorae property upon his plantation, taken
by ray raen, and for the loss of his father's sword, which was
found buried for safety under a barn in the city, I can readily
understand. But that his "private griefs" should incite hira
to forget his duty as a soldier, and do so great a wrong after
full reflection, I shall not believe unless constrained by the
fact. Meanwhile I make no threats of retaliation, but deem
it my duty to remain in position to protect the lives of my raen
and the honor of the United States,
When I can be officially assured that all, every one of the
men, belonging to the Army of the Gulf, held by Genl, Taylor,
or who have been captured frora this Array, will be returned in
exchange, I will send forward every prisoner of war I hold
who desires to be exchanged in accordance with the propo
sitions contained in ray communications of this date, I have
the honor to be.
Your Obt. Servt, Benj, F, ButleS, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept. 17, 1862
Brig. Gen. M, Jeff, Thompson, Commanding General
Genebal: More than a year and four months ago a de
tachment of the U, S, Army was in some raanner captured in
Texas, and are now held as prisoners of war there at a place
called "Carap Verde," Of this fact I have inforraation,
but of their numbers and regiment I have not the precise
information, but I believe about 300 raen.
As these prisoners are a part of the troops in this Depart
ment of the Gulf, I conceive it my duty to request that the
prisoners of war may be forwarded to sorae convenient point
for exchange.
If this matter is within your province. General, wUl you

304 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
communicate this note to the proper parties, so that some
early action may be taken in the preraises. I have the honor
Your obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butlee, Major General Commanding
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler
Lowell, Sept, 17, '62
Deaeest: I must write a little, for a week has passed
without sending a letter, and I believe you wish one from
home as often as that, if I can write pleasantly; otherwise
none at all, I will do the best I can, write when, I, alas, when!
I can cease to speak of myself, that is the best and all I can
do. Major Bell talks as though he should not go back. Your
letter by hira says he will retum iramediately, and that I
I raust on no consideration think of returning with hira. No
one here believes that you will be recalled at present. Major
Bell thinks there is nothing to keep you there. Tme, as it
is now, but with reinforceraents that Departraent is the most
important in the country. If you are recaUed, the chances are
you will have less power than when you started for Ship
Island, What is the reason that Major Bell does not intend
to retum? Is there no other but that he thinks you will come
horae? Judge Abbott raet Webster the other day, and asked him if
it were possible that you had sent for Griffin to take the place
of a man like Bell, He thought you could not have a worse
man about you, reckless and unprincipled, with just ability
enough to be dangerous. He wondered that Hildreth was
not with you, a raan true as steel to his friends, and whose
judgraent and truth were undoubted, I wrote you this to
show you the opinion of one raan, though you do not think
hira your friend, of Mr, Griffin, You raay have reasons for
wanting hira, as he belongs to the Abolition party, that others
have not thought of, but no such raan as he is to be corapared
to Bell, I write what he said about Fisher only to finish his
conversation, I have learned well enough how repugnant he
is to you, and that he can only be of use through other per
sons. One other reason why I write of Griffin is that there
are several other men who report that you have sent for them,
and are on the point of starting. Dean has gone, Farrington,
Eastman, Cleraence, etc. The first one was never your friend.
The others are auctioneers. Good for their business, but just

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 305
as weU if somebody else had sent for them, Cleraence sent
word this raorning that he should go in a fortnight, and would
like rae to go with hira. But I have strict orders not to go, I
could not take that voyage if you do not want me to go. As
I have no expectation you are coming home, I wait with doubt
and impatience for your next letter, I have seen Capt, George
but three times I think since ray retum, Fisher, too, has been
away most of the tirae, I sent for Fisher yesterday to corae
and see rae; he has just returned frora New York and wiU
take the chUdren back to Washington toraorrow, Blanche
is not weU today, or they would have started this afternoon,
I told Fisher I would lU^e to see Capt, George and hear what
he had to say these days. He said it was not much use. He
thought George had no heart to think and plan, that he,
George, said no matter what was done, there Would always be
Jackson raised just above you, a spectacle for public comment
ready to topple you down as fast as others could build; that
you did not see it, and if you did you were reckless about it,
and would always have him with you or ready to spring for
ward and grasp the power that others had helped to raise to
the disgust of all who felt any interest, I know how vexed
he would be if he knew I wrote this. But no one will tell you
anything of this kind but me, and I know it wUl do no good,
and had better be sUent and write nothing.
Affectionately yours, Sabah
From General Butler
Headquarters Departmeni of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept, 18, 1862
Genebal Obdebs No. 73
I, All transfers of property, or rights of property, real,
mixed, personal, or incorporeal, except necessary food, medi
cine, and clothing, either by way of sale, gift, pledge, payraent,
lease, or loan, by an inhabitant of this Departraent who has
not returned to his or her allegiance to the United States
(having once been a citizen thereof), are forbidden and void,
and the person transferring and the person receiving shaU be
punished by fine or iraprisonraent, or both.
II, All registers of the transfer of certfficates of stock or
shares in any incorporated or joint-stock corapany or asso
ciation, in which any inhabitant of this Departraent, who has
not returned to his or her allegiance to the United States
(having once been a citizen thereof) has any interest, are for-
VOL. II — 20

306 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
bidden, and the clerk or other officer making or recording the
transfer wUl be held equally guUty with the transferrer.
By command of Majob-Geneeal Butlee
Geo, C, Stbong, A. A. Gen.
From General Shepley
State of Louisiana, Executive Department, New Orleans, La.,
September 19ft, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sie: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
communication of September 2, inclosing copies of several
communications addressed by the Department of State to
the diploraatic representatives of Great Britain, France, and
the Netherlands, growing out of the relations between the
military authorities and the consuls of those countries at New
Orleans, I have advised M, Conturie, the consul of the Neth
erlands, that the $800,000 in coin taken from his possession
by General Butler, would be restored to hira or to the agent of
Messrs, Hope & Co,, or to the Citizen's Bank of Louisiana,
whichsoever of thera he raight designate. Copy of my letter
to M, Conturie is herewith transmitted. As the diplomatic
correspondence transmitted to rae contains a stateraent that I
should be directed to invite M, Conturie to resurae his con
sular functions, and also that I should be directed to cause to
be restored the $800,000 seized by General Butler, I have
taken the liberty to act upon these comraunications without
awaiting any raore specffic instructions frora you or frora the
Departraent of State on this subject, I shall endeavor in my
intercourse with the foreign consuls in New Orleans, as far as
possible, to avoid any causes of irritation tending to embarrass
the Govemraent in its relations to foreign powers. With
great respect, I have the honor to be.
Your obedient servant,
G. F, Shepley, Military Governor of Louisiana
Official Records, Series 8, Vol. II, Page 623.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept, 19ft, 1862
Hon. Wm, H, Sewaed, Secretary of State
Sie: I have the honor to report to you the following facts:
C, McDonald Fago, a British subject, resident many years
in New Orleans, is about to raake claira to the property of

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 307
Wright & AUen in New Orleans, which has been taken posses
sion of by the U. S. authorities here under the foUowing state
of facts.
Wright & Allen are Cotton brokers who claim to have prop
erty outside of New Orleans of two miUions of dollars. They
are raost rabid rebels, and were of those who pubhshed a
card advising the planters not to send forward their crops of
cotton for the purpose of inducing foreign intervention.
Soon after we carae here, they raortgaged their real Estate
here, consisting of a house, for $60,000, to planters in the state
of Arkansas, and there sold the equity, together with their
furniture for, $5,000 to Mr, Fago, paying about four thousand
five hundred dollars per annum interest on the property and
to receive nothing. His only payment, however, was by his
own note in twelve months, which was sent to their friend the
planter in Arkansas,
Wright & Allen were then openly boasting that they would
not take the oath of aUegiance to the United States, and were
encouraging others to refuse and stand by Secession, In order
to divest themselves of the last vestige of visible property
upon which the confiscation act could take effect, having given
to the widow of their deceased partner, an Irish woman, a
note or notes for three thousand dollars, they then sell her
their plate for that amount, and then have it shipped under
another narae to Liverpool,
A large number of others are following their examples, and,
indeed, all the property of New Orleans is changing hands into
foreigners and women, to avoid the consequences of the con
fiscation acts.
Believing all this to be intolerable, I have resolved to make
this a test case, and have seized this property, and intend to
hold it where it is until the matter can be submitted to the
Courts, Mr, Fago has sent to Washington to have this property
given up as a test case. If the course of authority here is
interfered with in this case, it wUl be next to irapossible to
mamtain order in this city. This Mr, Fago has first had a
large amount of sugar belonging to his brother, an aid to
Governor Moore, given up to him by the decision of Reverdy
Johnson, Eraboldened by this experiraent, he proposes to
try once raore. If successful, I should prefer that the Govern
ment would get sorae one else to hold New Orleans instead of
myself. Indeed, Sir, I beg leave to add that another such

308 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Commissioner as Mr, Johnson sent here would render the city
untenable. The town got itself into such a state, whUe Mr,
Johnson was here, that he confessed to rae that he could
hardly sleep from nervousness from fear of a rising, and
hurried away, hardly completing his work, as soon as he heard
Baton Rouge was about to be attacked.
The result of his raission here has caused it to be under
stood that I am not supported by the Govemment, that I
am soon to be relieved, that all my acts are to be overhauled,
and that a rebel may do anything he pleases in the city, as
the worst may be a few days' imprisonraent, when my succes
sor will come and he will be released.
To such an extent has this thing gone that inraates of the
Parish prison, sent there for grand larceny, robbery, etc, in
hurable iraitation of the foreign consuls have agreed together
to send an agent to Washington to ask for a Govemraent
Commission to investigate charges raade by these thieves
against the Provost Marshal, by whose vigUance they were
detected, Alexander the Coppersmith, by his cry "Great is Diana of
the Ephesians, the institution of slavery is in danger," did me
rauch harm in Louisiana, from the effects of which I ara just
recovering, and the only fear I now have is that, if the last
accounts are true, Mr, Johnson will have so rauch raore nervous
apprehension for his personal safety in Baltiraore than he had
in New Orleans, that he will want to come back here, now
the yellow fever season is over, as to a place of security,
I have done myself the honor to raake this detail of the
case at length to the State Departraent, so that aU the facts
are before it upon which I act. The inferences frora those
facts iriust, from the nature of testiraony, be left to ray judg
ment until the Courts can act authoritatively in the matter.
Another reason why I have detailed these facts with such
minuteness is that in the reports of Mr, Johnson furnished to
the Consuls to be read here, every fact is suppressed which
would forra a shadow of justification for my acts, and ex parte
affidavits, (by those) accused by me of a fraudulent transfer
of large amounts of property, are the sole basis of the
report. True, by that report more than three-quarters of a mUlion of
specie is placed in the hands of one Forstall, a rebel, a leading
member of the "Southern Independent Association," a league
wherein each raember bound himself by a horrid and irapious

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 309
oath "to resist unto death itself all attempts to restore the
Union," A confrere of Soule in the Committee of the City
which destroyed more than ten miUions of property by fire,
to prevent its coraing into the hands of the United States
authorities, when the fleet passed the forts,
I beg of you, Sir, to consider that I raention the character
of this report, not in any tone of coraplaint of the State Depart
raent, If it is necessary to suppress facts, to irapugn. the
raotives and disown the acts of a Coraraanding Officer of the
Array in the field, or to publish to those plotting the destruc
tion of the Republic, that he has had all control of public
affairs in New Orleans taken frora hira and transferred to a
subordinate, because of the harshness of his adrainistration,
as was done in the despatch to the Minister of the Nether
lands, even if the facts is not true, I bow to the mandate of
"State Necessity" without a murmur, I have made larger
sacrifices than this for my country, and am prepared for still
greater if need be, but I only wish to make them when they wUl
be useful, and therefore have pointed the effect of the Com
mission Report and despatch upon a turbulent, rebellious,
uneasy, excitable, vindictive, brutalised, half-foreign popula
tion, made raad by exaggerated reports of the victories of their
fellows, the fall of the National Capitol, the invasion of the
North, and excited to insubordination by the double hope
that either by the success of the arras of their brethren, or the
interference of the National Executive in their behalf, they
shall soon be released frora the Govemraent which has ever
held the city in quiet order or unplundering peace. Awaiting
instructions, I have the honor to be.
Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butlee, Major General Commanding
From the Act'g Consul of Prussia
Consulate of Prussia, New Orleans, 19ft Sept,, 1862
Major General B, F, Butlee, Commanding Department of the
Gulf, New Obleans
General: I have made two attempts to see you at your
office, yesterday and the day before yesterday, I was over
three hours in attendance without being able to obtain admit
tance. My object was to see you in behalf of the Prussian
ship "Essex," and I have now the honor to address you on the
sarae subject.

310 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
On the 16th inst, the master of the "Essex" applied at the
Custora House for a clearance, which was refused him, at
first without assigning any reason; but subsequently, on ray
addressing a note to the Collector, Captain Klatt of the above-
named vessel was informed that his vessel was detained on
account of several packages of plate and specie which were
shipped on board of her.
The "Essex" took in cargo on a general perrait, and I do
not see that by her receiving on board said plate and specie
the revenue laws of the United States, nor the more recent
regulations governing the intercourse of foreign vessels with
this port, nor any of your own orders, issued up to the 16th
inst,, have been infringed, but nevertheless the "Essex"
has now been detained three days at a considerable expense,
I take the liberty now. General, to request you to allow the
"Essex" to obtain her clearance without further delay, or
otherwise to inforra rae of the cause of the difficulty, so that I
raay take steps to aid in reraoving it if possible, I reraain.
General, With rauch respect, xr j r 7^
Your most obdt. servt.,
J, Kruttschnidt, Acting Consul for Prussia
From General Butler
Head Qts, Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sepi, 19ft, 1862
The Prussian Consul
Sir: Your note in relation to the ship "Essex" was received
by me this evening, I regret that the necessary press of busi
ness, a part of which an endeavor to speed the "Essex,"
prevented my seeing you.
It is perhaps not the fault but the misfortune of the "Essex"
that contraband articles have found their way on board her.
She has been necessarily detained whUe these are sifted out.
I shall be able to dispatch her as soon as she has landed
certain parts of her freight, which I wiU designate. I do not
think that the master of the ship has intended any wrong. He
wiU get the list of goods to be landed in the course of the day.
Respectfully, Your Obdt Servt,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 311
Frorri General Butler
Unofficial, Headquarters Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans,
Sept. 19, 1862
General Thompson
General: An unfortunate and untoward occurrence took
place on board the yacht wherein your officers and raine were
saUing across the lake, which I deeply regret.
Major Shaw, who was assaulted in an insane soranarabulic
fit by one of ray officers, according to the report of ray aid,
Lt, Puffer, conducted hiraself with the utraost propriety, cool
courage, and as a high-toned gentleraan. For this allow rae
through you. General, as I have done personally, to thank
hira, and assure you that the affair instead of slightest fault
to Maj, Shaw reflected on hira the greatest credit,
Lt, Wiegel, the young officer who was the unhappy cause of
the affair, declares it unwittingly done, has raade the raost
araple apology, and feels the deepest contrition,
I need not say how much I regret that anything should have
accidently happened to raake more unpleasant than necessary
the trip across the lake.
Very respectfully. Your obedient Servant,
B, F, Butler, Maj. Gen.

From General M. Jeff. Thompson
Pontchatoula, La., Sept, ilst, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Major General Benj. F, Butler, U.S.A., Commanding U. S.
Forces, New Orleans, La.
General: Your note of the ISth inst. by Lieut. Puffer,
U,S,A,, raarked "unofficial," was proraptly delivered, I ara
sorry that you should have thought the incident important
enough to claira your attention, and at the sarae tirae I thank
you for your actions in the raatter, I know so well how young
gentlemen will act when turned loose by their superiors, that I
should have laughed at the parties had it been reported, first,
to rae,
I will simply ask you to caution Lieutenant Wiegel that if
he has not a good "whiskey head" he had better beware of the
"critter," for in these war times it is dangerous to be off one's
guard, Lieut. Wiegel's apology was perfectly satisfactory to
Major Shaw, and your explanation is more than satisfactory
to rae.

312 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
I must also thank you for your excuse of my "thoughtless
ness" (through my nephew's inexperience) in the style of the
letter by the Flag of Truce under Major Shaw.
Respectfully, Your obt. servant,
M, Jeff, Thompson, Brig. Gen. Comdg.
General Butler's Testimony on Sugar "Speculations" ^
There is one subject which it is due to myself I should say
something about, I have heard soraething about "sugar
speculations by the coraraanding general," I desire to make a
statement upon that subject. On the 16th of May, or about
that time, I was in New Orleans, and had twelve or fifteen
transport ships which were under charter at so much a day, or
so rauch a month — the United States to find them in ballast
to get horae again. Now, be it known, that there is not a
stone in all that part of Louisiana which we occupied to throw
at a dog; and it will not do to put rand into a .transport vessel
for ballast, because the earth would settle to the bottora, and
the water corae to the top, and wash about and raake trouble.
The only way to ballast these vessels was to send thera to Ship
Island, where there was no wharf for a ship of any draft of
water to load at when it got there; and the only raeans of
giving her ballast was to wheel white sand into boats, take
the boats alongside of a vessel, and then hoist the sand on
board; and it becarae a question of iraportance to rae how
these vessels were to be ballasted.
In the raeantirae, the guerillas were going about all through
the country advising the planters to destroy all their cotton
and sugar, telling them it would be confiscated by the United
States if they did not destroy it. To put a stop to that, I
issued a general order saying that all such stories were lies;
that if the people would bring their cotton and sugar into
New Orleans it would have safeguard and be bought. But
there was another misfortune, I had in all $75, and that would
not go a great ways in buying cotton and sugar, I had no
quartermaster at that tirae, — he had not got down, and no
quartermaster's funds, and the entire funds of the expedition,
so far as I know, were the aforesaid $75, I went to a banker,
who had known of rae in happier tiraes, and agreed to borrow
of hira $100,000, giving hira drafts therefor, as I used it, on
' From Report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War, Part III,
Pages 360-362, 37th Congress, 3rd Session, Senate Report No, 108,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 313
my private banker; and with that money I caused to be bought
sugar, rosin, turpentine, etc, enough to ballast these vessels,
and for a large vessel 200 tons of ballast would be required.
To illustrate the advantage of this: take the steame"r "Mis
sissippi," for instance; I had her there with a swept hold;
if I had sent her to Ship Island for sand, it would have taken
her thirty hours to get there, — call it a day, — which would
be $1,500; then it would take ten days to put 250 tons of sand
on board of her; that would be $15,000 raore. It would
have taken four days to have got the sand out of her after
she had got at the wharf in New York, besides the expense of
carting it away frora the wharf, which would have cost a
great deal. So that it would have cost at least the sura of
$20,000 to get her horae in ballast. Now, I gave five dollars a
hogshead for the sugar; the quarterraaster at New York
coraplained that it took two days to unload that sugar, and
that it cost raore to unload it than they could get for it. He
did not think that by not putting in sand I had saved some
$1,200 freight, in addition to savmg $20,000, which I would
have had to pay.
By Mr. Odell
Question. "You chartered the vessels to deliver them back
in New York?"
Answer. "Yes, sir; at so rauch a day or month, to be deliv
ered in ballast in New York, I bought $60,000 worth of sugar,
and tar, and turpentine. At the same time I wrote to the
War Department, stating exactly what I had done, — stating
that I had no right to use the money of the United States to
raake these purchases, and even if I had the right, I had no
United States money to use, I wrote that I had used my own
raoney, but that the govemraent could take the property I
had bought, and sell it for the benefit of the United States, if
they chose, provided they would answer ray drafts here. If
they did not choose to cover ray drafts, and would inforra my
agent of that fact, he would take care of the property for myself
and pay the drafts; for I had bought the sugar at two cents
and half per pound, when it was selling in New York at six
cents; and tar at three dollars a barrel, when it was selling in
New York at thirty-eight dollars. One would therefore sup
pose that I would be wiUing to take the property if the gov
ernment did not want it. Being the agent of the government,
however, and paid for my time, I had no right to do that.

314 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
"The govemraent let my drafts go to protest for non-
acceptance, whUe the raatter was getting settled, but finally
concluded to assume the business and paid my drafts. They
took the tar and turpentine for their own use; they had no
occasion to sell that. The shipments of sugar that went to
Boston alone paid to the govemraent, after all expenses, the
sura of $17,550,16, and the freight upon it was $12,436,32,
So it paid a net profit to the government,
"As this matter raay be brought up sorae tirae hereafter,
when things are not as fresh in the raind as they are now, I
make this stateraent with your leave, for the purpose of placing
these facts upon the record, I can say that I would have given,
if I had been allowed the chance for the speculation, $100,000
for the profits,"
Question. "Did you consign this property to your private
banker in Boston? "
Answer. "Yes, sir, of course, for I had nobody else to con
sign it to, I consigned it to ray agent so that he could have
the property to pay the drafts. The govemraent, so far as
they were concerned, let the drafts go to protest, and my
friends had to raise the raoney to pay thera,"
Question. " Was all the property bought and shipped through
your agency not shipped on your account, and sold on account
of the government?"
Answer. "All the property bought and shipped by rae, or
through ray agency, was shipped not on ray account, but for
the govemraent, if they chose to take it,"
Question. "And the govemraent did take it?"
Answer. "Yes, sir, I had two views in purchasing it. One
was to ballast the govemraent transports; and the other was
to let the people there know that if they brought their cotton
and sugar to New Orleans they could sell it,"
From Richard S. Fay, Jr. Boston, Sept, 19, 1862
Major General B. F, Butler
Dear General: I send you herewith a complete stateraent of
the operations as ordered shipped by you before June 1st,, also
a raerao account with the U, S, which I have not entered in ray
books, the net sum $17,550,16 standing to credit of "Sales,"
You will observe that I have charged the account with cost,
comraissions to A, J, B, for buying, preraiura on gold, and
every other possible itera of cost, all of which are credited to

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 315
your account. The profits, $17,550,16, 1 hold as Agt, for both
parties in the transaction, and do not propose to pay it to
either without their rautual consent.
Truly yours, etc.. Rich, S, Fay, Jr,
From General Butler
Headquarters Depart-ment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Sept, 19th, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton Secretary of War
Sir: I have the honor to forward the enclosed report to the
State Departraent for inforraation as an exposition of some of
the difficulties with which I have contended here. The city
is in a very excited condition and sufficiently uneasy, but I
think I shall have no trouble.
As the day on which the Confiscation Act goes into opera
tion, approaches, the uneasiness and disquiet is more apparent,
but all will be held firraly, calraly, I believe all danger of
outward attack has for the present disappeared, and as soon
as the weather is less oppressive I propose to take the offensive.
I have the honor to be, tt i, j- j o ^
Your obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters Depart-ment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Se'pt. 19, 1862
General Orders No. 74
I, It having been raade to appear to the Coraraanding Gen
eral that upon raarches and expeditions soldiers of the United
States Array have entered houses and taken therefrora private
property, and appropriated the sarae to their Own use:
It is therefore ordered, that a copy of General Orders No.
107, current series, from the War Department, be distributed
to every commissioned officer of this coraraand, and that the
same be read, together with this order, to each company in this
Department, three several tiraes at different corapany rolls.
II. It is further ordered, that all complaints that private
property has been taken frora peaceable citizens in contra
vention of said General Orders No, 107, be submitted to a
Board of Survey, and that the amount of daraage determined
shaU be deducted frora the pay of the officers coraraanding the
troops comraitting the outrage — in proportion to their rank.
By command of Major-General Butler
Geo, C, Strong, A. A.G.

316 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From Commodore Henry W. Morris
TJ, S, Sloop Pensacola, New Orleans, Sept 20, 1862
Major General Benj, F. Butler, Commanding Dept. of ihe
Gulf, New Orleans
General: I have just received the Telegraph from Col.
Dow to you, which you have sent me, and I herewith
return it,
I had not heard the report of nine rams having left "MobUe,"
and I place but very little faith in it,
I have directed all the coal vessels below to move up and
anchor above the Forts, My reason for this was that some of
the rebel vessels, which had been fitted out at Nassau (N, P,),
had made their appearance off Havana and other parts of the
coast of Cuba, and I apprehended that sorae of them might
come in at the S, W, Pass and capture or destroy the coal
vessels, as they were unprotected there.
Very respectfully. Your obedient Servant,
Henry W, Morris, Commodore and Senior Officer
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters Departmeni of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept, 20, 1862
My dear Sarah: I write by the "Matanzas" which saUs
this raorning. There is on board of her a box containing
photographs, which I trust will arrive safe. The "Saxon"
carae yesterday. Her cargo is not worth the freight. Every
thing remains quiet here save the excitement about the Con
fiscation Act, which goes into effect in three days. The " ladies "
of New Orleans are in great trouble now about their property,
and taking the oath. They literally swarra upon rae. The
health of the city remains admirable. We have had one case
of yellow fever about two weeks ago, a passenger that slipped
by the quarantine. Such sanitary measures were taken, how
ever, as to check its spread. We have had no other. Every
body well that you know, and all the comraand getting well.
I have raised two regiments of the "chosen people of colour,"
as Genl, Jackson terms them, Genl, Sherman is here, and has
taken Phelps' place. General Arnold is here also frora Pen
sacola, Gen, Weitzel, Shepley, and Dow, so you see I have
Brig, Generals enough.
Tell Fisher to write me how he has received sugar, and if in
funds, I may want to draw on him for 150 thousand dollars.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 317
Fisher raust not think of corauig out here at present. There is
too rauch for him to do at home. The oats are not worth the
freight. They have been too long on the way. However, I
should keep them awhile.
Your letter containing photographs was received, I re-
enclose it, and will wait for the pictures. You seem to take
pride in the fact that yours is the saddest face ever seen.
Why do so? "Why not the gayest — the happiest? It is a
poor compliment to a live husband and a family of lovely
children that a wife has a sadder face than a specimen widow,
Frora that face one would think that I treated you like a
brute, that your chUdren were ungrateful, your home cheerless
and gloomy, your relatives had deserted you, and that even
peace of conscience was denied you. Why then express the
very contrary of all the facts which surround you? It does not
add to your own happiness, because I never supposed you
were a person who made a luxury of woe. Why then so sad?
You have much if not everything to make you happy. Come
now, put on a cheerful face, smile and come down here, and
make rae happy with the merriest face that ever was seen.
Why does not that "little puss" Blanche write me?
How shockingly everything has gone on in Virginia, How
it is going on, I know not now. The Government don't seem
to have the energy and determination of mice. However, I
must criticize only to you, Seward has played me a scurvy
trick by writing to the Consuls that Genl, Shepley was ap
pointed Military Governor here because of displeasure of ray
"harshness" here. It is not true, because I asked Shepley to
be appointed, as you know, I have written Mr, Seward a
letter which if he desires I will publish.
Yours, Adieu, Benj, F,
From the Acting Consul of Prussia
Consulate of Prussia, New Orleans, 23d Se^pt,, 1862
Major Genl. B, F, Butler, Commanding Department ofthe Gulf
General: Captain Klatt of the Prussian ship "Essex"
handed to me yesterday the order issued under your authority
by the CoUector of this Port, asking for the delivery of certain
specffied packages laden on board his vessel, and informed me
at the sarae tirae that he refused corapliance.
You are no doubt aware that the Bills of Lading for the
packages in question, signed respectively on the 9th and 15th

318 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
inst,, are in possession of the shippers, and in order to hold
the vessel harmless and to avoid complication in Liverpool,
her port of destination, it wiU either be necessary that the BiUs
of Lading be returned to the Captain, on delivery here of the
packages, or that the sarae be taken frora his vessel by force.
In your note addressed to rae on the 19th inst,, receipt of
which I have the honor to acknowledge herewith, the said pack
ages are declared to be contraband, and [in] this connection I
would beg leave to observe that by the sixth section of the Con
fiscation Act, they would only become such after the 23d, or per
haps have become such after the ISth, by the operation of your
general order No, 73, [There] existed, therefore, on the 15th
inst,, no cause for the detention of the "Essex,"
I have now herewith to hand you the protest entered by
Captain Klatt against the detention of his vessel, and of which
I shall also forward a copy to the Prussian Minister at
Washington, The "Essex" is at great daily expense. She clairas daraages
to the extent of $500 in gold per diem, and it is therefore of
iraportance to bring this question to an issue either in one way
or another, and begging that you will give it your early con
sideration, I reraain. General,
Very respectfully. Your obdt. servt,
J. Kruttschnidt, Acting Consul of Prussia
P,S, Captain Klatt requests rae to state that he wishes it to
be distinctly understood that the non-corapliance on his part
with your order should only be attributed to his desire to guard
hiraself against difficulties in Liverpool, and to no other raotive,
J, Kruttschnidt, Act. Consul
From General Butler
Headquarters Departmeni of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept, 23d, 1862
To the Prussian Consul, New Orleans
Sir: I have received yours of the 23rd, containing protest.
The ship "Essex" has been at liberty to depart since the
date of the Collector's letter to you. If the Captain choose to
lay here longer, he does it at his own risk and expense.
I suppose it is within the province of a railitary Cora
raander to determine for himself, and upon his own respon
sibility, what he may judge the necessity of his position wUl
aUow to be shipped frora the port under his comraand. I have

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 319
exercised that discretion, and I do not require any interpre
tation of ray orders from the Acting Prussian Consul tp govern
ray action,
I take leave to call your attention that the only Prussian
Consul accredited here is in command of rebel forces in the
field, while his wife remains in this jurisdiction.
While I have endeavored and shall endeavor to interfere
as little as possible with any acts, either of commerce of your
countryraen or official acts of yourself, as I have endeavored
to extend to you every courtesy, I am not a little surprised
at your action in regard to ship "Essex," I shall not use force
to take the obnoxious packages out of the "Essex" because I
believe that very force would be raade a subject of coraplaint,
but I repeat what I have already said, until the master of the
"Essex" deliver these packages to the Customhouse officer,
the ship cannot saU, and if she remains, as he is now doing, it
must be at his own risk and peril, I have the honor to be.
Your obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From Lieutenant Colonel Shields
Headquarters, Baton Rouge, La., September 23rd, 1862
To the Commanding Officer, U. S. Forces,
New Orleans, Louisiana
Sir: I am instructed by the Coraraanding Officer, C.S.A.
of this district to send, with afl,ag of truce, the son and daughter
of General Clarke, now a wounded prisoner in your hands, and
to request safe conduct through your lines, and permission to
visit their father in New Orleans. Mr. Farrar, a nephew of
the General's, accompanies the children. I ara. Sir,
Very respectfully. Your obedient Servt,
Thomas Shields, Lt. Col. Commdg. Post.
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler Lowell, Se^pt, '62
Dearest: I received your letters yesterday by Mr, Bon
fanti, He called in the afternoon to deliver thera, and carae
again to pass the evening, Mr, Webster and his wife happened
to be here, and Mr, Morse had met the gentleman in the cars,
and caUed to see him in the evening, I gave thera coffee and
fruits, brandy, and cigars; whUe they were at the latter left
thera alone. During this time Mr, Bonfanti said some things

320 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
to Mr, Webster that I wUl write you, though I had thought
to leave this subject alone. In your letter to me you write
of being recaUed; this I expected, but not yet. While there is
danger of an attack, as it is believed there is, you wiU be
retained. When that danger is over, I think you wiU be super
seded. There are several reasons why I have expected this,
some of them I have written to you during the sumraer, they
were not likely to raake a change while the cliraate was obnox
ious. There raay be sorae difficulty in the way even now that
will prevent it, for you are rauch thought of; but the chances
are you wUl be recalled and sent soraewhere else. This gentle
man said to Webster and Morse that there was soraething he
would like to say to Mrs. Butler, or have said to her, that she
might write it to the Gen'l. He would lUie to have spoken
to you about it, but as he was situated did not feel at liberty
to do so while he was with you. He says that Col. Butler has
done, and is doing you vast injury, that he is utterly hated,
and all his deeds are reflected on you. He is wUling his name
should be used in the communication, as he greatly likes you,
and does not like to see you injured from such a cause, without
at least your being made aware of it. All these things I have
heard here, frora Boston raen and raerchants through the
summer, of the /ad I was well assured before I left New Orleans,
that he is of vital injury to you. And that you cannot stand
under that burden there, though it overwhelms you in a differ
ent form, any better than you could at Fortress Monroe, A
more obnoxious person to invest with power could not be found.
The Govemment will never leave hira there, to deal with the
Confiscation Act, I know you will say this is prejudice and
ill-feeling on my part, I cannot help it, I write my own con
victions and the words of others. You think you control him
and know his acts. On the contrary, though subservient to
your face, he controls where he wishes, insults and overbears
everywhere. This subject does not trouble me personaUy as
it has done, and if you now concluded to live together here
after, I think I should not much mind it. All that I can suffer
these two years have exhausted. It is only a question how
far you are willing to suffer in estimation and position for his
advanceraent. If you are satisfied, let others wince, — it is
no great raatter, I would not have you now alter one thing
from mere regard to ray wishes.
Your coming home will give me so much pleasure we shall
never think of quarreling with the reasons, be they ever so

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 321
unjust. Mr. Bonfanti says you are looking very well and in
excellent spirits. He thinks there will be no attack raade on
the city. Is it not rather imprudent to go out alone after dark?
I think I would not run that risk; a man stabbed in the night
is but a sorry object, I felt corapeUed to write what this man
said, but I am in no mood for writing, but in any raood I ara
Always affectionately, yours, Sarah
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler Lowell, Sept. '62
Dearest: I raust write a little tbis afternoon, though I
sent you a letter this raorning, Capt, George has just called
on his way to New York to look after the unfortunate vessel
with Fisher, who is now there, that was freighted for New
Orleans. He is full of suggestion as usual, but only a rainute
of tirae. He thinks you had better not corae north without
asking leave of the President, that there is no place so irapor
tant as the one you now hold in the estiraation of the country,
hardly second to Washington, and on no account to make
any move that will risk your withdrawal from that Depart
ment, there are enough ready to spring into it. Yet if you
could corae to Washington and plead your own cause for
reinforceraents, you would have great influence. But that you
cannot do whUe the town is threatened. Halleck, as you know,
is appointed Secretary of War. McClellan is reinstated as
Comraander-in-Chief on the Potoraac You know how friendly
they are likely to be to you, George has not altered his raind,
and says there is but one raan who has the power and will to
aid you, and the last he fears you have lost by neglect, I do
not think so, for the person he means is troubled, and would
like an ally, if he could find one on whom he could firraly rely.
And he likes you. Pope goes to the North West, Washington
is panic-stricken, and is so afflicted, every few raonths, the
only raan who has steadily pursued one course is the one I
speak of, George says this is a crisis, and you ought not to
raove rauch until it is over. Be content and glad to be still.
Hundreds araong the raiddling people about Washington say
if you were leader we should not be in the condition we are
now. But see you not, you want a firra friend, who is in power.
The regulars are holding raost of the power, but they prefer
their own. You raust look for aid elsewhere. Your Depart
raent is second only to McClellan's. I should prefer your
VOL. II — 21

322 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
position. You may partly succeed in getting reinforceraents
through the influence of the regular officers in your command.
George says it would be very well to cultivate Gen'l. Sherman
thoroughly, that he is an able officer, very able, whether suc
cessful or not heretofore, and that you wUl find him aU you
desire. About your arming the free blacks there is a little
question. A few who are disposed to find fault say you are
doing the same thing for which Phelps was withdrawn. George
Pearson says you will find them treacherous. Major Bell
informs me they are as white as any person, and that he has
a great raind to write a little article to that effect. But it
would be better it should be editorial, if it's done at aU. I
wUl teU hira so when I see him. George says the country is
in too terrible a struggle to mind anything about it. Clemence,
I hear, is going out to you. He has said sorae ill-natured
things. I ara sorry you asked hira to go, but no raatter; he
will serve you while it answers his interest. Treat hira well,
but do not trust him deeply. He is selfish and envious. As
soon as this vessel is repaired, she will be sent to New Orleans.
She was built for a tug-boat, and perhaps is just what you want.
(I shall never remeraber to ask the narae!) If so you will be
glad of her arrival. George says you ought to have the " Saxon "
with two or three guns mounted ready for your own use; that
nothing would tempt him to stay in such a town without a
vessel of that sort. I ara writing you what he says, because
you have sometimes thought his suggestions good. He further
says the wisest thing a man can do, who has any means afloat,
is to convert it into gold, and never let go of it till this war is
over. I have written part of this letter alraost in the dark.
I write very rapidly of late, and no longer think how it looks.
By the tirae this is sent away I shall think, ah! I forgot to
write so and so, and have to begin again. In this letter I have
not so far said one word of horae, children, of what we are
doing or thinking. But I think of you always, and write this
today that you raay get the views of others to corapare with
your own, and work thera into use if they are worth it. The
children are well. Everything looks fresh — the peaches and
pears are ripe. If you were here to eat thera I should be happy.
But I shall see you soon either here or there. Yours, Sarah
The pineapple plants arrived today, looking very weU. The
gardener says they require seventy degrees of heat in winter.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 323
Do you love me any these days, I wonder or have you too
much to think of? rr ^r ..• .. i o
Very affectionately yours, Sarah
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. 23rd, 1862
My dear Wife: Who shall say I do not take pains to write
you; here I have tumbled out of bed at reveille to send this
note by the raail to say I ara in good health, except the before
raentioned "sore boils and prickly heat."
The "Saxon" has got here after a 26 days passage. We are
expecting a new mail in this raorning. We are without news
since the 6th, We have instead the most extravagant rumors,
but we are used to them. Bell has not got back yet, and Kins
man, who took his place as Provost Judge, has worked himself
quite sick. Strong is well, I have not got the pictures yet.
Today is the last day before the Confiscation Act goes into
effect. The oath of aUegiance has been taken by alraost every
body in the city — they have taken it to save their property,
but with very wry faces. The woraen have all had to "corae
up to the scratch," Elegant phrase, that last, isn't it? I ara
called — time is up. The mail must go, so a thousand kisses,
a hundred embraces, one hug like a bear to you.
Adieu, Benj, F, Butler
From Hon. S. P. Chase to General Butler
Treasury Department, Sept. 23, 1862
My dear General: I ara delighted by your great success
at New Orleans, You know, of course, that all I can do to
promote it will be most gladly done. Happily you are less
oppressive in your demands on the Treasury than any other
of our Generals in iraportant positions, I wish you could
have men enough to move up the Mississippi and clear it out.
What a crown to your achievements that would be!
When General Halleck came here the President requested
him to call on rae about the financial measures necessary to
the prosecution of the War, I told him that the most impor
tant in ray judgraent were, 1st, the substitution of an active,
energetic, fearless general for McClellan in the command of
the Army of the Potomac, then stranded on James River,
and 2nd, the opening of the Mississippi, Another, less vitally
iraportant financially, seeraed to me equaUy iraportant polit-

324 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
ically and mUitarily, — that was the prompt advance of Buel's
Array into East Tennessee, The first was not done; the
second was not done; the third was not done; and today the
Treasury is alraost thirty-six raillions behind, and alraost with
out resources, except Treasury notes of which the faculty to
issue only fifty-six mUlions remains, and customs which supply
about $200,000 per day. The bonds on which our chief reliance
must necessarily be placed the 5-20 sixes cannot be negotiated.
But we have soraething else — defeat before Washington
poorly corapensated by the expulsion of the rebels frora Mary
land; Ohio and Indiana menaced; railitary stagnation through
out the South, with danger of expulsion from the points gained
on the Atlantic Coast; Tennessee nearly lost and Kentucky
nearly over run. Was there ever anything like it?
Mr, Denison writes me in your praise. He says your ad
ministration is eminently successful, and that you are getting
on adrairably with your free colored regiraents; enlisting with
out much enquiry into the status prior to enlistment. This
is well. You must anticipate a little the operation of the Proc
lamation in New Orleans and Louisiana, The law frees all
slaves of rebels in any city occupied by our troops and pre
viously occupied by rebels. This is the condition of New
Orleans, Is it not clear, then, that the presuraption of freedora
is in favor of every raan only to be set aside in case of sorae by
clear proof of continuous loyalty? Yours faithfully, S, P, Chase
From Jonas H. French to General Butler
Provost Marshal's Office, New Orleans, La. Sept iith, 1862
General: This raorning two Spanish Transports atterapted
to go to sea — as is custoraary, ray River Police went on board
to exaraine their passports. They refused to allow thera to
exaraine the passports — saying the passengers had been
passed by the Spanish Consul — and that was sufficient. They
claira, both of thera, to be raen-of-war, and that ray police
had no right on board.
The Spanish Vice-Consul has just left rae in a very excited
state of mind because I told him his vessels could not go to sea
until the passports had been exarained by ray officers, as is
the rule of the office — I thought it was proper you should
know the facts, „ .^ 77
Very respectfully,
Jonas H, French, Provost Marshal Genl. La.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 325
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of ihe Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept. iith, 1862
To Captain Commanding Spanish War Steamer
"Blasco de Gar ay"
Sir: Having reason to believe that sorae escaped prisoners are
attempting to leave on board Spanish Transport, the naraes of
two have already been found on the list, and knowing it was
without the knowledge of the Spanish Consul and of yours, upon
consultation with your Consul I desire to ask that you will per
rait one of ray detective officers, in company with one of the
officers of your ship, to examine the passengers on board the
transport, so as to detect the escape of unworthy prisoners,
I ask the supervision of one of your officers in order that I
may not interfere with or infringe the Spanish jurisdiction over
your national vessel, or, if this would seem to you objection
able, any other means be taken by which the same object be
accoraplished, I have the honor to be.
Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
From JosS Manuel Dias de Herrera
New Orleans, September iith, 1862
Major General Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
General: Having taken notice of the contents of your
kind letter of this date, I do not object in the least that the
person by you appointed be without character of police, but
only to identify the parties that you manifest, will go on board
of the Spanish transports, accompanied by one of my officers,
who will order the delivery of criminals on board found,
I renew. General, ray thanks for your kind and courteous
letter, and beg to assure you that the Spanish flag will never
protect but those parties to which the civilized nations, by
the right of abetting, afford protection.
The person naraed by you raay call on board the "Blasco
de Garay" this afternoon at 4 o'clock, to be accorapanied on
board of the transports by one of ray officers, in one of my
boats, for the above mentioned purpose. With the highest
sentiments of regard, I ara, Genl,,
Your most obedient Servant
Jose Manuel Dias de Herrera, Capt. of Frigate,
com'g Spanish War Steamer "Blasco de Garay"

326 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From General Butler
Headquarters Departmeni of ihe Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept. iith, 1862
Major General H, W, Halleck, Commander in Chief, Armies
of the U. S.
General: Having been inforraed that a sraall force of the
eneray were repairing Manchac Pass, and that the troops had
been withdrawn from Pontchatoula, 48 miles north of the city,
the Headquarters of Jefferson Thompson, I directed Major
Strong, my Chief of Staff, to take five companies of raen to
complete the destruction of the bridge and the repairs, if
any, and by a division of his forces endeavor to secure the
person of General Thompson and to destroy his supplies.
Owing to the heavy draught of water of our boast, as set
forth in Major Strong's report herewith enclosed, it was
found irapossible to carry the plan as originally proposed.
But Major Strong, not to be baffled, determined upon an
attack, and in open day at the head of 112 men made a march
of ten miles upon the Headquarters of a General who was
collecting forces to attack New Orleans, drove away a light
battery of artUlery supported by 300 infantry, took and
occupied the town, destroyed the telegraph and Post Office,
captured the despatches, possessed himself of the General's
presentation sword, spurs, and bridle as trophies (our officers
do not plunder Generals' Quarters of shirts and stockings),
burned his supply train of twenty cars, and retumed at his
leisure, inflicting treble loss upon the eneray in killed and
wounded, I beg to commend this to the Comraanding General as one
of the most daring and successful exploits of the war, equal in
dash, spirit, and cool courage to anything attempted on any
side. Major Strong and his officers and men deserve great
credit. It raay have been a little daring, perhaps rash, but
that has not been an epideraic fault with our Officers, I have
the honor to be.
Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler
Lowell, Sept. [24], 1862
Dearest: Major Bell came today with his wife and Capt,
Clark, They sail for New Orleans on Saturday, Major Bell
must have said he would not return because he expected you

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 327
horae. There is now no thought of reraoving you, I think
you wUl get reinforceraents and finish your work in the Gulf,
Their call today was very pleasant. They could not stay for
dinner, but I gave thera a very nice lunch, I wrote you a
long letter yesterday that I intended to send by Major Bell,
but I feared that what I wrote raight trouble you, and I shall
not send it, I felt a little hurt because you did not seem to
care rauch about ray coraing. Write me again, and tell me you
would not like to be there through the winter without me on
your own account; and then I shall feel that you want me.
Do not leave me in doubt about this, because the voyage will
be so hard, if I think you are a little indifferent about my
going, Remeraber this, and pray attend to it kindly, Blanche
left rae yesterday for Georgetown again, Fisher waited four
days for her though in great haste to get to New York and
Baltiraore, His vessel is at the last place. She will have to be
repaired, and will not be sent to New Orleans, The pictures
are all brought back, I shall go to Boston toraorrow to get
copies, and will forward thera as soon as coraplete, Blanche
was sick for several days. Do not paint the picture of rayself
that I sent you. It was taken soon after I came back, — I am
not so thin now, I ara sorry I sent it, so sad looking as it is,
you will not like to see it. Do you not think Blanche's are
pretty, the last three I sent you? I have your letters of August
7th, 10th, and 15th, with raine enclosed, Dr, Martin will
write you to send for him. Do not do it unless you have
already, I ara not pleased with him altogether.
The President has issued a Proclamation of Emancipation
to take effect next January, There will be some growling, but
the people will bear it now, Fisher thinks your course just
right, neither too fast or too slow. He was very anxious to
see Major Bell before he started, but could not find the time.
He thinks Major Bell the most reliable and honorable raan you
have with you, I hope while you remain in the War he wUl be
with you. Would it not be well to give W  another place
if you could make one for hira; for he gives but little help or
strength to you, and make an opening for Major Bell, He
does not aspire to military fame, but of course would like a
regular place on your staff, and a truer friend or better coun
sellor you can hardly find, Fisher has been to see Carney
that if your drafts arrive before the sugar he may be ready
to meet them. He asked rae how you came to write about his
going to N, O,, as he had never written to you of doing so, I

328 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
told hira I had spoken of his going with Peirce. Bonfanti
drew on Fay by your order for a hundred thousand raore or
less. I suppose there can be no raistake about it. Pray write
rae as often as you can. We cannot but feel dreadfully dis
appointed that you are not to corae home, though it would be
disapproval if the Govemment reraoved you. I would have
gone with Major BeU but for your prohibition. Now I raust
wait tiU the equinoctial storm is over. That may be the
middle of October, or even later.
Write me often, and pleasantly as you can. You see I am
iraproving, as I would not send you what I wrote yesterday
for fear it should grieve you. I hope we may both forbear,
till we are of one mind in everything. As we are, I wUl beUeve
in thinking rauch of each other. With great desire to see you.
Most affectionately your Own Wife
From G. S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase
Private and Unofficial, New Orleans, Sept. iith, 1862 '
Dear Sir: Your kind letter of the Sth inst. reached rae
yesterday. I showed it to Gen. Butler, as you gave rae per
mission to do. The General requests rae to present to you his
kindest regards. He is satisfied that Slavery must be abol
ished, and he wUl do his part at such tirae as he thinks proper.
He humorously remarked that his colored Brigade was of
about the complexion (upon the average) of the Vice-Presi
dent. He says that after properly organizing and drUling
thera, he believes they can raarch triuraphantly frora here to
Kentucky. To-raorrow the first Regt. receives arms and
joins the army. The second is fully enlisted, and is being
drilled. A third will be organized, but the General has arms
for no more. His order says none are to be received but those
who have received freedom through sorae recognized legal
channel, — but these are of three classes, viz : those who have
received freedora frora their owners. 2nd. Those who are
raade free by the present raUitary courts, 3rd. all who come
in frora the eneray's lines. You see this includes alraost all
colored people. Gen, Butler will raanage this matter wisely
and well.
Gen, Butler does more work than any other man in Louisi
ana, Every thought seems to be given to the interest of the
Government, and his powers of endurance are remarkable,
1 American Historical Association Report 1902, Vol. II, p. 315.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 329
No other raan could fill his place here. His popularity among
Union men is great and increasing. As I told you in a forraer
letter, it is to be regretted that his brother does business here,
but I do not think the General is interested in his speculations.
He learns everything and forgets nothing. He comes m con
tact with the best minds in the State, and is equal, or superior,
to them all.
During the week ending last night the nuraber of people
who have taken oath of allegiance is very great. Every place
where the oath was adrainistered was thronged. Secessionists
can be taraed, and Gen, Butler can do it, I should say three-
fourths, at least, of the citizens have taken the oath, and yet
not a threat was made against such as should not take it, I
have reason to believe the General will be very severe toward
those who persist in calling themselves loyal to the Southern
Confederacy, I think he will confiscate their property and
reraove them beyond the lines.
Notwithstanding Federal reverses, the Union feeling
develops itself satisfactorily, and many have really ceased
to be secessionists.
The Prussian ship "Essex" has on board many cases of
plate and bullion shipped by rebels. Gen, Butler directed me
to grant no clearance to the ship until the cases were landed.
The ship has been waiting for a clearance three days, but wUl
(probably) land the cases soon, when there will be no raore
trouble. Since I have been here, two smaU vessels have cleared for
Pensacola with Gen, B's permit. Admiral Farragut may
perhaps complain of these vessels, for one or both ran into
rebel ports, or were captured by the enemy. At any rate,
they did not reach Pensacola, The Navy seized the Prize
Schooner "Emma" at Ship Island, sent by rae to New York,
I had put iron on her to complete cargo. She was released and
continued her voyage.
The business of the Custora House goes on very satisfac
torUy, The Mr. Flanders I spoke of is not the one you know,
but his brother, and is not perhaps a proper person for Sur
veyor. He is a proper person for Clerk to perform the duties
of Deputy Surveyor, and for this office I have nominated hira,
the office of Surveyor, being included, I suppose, in my posi
tion as Special Agent and Acting Collector.
[George S. Denison]

330 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. ofthe Gulf, New Orleans, Sept. 26ft, 1862
Capt. January & Lieut. Perkins
Gentlemen: Your letter of the 25th inst. to Capt. Davis
has been handed to the Genl, Comdg, for considera,tion, and he
directs me to say that the reason for keeping you in close con
fineraent is that he has received a coraraunication frora Genl,
Taylor, of Confederate service, saying that he will not exchange
the prisoners he has belonging to the Eighth (S) Vermont Vol
unteers, It therefore rests with your own officers when you
shaU be released, ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^vTi.^n
Fred Martin, Lieut. & A. D. C.
From Rear Admiral Farragut
Flag Ship Habtfoed, Pensacola Bay, Sepi. 26, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler
Dear General: I wrote you by the "Clifton," and sent
word to you by General Arnold about Fort Gaines, but we
appear to be as much out of the way here as in Yucatan,
I hear nothing frora you, and until the arrival of the "Ten
nessee" yesterday we had heard nothing since the "Clifton,"
I wish to establish a raail twice a week between New Orleans,
Ship Island, and Pensacola, I will send, on any stated days
that you may establish with the Postmaster, to Ship Island
for our mails for this place, I know we have a large mail at
New Orleans for the vessels here as well as my official maU, as
I have only received two or three letters from the Department,
I sent sorae powder to Ship Island for the use of the Array and
Navy: it went in the "Rhode Island" to New Orleans, but as
she had the fever on board, it had to be left at Ship Island,
Do let rae know your intentions towards Fort Gaines, Have
you the troops to spare to attack it in the rear, landing in the
Sound? I see by ray letters that the Department rather throws cold
water on the attack, but I think now is the tirae to create a
diversion in their forces at the North, where they appear to
be raanaging about as badly as could be expected frora the
worst instead of the best Generals in the country.
Do let rae hear frora you, for I will be ready in five or six
days for anything as far as ray force goes.
Your most truly, D, G, Farragut,
Rear Admiral, Comd'g. W. G. Bl'g. Sqdn.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 331
From Juan Callejon
Tbanslation. New Obleans, Septbre. 27ft, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Sir: I have seen this day your endorseraent on one of ray
certificates, and see by it that you consider that a person
born from Spanish parents loses the right of nationality as
Spanish subject, after residing here 30 years.
After Riquelme, the accident of being bom in a foreign
country does not force a person to renounce to the nationality
of his or her parents, the common right considers the nation
ality transraitted from parents to chUdren,
I hope. General, that you will consider this, and give the
orders which will be right and just, and will be generous
towards number of old ladies and unhappy people who never
mixed in the politics of this country.
Most Respectfully, Your obedt. Servt.,
Juan Callejon
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Obleans, Sept 27ft, 1862
/Senor Don Juan Callejon, Consul of Spain
Sib: The Commanding General directs me to reply to your
favor of this date that, he finds it impossible to agree with
you on the question of nationality therein contained, and for
this reason, that if the children born here of Spanish subjects
are not citizens of the United States, then the continued issue for
generations are not such citizens, and consequently the United
States would never be able to claira the progeny of foreigners
as citizens of this Country, I have the honor to be.
Your Obt. Servt, A, F, Puffee, Lieut. & A. D. C.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept of the Gvlf, New Obleans, Sept 27ft, 1862
General T, W, Shebman, Commanding Division, &c.
Genebal: If the slaves spoken of in your coraraunication
of the 25th carae away voluntarily with the troops from Baton
Rouge, I do not see how they can be returned. Certainly not
Mr, Walker's, who is not a loyal citizen, but is confined, on
his parole, to his plantation, having just been released from
Ship Island, where he was sent for having used seditious Ian-

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
guage. Mr. WaUser was the Editor of the Delta, the leading
secession newspaper of the south.
By order of Maj. Gen. Butlee,
Very Respectfully, Your Obdt. Servt.
Geo. C. Stbong, A. A. Genl.
From W. Newton Mercer
No. lU Canal Street, Sept 26ft, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Major General Butlee, Commanding
Sie: You have probably inferred frora our various conver
sations that I have not taken an oath of allegiance to the
Confederate States, or have been a raeraber of any society or
public body in New Orleans or elsewhere in the Confederacy,
and that since your arrival here I have raaintained a strict
neutrality. In pursuance of your order No. 76 I wUl raake a faithful
return substantially if not rainutely correct of all ray prop
erty here except about $3,000, the greater part of which is in
gold, that I have reserved for an eraergency. I raention this
to you now to avoid misapprehension.
Your order referred to exempts those only who have taken
the oath of aUegiance, but I cannot think you intended to
include those in my situation, as claiming to be enemies of
the United States.
Such an interpretation is in my opinion at variance with
the act of Congress as well as with the Proclamation of Presi
dent Lincoln. I have the honor to be. Sir,
Your obedient Servant, W. Newton Mebcee
From General Butler
Head Quarters Department of ihe Gvlf, New Orleans, Sept. 27, 1862
Dr. W, N, Mebcee, N, Obleans
Sib: I have your note of the 26th Sept, In my judgment
there can be no such thing as neutrality by a citizen of the
United States in this contest for the life of the Govemraent —
as an officer I certainly cannot recognize such neutrality,
"He that is not for us is against us,"
All good citizens are called upon to lend their influence to
the United States — all that do not do so are the eneraies of
the United States, The line is to be distinctly and broadly
drawn. Every citizen raust find hiraself on the one side or

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 333
the other of that line, and can claim no other position than
that of friend or enemy of the United States,
While I am sorry to be obliged to differ frora you in your
constructions of the act of Congress, and the Proclaraation of
the President, yet I cannot perrait any reservation of property
frora the list or exception of persons frora the requirement of
Order No, 76, It may be and I trust is quite true that by no
act of yours have you rendered yourself liable to the confisca
tion of your property under the Act and Proclaraation, but
that is for the military or other Courts to decide. You, how
ever, wUl advise yourself with your usual care and caution
what may be the effect, now that you are solemnly called upon
to declare yourself in favor of the Government by contuma
ciously refusing to renew your allegiance to it, thereby indu
cing from your exaraple others of your fellow-citizens to reraain
in the sarae opposition,
I ara glad to acknowledge your long and upright life as a
raan, your former services as an officer of the Government,
and the high respect I entertain for your personal character
and raoral worth; but I ara dealing with your duty as a citizen
of the United States,
All these noble qualities, as well as your high social position,
render your exaraple all the raore influential and pernicious,
and, I grieve to add, in ray opinion raore dangerous to the
interest of the United States than if, as a younger man, you
had shouldered your musket and marched to the field in the
Army of the Rebellion, y^^^^ ^^^
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler
Lowell, Sept. 28ft, '62, Sunday
Deaeest: I have been on the sofa nearly all day; not feel
ing well at all. Yesterday we took the children to Boston to
get their pictures and show thera the Aquarial Garden, It
was very fatiguing, that and the bad smell in the rooms at the
Aquarial has made me nearly sick. The children were delighted
with the monkeys, fishes, and Coraraodore Nutt, Major
Bell and Capt, Clark are on their way to New Orleans, I
ought to be with thera, I hope your next letter will show a
httle raore interest about it. It leaves a soreness of feeling
when you raake but little account of passing the wmter with
out me. But let that pass, you wiU be glad to see me soraetime.
Your friend, that you wrote to Fisher you would like to

334 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
have a long chat with, was here on Friday, I will endeavor to
give you the conversation and his views of your present posi
tion and prospects, I think your position satisfactory, and
would not venture dangerous experiments. The Secretary of
War pushed it to an issue, Halleck refused to obey the order,
and the President decided he raust not be interfered with,
Stanton subraitted and kept his place, McClellan has been
deposed only to be reinstated with stronger power, and propped
securely with HaUeck, The President was obliged to yield
this or the rebels raight have taken Washington, Pope was
defeated, if his report is true, because other Generals neglected
to reinforce hira where he had full right to expect it. He is
driven into exile, and disgraced, whUe McClellan is reinstated.
It is said privately that sorae of the Generals of the Potomac
waited on the President, and informed hira there could be no
safety for Washington unless McClellan was restored to the
command. The President yielded to the pressure. As soon
as the rebels were driven out of Maryland, the President issued
the Proclaraation for Emancipation, (Can anyone tell why
they were not broken to pieces, scattered, and captured?)
There was but one's day's fighting of any note, and that siraply
to show how the two opposing leaders could handle their men;
it was tolerably warm work for a while, but each was afraid to
stake all on the issue; if they had it is more than likely Lee
would have pressed us to defeat. Night came on, and Lee
with his force recrossed into Virginia. The President's Proc
lamation of Emancipation was made directly on the heels of
this as a concession to the Abolitionists, after restoring
McClellan, So far there has been no great demonstration
made about it. Those who desire it are in doubt it raay prove
but a dead letter. All may be quiet on the Potoraac for
another year for aught that can be done to move thera if this
Proclaraation does not please the Generals, so that the odium
is incurred, if there is any attached to it, without the chance
of any benefit to arise from it. This has shook Seward's
power; the President now leans on Chase, He is the man
serenaded. But in spite of this, Seward is so wiry and capable,
so much of a statesman, that if anything goes wrong he wUl
get the power again, and be all the stronger for a raomentary
defeat, McClellan, as you will see, is the military raan for
the Deraocratic party, Seyraour of New York runs in opposi
tion to Wadsworth for Governor, There is much expectation
that he will win. He is also thought of by civilians as a check

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 335
to McClellan, in the Deraocratic party. That would be better
for you, as he is a friend of yours. By this you will see that
both rings there are filled. In the Republican party, Freraont
is the raan, A raove was made to give hira fifty thousand
raen (He would be in condition then to enforce a great deal).
But they were not successful in getting their wants carried
out. There is one opening for you, if you would think it advis
able to venture on such dangerous ground, I think you have
thought soraething of it, though not perhaps to work through
the sarae avenues it has been suggested to rae would be the
best. You could write to the President, offering in your
Departraent to carry out his Proclaraation according to his
wish. His Proclaraation incites to insurrection which will
lead to fearful horrors. You can offer to organize insurrection,
arra the negroes, use them as infantry, and of our soldiers
make fiying artillery and cavalry, to make a distinction
between them and the blacks. To do this you want reinforce
raents, raore staff officers, such as they have perfect confidence
in, a Flag Officer who is ready to cooperate with the Fleet, so
that if they pour their whole array upon you you raay have
transportation for your men and assistance from their guns.
The Rebels could hardly reraain quiet at Richmond if such
work was progressing in the South West, The armies both
North and South might be obliged to move. If you wish to
offer your services to the President to carry out his Proclama
tion, there are two channels through which it could be done.
Pierce is an intimate friend of Charles Sumner, Write what
would seem best to you to Sumner and Chase, and a line of
endorsement of Pierce as fhe man who has your confidence.
If you are willing to hold by Seward, who will yet get the power
again, the man who thinks so highly of him is ready to be
your messenger to hira, and you could not have a better one.
This would give Seward the chance to carry out the President's
views, and give him once more the ascendency. Your friend
thinks he would assent, and carry it through to the satisfac
tion of those engaged with him. You know how much your
friend admires him, and would rather work with that party
than the other. But not unless there is a feeling of perfect
confidence and good will between you and Seward, as nothing
short of that would answer. Your friend looks upon this
as an alraost desperate chance, but the only one beyond your
present position. If you carry out the abolition views, and
build up a power that way, it would place you at the head of

336 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
a party, though the powers whose orders you execute might
not anticipate or desire such a result. At present you are
outside of all parties. And perhaps that is the best and most
honorable place you could be in, in a crisis like this when the
bitterness of party seeras likely to destroy the country. But
if you wish to sway or direct the raoveraents of a party, these
hints are offered for your deliberation. You can think over
what effect a letter frora you to the President of the kind sug
gested would have, and do what you think best when you have
well deliberated. For it is a fearful thing to arra these negroes
and put thera in their raaster's houses. Nor can there be
any certainty they will prove effective as soldiers, or that
our people will fight with thera, I have received your letter
wherein you speak of Mr, Seward and the letter you have sent
hira, I hope you will not find hereafter that you have acted
unwisely. But that closes that side of the question. Your
friend will be sorry you are in open opposition, for there
is a powerful conservative party in New York that will give
hira great strength, and he has served you well in tiraes gone
by. Is the breach too great to be repaired? Do not widen it
raore than you can help. But let that go, every raan raust
judge for hiraself. There raay be a natural antagonisra on
your part, and if so you could never work well together. If
you could have held together at this hour, you and he acting
in concert could wield iramense power, Suraner and Chase,
I believe, are agreeable to you. It is not certain the abolition
party can prevaU, The Deraocratic party, and all the Mili
tary with McClellan at their head, offer a very formidable
opposition. If you volunteer in this and fail you lose utterly,
and make yourself an object of odium, now and perhaps in
time to corae. If it should prove successful, you raight be
regarded as the redeeraer of down-trodden humanity. There
is but a step soraetiraes between a crown and a gibbet, and in
days lUce these one cannot teU to which his labours wUl lead.
The papers report the Coraraissioners of Peace are on their way
frora the South, Would it were possible. This life of anxiety
is wearisorae, I do not like to send this until I have seen your
friend again, as I cannot be sure I have rightly expressed what
was desired. But you wUl see and easily coraprehend what
would be of use to you if not clearly expressed, and wiU act as
you judge best after careful deliberation. If you write to the
President, ask for an officer to be sent down for the confisca
tion work in whora they have perfect confidence.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 337
From Mrs. Butler to General Butler
Monday moming, Lowell, Sept 29, '62
Deaeest: Your letters of Sept, 15th and 20th came this
morning. How can you write such letters in answer to those
I send you ! Cold, half -defiant, and leaving a feeling of depres
sion that overpowers rae no raatter how much I strive against
it. If you do not want rae, for raercy's sake say so, and do not
wound me further. You may not be aware how rauch the
tone of your letters has changed. In every letter I have
asked, begged, to know -if you wished rae to come, and when!
After telling me three tiraes not to corae, the only perraission
I have received is this. "If you can appear so and so I shall
be glad to see you." I shall be as God wills, and circumstances
compel, subject to the same feelings as other people. But
these are not reasons for or against seeing me, whether I am
raore or less raerry. Be willing to raake some effort on your
own part to lift the weight that oppresses me, and see if I do
not appreciate it. If life looks more inviting in that fair clime
without rae, say so; your letters have hurt rae, I cannot bear
it, nor the raanner in which you have asked rae to corae,
I have a long letter, two-thirds written, suggested by your
friend George, of what he thinks would be your best, and as
he says your only opening for you now to gain a place in the
future. He was unwiUing to write himself — it involves such
serious consequences. My business is to write you what I
hear and leave it to your own discretion how to use it. Soon
as I have seen him to know if I have written what he desires,
I wUl send it, or what would give me greater pleasure, take it
to you if I felt assured I was truly welcorae, I ara as always.
Affectionately yours, Sabah
From Jacob Barker New Orleans, Sept 29, 1862
Major Genl. Butleb
Deae Sie: The Bank of Commerce has paid. Under the
last arrangement with Gen, Butler, $26,000,00 in Treasury
Notes, It has on hand the further sum of about $20,000,00,
and expects in the course of the day to have a sufficiency to
pay the balance due for the $50,000,00 in gold purchased.
Therefore, Genl, Butler can draw as fast as he has occasion,
for the araount on hand,
A check for $5,000,00 in gold has been received. The Bank
VOL, II — 22

338 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
would like to have a farther araount of gold, also information
of what is to be done with the three boxes of sUver marked
"Saml, Smith & Co,," received on Saturday, 27th inst.
Very respectfully your obt. servt,
Jacob Baekee, Cashier

From Jacob Barker New Orleans, Sept SOth, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butleb
Deab Sie: Sorae days since you raentioned to rae your
intention of informing me by letter when and to whom you had
sent the report of the coraraission in relation to the $50,000
in gold detained frora Messrs, Sam'l Smith and Co, I shall
be very much obliged by your doing it at your earliest con
venience, as I am particularly anxious to close my agency in
Very respectfully your obt. servt, Jacob Baekee
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gvlf, New Orleans, September 30, 1862
My deab Sarah: I enclose your three letters received to
day since I wrote you this morning, also one from Blanche,
enclosing the sweetest picture of Bennie and sorae very good
ones of herself, which I will have erabalmed in procelain. How
can you think Hildreth is repugnant to me? I have never
felt so or thought so, I have turned all Andrew's business
into his hands, and I have not the smallest trouble with Fay
either on that account. How can you say Bell is not going
back? I never heard or dreamed that he would not return.
On the contrary, I am expecting him hourly.
How long is it that Abbott has been such a friend of raine
that his advice is to be taken in ray affairs. Griffin in place
of BeU has never entered my brain or his. Griffin asked me if
I could serve him, and I told him I would if I could.
Dean returns on the next boat — he is only here to collect
some claims, and goes home, I hope you will write rae raore
hopefully next tirae, if indeed this does not pass you on the
road horae, xr t. ^
Yours, Benj, F,

Rec'd on acct.

100.00

do.

from Mr. But-

ler.

Esq., on the

23rd of Dec.

40.00

Balance

110.00

Deduct
25.00
LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 339
Bill from Rudolph T. Lux
New Orleans, Dec, 27ft, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Hon. Major General B, F, Butler debtor to
Rudolph T, Lux, Painter on porcelain, etc.. Cor. of
Customhouse and Johnson St. N, O,
Delivered on the 22nd of Dec, '62, following likenesses
painted on cups of porcelain, and saucers decorated, etc, as:
1. Miss Blanche, Mrs. Butler
2. " do " do,
3, Gen. Shepley
4. " Weitzel $250.00
5. Major Bell
6. " Strong
7. Col. Stafford
8. Capt. Haggerty
9. " Puffer
10, Little Benny
twenty five dollars each 85.00
P,S, For a little redress on the pictures of Mrs. Butler respect
fully required. L. From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. 1st, 1862
Brig. Genl. T. W, Sherman, Comdg. forces at
Carrollton, La,
Gen, : Your communication with regard to the 65 Negroes,
more or less, belonging to the estate of Mr, Walker, said to
have been taken at Baton Rouge for purpose of digging in the
trenches, and then to be returned to their owner, has been
received, and the Com, General wishes rae to say that though
the Messrs, Walker or neither of thera are loyal citizens, yet
those negroes who desire to return raay be sent back to the
P ^ ^° ¦ By order of Maj, Gen, Butler
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Oct. Ist, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
SiR: In obedience to requirement of the Despatch of the
Department of the 10th and 18th ultimo, which reached rae
by the sarae raail, enclosing communications from Spanish
legation (in translation) dated the 2Sth of June, the 7th and
26th of August, respectively, directing me to report fully to
340 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
the departraent aU the facts and circurastances connected
with the arrival and departure of the Spanish ship "Cardenas"
and the U, S, ship "Roanoke" at the port of New Orleans in
June last, "and also full explanations of the coraplaints involved
in the coraraunications of the Spanish Consul and others of
the adrainistration of the Quarantine laws of this departraent,"
I beg leave to submit the history of such administration, and
especially in regard to the "Cardenas" and "Roanoke,"
"Pinta" and "Marie Galante,"
Let rae premise, however, that the question so far as these
vessels or any others are concerned, except for the purpose of
reclamation and complaint, have long ceased to be of practical
importance, as the "Cardenas" has made one trip to Cuba
and back since the occurrence coraplained of, and the "Pinta"
and "Marie Galante," Spanish trarisports for tobacco, have
loaded and gone horae, I had supposed entirely satisfied with
their treatraent at this point,
"When New Orleans was captured it was found in the utraost
possible filthy condition, because of the troublesome times.
The contractors upon all the streets and canals had utterly
neglected to coraply with their contracts for cleaning and puri
fying the streets, and the filth was indescribable.
In view of this most alarming sanitary condition of the city
and the approach of the epideraic season, after consultation
with the raost eminent local physicians, who would give their
advice, sorae refusing to give an opinion with an apparent
hope "that the pestilence would do what their rebel arms would
not do — drive us out," and acting with the advice of my
raedical staff, I took the most energetic measures to purify
the city itself from all possibility of engendering disease.
Believing at the same tirae that the yellow fever was no more
indigenous to New Orleans than the sugar cane, but raust be
iraported or propagated as that is by cuttings, and that a
firraly adrainistered Quarantine, guided by science and honesty
of purpose, discrirainating as regards cargoes and cleanliness
of ships, would effectually keep out the scourge of the city
prayed for as Ally of the rebellion, I ordered Quarantine to
be enforced with these discriminations — not a "procrustean
period of Quarantine to all" — a vessel loaded with hides
and wool, the absorbents of the malaria with a filthy hold,
reeking with dead and putrid organic raatter, loaded at an
infected port, infected hands, sown thick with the seeds of
disease, only waiting for tirae and the warm sun to develop

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 341
thera into a plague, was not put on equality as to time with a
steamer for passengers, kept clean and sweet as a mercantile
necessity to procure business, laden with flour, tight casks of
salted provisions and round shot and shell which would not
be likely either to absorb or generate contagion.
Again, the length of time which a ship and cargo had been
exposed to the danger of the contagion had rauch to do with
the Quarantine, A ship belonging in an infected port, loaded
there, her cargo either the product or the raanufacture of
that port, her crew accliraated and therefore indifferent to
sanitary regulations and appliances, required to be kept under
Quarantine longer to watch the probable developraent of the
disease and to await the operation of purffication, than a
vessel loaded at a northern port, where the frost insured
health in this regard, and which had merely touched at a
port inflicted with yellow fever, and held communication with
the shore under the restriction imposed by fears of unaccli
mated Officers and crew.
These and kindred considerations, which will readily suggest
themselves to your mind, were the controlling guide to the
very intelligent medical officers who were in charge at Quaran
tine, as they were to report upon the necessity and length of
detention of vessels. We, however, always deterrained to
err, if at all, upon the safe side, holding ever the far greater
iraportance of the lives of a great city and an army comraitted
to our charge, than the possible danger of any coraraercial
adventure frora detention,
I need not assure you. Sir, that the questions of "National
ity" never entered into our thought in the exercise of our
judgment and power except in one possible relation.
We could not help looking with a little less care to and
holding under advisement a little less tirae a vessel of a Nation
proverbial for the neatness of their ships and goods as cora
pared with one who enjoys an unenviable reputation the other
way. With these and upon these bases have the Quarantine
and health laws been adrainistered at New Orleans up to the
first day of October,
I can point with a reasonably justified pride to the result
as an explanation and a vindication of ray acts and adrainis
tration in this particular. Pardon me if I add that I claim for
this triumph of science, integrity, firmness, and skill of ray
raedical staff, by which thousands of lives have been saved,
and by far the most dreaded foe driven from the city of New

342 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Orleans, as much credit as if by the disposition of my troops
we had won a victory over the less deadly but hardly less
implacable enemy in a conflict of arms.
Up to this date there have been no malignant or epidemic or
virulent fevers or disease in New Orleans, and its mortality
returns show it to be the most healthy city in the United
States, In one regiraent, the 13th Conn,, a thousand strong,
quartered in the Custora House since the 15th of May, but
one raan was lost during the raonths July and August,
His ExceUency, Mr, Tarsara, the Spanish Minister, is raost
grievously raisinforraed when he says to the Secretary of
State that the. salubrity of New Orleans is no better than that
of the Island of Cuba, Our Quarantine has been raore per
fect than Blockade, We have had serious cases of fever at
the Quarantine only 75 railes frora us, and but a single one at
New Orleans, and this one at once justifies and illustrates our
sanitary regulations.
The U, S, Steamship "Ida," having touched at Nassau
only, and no disease having been reported as existing there at
the tirae of her departure, she was perraitted to pass up by
the health officers after fumigation and other precautions.
The day after her arrival in the city one of her passengers on
shore was taken sick and on the sixth day died, an unmistak
able case of malignant yellow fever. The raost stringent
raeasures were taken to isolate the disease. Everything that
touched or was about the deceased was buried, accliraated
persons only were allowed to do the sad offices. The house
in which he died was raost thoroughly purified, and by the
blessing of "Hira who holdeth all in the hollow of his hand"
the pestilence was stayed.
The stearaer was ordered at once below where she is under
going Quarantine. Even while I write this the English Consul
reports the British Brig "Volunteer" to me at the mouth of
the river out of provisions, her officer on board with raedical
supplies and other aid.
I have thus given to the Departraent a full explanation of
the "complaint" involved in ray adrainistration of the Quar
antine laws. Upon the other branches of the inquiry relative
to Spanish stearaer "Cardenas," I ara raost happy to report.
As to the Spanish "Cardenas," let rae observe that she
did not corae to rae in such a raanner as to comraand the
highest degree of courtesy or respect. The "Cardenas" left
Havana on the 31st of May, after epideraic yellow fever had

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 343
raade its appearance there, bringing many passengers, a large
portion of whom were rebels who had been in Havana buying
arms and raunitions of war for the Confederates, having on
board to bring her up the river two pilots who had success
fully conducted vessels through the blockade.
She ran past the Forts without stopping, which was per
mitted, for she was mistaken for the United States Stearaer
"Connecticut" then hourly expected, which mistake caused
the "Connecticut" to be fired at when she made her appear
ance and atterapted to go by without reporting.
The "Cardenas" then loitered up the river till near night
and, without coraing up to the usual place of landing or report
ing to the harbor-raaster, carae along side a wharf sorae three
miles below the usual places of steamboat landing, and put
on shore her passengers without passports being examined, or
any report to any person, so that many obnoxious persons
escaped into the city, and the Provost Marshal has never
been able to ascertain the character of all the passengers.
Will it be pretended tliat any captain of a Spanish stearaer
is so ignorant as not to know that such conduct is in the
highest degree iraproper in landing passengers at a railitary
Post? Mr, Tarsara says well "that no difficulty was raade about
the landing of the passengers from the Steamer," True, be
cause they and their luggage were surreptitiously landed miles
below the usual landing place without the knowledge of any
person friendly with the United States, but evidently with the
knowledge of the Secessionists, because the Captain says in
his protest that "crowds invaded the vessel as soon as she
made the wharf,"
She was ordered back to Quarantine, but raany frivolous
excuses and delays were interposed by her officers until a raost
pereraptory order accorapanied by a threat was given, which
she obeyed.
After a proper Quarantine the "Cardenas" carae up — not
thirty days, but one precisely such as was thought sufficient,
I do not understand Mr, Tarsara's notions about reciprocity
in Quarantine. He seems to insist that if we require a long
Quarantine at New Orleans, the Governor General of Cuba
will require an equally long Quarantine at Havana. But what
need of a Quarantine at all against epideraic yellow fever in
a port where it is already raging in its raost virulent forra?
What possible reciprocity of Quarantine could there be between

344 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Iceland and Vera Cruz? I have endeavored to make Quaran
tine a sensible not a senseless regulation.
It is complained, however, that the U. S. Stearaer "Roan-
oake" suffered a shorter detention at Quarantine than the
"Cardenas," and that she sailed frora Havana on the day
after. This is an uncandid way of stating the fact. The
"Roanoke" saUed from New York, went into the harbor at
Havana, stayed there less than 24 hours, and held little or no
coraraunication with the shore. Her Captain reported her
at the Quarantine station as direct frora New York, Was
there any reason for so long a Quarantine for her as for a vessel
loaded in Havana?
When the "Roanoke" was about to saU for New York on
her return trip from New Orleans, a large number of Spanish
persons were desirous of taking passage in her for Havana, and
engaged passage accordingly. Upon application to the Span
ish Consul for a bill of health, as the purser of the "Roanoke"
informed me, the Consul or Vice Consul told him that as "I
had quarantined the 'Cardenas,' the Consul would not give
the 'Roanoke' a bill of health, but would report that New
Orleans was affiicted with epideraic fever unless I would
perrait the 'Cardenas' to corae up, and if so, a clean bill of
health would be given,"
The effect of, and raotive for, this conduct was obvious. If
the "Roanoke" went to Havana and carried her passengers,
she would take away this business from the "Cardenas," If
she carried such a bill of health as to put her in Quarantine
at Havana, no New York passengers would sail in her, so that
she raust lose one or the other lot of passengers. This seeraed
to me so unjust that I sent for the Consul for an explanation,
I understood his explanations to be exactly what the purser
of the "Roanoke" had informed me had been told hira.
It is proper here to reraark that I have been since assured
by the Spanish Consul, for whora I really entertain a high
respect, that his conversation was misunderstood by all parties,
neither understanding the other's language,
I told the Consul at that tirae that any retaliation upon the
"Roanoke" for any supposed wrong done by me to the "Car
denas" ought not to be perraitted. That if he slandered the
health of the City of New Orleans, by giving any report that
epideraic yellow fever existed here when he knew it not to be
the fact, preventing trade and coraraerce coraing to this port
by such false reports, that I would certainly send hira out of the

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 345
city to Havana, and report his conduct to the Captain Gen
eral, as the nearest Spanish Authority, And in that event,
this I most assuredly would have done. That the bill of health
of the "Roanoke" must be such as required by the laws and
his instructions, precisely as if nothing had been done to the
"Cardenas," To this (as he was interpreted to rae to say) the Consul
replied that he would not give a clean bill of health to the
"Roanoke" because it was now past the first of June, and
whatever might be the health of the city, in fact he must re
port it unhealthy. Further, that if I still held the " Cardenas "
under Quarantine, he would write to the Captain General of
Cuba not to send any raore vessels here.
To that I replied that he would give ray compliments to
the Captain General, and say that until the yellow fever season
was over he could do me and the city no greater favor than
to prevent vessels frora coming here, I then put in writing
and gave the Consul my claim that he should give a bill of
health to the "Roanoke," required by the laws and regula
tions of his government, regardless of my treatment of the
"Cardenas," The interview here ended.
The bill of health, however, which was given to the "Roan
oke" was such (although the city was perfectly healthy) that
her officers did not dare to sail to Havana, lest they should be
held to Quarantine there, in a city where the small-pox and
yellow fever were both raging, and was in consequence obliged
to discharge her Havana passengers and pay back the passage
money, I take leave to observe upon a reraark of Mr, Tarsara, the
Spanish Minister, that I had not the authority to send out of
ray lines the Spanish Consul for so gross a dereliction of duty
that in the first place I should have done it if the occasion
had called, and that secondly I knew of no law. National or
raunicipal, that requires the Coraraander of a captured city,
occupied as a railitary Post, to keep any person in it. Consul
or others, who are deliberately working to render the place
untenable, by keeping away supplies or provisions frora it
through false reports,
I wish, however, again to say, the subsequent conversation
through a raore intelligent interpreter in his understanding of
English has convinced rae that Mr, Callejon, the Consul's,
reraarks were misinterpreted and mistaken by me as raine
were by hira. These subsequent explanations have, I believe.

346 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
established the raost cordial relation between us. I have
also learned that I have done Mr. CaUejon an injustice in
another respect, in supposing hira, as I was inforraed, to be
a Spanish raerchant. Such I ara now assured is not the case,
but he is a soldier who has won honorable distinction in the wars
of his own country.
In Mr, Tarsara's letter of coraplaint it is alleged that I
have perraitted the French brigantine "Maria Felicia" and
EngUsh schooner "Virginia Antoinette," and other vessels, to
come up without the same length of quarantine as the "Car
denas," These facts it is said will convict rae of "capricious
discriraination against Spain in favor of other European
Nations," There is no reason given why I should be possessed
of feeling which would lead rae thus to discrirainate. Indeed,
if I perraitted ray indignation and sense of wrong as regards
the manner in which my Govemment has been treated by
other Nations to influence ray official action, I assure you,
Spain would not be the Nation toward which those feelings
would find raost active operations. On the contrary, I have
felt that the conduct of Spain has been raost friendly, espe
cially taking into view the wrong done her by sorae of the citi
zens of the United States in the invasion of Cuba, No Rebel
privateers have fitted out frora her ports, I have not known
that any of her islands have been raade Arsenals or Naval
depots for the Confederacy, and I have yet to be informed of
any discrimination raade by her between our armed vessels
and those of our enemy, I have ventured to say this rauch
because in weighing one's acts raotives are specially to be
looked at,
I beg to refer you to the reports of my Medical Director,
Dr, McCormick, for the history of the objected cases taken
from the Quarantine Records, which I believe will in every
case justify the action taken.
Perhaps, however, the two cases of the "Marie Felicia"
and the "Virginia Antoinette" deserve a word of comment,
as they illustrate the animus with which our Quarantine has
been conducted. The "Marie," having an accliraated crew,
had been loaded at Havre and only touched at Havana with
out landing, was detained only long [enough] to examine her
present condition as to health, presuming that she contained
no latent disease or raalaria, which would lose its virus or
develop itself by tirae. The "Virginia," having only touched
at Havana, was without passengers, and laden wholly with

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 347
loose salt, a powerful disinfectant in itself, one raight as well
quarantine a barrel of chloride of lime. And yet permitting of
this schooner to corae up after 20 days absence from this
port, is brought forward as evidence of "capricious discrimina
tion against the Spanish Government,"
I have also appended the letter from the Captain of the
Spanish war vessel, the "Pinta," which will show the raanner
in which our Quarantine has been conducted, and that his
only coraplaint is that I have not obeyed sorae law of Louisiana
regulating tirae of Quarantine,
Mr, Tarsara, in his communication of the 28th of June,
wishes the Secretary of State to require me "to treat the
Consuls of foreign nations with raore consideration, and that
I must refrain from expressions which are not suited to give
security to trade or maintain friendly relations between the
authorities of the Island and those of the United States,"
It will be seen by exaraination of the letter of the Com
mander of the "Blasco de Garay," hereto annexed under date
of August 13th, that there is the complaint that my acts do
not come up to the profession of friendship and the courtesies
of ray language, I have therefore appended all of the raore
iraportant of ray correspondence with the Spanish authorities
here, so that the Departraent raay see whether either in the
raanner or raatter of that correspondence there is anything
which should be a casus belli between two otherwise friendly
nations. That I answered soraewhat sharply the letter of the captain
of the "Blasco de Garay," who seized the occasion in replying
to a note wherein I offered hira assistance and courtesy to
read rae a lecture on my duties, I admit I thought and stUl
think I was justified in so doing,
A nation raay be friendly and its Consul quite the reverse,
as witness the late Prussian Consul, who is now a General in
the Rebel Army, for which he recruited a battalion of his
countrymen. When, therefore, I find a Consul aiding the rebels, I raust
treat hira as a rebel, and the exceptions are very few indeed
araong the Consuls here. Bound up with the rebels by mar
riage, coraraercial and social relations, raost of the Consular
offices are only asyluras where rebels are harbored and rebel
lion fostered.
Before I close this report, which pressure of public duties
has delayed till the departure of the raail on the 6th October,

348 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
allow me to repeat that with the blessing of God, to whom our
most devout thanks are daUy due for His Goodness, the feU
scourge, the Yellow Fever, has been kept from my Command
and the City of New Orleans till now, when all danger is past
by firra adrainistration of sanitary and Quarantine regulations,
in spite of coraplaints and difficulties, and if any acts need jus
tification I point to the results as an unanswerable vindication.
I have the honor to be y^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Oct. ind, 1862
Capt G, V. Fox, Asst. Sec. of the Navy
My dear Captain: I think the enclosed application could be
granted with advantage to the interests of the United States,
I have in one or two instances allowed wrecking to go on to
prevent irreparable mischief,
I wish you would put the raatter in corapetent hands, so
that the whole raight be controlled. There is an iraraense
araount of property belonging to the United States which
raight be saved if proraptly attended to during the present
low stage of water, I ara, rr ^ i -v ^ ¦ j
Very truly. Your friend,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From ihe Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Private. Navy DepaHment, November 17ft, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major General B. F. Butler *
My dear General : I have your letter of October 2nd, and
its enclosure for Mrs, F, of the carte de visile of the General,
coraraanding the departraent of the Gulf, She thanks you
for the reraerabrance which will be raore valuable than the
purchased one occupying a place in her albura, I also received
your letter about raising the wrecks in the lower Mississippi,
and delayed answering it to ascertain if certain parties who
contracted to raise the "Varuna" were going to coraply with
their contract, I ara satisfied that they are not, and there
fore the question of raising that vessel is open unless the
Father of waters has closed it.
With regard to some of the other vessels, there are two
owners. Take for example, the rara "Manassas," owned

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 349
raostly by parties in Boston, seized, enlarged, fitted, and
raailed by the Rebels, and sunk by Sraith, If she is raised,
who takes her? I know of no person in the country so corape
tent to handle these questions as the General in whose Depart
ment they lie buried, and therefore advise you to contract on
the spot for the saving of this property. If, after raising, any,
especially the "Varuna," can be used for Naval purposes, the
Government ought to have the right to take them by open
sale or sorae other fair, reasonable methods.
The Secretary of the Navy is of the opinion that you ought
to take raeasures to save as much as possible of this property
to the Government, It cannot be done by contract here as
parties competent to undertake it are entirely ignorant of
the surroundings,
I am very glad to find that the complaints against your
administration have been dissipated by the vigor and success
of your Government, civil and military, Lee fought your
battles frankly and manfully, commencing at a dinner at
Fort Monroe, given by General Dix to Reverdy Johnson and
his New Orleans friends,
Lee, being a Southern man, gave weight to his opinions, I
hear not a word now, except "looting," as the English call it, an
amusement that all soldiers indulge in. The Rebels in Mary
land and Kentucky took everything they wanted, and in return,
— oh, refinement of abstinence, — offered Confederate scrip in
payment, besides all kinds of brown paper shin-plasters,
I think McClernand wUl be down your way near the last
of December, and if you and Farragut can open the Mississippi
as far as the Red River, and block that leaky place, we shall
be able with our Mississippi squadron to keep that big river
open to commerce, and New Orleans will rise from its lethargy.
My opinion is that neither you or Farragut have a sufficient
force to attack Mobile, and I have written so to hira. We shall
be along that way with iron-clads during the winter, and then
raake short work of it. You ought to have and will shortly
have raore troops, as the occupation of Texas, and raost par
ticularly the Rio Grande, is iraperative. Every vessel we seize
there is released by the courts, and the enorraous trade carried on
can only be turned into legitimate channels by military occupa
tions up the river, I have begged for troops for this object.
In railitary raatters here, we are quiet but expectant. The
luxurious array of the Potoraac, petted to bursting, is no raatch
in celerity of raoveraents to the faraished, freezing, soldiers of

350 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Lee, Legs win more battles than fighting. At BuU Run one
of our soldiers was found dead with seventeen pounds of
Congressional documents and a History of Ireland in his
knapsack. Whence did you surmise that Farragut was to be relieved?
We never heard the rumor here. The hero of that unequalled
dash, despising the great obstacles, gave us victory, glory,
and New Orleans, and is not to be forgotten or reraoved except
at his own pleasure, and probably not even then. If he is
with you, I beg that you will assure hira that we never heard
of any such ruraor this way. Wishing you every success, ray
dear General, in your arduous position, I reraain.
Truly your friend, G. V. Fox
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. id, 1862
J. Kbuttschnidt, Esq., Prussian Consul
Sie: I enclose to you a letter showing that a portion of the
freight shipped on board the "Essex" wUl not be allowed to
be taken off by the owner, by the Capt, of the ship. From the
acts of the Captain, it would seem as if he desired not to go
to sea, but to put himself in opposition to authorities here.
I have now removed all obstacles to his going to sea except
such as he gets in his own path.
Please return me the enclosed letter which I want as a
voucher, and state to me what now prevents the "Essex"
sailing. I have the honor to be, ^^ nij^cr
Your Obdt. Servt.,
Benj. F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
New Orleans, Oct. 3rd, 1862
W, C, Geay, Esq., Dy. Collector, Custom House
Sie: Your coraraunication of 2nd inst,, desiring us to take
frora the ship "Essex" three cases of plate marked Rankin
Gilmour & Co,, and deliver sarae to you iramediately, is to
hand this raorning, and in reply we beg to state that the Capt.
refuses to deliver the same up to us without the production of
the BUls of Lading, and two of the set having long since been
raailed to England, we are unable to coraply. We are. Sir,
Your most Obt. Svt.,
Hayton Rankin, Jno. G. Robinson

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 351
From J. Kruttschnidt
Prussian Consulate, New Orleans, 3d, Ort., 1862
Maj. General B, F, Butleb, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf,
New Obleans
Genebal: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your
note under yesterday's date, enclosing a letter addressed to
you by three passengers of the Prussian Ship "Essex," viz:
Charles Witz, Honore Mason, Harabling asking for return of
the passage raoney paid by thera,
Mr, Kahl, supercargo of the "Essex," requests rae to state
that in view of the particular circurastances his vessel is
placed in, he is ready to refund f of the passage raoney paid
by the said three persons who wish to relinquish their voyage
in his vessel,
Mr, Kahl inforras me, however, at the same time that Cap
tain Klatt of said vessel has received an order from Provost
Marshal General Jonas H, French to refund the total amount
of the passage raoney to several persons who engaged passage
by the "Essex," but he is not able to say if they be the sarae
as those raentioned above. The Captain of the "Essex" has
not complied with that order,
I return herewith the letter referred to me and remain
' Very respectfully. Your obdt. Servt,
J, Kbuttschnidt, Acting Consul
From the Acting French Consul
Translation. New Orleans, Oct. 3, 1862
Major General B, F, Butlee, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Sie: Some new facts of violence, by negroes in the service
of the United States, committed on a Frenchman, have just
come to my knowledge,
Mr, Justin Coulon lives at the plantation Hopkins, Gentilly
road. Last Wednesday evening, October 1st, about 20 negroes
belonging to the carap near that place broke through his
fence, to steal fruits of his orange garden, when Mr, Coulon
presented hiraself to make them leave, but found himself
assaulted frora all sides, especially by three of these men, his
life being in great danger, the negroes being armed with
bayonets. It was very lucky for him that he could use a stick of wood
to defend himself, still he got hurt on his face and hand.

352 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Tjjiis is. General, the second tirae that one of my country
men received such treatraent. It is the raore serious on account
of the attempt of robbery, with arraed hands.
I ara sorry that I have to request their punishment accord
ing to your Order No. 60, but a terrible exaraple seeras to rae
necessary; I ara sure it is the only reraedy to save the popula
tion from such assaults. Accept, General, the assurance of
my high esteem. Fauconnet, Acting French Consul
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. ith, 1862
To M. THE Consul of Feance, Representing his Majesty the
Emperor Napoleon
Sie: Your coraplaint that certain negroes have stolen
oranges of Justin Coulon, a French subject, the stealrag of
the oranges shall be carefully inquired into, and I will so far
exercise ray authority as to pay for the oranges on being pre
sented with the bill at the raarket price.
In the meantime the raatter shall be carefully inquired into,
I have the honor to be.
Your Obdt. Svt., Benj, F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. ith, 1862
My deae Sabah: The "Saxon" goes horae tonight, so that
I will write you, although the slow coach will not get horae so
soon probably as the next raail,
I ara well as a man can hope to be here. All are well, Wiegel
has "gone to the bad," and I have taken his resignation,
Haggerty will go if he drinks any more, I have told him, and
shall not let up again,
I am getting ready for offensive operations, and so are the
enemy, Beauregard has gone to Charlestown, My negro
regiraents are getting on finely. So are ray white regiraents.
The city still continues healthy to a raarvel,
I send by today's boat a little present for Mother, I bought
it at a discount for the price of old silver frora a Jew, I
shall close up all business arrangeraents in which I have
interest as soon as possible, "What do you think, Shepley
has raade Weitzel pay him one-half of his salary for his
(Shepley's) assistance as major, even while he was in Wash-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 353
ington, Weitzel, you know, is poor, and has a raother to
support. My dear Sarah, don't write rae any raore of those sad letters
such as the three last, — write hopeful, loving, joyous letters
that corae to me like a blessing. You will not regret it. Per
haps, however, you are already on the road here, I expect
you daily — if so, this letter will be lost. Bring with you, if
you get this, four pairs of drawers, merino (39 inches), 4
merino shirts, and ray dressing gown and cap, I ara having
sorae shirts raade here, Goodbv, ^^ t.
¦' Yours, Benj,
From General Butler
Head Quarters, Departmeni of the Gulf, New Orleans '
Commodore Mobeis, Commdg. Naval Forces at
New Obleans
Sib: Is there any objection to ray chartering the ferry boat
"Frank Mumford" until she is needed by Government? To
be put and kept in repair until called for.
If you have no objection on the part of the Navy, I will
raake a charter without prejudice to the clairas of either
Department, Respectfully, Benj, F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Comdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, October 4, 1862
Genebal Obdebs No. 79
In accordance with the terms of the cartel recently negotiated
between the Major General Coraraanding this Departraent and
Brig, Gen, Tilghman, of the Confederate Army, all prisoners of
war, registered at these Headquarters for exchange, will be sent
by steamer to Baton Rouge, La,, on the Sth October instant,
leaving New Orleans at 10 o'clock, a,m,, of that day.
Those officers, the terms of whose surrender permitted the
retention of their side arms, will be allowed to take with them
their swords only, but in no case will permission be granted
to purchase arms of any description to carry beyond the
lines; nor wUl any supplies be taken, further than the apparel
actually worn at the time of their departure.
By command of Majob-Geneeal Butler
Geo, C, Strong, A. A. G., Chief of Staff
' Placed in the Letter Book between letters of October 6, 1862, and October 11, 1862,
VOL. II — 23

354 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From Richard S. Fay, Jr. Boston, October 6ft, 1862
Major General B. F. Butler
Dear General: I credit you with Middlesex extra divi
dends collected frora the Life Office $1,010. I have yours of
25th, and feel araply reassured by your expressions of confi
dence on ray care of your business interests. I have sent you
since the letter you acknowledge — on the 14th, — a complete
stateraent of your own account, and on the 19th a detailed
account of operations under the order of the Secretary of War.
I wish you would write me an order to pay Col. Butler's
over-drafts out of your funds. By his orders I turn his balance
over to your account whenever it araounts to any considerable
sura. The next day, the chances are, he draws heavily, and in
case of his or my death I should have a very poor account to
show. I shall write you raore fully frora my own house to-night.
Faithfully yours, Richard S. Fay, Jr.
October Sth
I HAVE sorae hay in New Orleans on ray own account, sorae
with Col. Butler, and some with A. Montgomery. I hope if
your horses eat it, you will allow rae a fair price for it. Other
wise I shall have to declare another extra dividend at the
Middlesex to pay ray debts.
Governor Andrew says no more Mass, troops shall go to
you, but I hear, though, Tho, Chickering's Regiment is to go
as soon as it is filled,
I hope the late victory at Corinth will open the way up the
river to you as soon as you are reinforced.
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Oct. 6ft, 1862
Wm. Dillon, Esq.
Sir: I extended to you every facUity for recovering your
property so long as you showed yourself an honorable raan, but
after you had denounced a raan as having defrauded you and
sold you, and afterwards, when I was deahng with hira, certi
fied to his character as an honest raan, I decline any further
interference in your matters, I have the honor to be.
Your obedient servant,
B, F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 355
From J. Kruttschnidt
Prussian Consulate, New Orleans, 9ft Oct., 1862
Major, General B, F, Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf,
New Orleans
General: I have had the honor to address you on the 4th
inst, in reference to the "Essex," On the afternoon of that
day 2 packages, marked "Geo, Green, Son & Co,, Liverpool,"
shipped by Robt, Clark of this city, were by your orders taken
away by force from on board said vessel, and on Monday
following, the 6th inst. Captain Klatt was informed that the
other obnoxious packages could remain on board, and that no
further obstacles were in the way of his obtaining a clearance :
the "Essex" was cleared accordingly at about noon on the
6th inst,
I now beg leave to hand you the protest of the "Essex'.'
(supplementary to the one under date of 22nd ult,) against
her detention and the forcible taking away of the 2 packages
mentioned above,
I regret this occurrence, but hope that the Prussian Minister
at Washington, to whom I have forwarded all the papers
relating to the "Essex," will have no difficulty to effect a satis
factory settlement of this question with the Govemraent at
Washington, I remain. General,
Very respectfully. Your obdt. servt,
J, Kruttschnidt, Acting Consul
From G. S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase ^
Private and Unofficial. New Orleans, Oct. 10ft, 1862
Dear Sir: I have received your official letter of Sept,
22nd,, enclosing letters of Mr, Barney and Mr, Norton,^ and
asking information whether any portion of shipraents to this
port reach the eneray. My official reply, dated yesterday, is
correct so far as it goes, but additional facts exist, proper to
be stated only in a private letter.
Ever since the capture of this city a brisk trade has been
carried on with the rebels by a few persons under military
permits, frequently with mUitary assistance, and, as I believe,
rauch to the pecuniary benefit of some of the principal mili-

' American Historical Association Report 1902, Vol, II, p. 320.
' Possible reference to letter of Sept. 6, 1862, Sidney S. Norton to Hon. William
Barney.

356 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
tary officers of this Departraent, I have suspected it for a
long time, and spoke of it in ray private letters to you of Aug,
26th and Sept, 9th, On the Sth October, your regulations of
Aug, 2Sth reached me, I imraediately stopped aU trade with
the eneray, and as this brought me in contact with the per
sons who have been conducting the trade, I acquired much
information. Almost all the inforraation to be given in this
letter, has been collected this week,
A brother of Gen, Butler is here, who is called Col, Butler,
though he occupies no position in the array, Govemraent
officers, citizens, and rebels, generally believe him to be the
partner or agent of Gen'l, Butler, He does a heavy business,
and by various practices has raade between one and two
raillion dollars since the capture of the city. Gov, Shepley,
and especiaUy Col, French (Provost Marshal), are supposed
to be interested, but these officers I believe to be entirely
under control of Gen'l, Butler, who knows everything, controls
everything, and should be held responsible for everything.
There are two channels of trade with the rebels — the
River and Lake Pontchartrain, River trade raust be conducted
by stearaboats. There are eight or nine river boats here, all
seized and now in the hands of the railitary authorities, 'Col,
Butler has used these boats as he pleased for carrying up and
bringing down freight, I had no control over thera, and
could not know what was transpiring, for the raUitary authori
ties controlled thera, with whora I had no authority to inter
fere. Troops were at Baton Rouge and below Vicksburg, and
it was to be supposed the boats were used for public, not
private purposes. Of late, frequently, one or .two infantry
corapanies would accorapany a boat taking up cargo and
bringing back produce. This service was unpopular with
officers and men, who enlisted for the benefit of the country
and not of speculators, I say no raore concerning the river
trade, except that it has been constant and soraetiraes active.
Of the trade across the lake, I have more accurate and
more inforraation, because there are no govemraent vessels
there, and it was conducted with schooners. Shortly after
arriving here, I learned that large quantities of salt had crossed
the lake to the rebels, and supposing it to be srauggled, took
measures to stop it thenceforth. Two weeks later, a schooner
loaded with 1,000 sacks salt [started] to crqss the lake, I
directed the inspector to seize the vessel, and imraediately
called upon Gen, Butler, and requested a guard to be put on

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 357
board. This was about 9 o'clock at night. He appeared indig
nant at the attempt to take salt to the eneray — ordered a
guard on board the vessel — and ordered the iraraediate
arrest of the Captain and shippers. The next day I had an
interview with Provost Marshal French, who told rae it was all
a misunderstanding. The shipper had a perrait for 500, but not
for 1,000; that the shipper and captain were released — the ves
sel unladen and released also, I told hira he had no authority
to release ray seizures, but it was now too late to help it.
After this but little trade was done until six or eight weeks
ago, when Gen, Butler gave a permit to a rebel to ship four
large cargoes, much of which was contraband, across the lake,
I immediately called upon the General, who said that it was
ihe policy of the Gov't, to get cotton shipped frora this port, and
for that purpose to trade with the enemy. In the conversa
tion he left upon my raind the impression that this course
was approved at Washington, I then had entire confidence
in Gen'l Butler, and my letter of instructions had directed me
to consult with hira frequently. For the last two months
trade has been active across the lake, nor had I any authority
to stop it, until the arrival of your regulations on the 5th
Oct,, as above mentioned.
The following statements are made to me by various persons :
One raan says that he took over 600 sacks salt just before I
arrived, and was gone six weeks, Gen'l Butler gave perrait.
Two dollars per sack was paid for perraission to take frora New
Orleans, He sold 400 sacks to Confederate array at $25, per
sack, and was perraitted to sell the other 200 to citizens at
$36, per sack. He did not own the cargo, but received one-
fourth of net profits. He cleared $2,000, The owners cleared
$6,000 — good raoney,
Dr, Avery, Surgeon 9th, Reg't, Conn, Vol,, states that he
accorapanied an expedition to Pontichoula, just north of Lake
Pontchartrain, about three weeks ago, A skirraish ensued —
he was taken prisoner and taken to Camp Moore, He saw a
large quantity of salt in sacks there, lying by the railroad, A
rebel officer said to him, "We bought that salt from Col.
Butler, We paid $5, per sack for the privilege of shipraent
frora New Orleans, To-day that salt goes to Richraond for
the army, To-raorrow or next day another cargo will arrive.
The array get their salt frora New Orleans. The Yankees
"will do anything for raoney." Dr. A, was subsequently
released, and is now in Jhis city.

858 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Capt, Cornwell, Co, A. 13th Conn, Reg't,, was stationed
with his corapany at the mouth of New Canal for about three
weeks, endmg last Saturday, He states that the first schooner
going out was laden with large am't, of contraband articles —
sorae medicines, including 80 gals, castor oU, It had Shepley's
perrait. He sent his 2nd, Lieut, (Kinney) to Gen, Butler who
said, "Go to Gov, Shepley, and ask hira if he does not know
that these articles wUl go right into the hands of the enemy,"
Gov, Shepley said, "Return to Gen. Butler and say that I
consulted him before giving this permit." Whereupon Gen.
B. said, "Well, let it go, since Gov, S, has granted a permit,"
The same thing happened two or three days afterward, when
Gen, B, received the messenger, and at once wrote on the back
of the perrait, "Gov, Shepley's passes must be respected,"
Capt, Cornwell now wants to go horae.
The inspector of Customs at the New Canal is very sick,
and therefore I cannot get his statement at present.
Mr. Clctrk applies for permission to trade with the eneray
on large scale, and states that he raade the arrangeraent by
Gen, Butler's consent. I let his vessel leave in ballast, taking
bond in double the value of the vessel that she would be
returned into ray custody within 20 days. He had a letter
frora Gen. B. which I caused to be privately copied, and
also a letter from Col. Butler. Both are enclosed here
with, marked "A."
Don D. Goicouria (of the firm of D. D. Goicouria and Co.,
New St., N. Y.) has been here four raonths and has raade
about $200,000. He asks to continue trade with the eneray,
authorized by Gen'l. Butler. He has taken two thousand
sacks salt to the confederate array. He raade an arrangeraent
with Gen. Butler and Benjamin (Rebel Secretary of War) to
take salt to the enemy, bringing back cotton in exchange at
the rate of ten sacks in one bale of cotton. He goes North
next stearaer, and will apply to Secretary of Treasury for per
rait to continue the trade. He has rec'd here 200 bales cotton.
His salt goes to the Confederate Array, He says Col, Butler
told hira that he (Col, B,) had sent North 8,000 hogs, sugar of
his own, worth in N. Y. $800,000 or $900,000. Besides salt, he
has taken to the eneray large amount of other goods. In his
interview with you he will be able to tell you everything about
trade with the Rebels if disposed to do so,
A Roman Catholic Priest, from Bay St, Louis, told me
yesterday that in his vicinity Salt was selling for $3,50 per

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 359
gallon — or $25. per bushel, and Flour at $55. per barrel (A
Sack of salt contains about 4 bushels).
Mr. Lloyd ^ applies for perrait to trade. He states that Gen.
B, granted hira perrait, to take effect whenever he pleased,
and offered hira gunboats and soldiers. He declined such aid,
preferring to raake arrangeraents with Confederate authorities,
which are now corapleted. That he promised to bring hither
5,000 bales cotton and sell them to Gen, Butler, at the market
price. He insinuates that there is a further understanding
between himself and Gen, Butler, but declines stating what it
is. His agent's name is Burden, and his application (with
list of cargo) is enclosed herewith, marked "B,"
Another application coraes frora Wm, Perkins, and is en
closed herewith raarked "C,"
R, H, Montgoraery's vessels were stopped by rae in New
Canal on the 5th October, His permit from Gov, Shepley
and list of cargo is enclosed herewith marked "D,"
All the vessels crossing the lake since Sept, 23rd, have
had Gen, Shepley's pass. The inspector has furnished a list
of thera with their cargoes, which list is enclosed herewith,
raarked "E,"
After receiving copy of your regulations, I told Gen, Butler
that this trade gave aid and comfort to the enemy without
benefit to the Gov't, — that it deraoralized the array — dis
gusted loyal citizens — and degraded the character of the
Gov't, He smilingly assented — said it ought to be stopped
— that he didn't see why Shepley granted such permits —
and that he was going to visit Ship Island, and when he returned
would see me about it again!
The stringent blockade enhances prices in the Rebel States,
and is a great thing for the military speculators of this Depart
ment — and their friends, I know of 5,000 sacks being sent
to the eneray, and I think raore than 10,000 have been sent,
I suppose your regulations (2Sth, Aug.) equally apply to the
portion of the State within our lines — as well as to that under
insurrectionary control. That supplies can be sent anywhere
to a loyal citizen for his ovim use, but not to sell to rebels, and
that I ara to control the whole raatter. If I raistake, please
inforra me.
Most of this trade can be stopped, but I believe the present
mUitary authorities are so corrupt that they will take all means
' Possibly the Richard Lloyd who wrote to Gen. Butler June 6th and June 17th,
1862 (filed June 17th, 1862).

360 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
to raake money. The amount of goods smuggled from this
point to the enemy has been trifling. Gen. Butler has always
been kind to rae, and our personal relations are upon the raost
pleasant footing. He has great abUity, great energy, shrewd
ness and activity, and industry, but he can never acquire a
character here for disinterestedness. Many officers and
soldiers want to go horae, not wishing to risk their lives to
make fortunes for others, (George S, Denison)
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, October lift, 1862
M. Fauconnet, Acting Consul of France. Representing H, M,
THE Emperor of France
Sir: I had the pleasure to find on my return to this city the
report of Col, Stafford of the 1st Regt, of Native Guard (free
colored), which with the accompanying evidence in relation
to Abadie I have the honor to inclose with the request, they
being original documents, that they shall be returned to me
after your perusal.
If the evidence is correct, it would seera that the outrage
was on the part of Abadie on ray colored soldiers, who are to
be protected from the insults of all persons, whether neutrals
or others.
If you choose, you will submit the evidence to Mr, Abadie,
and if then he or you desires, I will order the parties before a
Military Coraraission to be tried for such offences as raay be
found against thera, and will raete out such punishraent as
raay be due to the party found by such Coraraission to be in
the wrong.
Meanwhile, may I ask you to warn your countrymen against
the prejudices which they may have irabibed, the sarae as
were lately mine, against ray colored soldiers, because their
color and race is of the same hue and blood as those of your
celebrated compatriot and author, Alexander Dumas, who, I
believe is treated with the utmost respect in Paris, so that their
prejudices raay not lead them to interfere and provoke con
tests, which may be the subject, perhaps justly, of coraplaint
frora yourself to me, I have the honor to be
Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 361
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, October li, 1862
Hon. E. M. Stanton Secretary of War
Sir: I have the honor to report the facts and circumstances
of ray General Orders No. 55 in answer to the complaints of
the Prussian and French legations, as to the enforcement of
that order upon certain inhabitants of New Orleans, clairaed
to be the subjects of these respective Governments.
Before discussing the special and personal relations of the
several coraplaints, it will be necessary in a general way to
give an account of the state of things which I found had existed,
and was then existing, at New Orleans upon its capture by
the Federal Troops, to show the status of the several classes
upon which General Orders No, 55 takes effect.
In October, 1861, about the time Mason and Slidell left the
city upon their mission to Europe to obtain the intervention of
the foreign powers, great hopes were entertained by the rebels
that the European Governments would be induced to inter
fere from the want of a supply of cotton. This supply was
being had to a degree through the agency of the small vessels
shooting out by the nuraerous Bayous, Lagoons, and creeks
with which the southern part of Louisiana is penetrated,
eluded the blockade, and conveyed very considerable araounts
of cotton to Havana and other foreign ports, where rams and
raunitions of war were largely iraported through the sarae
channels in exchange. Indeed, as I have before had the
honor to inform the Department of State, it was raade a con
dition of the very passes given by Governor Moore that a
quantity of arras and powder should be returned in proportion
to the cotton shipped.
The very high prices of the outward as well as the inward
cargoes raade these ventures profitable, although but one in
three got through in safety.
Nor does the fact that so considerable quantities of cotton
escaped the blockading force at all irapugn the efficiency of
the blockading squadron, when it is taken into consideration
that without using either of the principal water coraraunica
tions with the city through the "Rigolets" or the "Passes"
at the Delta of the river, there are at least 53 distinct outlets
to the Gulf frora New Orleans by water communication by
light-draught vessels. Of course, not a pound of the cotton
that went through these channels found its way North unless

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
it was purchased at a foreign port. To prevent even this
supply of the European manufactures, becarae an object of
the greatest interest of the rebels, and prior to October 1S61
aU the principal cotton factors of New Orleans, to the number
of about a hundred, united in an address, signed with their
names, to the planters, advising thera not to send their cotton
to New Orleans, for the avowed reason that if it was sent the
cotton wiU find its way to foreign ports and furnish the in
terest of Europe and the United States with the product of
which they are most in need , , , and thus contribute to
the maintainance of that quasi neutrality, which European
Nations have thought proper to avow,
"This address proving ineffectual to maintain the policy
we had deterrained upon, and which not only received the
sanction of public opinion here, but which has been so promptly
and cheerfully followed by the planters and factors of the
other States of the Confederacy," the same cotton factors
raade a petition to Governor Moore and General Twiggs to
"devise means to prevent any shipment of Cotton to New
Orleans whatever,"
For answer to the petition. Governor Moore issued a proc
lamation forbidding the bringing of cotton within the city
limits under the penalties therein prescribed. This action was
concurred in by General Twiggs, then in command of the
Confederate forces, and enforced by newspaper articles pub
lished in the leading Journals.
I have appended the exhibits of proclaraation of the Gov
ernor, the order of General Twiggs, the petition of the Cotton
Factors, and an article on the subject by one of the raost
widely circulated Journals, in papers raarked "A" & "B,"
wherein the whole raatter is fully set forth.
This was one of the series of offensive measures which was
undertaken by the mercantile comraunity of New Orleans,
of which a large portion were foreigners, and of which the
coraplaint of Order 55 forraed a part in aid of the rebellion.
The only cotton allowed to be shipped during the auturan
and winter of 1861 & 1862 was by perraits of Governor Moore,
granted upon express condition that at least one-half in value
should be returned in arms and munitions of war. In this
traffic, almost the entire mercantile houses of New Orleans
were engaged. Joint stock companies were forraed, shares
issued, vessels bought, cargoes shipped, arms returned, imraense
profits realized, and the speculative and trading energy of the

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
whole coraraunity was turned in this direction. It wUl be borne
in mind that quite two-thirds of the trading coraraunity were
foreign-born, and now claim exemption frora all duties as
citizens and exemption from liabilities for all their acts because
of being "foreign neutrals,"
When the expedition, which I had the high honor to be
intrusted to command, landed at Ship Island, and seemed to
threaten New Orleans, the most energetic efforts were made by
the State and Confederate authorities for the defence of the
city. Nearly the entire foreign population of the city enrolled
itself in Companies, Battalions and Brigades, representing
different Nationalities, They were armed, uniforraed, and
equipped, drilled and manoeuvered, reported for service to
the Confederate Generals, Many of the foreign officers took
the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States, The Brigadier
General in coramand of the European Brigade, Paul Juge a
naturalized citizen of the United States but born in France,
renounced his citizenship and applied to the French Govern
ment to be restored to his former citizenship as a native of
that country at the very tirae he held his coraraand in the
foreign legion.
The Prussian Consul, now General Reichard of the Confed
erate army, of whora we shall [say] raore in the course of this
report, raised a Battalion of his countrymen and went to Vir
ginia, where he has been promoted for his gallantry in the
rebel service, leaving his coraraercial partner, Mr, Krutt
schnidt, now acting Prussian Consul, who has married the
sister of the rebel Secretary of War, to embarrass as rauch
as possible the United States officers here by subscriptions
to "city defense funds," and groundless coraplaints to the
Prussian Minister,
I have thus endeavored to give a faithful and exact account
of the state of the foreign population of New Orleans of the
fifteenth day of Feb,, 1862,
In October, 1861, the city had voted to erect a battery out
of this "defence fund," as will appear by exhibit extract of
the Delta Newspaper raarked "C," On the 19th of February,
1862, the City Council by vote published and coramented
upon in the newspapers, placed in the hands of the Confed
erate General Lovell fifty thousand Dollars ($50,000), to be
expended by him in the defence of the city. This resolution
is appended frora a published newspaper copy raarked "D,"
It will therefore clearly appear that all inhabitants of the

364 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
city knew that the City Council were raising and expending
large suras for war purposes.
On the 20th of the sarae February, the City CouncU raised
an extraordinary "Coraraittee on Public Safety" frora the
body of inhabitants at large, consistmg of sixty merabers, for
the "purpose of cooperating with the Confederate and State
authorities in devising means for the defence of the city and
its approaches." This wUl appear from exhibit raarked "E,"
a published newspaper copy of the resolution raising such
committee. On the 27th of the same February, the City CouncU adopted
a series of resolutions: 1st. recommending the issue of One
MUlion Dollars of the City Bonds for the purpose of purchas
ing arms and munitions of war, and to provide for the success
ful defence of the city and its approaches.
2nd. To appropriate Twenty-five thousand Dollars for
the purpose of uniforming and equipping soldiers mustered
into the service of the country.
3rd. Pledging the Council "to support the farailies of all
soldiers who shall volunteer for the war."
This will appear more at large in the published newspaper
copy on the resolutions, marked "F."
On the 3rd of March, 1862, the City Council authorized the
Mayor to issue bonds of the city for a mUlion of Dollars,
and provided that the Chairman of the Finance Coraraittee
raight pay over the said bonds to the Coraraittee of Public
Safety appointed by the Coramon Council of the City of
New Orleans, as per resolution No, 8930, approved 20th of
February, 1862, in such sums as they may require for the pur
chase of arras and munitions of war, provisions, or to provide
any means for the successful defence of the city and its
approaches. And at the same tirae authorized the Chairraan
of the Finance Committee "to pay over $25,000 to troops
mustered into the State service, who should go to fight at
Columbus or elsewhere under General Beauregard," This
will appear by Exhibit marked "G," of the published news
paper copy of the doings of the City Council,
It was to this fund, in the hands of this extraordinary
Coraraittee, so published with its objects and purposes, that
the complainants subscribed their money, and now claira
exeraption upon the ground of neutrality, and want of knowl
edge of the purpose of the funds.
It wUl be reraerabered that all the steps of the raising of

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 365
the Committee to dispose of this fund were published, and
matters of great public notoriety. That the fact that the
bonds were in the hands ol such an extraordinary Coraraittee
should have put any prudent person on their guard.
That all the leading Secessionists of the City were sub
scribers to the same fund.
Will it be pretended for a moment that these persons —
Bankers, Merchants, Brokers — who are making this com
plaint, did not know what this fund was, and its purposes to
which they were subscribing by thousands of dollars?
[Had] Mr, Rochereau, for instance, who had taken an oath
to support the Confederate States, a banker, and then a Colonel
coraraanding a body of troops in the service of the Confed
erates, never heard for what purposes the city was raising a
raillion and a quarter in bonds? '
Take the Prussian Consul, who coraplains for hiraself and
the Mrs, Vogel whom he represents, as an example. Did he
know about this fund? He, a trader, a Jew famed for a bar
gain, married the sister of the rebel Secretary of War, the
partner of General Reichard, late Prussian Consul, then in
command of the Confederate army, who subscribed for hira
self, his partner, and Mrs, Vogel, the wife of his forraer part
ner, thirty thousand Dollars, did he not know what he was
doing when he bought the bonds of this " Coraraittee of Public
Safety"? On the contrary, it was done to aid the rebellion to which
he was bound by his sympathies, his social relations, his
^ business connections, and marriage ties! But it is said that
this subscription was made to the fund for the sake of the in
vestment. It will appear, however, by a careful examination,
that Mr, Kruttschnidt collected for his principal a note
secured by mortgage in anticipation of its being due, in order
to purchase twenty-five thousand dollars of this loan. See
his letter to Mrs, Vogel, Without, however, descending into
the particulars, is the profitableness of the investment to be
perraitted to be alleged as a sufficient apology for aiding the
rebeUion by raoney and arms? If so, all their army contract
ors, principally Jews, should be held blameless, for they have
made iramense fortunes by the war. Indeed, I suppose another
Jew — one Judas — thought his investment in the thirty
pieces of silver was a profitable one, until the penalty of
treachery reached him.
When I took possession of New Orleans I found the city

366 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
nearly on the verge of starvation, but thirty days' provisions
in it, and the poor utterly without the means of procuring
what food there was to be had,
I endeavored to aid the City Government in the work of
feeding the poor, but I soon found that the very contribution
of food was a means faithlessly used to encourage the rebel
lion, I was obliged, therefore, to take the whole matter into
my own hands. It becarae a subject of alarraing importance
and gravity. It became necessary to provide frora sorae
source the funds to procure the food. They could not be raised
by city taxation in the ordinary forra. These taxes were in
arrears to raore than a million of dollars. Besides, it would
be unjust to tax the loyal citizens and honestly neutral for
eigners to provide for a state of things brought about by the
rettels and disloyal foreigners related to them by ties of blood,
marriage, and social relation, who had conspired and labored
together to overthrow the authority of the United States,
and establish the very result which was to be met. Further,
in order to have a contribution effective, it raust be upon those
who had wealth to answer it.
There seems to me no such fit subjects for such taxation as
the Cotton Brokers, who had brought the distress upon the
city by thus paralysing commerce, and the subscribers to this
loan who had raoney to invest for purposes of war, so adver
tised and known as above described.
With these conditions, I issued General Orders No, 55,
which will explain itself, and is annexed raarked "H," and
have raised nearly the araount of the tax therein set forth.
But for what purpose? Not a dollar has gone in any way
to the use of the United States, I ara now employing 1,000
poor laborers as matter of charity upon the streets and wharves
of the city frora this fund, I am distributing food to preserve
from starvation 9707 faraUies, containing "Thirty-Two Thou
sand and Four Hundred and Fifty souls" daily, and this done
at an expense of more than Seventy Thousand Dollars per
raonth, I ara sustaining, at the expense of Two Thousand
Dollars per raonth, five asyluras for widows and orphans, I
am aiding the Charity Hospital to the extent of Five Thousand
Dollars per month,
I beg leave to call your attention to the exhibits marked,
"I and K," attached hereto. These are synopses of the
weekly returns of my Relief Coraraittee that distributes the
food.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 367
Before their Excellencies the French and Prussian Ministers
complain of my actions upon foreigners at New Orleans, I
desire they would look at these exhibits, and consider for a
few moments the facts and figures set forth in these returns
and in this report. They will find that out of 10,490 families
who have been fed frora the fund, with the raising of which
they find fault, less than one tenth (One thousand and ten) are
Americans, nine thousand four hundred and eighty, foreign
ers. Of the thirty-two thousand souls but three thousand are
natives. Besides, the Charities at the Asylums and hospitals
are distributed in about the sarae proportions as to foreigners
and native born, so that of an expenditure of near $80,000
per raonth to eraploy and feed the starving ,poor of New
Orleans, seventy-two thousand goes to the foreigners, whose
corapatriots loudly complain, and offensively thrust forward
their neutrality when ever they are called upon to aid their
suffering countrymen,
I should need no extraordinary taxation to feed the poor of
New Orleans if the bellies of the foreigners were as active with
the rebels as are the heads of those who claira exeraption thus
far of this taxation, made and used for purposes above set
forth upon the grounds of their neutrality, I find Mr, Roch
ereau & Co,, the senior partner of which took an oath of alle
giance to support the Constitution of the Confederate States,
I find also the house of Reichard & Co,, the senior partner of
which. General Reichard, is in the rebel array, the junior
partner Mr, Kruttschnidt, the brother in law of Benjamin,
the rebel Secretary of War, using all funds in his hands to
purchase arras, and collecting the securities of his correspond
ent before they are due to get funds to loan to rebel authori
ties, and now acting Prussian Consul here, doing quite as
effective service to the rebels as his partner in the field, Mr,
Vogel, late partner in the sarae house of Reichard & Co,, now
absent, whose funds are raanaged by that house, Mr, Paesher
& Co, Bankers, whose clerks and employees formed a part of
the French Legion, organized to fight the United States, and
who contributed largely to arra and equip that corps. And a
Mr, Lewis, whose antecedents I have not had tirae to investi
gate, — And these are fair specimens of the neutrality of the
foreigners for whora the Government is called upon to inter
fere, to prevent their paying anything toward the Relief
Fund for their starving countrymen.
If the representatives of the Foreign Governments will feed

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
their own starving people, over whora the only protection
they extend, so far as I see, is to tax thera all, poor and rich,
a doUar and a half each for certificates of nationality, I wUl
release these foreigners from all the exactions, fines, and
imposts whatever. I have the honor to be
Your obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, October li, 1862
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: In obedience to the request of the Departraent by
letter of Sept. 18th, that I would report "aU the facts and cir
cumstances which are the subject of the coraplaint of Mr.
Tarsara, Spanish Minister at Washington, concerning the
action of the United States Authorities in relation to the
house of Puig Brothers, Spanish trader of this city, I beg
leave to subrait the following:
My poUce and detective officers received information from
the raost reliable sources that the house of Puig Bros, had
been and still was carrying on the nefarious traffic of supply
ing the rebels with arms and munitions of War from Havana,
and for -that purpose one of the partners was a resident
of Havana, to ship the contraband articles which the other
received and distributed here.
Acting upon this inforraation, a seizure of the House was
ordered, together with their books and papers, for the purpose
of obtaining at the same time evidence of the facts and secu
rity for the appearance of the parties, one of whom had ab
sconded at the moment. The books and papers show the
most conclusive evidence of the criminal complicity of the
House in breaking the neutrality laws in every possible form.
The resident partner here had just taken refuge on board
the Spanish vessel of War, "Blasco De Garay," and upon
inquiry for hira there, his presence was denied. I beg leave in
this connection to call the attention of the War Departraent,
and ask that the attention of the Secretary of State, and
through him the Spanish Minister, may be inforraed of the
fact that a Spanish raan-of-war lying in this harbor, is raade
the fraudulent asylum of criminals, protecting them from
justice and trial.
How far such conduct can be justified by the Comity of

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 369
Nations I have a very decided opinion, and certainly, if not
otherwise authoritatively advised by the War Department,
upon the repetition of such conduct, I shall order and enforce
the absence of the offending vessel frora the harbor.
Being made aware of these facts, and of the place of refuge
of the criminal, as will appear by the affidavits of the Messrs,
Cabezas and Calleja (copies of which are hereto annexed), I
did not choose to pursue the investigation of the case of an
absconding criminal in his absence, when he was putting me
at defiance on board of a raan-of-war of a friendly power.
Therefore, when the Spanish Consul raade application for
an explanation of the causes of the seizure of the House of
Puig Bros,, as soon as I was ready to go on with the trial, I
replied that "I would continue the investigation if he would
bring Mr Puig before me,"
This I did because I was assured that the Spanish Consul
knew of and connived at the place of concealment of Puig,
and I did not wish to involve myself with the Spanish Authori
ties in attempting to take Puig frora his place of refuge on
board of the raan-of-war by force, but rather if he thought hira
self innocent that he should corae forward, I believe that if
Puig desired in good faith to have an investigation which
would establish his innocence, that he would corae forward,
and I did not believe that it would be decent to ray own self-
respect, to try the question of Puig's guUt with the Spanish
authorities by correspondence, while they concealed the crimi
nal, so that if found guilty, he would be beyond ray reach,
I observe that Mr, Tarsara raakes it a raatter of coraplaint
that ray note to the Spanish Consul was by the hand of one
of ray Adjutants, I ara not aware of any exaltation of rank
in a Spanish commercial agent which obliges a Major General
of the U, S, Army to answer his communications by his own
hand; besides, there being some ten Consular agents here,
who are continually writing letters upon the raost frivolous
subjects, as well as those of graver iraportance to rae, answers
in person have becorae a physical irapossibUity, specially
taken in connection with the voluminous correspondence
entailed upon me by the complaints of their several ministers
which I ara obliged by courtesy to answer with ray own hand.
To estabish beyond cavil or doubt the deep-dyed crirainality
of the "raost respectable House of Puig Bros,," I enclose
herewith a certffied copy of a receipt given as lately as Novera-
ber last to a rebel Custora house officer by that House, for the
vol. II — 24

370 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
delivery of raany arras and many pounds of powder and lead,
imported by that "raost respectable House of neutral Spanish
subjects," but in fact array contractors of the Confederate
States, Unless the United States are to lose their raanhood alto
gether, I trust I shaU not be called upon to allow to pass
unchecked this nefarious traffic under the high-sounding plea
of "Highly respectable House of Neutrals,"
As to the insinuated charge in Mr, Tarsara's coraraunica
tion, that anyone in this Departraent has interfered with
the official correspondence of the Spanish Legation with the
Spanish Consul at New Orleans, "all the facts or circum
stances" I have to report on such complaint are that it has
not the slightest foundation of fact.
After many weeks of delay it happened that one of my
detective officers, having had his integrity overcome by the
atmosphere of fraud and iniquity with which the rebels and
their agents, such as Puig Bros,, had surrounded New Orleans,
was detected in the act of crirainal embezzleraent, for which
prompt punishment was meted to him. This seemed to give
favorable occasion to one of Puig's clerks to make a claim for
loss, which I had reason to believe fraudulent, and I so char
acterized it in a coraraunication to the Spanish Consul, which
he has not forwarded to his Minister, or which, if he has so
sent, has not been sent to the Secretary of State,
I will reraark, frora that tirae I have heard nothing of that
claira. Certain it is, if the claira was a just one, the Clerk had
more valuables in his principal's house than had the mer
chants themselves.
Perhaps it raay not be in opportune to reraark further that
through his Consul Mr, Puig has subsequently asked leave to
corae on shore frora his self-imposed imprisonment on board
the man-of-war, and at the last I knew of him he was at liberty
on his parole awaiting trial, I have the honor to be.
Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
United States vs. Puig Beothees
Edwaed Cabezas, being duly sworn, deposes and says:
that he has resided in New Orleans for the period of one year,
and that he is acquainted with one of the merabers of the

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 371
above-named firra, to wit: Majin Puig, and the other raember
of the firm is now absent in Havana, That during the time
a blockade was established and existing over the port of New
Orleans by authority of the United States, the said firm were
engaged in violating said blockade to wit: In loading and de
spatching from the port of New Orleans the schooner "Major
Farewell," which said schooner made three voyages, and upon
her return brought arms and munitions of war. Deponent
further states that he has heard the aforesaid Puig say that
he had a contract with the Confederate Govemment to bring
in arms and powder for the use of said Govemraent,
Deponent also states that said Puig is now on board the
Spanish raan-of-war now at anchor in the Mississippi River,
Further, deponent says not.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set ray hand the 5th
day of July, a,d, 1862, j,^^^^^ ^^^^^^^
M, Calleza being sworn, says: that he has exarained the
correspondence seized in the office of Puig Brothers, and that
the greater portion of the sarae is in Spanish, and that one
bank and one ship, besides those raentioned in the affidavits,
were engaged in violating the blockade.
In witness thereof I have hereunto set ray hand the 5th
day of July, a,d, 1862,
Sworn to before me, this fifth day of July, a.d. 1862.
Jonas H, French, Provost Marshal District N. 0.
New Orleans, Nov. 18ft, 1861
[Not in chronological order]
Delivered to Messrs. Puig Brothers & Co. as follows viz.
430 Pineapples 408 Kegs Powder
59 Bun. Bananas 5 Casks "
250 " Plantains 3 Cases
49 Cases Muskets 6 Muskets
3 Kegs Nitre 184 Bars Lead
8 Swords 40 Sacks Coffee
Received frora Inspector J. O. Brien the above articles.
Puig Brothers
110 Boxes tin 453 Bars Lead
Puig Brothers per F. Eloisque

372 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From J. L. Pinot
New Orleans, Oct. Iith, 1862
To Major General Butler, Commanding Department of
the Gulf
General: Yesterday raorning, when I had the honor to
present you ray hurable respects, you asked rae if I reraerabered
the circumstances under which I presented rayself before you
in August last to ask the pardon of Mr, Chas, Heidsick, who
was arrested and sent to prison for infringing the laws of the
United States in crossing frora the enemy side your mUitary
lines, to come to New Orleans in violation of your mihtary
orders, and what is become of the order of pardon and release
you then granted?
The facts and circumstances of that affair. General, are too
solemnly graved in ray meraory to be ever forgotten. My
friend, Mr, S, Plussan, a raerchant of this city, well-known
by you, having been inforraed that Chas, Heidsick, his friend,
had been arrested and sent to prison by the mUitary authori
ties of the United States, prayed me to approach you in order
to ascertain what could be the offence comraitted by his friend,
and in the same time to inquire if he could be released under
a security to be furnished by Mr, Plussan?
You received ray deraand. General, with your accustomed
urbanity and kindness, and you iramediately called Mr,
Moses Greenwood of this city, who had been conjointly, with
ten other persons, perraitted to proceed with a steamer under
a fiag of truce to Mobile to bring back to New Orleans a cer
tain quantity of barrels of flour, for the population there
much in need of.
This gentleman stated in ray presence that Chas, Heidsick,
disguised as a Bar-keeper on board of said vessel, carae from
Mobile to New Orleans, You also asked of Mr, Greenwood if
he knew the social position of Mr, Heidsick and what it was?
His answer was that Mr, Heidsick was a Frenchman and a
rich dealer in wines.
The proof adduced to me was that as bearer of letters from
a Mr, Porte of Mobile, acting there as Vice Consul, Mr, Heid
sick had crossed again your railitary lines in coming frora Mo
bUe to New Orleans on board of a schooner, in order to bring,
as he stated, letters to the French Consul in New Orleans,
All these facts [were] also stated to rae by the French Con
sul here, and the friends of Mr, Heidsick have told me that he

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 373
does not deny these facts, but that he contends that he is
innocent of all offences whatsoever, and he never injured or
caused prejudice to the Government of the United States in
any manner whatsoever.
In presence of such evidence I reraained confused, and I
had nothing to say but to implore your clemency. General,
in favor of Mr, Plussan's friend,
I then returned in painful thoughts and apprehensions of
Mr, Heidsick's ultimate state, knowing well that under such
circumstances, according to the usages of war and the laws of
nations, the prisoner's life was at your mercy, but knowing
also that your generosity and cleraency has been so largely
extended in New Orleans to so raany unfortunate persons in
grave circumstances, the hope that you would pardon Mr,
Heidsick never abandoned rae; and that very day I took
the liberty to write to you in favor of the prisoner. The next
day I went to see you; you proraised to take ray demand in
consideration, and a few days afterwards Mr, Plussan received
frora you an order which released Mr, Heidsick frora prison
under the condition that he should leave the country for France,
This order, together with a letter received from the French
Consul who had it from France to the address of Mr, Heid
sick, was sent him by Mr, Plussan,
It appears that Mr, Heidsick, instead of availing himself of
your generous pardon, thought proper to remain in prison.
What is his purpose and his intentions I desire not to know
them, but I ara certain that the unfortunate raan is uncon
scious of his position. If, however, in the narae of humanity.
General, please not to revoke your kind order. The day is not
far when Mr, Heidsick will be happy to avail himself of it in
recognizing the fallacy of his pretensions, I remain. General,
with a profound respect and great consideration.
Your most obedient servant, J, L, Pinot
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, October 13, 1862
J. Callejon, Esq. Consul of Spain
Sir: I enclose this anonymous communication, believing
it due the representative of a friendly Government.
Will you return it to me with a report as to the truth of
the inforraation contained. I ara.
Your Most obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding

374 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
New Orleans, October Sth, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Dear Sir: As you have done rae sorae good I wUl return
good to you.
Are you aware that the "Blasco De Garay" is violating the
Neutrality laws? The stearaer is crowded with rebel passen
gers who have gone on board without perraission, without
having taken the oath of allegiance,
I wiU caU your attention to M, M, Delain Eustis, brother of
George Eustis, He is bearer of iraportant despatches; and
a gentleman by the narae of Mr, GraUhe, a gentleraan of high
standing, very rich, he leaves behind his wife, who resides
corner Royal and Main Streets, He is a rabid Confederate,
and both have been concealing theraselves for the last three
days on board the ship, Mr, Eustis has received those des
patches by a young man who crossed the lines four days ago.
He is with his wife and children.
There are besides twenty families making altogether 60
passengers, y^^^^ ^^^^^ Veritas
From Juan de Callejon Translation
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
General: Although it is not customary to pay the slightest
attention to the anonymous communications, I wish to inform
you that I have seen on the "Blasco de Garay" some persons,
well acquainted with her coraraander, and who left for Havana
with a passport frora the authority of this City & also from
ray office; if those you have raentioned were araongst them, I
did not know it, but it is not strange if they have asked the
Coraraander of the said ship for protection, as no raan-of-war
in the world would refuse protection to a raan in political
trouble, although you raay think different it cannot offend
the neutrality of the Government,
It is different with comraon crirainals, and the noble and
charitable anonyraous correspondent raight have inforraed
you also that a police officer came at night to ray residence to
tell rae that a murderer was secreted on board the "Blasco
de Garay," and that I got out of bed and gave the necessary
order, and the officers of the stearaer gav^ all the assistance
required.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 375
The social raanners of the Captain and officers of the "Blasco
de Garay" have raade them raany friends in this city, but whose
feelings have no relation to political affairs, but it is not strange
that this anonyraous correspondent is raistaken in seeing only
crirainals in the nuraerous farailies who wish to leave, and wUl
do so at the last extreraity. God raay grant you raany years.
Juan de^ Callejon, Consul of her Spanish Majesty
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. 13ft, 1862
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I ara grieved to be obliged to bring before the notice
of the War Departraent the conduct of the several Spanish
Vessels of War lately in this Port, to wit, the "Pinta," "Marie
Galanti" and "Blasco de Garay,"
I am informed and believe that each of these vessels took
on board for Cuba passengers, not only Spanish born but
citizens of the United States who had been concerned in the
rebellion, and who, against the orders of the Commanding
General, conveyed themselves and their effects away from the
Departraent on board of these national Vessels of War,
I have clairaed the right to search thera for crirainals other
than rebels, and after much difficulty the privilege was ac
corded on board the first two ships. My police found' there
many passengers without passes — who were not Spaniards,
The decks of the "Blasco de Garay" were literally covered
with passengers selected with so little discriraination that ray
detective officers found on board as a passenger an escaped
convict of the Penitentiary, who was in full flight frora a
raost brutal raurder, with his booty robbed frora his victira
with hira on board this Vessel of War,
Now, if the Spanish Government are going into the passen
ger carrying business by their National War Vessels, which I
cannot believe, as it would be unjust to private speculative
enterprise in this branch of trade, I desire to be informed of
the fact officially through His Excellency the Spanish Minister,
so that I raay subject these Vessels to the sarae regulations as
other passenger carriers, otherwise I would desire the Com
manders of such Vessels checked in this practice, I have the
honor to be, y^^^ q^^^ ^^^^^^^^
Benj, F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.

376 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From the Acting French Consul
Translation. New Orleans, Oct. 13, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Sir: I received your favor of the llth with the enclosed
papers, and return thera hereby, after having taken copies.
The letter of Col, Stafford makes me think of certain fables of
the good Lafontaine, and appears to me as a most precious
piece, worth keeping. In noticing the manner in which he
made the inquiries by your order, I am surprised to find that
he only questioned the accused, and that the plaintiff has not
even been called to make his deposition. It may be that Mr,
Abadie is, as Col, Stafford caUs him, "a low Frenchman,"
but it appears to rae that he might be heard & beheved as
weU as Sergeants MandevUle and Bondreux; the testiraony of
the Doctor who examined him, as also of the Irishman who
was present, might have been taken. Besides, if Abadie takes
my advice, he will accept the decision of a regular court, on
condition that Col, Stafford, whora I except for reasons which
you will appreciate, be not a raeraber thereof, I see not what
relation there can be between this affair and Mr, Alexander
Dumas, "What you call prejudice of race and color certainly
does not exist in France, but they respect and treat equally
those who have enjoyed the benefit of liberty and education,
but it does not follow that one can see without fear and submit
to assaults which are and will be committed by poor beings,
who were slaves, and are now at once elevated to the rank of
free men and citizens, and will abuse their freedora. Relating
to ray countrymen, it may be that they are soraetiraes too
prorapt in their irapressions, true or false, but you will concur
with rae that they ought to be excused if they fear the social
revolution which is going on now and of which a terrible
example has been seen on the plantation Millandon, Accept,
Sir, the assurance of my high consideration,
Fauconnet, Adg French Consul
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. 13th, 1862
M. Fauconnet, Acting Consul of France, at
New Orleans, La,
Sir: The Comdg, Genl. directs me to inform you that he
has laid the case of M. Abadie before the MUitary comraission.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 377
of which Col, Stafford is not a raeraber, I have the honor
' Your Obdt. Servant,
A, F, Puffer, Capt &A.D.C.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Oct. Uth, 1862
Col. Paine, Comdg. 2nd Regt. La. Vols., U. S Barracks
Colonel: The French Consul coraplains that two horses
belonging to Mr, Martial Crottes have been seized frora a
pasture near Chalniette,
The Comdg, Genl, desires you to see to it that a proper
receipt for the horses be given to Mr, Crottes, I have the
' Your Obdt. Servant,
A, F, Puffer, Capt &A.D.C.
From the Secretary of War
War DepaHment, Washington City, D.C, Oct. Uth, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding at New Orleans
General: The Secretary of War directs me to transmit to
you the enclosed copy of a note from the Legation of France,
addressed to the State Department, with copies of the papers
which accorapanied it relative to two lots of printing paper
belonging to Charles Harisse, seized by our orders, and also
in regard to certain acts which are represented to have been
coramitted by orders of Federal authorities on a plantation
belonging to French citizens, about thirty-three miles above
New Orleans,
The Secretary further instructs me to request that reports
be made to this Department in each of these cases.
Very Respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
P. H, "Watson, Assistant Secretary of War
From General Butler
Head Quarters, November 21, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Honorable Wm, H, Seward, Secretary of State
Sir: In the case of the coraplaint of Messrs, Castillo and
Harisse of the 16th of Septeraber, to the French Consulate,
and referred to me from the State Departraent, I have the
honor to report that as soon as the necessary vouchers could

378 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
be obtained the paper taken was paid for, to the satisfaction
of the owners, and the enclosed receipt given in duplicate. It
could not then be done because it was not untU by the raaU
which brought the coraplaint that the evidence arrived by
which it could be deterrained whether the papers were dutiable
or not. The coraplaint was unnecessarily and groundlessly
made by one of the partners, while negotiations were going
on with the other, I have the honor to be.
Very respectfully your obt. servt, B, F. Butlee
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
New Orleans, Nov. ISih, 1862
Rec'd, of E, M, Brown, Lt, Col, Sth Vt,, four thousand,
seven hundred and fifty-two dollars and thirty-seven cents
(4,752,37), as payment in full for five hundred rearas of print
ing paper for the use of the Daily Delta office, it being the same
lot of paper taken from the Custom House in the 13th day of
Sept, by order of Maj, Gen, Butler,
Castillo and Habisse
From G. S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase ^
Private and Unofficial. New Orleans, October 16ft, 1862
Deae Sie: My last letter was in reference to trade with
the eneray.
After Gen, Butler's return from Pensacola for the purpose
of discussing the raatter. Gen, B, asked me to his house, where
I met also Gov. Shepley. In a long conversation I stated to
them fully ray own views, and it was understood that there
should be no raore trade with the eneray — that no supphes
of any kind or in any quantity should pass into the insurrec
tionary districts, not even supphes for loyal residents of such
locahty, because GuerUlas would in raost cases take away such
supplies for their own use.
Gen, Butler and Gen, Shepley each said, however, that he
had given one perrait to cross the lake, not yet carried into
effect. The goods were bought and vessels loaded, but that I
had stopped thera. It was insisted that these vessels should
be allowed to proceed, I said that the permission of the Sec
retary ought first to be obtained.
The next morning Gen. Butler sent rae the list of cargo for
'¦ American Historical Association Report 1902, Vol, II, p, 326,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 379
the vessel, on the second leaf of which was endorsed his request
that she be allowed to proceed. Gen, Shepley sent me a note
to the sarae effect in regard to the other, A copy of the list
of cargo, with Gen, Butler's original endorseraent on second
leaf, is herewith enclosed, marked "A," A copy of the list of
cargo of second vessel, with Gen, Shepley's note, is herewith
enclosed, marked "B,"
It is inexpedient that I should have a controversy with the
military authorities, and I let these two vessels go, with the dis
tinct understanding, however, that nothing more was to go out.
Gen, Butler's permit was to Judge Morgan, a good Union
man, who has lost much by the Rebellion,
Gen, Shepley's was to one Montgomery, who has previously
taken over, among other things, 1,200 sacks salt. Gen, S,
says he granted this perrait at the earnest solicitation of Mr.
Bouligny, — formerly in Congress from this state, but now in
Washington, — and that Montgomery told him Bouligny was
part owner of the cargo with him (Montgomery).
I think there will be no raore of this trade. Gen. B. has
always carried out (so far as I know) the wishes of the Gov't.
when distinctly raade known, and I believe he will fully carry
out (in future) your views respecting this raatter.
Gen, B, has more brains and energy than any other three
men in New Orleans, He does an iraraense araount of work,
and does it well. He knows and controls everything in this
Departraent, I regret that it was necessary to write ray last
letter — or rather, that the statements therein made were
facts. Besides, no other officer appreciates, like Gen, Butler,
the iraportance of freeing and arming the colored people —
and he is not afraid to do it. All the pro-slavery influence in
this State cannot change him in this matter.
When Weitzel's expedition (spoken of in a late letter) goes
out. Gen, B, wUl send the 1st Colored Regiment right into the
heart of the section of the country to be taken. They will
raove nearly west frora here, on the line of the Opelousas Rail
road, I think they will do a great work. The expedition is
expected to start in about two weeks. Late New York papers
indicate the adoption of sorae plan for getting out cotton
frora Rebeldora, I hope it will not be done by means of trade
with the eneray, which is objectionable for raany reasons.
It will benefit the eneray ten tiraes as rauch as the Govem
raent — it deraoralizes the array, who iraagine theraselves
fighting for speculators — offices will be interested, directly or

380 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
indirectly in the trade, and they and other speculators will
wish the war prolonged for the sake of great profits — the
Rebels wUl not keep their engagements nine cases out of ten
— the rebels are terribly in want, and now is the time to deprive
thera of supplies. There are other objections besides those
enumerated. The greatest distress prevaUs in insurrectionary districts aU
around us. The GueriUa system injures Rebels more than the
Govemraent, and the people are becoraing heartily tired of it,
[Geobge S, Denison]
From General Butler to Mrs. Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, October 16, 1862
My deaeest wipe: "What a dear, petted, spoiled child it is!
Never contented unless fed with bon bons and kisses! Why, I
wrote as plainly as I could that I was lonely, sad without you,
and you raust corae, corae, corae. You may send me that
letter if you please as an example of my foolish fondness. You
ungrateful girl, you, I will have it framed as a warning to
all fond husbands. True, I said I wanted you to lay aside all
care and be fat and rollicking as possible, and poor little wife
said I didn't want to see her unless she was fat. Now, then, I
have sent a steamboat for you, one of the best in the service.
The "McClellan," armed, so there is no fear of capture, a
most experienced captain, a crew, and raost neat and safe
ship. Will that do? Ah! give rae a kiss and be quiet.
The "Dean" brings this to you, and you will get ready to
corae by the "McClellan" frora New York, She can be heard
of at the Quarterraaster's office, Maj, Strong has written for
the raadam to come by the same boat. Be sure to come now.
Bring me frora Burbanks and Chase's sorae erabroidery that
I have there, which I have paid for, also a piece of cloth, blue
— for a coat, and sorae blue-black velvet for trimmings, sUk
for lining, and buttons, I will have the coat made here. Also
bring me linen enough for a dozen shirts, and fine linen carabric
enough for sorae wrought bosoms, I have a dozen here starv
ing for the work, so be sure and bring them — the raaterial.
You raay add soraething of the kind for yourself, I rather
like linen chera — Ahem! Send to Bent and Bush to raake
rae a nice cap. They can do it with blue-black band. I want
four pairs fine raerino drawers, and six fine merino undershirts
— 39 inches will do for the waist.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 381
Where is ray speech and the rest of the pictures? Bring
yourself at once. Mind that now! Bring me some pears and
some grapes. There never was such a God-forsaken country
for fruit. Bring anyone with you you like to do — Mrs.
Read or anybody else. Read has sold out his sutler's interest
here, so I suppose he will not want to come. Won't George
corae, I should be glad to have hira, and we will make a week
or two here very pleasant for him, I would give more to see
Fisher than anyone I know if he can possibly leave, I have
drawn on him very heavily, but he has funds to meet it. He
may get his sugar so that he can come out in one boat and go
back in the next, Wiegel has resigned and gone horae. He has
been worthless since he came out, frora homesickness, Maj,
Bell got here yesterday, and I got your political letter — very
well indeed, but requires more tirae to be carried out, I am
happy if I am thought outside of both parties. It's easy enough
to get into a party but hard to get out honorably.
You wUl come, won't you? Then, dearest, dearest, we won't
plague each other any raore! You know you love me very
rauch, I know it too — you can't cheat me. You know that
I love you too rauch for a man of forty to love a wife, so have
done with all badinage and truly sincerely do come to
Your Benj,
From John T. Ryan
New Orleans, Oct. 10, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
To Major General B, F, Butlee, Commanding Department of
the Gulf
Sie: I received information that Alexander Brothers, a
raerchant of this city, and President of the Horae Mutual
Insurance Corapany, left here previous to the occupation of
the city by the United States troops, and concealed his silver,
etc., in the vault of the Home Mutual Insurance Company,
situated at the corner of Natchez alley and Camp Street,
I have inforraation that in his residence on Camp Street
near Julice remains all of his furniture, etc, and without an
agent to take charge of the same, that the furniture of Thomas
Hunton, a lawyer of this city, who has left the city for the
Rebel lines, is stored in the residence of said Brothers, My
informants, Hetty and Charles Scott, slaves of said Brothers,
also state that their master declared that he would forfeit all
of his property before he would take the oath of allegiance to

382 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
the United States, and was in the habit of using incendiary
and seditious language against the government and disre
spectful to the Major General Commanding, and has been in
the city subsequent to his departure but returned to the enemy
on the 25th of July, I reraain.
Your honor's most obedient humble servant,
John T, Ryan, Special Officer

From G. W. Killborn
Provost Marshal's Office, New Orleans, Oct. 17, 1862
Major General B, F, Butlee, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Sib: I have taken action in regard to the enclosed raatter,
and have the honor to raake the following report,
I found the box of silver plate belonging to Mr, Alexander
Brothers in the vault of the Horae Mutual Insurance Co,, which
I took away and placed under guard, I have also seized his
house and furniture, and stored the furniture said to belong to
Mr, Thomas Hunton, and stand in said house, and have placed
the sarae under guard. The negroes also remain at the house.
The information I gain frora the negroes is as follows:
That about two days before the U, S, Fleet carae up, this Mr.
Hunton left with his Regiraent, and that Mr. Brothers accora
panied thera sorae miles out on the Jackson R. R. and came
back in about three days. About the raiddle of May he again
went into the Confederacy and reraained some six weeks,
and then retumed.
On the 25th of July he saUed on the "St, Matanzas" for
New York on a pass which he stated (as the negroes say) that
he paid $500, for. All of which is respectfully submitted, I
have the honor to be. Sir, ,^ it.
Your obedient servant,
G. W. Killborn, Dep. Pro. Marshal •
From Admiral Farragut to General Butler
Flag Ship Hartford, Pensacola Bay, Oct. 17, 1862
Deab Genebal: I have received your note and the requi
sition for Ordnance, etc. The light thirty-twos I have taken
frora the "Potomac," and send you by the "St. Mary's,"
and there are three howitzers in New Orleans.
I enjoy excellent health, and so does the Squadron gen
erally. I shall be ready to go ahead at Gaines the raoraent

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 383
ypu can furnish the troops. Do you think you can send any
down to Galveston or any other port on the coast of Texas? I
had a Gun Boat out yesterday frora the North, the "Aroos
took," but she brings no news.
Major Strong has sent two gentlemen over to see rae in
reference to the cattle captured by the Gun Boats, by which
capture we lost a valuable officer and a sailor, I can see no
use of our vessels up the river, if we are to permit passes frora
both Rebel and Federal authorities to stand good. The only
way I see for these people to do is to make known their busi
ness before hand.
The cattle are passed over the river, and no one knows
where they are going, but as soon as they are caught by either
party they are intended for the party that catches them. This
raay be a very honest transaction, but it is one that will cause
great difficulty if perraitted.
My orders are very stringent, "to allow no trade with the
blockaded country." I am told that large droves of cattle are
passing the river for the Rebels, and told to look after them;
when I catch them, I am told that it is all wrong, they are for
us or for New Orleans, I wish you had a Prize Court at
New Orleans to decide these cases and the validity of these
claims. As the officers in the "Mississippi" made the capture, I
shall leave it to Capts, Smith and Ransom to accept a ransora
and release them or not; but in future, unless the convoy is
made knovra and asked for, they will be considered "bona
^ ¦ Very truly and respectfully yours,
D, G, Fabbagut, Rear Admiral, Comdg. W. G. B'g. Squad.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Octbr. 19ft, 1862
Hon. E. M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sib: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of de
spatches frora the Departraent enclosing coraraunication from
Lord Lyons to the State Department relating to the case of
Dacres, Jaraes Dacres had applied for a passport to pass the military
lines of this Departraent into the Confederacy, That had been
refused hira. He made no claim that he was a British or other
subject. He was known to be in active sympathy with the
rebels.

384 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
His present claira, of that he could not get a passport be
cause of the oath which he supposes to be required of for
eigners, is an afterthought, precisely as he admits his claim
of British protection to be. Upon refusal, he expressed his
determination to go at all hazards, and in company with two
or three other persons attempted to escape across the lines.
He was arrested in the atterapt. His pockets contained raany
coraraunications frora the rebels here to their friends, which
he was taking out in direct violation of orders.
After his arrest, he showed his guilty knowledge and pur
pose by stealthily putting his hand in his pockets and throw
ing these coraraunications into the rand, frora whence they
were taken by the officer of the Guard. After a full hearing of
the raatter in person, I have ordered hira into confineraent
until further orders. This I feel to be within ray power and
duty, and I have seen in his letters no stateraent why I should
alter these orders.
In relation to Mr, Dacres' coraplaints of his place of con
finement and the shelter afforded him, permit rae to say that
he has the sarae shelter, the same food, the same cliraate, and
the sarae exposure to disease, and no more, as the troops that
guard him,
I believe him to be a dangerous man at large, but I will
release him and put him on board an English Ship of War if
he can be carried to that country whose protection he claims,
I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully Your obedient Servant,
Majob Genebal Butlee, Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters Departmeni of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. 19ft, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sie: I had the honor to receive the coraraunication of the
Departraent enclosing a letter from Lord Lyons in the case of
Martin Fallon,
Fallon was an overseer of a plantation near Baton Rouge,
was arrested as he says, and released upon his parole by the
officer comraanding the expedition, he, Fallon, clairaing to be
a British subject. He then went out, as I am informed by
evidence, into the field, and despatched a negro to give infor
raation to a neighboring GuerUla Carap, which it was our
purpose to surprise, of the approach of ray troops. He adraits.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 385
in his coraraunication to Lord Lyons, that he conversed
with the negroes in the field upon the subject, and cer
tain it is that one of them went. Fallon clairas that he did
not send him. But how long is it since British subjects,
overseers of plantations, have been so familiar with the ne
groes under their charge? General Williams examined his
case at Baton Rouge, was satisfied of his guilt, and referred it
to rae.
On exaraination, and upon Fallon's own story, I was satis
fied, and sent hira to Fort St. Philip for safe keeping, where
he enjoys the sarae treatment, the sarae climate, the same
shelter, and the sarae food that the Union Troops do. I have
the honor to be, ^^ ni j- . a
Your Obedient Servant
Benj. F. Butlee, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. 20ft, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Deae Sie: I enclose the report of Capt, Haggerty, of ray
Staff, of the execution of the order of the State Departraent
for the delivery of the property seized by ray order frora the
Consul of the Netherlands, Enclosed find the Consul's receipt
on the back of the Coraraunication from War Department,
and a list of the articles counted in tin box, together with
certfficate of the state of the tin box at the time it was taken.
The Consul confesses himself satisfied, as I am informed, that
he has received back all that belongs to him, I have the honor
' Your obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butlee, Major General Commanding
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
New Orleans, October 1st, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen. Butlee
General: In compliance with your order to rae of Sept.
22nd, based upon a coraraunication from the War Depart
ment dated Sept. 4th, 1862, to you, which I hereto transmit,
I have the honor to report: that on the raorning of Sept.
23rd, 1862, I deUvered to Amadie Conturie of New Orleans,
Consul of the Netherlands at the Master's office in the Custom
house, one hundred and sixty kegs marked "H & C," said to
vol, n — 2S

386 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
contain five thousand Mexican Silver DoUars each, makmg
the sura of Eight Hundred Thousand DoUars.
Also one tin box sealed, raarked "Prean & Conturie," con
taining valuable papers, an inventory of which was taken
there and then by said Conturie, taking at the sarae time
his acknowledgment for the coin, endorsed on said com
munication, and his receipt for the contents, which I herewith
transmit. On the foUowing day, Sept. 24th, 1862, by your order I
received from said Conturie a keg, supposed to be one of said
one hundred and sixty, and weighing two hundred and eighty-
nine pounds (289), and gave him in exchange therefor an open
keg containing Mexican SUver dollars which weighed Three
Hundred Twelve and one half (312|) pounds. I have the
honor to be.
Very Respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
P. Haggeety Capt. & A. D. C.
From Amadie ConturiS
Received, New Orleans, Sept. 23rd, 1862, of Capt. P.
Haggerty, A. D. C. to Major General Butler, and by direction
of Brig. Gen. G. F. Shepley, Military Governor of Louisiana,
One Hundred and Sixty kegs marked "H & C," and said to
contain each Five Thousand Mexican Silver DoUars, making
in all Eight Hundred Thousand Mexican Dollars, and one
tin box containing valuable papers, sealed.
Amadie Couturie
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 30, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
I CERTIFY that I found a tin box (such as used by bank
ers) unlocked with only two comraon strings around it. The
box was raarked No. 91 on each end, and on front was
printed, "Prean & Conturie." The above described box was
on the Comraanding General's Table without any note of
explanation. ^^ ^ Wiegel, 1st Lieut & A. D. C.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 387
New Orleans, Sept 23rd, 1862
Inventory of articles in tin box marked "Prean & Conturie."
1 package marked K. & K. $ 1640 "
1 " " " " " "1660 "
1 " Banknotes " 28.60"
1 " Insurance policy " 208.00"
$3536.50"
1 Package Seals
1 " Deeds & Papers
1 " Consular Commission & Exequator
1 " PortfoUo
Amadie Conturiib

From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. 21, 1862
To the Hon. E, M, Stanton, Sec'y of War
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge a despatch frora the
Departraent dated Sept, 11, enclosing copies of correspond
ence between His Excellency, the Minister of Spain, and the
State Department, touching ray action in regard to the House
of Avendano Bros,
I seek by return raaU to give such statements of facts as
will enable the Secretary of State to answer fully upon this
point His Excellency the Minister of Spain,
The house of Avendano Bros, has been established in New
Orleans so long that its members have become an integral
part of the population, in interest, in feeling, and in social
ties. Before the breaking out of this rebellion, its merabers
never thought of seeking the protection of Spain, But since
this rebellion all has changed, and now the Spanish Consul
clairas that persons thirty years of age, born of Spanish parents,
who have lived here frora their birth, and their ancestors before
thera, are still Spanish subjects, and is issuing certfficates of
nationality accordingly, so that this city has become almost
entirely depopulated as to citizens, except of free persons of
color, who singularly claira the protection of our Govemraent
where so little has been heretofore done for thera.
The house of Avendano Bros, has been largely engaged in
running cotton through the blockade, and iraporting arms
and munitions of war.
As I have had the honor to inform the State Departraent
in a coraraunication in relation to the coraplaints of the Prus
sian Minister, and to which I beg leave to refer the Hon.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Secretary for a full development of the condition of things
here in this behalf, no cotton was allowed by the Confederates
to be shipped unless arms and raunitions of war were returned
in the proportion of one-half, Avendano Bros, shipped largely
under this perraission, and have been engaged in breaking
every law of neutrality and national hospitality that can be
well conceived,
Soraewhere about the 10th of May, I captured the Confed
erate stearaer "Fox," which had been seized by the Confed
erates frora her Union owners, and turned into the service
eraployed in running the blockade (She raade three trips
thus). She had on board a cargo of arras, powder, lead, quick
silver, acids for telegraphic purposes, chloroform and morphine
for medical stores, to the araount of $300,000 or thereabouts
— all of the greatest necessity to the rebels, and had run into
the Bayou La Fairche on the west bank of the Mississippi,
frora which bayou she raight, if she thought proper, run
to Vicksburg, She had, besides, the invoices, letters of ad
vice, bills of lading, bills of exchange, and other evidence of
the transactions of raany of the raercantile houses of New
Orleans, The letters of advice, bills of lading, and invoices, show the
nature of the transaction between these parties and their
correspondents at Havana, The bills of exchange were the
product of the shipraent of cotton, less the proportion invested
in contraband goods. Among them were the bills of exchange
payable to the house of Avendano, the first having been for
warded by some other conveyance, but still unpaid, and these
bills of exchange were for one-half the proceeds of the cargo
shipped, the other half being invested in raunitions of war.
This vessel also carried a raail containing, araong other
things, the official correspondence between the Rebel Com
missioner Rost, which I forwarded to the State Department,
and the Rebel Ordnance officer in Europe, relating to his
raoveraents there, which I forwarded to the State Department
as well as other important letters which developed the nature
of the business carried on between this port and the mis
called neutral ports Havana and Nassau, Upon personal
examination, I had no doubt that the house of Avendano
was largely interested in, or the consignors of, the major part
of the cargo of the "Fox," and in order to put a stop to this
traffic, which could stiU be carried on through the fifty-three
openings into the Gulf of Mexico from Louisiana, I called upon

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 389
the house of Avendano, and upon personal examination they
did not deny the part they had taken in the traffic,
I required thera therefore, having captured in bulk one-
half the fruits of this illegal traffic, and having captured the
other half thereof in the shape of a bill of exchange, to pay
over the other half, being the bills of exchange. This they
did, and received the bills of exchange and papers showing
the nature of their business, regarding that as a light punish
raent for their crimes.
Because of other like transactions which have since corae
to my knowledge, the senior partner has escaped to Havana,
but the house is still carrying on business here, and are the
consignees of the stearaer "Cardenas," which has been the
cause of so raany breaches of our Quarantine laws and so many
complaints of the Spanish Minister,
Avendafio sent a rebel lawyer, who had refused to renew
his oath of allegiance to the United States, to me to raake
sorae representations of the matter, and to argue certain legal
questions. In answer to some suggestions as to the amount of
fine, I told hira that Avendano raight think himself well off
if he lost no more of the profits of his infernal trade.
This, it will be observed, was about the 19th of May, and
no coraplaints are raade of it for three raonths, until erabold
ened by the success of the complaints of the Coraraissioner
here, which has done more to strengthen the hand of secession
than any other occurrence of the South West since ray advent
in New Orleans, and the Coraraissioner of which Coraraission
now, as I am ready to prove, acted as the paid attorney of
rebels in making clairas against the United States, from re
tainers taken because of his acting here in his official capacity.
This Coraraission, I say, eraboldened these new coraplaints
of ray action by raercantile pirates and raaurauders, who
supplied arms and powder to traitors, and are only saved frora
consequence of treason because they have not given their
allegiance to the country that had given thera protection, and
enabled thera to accuraulate fortunes, advantages they believed
their own governraents could not give them, and so preferred
to live under ours, but not to assume their proper obligations.
They should have been hanged, they were only fined.
His Excellency, the Spanish Minister, seems to think that
running the blockade carries its own punishraent with it; but
this is not a case of running a blockade raerely, but is the
case of an iraporter of arras, of an array contractor for the

390 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
rebel Govemraent, and this draft which the House of Aven
dafio has paid, and the raoney been used for the support of the
troops of the United States m this Departraent, is only one
half of the proceeds of a single adventure of the House of
Avendano in breaking the laws and aiding the rebellion, —
the other half being returned to the Confederates in arras and
raunitions of war,
I aver to the Secretary of War, upon ray official respon
sibUity, that without the aid furnished by foreign raercantile
houses in New Orleans, Mobile, Savannah, and Charleston,
as I am convinced by the most irrefragible evidence, this
rebellion would have wholly failed to arm and supply itself,
and the most active agents and the raost efficient supporters
have been these sarae quasi foreign houses, raostly Jews, and
their correspondents, principally in Havana and Nassau, who
all deserve to receive at the hand of the Govemraent as much
reprobation as the Jew, Benjamin Slidell, Mallony, or Fleyd,
and only the strong repressing raeasures which have been
fearlessly and energetically taken in this Department have
prevented the supply frora still going on here, as it is in
Charleston, South Carolina,
Terapted by the iraraense profits, urging the war on in order
to realize these profits, these foreign adventurers have done
everything they could to sustain the war and to inflame the
passions of the people against the United States; and then
reiterated complaints of my actions, and the howl in Europe
and elsewhere set up by them at ray every act have simply
been the result of the disappointment of those who desire that
sorae action raay be taken by the Govemraent which wiU
reopen to thera a raost profitable trade, which I have closed by
means, against the raeasures of which coraplaint has been
raade, and as to which the Hon, Sec't of State has been pleased
to say, redress will be raade if I fail to justify my acts,
I have stated ray grounds upon which ray actions proceeded,
and the purpose for which it was taken. Of course, to do this
work could be of no personal (benefit) to rayself, and only
entailed great and severe labor.
It was dictated by a sense of duty and upon full and thorough
exaraination I have failed to see any reason why it (should)
not be persevered in. But I respectfully subrait that it adds
not a little to the already everlasting labor of this Depart
ment to be continually called upon, raonths afterwards, to
investigate and report upon acts which were within the scope

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 391
of my jurisdiction in the fair exercise of the discretion of a
Military Coraraander, and for which I should be called to
account not by letter of a Foreign Consular agent on the
ex-parte stateraent of a Spanish srauggler, but by the Coraraan
der in Chief of the Array, or the President of the United States,
to whora I am as ready to account for my every action as I am
to my Country and ray God. I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully Your obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From Acting French Consul
Translation, New Orleans, October il, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding Army of the Gulf
Sir: I have the honor to hand you enclosed a copy of a
coraplaint addressed to rae by an old French resident, Mr,
Francis Bougere, who has in one day been deprived of every
thing he possessed.
As Mr, Bougere has already, in pursuance of ray advice
and assisted by ray official intervention, taken sorae steps
before the Military Governor, without any result, I take the
liberty to bring this coraplaint of a French subject officiaUy
to your notice, informing you in the sarae tirae that a copy of
these docuraents will be sent to the Minister of the Eraperor
in Washington. Accept, Sir, the assurance of my high
' Fauconnet, Act'g French Consul
From the Acting French Consul
Translation. New Orleans, October 21, 1862
Major General B. F. Butler, Commanding Army of the Gulf
Sir: One of ray countryraen, Lucien Duclos, has been
arrested for passing the lines without a pass, and has been
brought to the prison of the Custom house, where he has
been confined for the last 12 days. According to the inforraa
tion which I have received, I find that this young raan has not
been guilty of any bad intentions, but is ignorant, I therefore
ask you to raake inquiries on his account, and, if possible, to
give him his liberty. Accept, Sir, the assurance of my high
consideration, Fauconnet, Acting French Consul

392 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From ihe Secretary of War
War DepaHment, Washington City, October 3rd, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
General: The Secretary of War directs rae to transrait to
you the enclosed copy of a coraraunication addressed by Sam,
G, Ward, Attorney, of Boston, to the Secretary of State, and
by him referred to this Department, complaining of the recent
seizure of certain RaU Road iron, which was held by his agent
in New Orleans as security for Messrs, Baring Bros, & Co, of
London, The Secretary desires that you wUl institute such investiga
tion as the case seems to require, and report to this Depart
ment at your earliest convenience.
Very Respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
P, H, Watson, Asst. Sec. of State
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Oct. ilst, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I have the honor to report to the Department, in answer
to the communication of the 3rd instant, that the raUroad iron
pledged to Messrs, Baring & Btos, was taken for the repairing
of the Opelousas Railroad, I ara inforraed by ray Quarantine
Master, by his report endorsed on the back of the letter of the
Departraent, that we shall be able to get along without it, and
that it has been released. If necessary to take any, it wUl be
taken and a receipt given in the usual course of Business, I
have the honor to be, ^^ 7 j- ^ o
Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F. Butler, Major General Commanding
Endorsement referred to in Foregoing Letter
Office, Chief Quartermaster Dept, of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Oct. nth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
I HAVE the honor to report that in my absence Col. Turner,
Acting Quartermaster, thinking that the Government raight
need the iron, served a notice on the parties not to dispose of it,
but to hold it subject to his orders. We have been enabled|to
repair the Rail Road without using any of this Iron, and the
parties have been notffied that they are at liberty to dispose
of it in any manner they see fit. ^r ? 7- . r.
Your obedient Servant,
J. W. Shaffer, Col. & Chief Quartermaster

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 393
From Mrs. Butler to Mrs. Heard
(New Obleans), Oct. 21, 1862
Dear Harriet: We are here safe and comfortable, sick
five days out of eight, Mr, Butler was rejoiced to see me,
and says it is the first time we have been so long apart since
we were married, and it shall be the last. He feels more
helped and sustained by rae than anyone else, though he will
not always hear to rae. He is not so thin now as he was a
month ago, but the climate has told upon hira. He does not
look so alive as he has before, but the cold weather raay bring
back the old fiery look, I have written a very long letter to
Fisher, which I should like hira to read to you, as have not
tirae to go through it again, and it will tell you the appearance
of things here, Mr, Butler has sent to his raother a service of
sUver, four pieces, he bought it by weight. There has been so
rauch talk, I would not say rauch about it if I were her, for
envy raakes people bitter. Read this to her, and leave it to
her own discretion. There is nothing to conceal, but envious
minds will not believe so. You need not read her all the letter.
In fact, I do not know if it is worth speaking of it at all, Mr,
Butler has also sent by the "Saxon" a cup and saucer and
plate with his picture painted on them — - no doubt you have
thera before now. One of these days I shall find soraething
handsorae for you. There will be a great raany things sold at
auction before long. Re-inclose and send back ray letters
frora Mr, Butler that you have received since I left. He says
he sent for linen for shirts. Send out a piece and enough for
bosoms of a finer quality. He wants the nuns to work them.
Put them in some old trunk or buy a cheap one, and two or
three pretty looking calico dress-patterns, also his dressing
gown. If you happen to be in Boston, buy enough black silk
like my dress for a sash. Fisher I think will corae out. Perhaps
you might find a sash ready raade. I am so tired writing eight
pages to Fisher that there is nothing in this letter, and now I
must write to Blanche. Dear love to the children, and relatives.
Most affectionately, Sarah
From Admiral Farragut to General Butler
Flag Ship Hartfobd, Pensacola Bay, Oct. 21, 1862
Dear General: I received your communication by the
"Sykes," and ara delighted to see such a boat. She is the very

394 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
thing we ought to have for the sound, only we would want
several of thera.
You are asking a great deal. General, when you ask for the
"Calhoun" to go with your expedition, for she is the only
Gun Boat we have that can run up the Sound to Grant's
Pass; but I wiU send her in hopes that thereby we will get the
force to attack Fort Gaines the sooner. As to Lieut. Cook,
I do not see how I can spare an officer. I have nothing but
youths now for officers in all the vessels. They are dirainish-
ing daily, sometimes by my sending them home for cause,
and sometiraes they take them away from rae.
The Senior Lieutenants of the vessels are now all in com
raand, and the young raen as 1st. Lieutenants are just pro
moted, and scarcely one of them 21 years of age, with but
little experience. I have, however, ordered the two officers.
Cook and King, to report to you for temporary duty on the
steamers you are fitting out.
I do not know what detains the "St, Mary's." We put the
guns into her in an hour on Sunday, when she called for them.
I hope you will soon be ready for the attack on Fort Gaines.
Yours truly, D. G. Farragut
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept. of the Gulf, New Obleans, Oct. iid, 1862
To Major General H. W. Halleck, Comdg. in Chief, U.S.A.
General: I enclose herewith copies of a correspondence
between rayself & the Confederate authorities upon the sub
ject of exchanging prisoners. I ara inforraed that the Con
federates claim that the men which I received back are not
exchanged, and cannot return to duty until a published list is
raade by the respective Genls.
Is that the construction of the Cartel agreed upon by Genl.
Dix & D. H. Hill? I have the honor to be.
Your Obdt. Svt, Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Obleans, Oct. iind, 1862
Hon. S, P, Chase, Secretary of the Treasury
Sir: I have taken the liberty to address you directly upon
this raatter which seems to be raore appropriate to the Treas
ury than to the War Departraent, As you are aware, from

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 395
the time that I carae here I have endeavored in every possible
way to open trade in cotton through the rebel lines, I have
supposed that this was consonant with the wish of the Govern
ment, Owing to the peculiar action of the Confederate au
thorities, I have not been able as yet much to succeed. The
difficulty has been, as I believe, not so much with the Confed
erate authorities as in the peculiar relation they find them
selves with their own people. They instructed and advised
their people to burn their cotton, and those who did do so will
not now perrait their raore prudent neighbors to ship that
which had not been destroyed, at an enorraous profit. These
difficulties are gradually being smoothed over, I think now
that the trade can be opened, but ara in doubt as to the inter
pretation of your Treasury Circular,
As early as the 29th of July I forwarded a communication
to the Commanding officer at Mobile, a copy of which is en
closed. That coraraunication has since been forwarded to
Richraond, and forraally sanctioned by the appointraent of
Coraraissioners by the Confederate Govemraent, Shall I
get out the cotton on the basis proposed? Of course, I shall
let aU cotton corae out under the arrangeraent which raay
offer before I hear frora the govemraent,
I desire a reply, therefore, by return raail, "WhUe this letter
is being copied, I have received frora Admiral Farragut the
enclosed instructions of the Secretary of the Navy. Whether
these have been had upon full consideration of the subject
set forth above, I do not know. If literally carried out, they
would starve the neighboring country, and would greatly
embarrass us here for supplies of luraber, wood, naval stores,
and fresh provisions. We have to get these through the rivers
and over the lakes in exchange for provisions. I do not raean
to raake this a raatter of favoritisra; that is not the way the
war is carried on here. I desire but to carry out the policy as
I supposed of the Govemraent, and administer to our neces
sities. I have no personal wish on the subject. It becomes,
therefore, of the utraost iraportance to know exactly what the
Govemraent desires, and I need not assure you that I shall
govern rayself with strictness by its directions.
Acting under this sarae policy, I allowed the "West Florida"
to go out to Sabine Pass, having cleared for Mataraoras with
a cargo not contraband of war for the purpose of bringing
cotton frora Texas, She belonged to a loyal citizen, and in
order that there raight be no mistake, I gave the permit, a

396 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
copy of which is enclosed. The "West Florida" has been
detained and sent to Pensacola, You will reraeraber that I
published a correspondence with the Hon, Reverdy Johnson
upon this subject of cotton, and I learned that it had been
approved by the State Departraent through a letter to General
Shepley, MUitary Governor, May I ask your intervention
to have the "West Florida" released, whatever raay be the
decision of the Govemraent as to her proceeding on her voyage.
You will see that by the forra of the letter it was to go to the
Adrairal for the purpose of preventing all raisunderstandings.
It is irapossible to overrate the iraportance of this question of
obtaining a supply of cotton to the Northern manufacturers, to
say nothing of the effect on European powers; infinitely of more
importance to get the cotton for sails and tents than whether
A or B loses or gains in the exchange of commodities.
Being purchased in this manner prevents the Jews from
gathering up all the gold in the country to exchange it with
the Confederates for cotton. The day of cotton-burning is
past, I have the honor to be, nr , ^ 7 t^
Most truly Yours,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
Enclosure referred to Foregoing Letter
Navy Department, Sept. il, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Rear Admiral D, G. Farragut, Commanding Western Gulf
Blockade
Sir: Hereafter you wUI aUow no vessel to import or export
merchandise at any port of the blockaded country. New
Orleans is the only port open for general traffic within the
limits of the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron,
You wiU not regard what are called "perraits" frora any
officer except the Secretaries of the Treasury, War, or Navy
as authorizing the ingress or egress of any vessel in violation
of the blockade.
There raust be no favoritism or license given to any one or
more of our countrymen to traffic within the blockaded region,
or to iraport or export raerchandise. That would be justly
considered as evasive of the blockade and in bad faith.
No officer of the Array or Navy is authorized to grant per
mits, and you wUl seize all vessels engaged in iUegal traffic.
Such vessels as under the authority of the War or Navy
Departments may be engaged to carry supphes to the Army
or Navy will take no return cargo.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 397
The blockade is intended to interdict all trade whatever with
the country blockaded during its continuance, and should be
rigidly enforced, I ara.
Respectfully, Your obt. servt,
G, Welles, Secy, of the Navy
From General Butler
Headq-uarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. iind, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: The ranch-mooted question whether white men can be
found able, corapetent, and wiUing to do the work heretofore
supposed to be peculiarly and solely adapted to negroes, is being
practically answered in this departraent. Since the exodus of
many of the slaves from the plantations, the planters are hiring
white labor frora this city to get their sugar crops, at such prices
as to stop the recruiting of any regiraents alraost entirely, as
will be seen by the official report of Col, Paine of the Second
Louisiana, a copy of which is herewith enclosed, I have the
honor, etc. From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, October, 1862
Special Order No. 441
It appearing to the Coraraanding General that the sugar
plantations of Brown & McMamras have been abandoned by
the late owners, who are in the rebellion, are now running to
waste, and the valuable crops will be lost as well to the late
owner as to the United States if they are not wrought, — and
as large nurabers of negroes have corae and are coraing within
the lines of the Army who need employment, it is ordered:
That Chas, A, Weed, Esq,, take charge of said plantations,
and such others as may be abandoned along the River between
the city and Fort Jackson, and gather and raake these crops
for the benefit of the United States, keeping an exact and
accurate account of the expenses of each.
That Mr, Weed's requisitions for labor be answered by
the several Coraraanders of Camps for laborers, or in scarcity
of Contrabands that Mr, Weed raay eraploy white laborers
at $1,00 per day for each ten hours labor.
That for any stores or necessaries for such work the Quarter
raaster or Coraraissary Departraent wUl answer Mr, Weed's
approved requisitions.
That said Weed shall be paid such rate of compensation

398 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
as raay be agreed on, and that all receipts of whatever nature
from said plantation be accurately accounted for by him, and
that for this purpose Mr, Weed shaU be considered in the
Military Service of the United States,
By Command of Maj, Gen, Butler
Geo, C, Strong, A. A. Gen.
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment ofthe Gvlf, New Orleans, Oct, 23, 1862
Hon. Salmon P, Chase, Secretary of the Treasury
Sir: I forgot to report to you at the time that of the $50,000
in gold which you forwarded me so kindly to replace that
which I borrowed of the banks to pay the troops, I was only
obliged to use $25,000, And I have forwarded to New York,
to the order of Pay Master, Maj, Locke, $25,000 in coin. This
was put to his credit, and raay be returned to the Treasury.
This raatter is of sorae iraportance with gold at its present
premium. I have thus far managed the financial affairs of ray Depart
ment so that the United States have not paid one dollar for
the support and relief of the 32,000 people I ara now feeding.
For an exhibit of their numbers, condition and nationality,
please exaraine the slip enclosed. I have the honor to be.
Very respectfully, (Benj. F. Butler)
From General BiMer
Head Qts, Dept of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Oct. 23d, 1862
Mr. Fauconnet, Acting Consul of France
Sir: I ara in receipt of your letter enclosing the coraplaint
of Francis Bougere, and as without waiting for ray decision
or action the Acting Consul of France has seen fit to forward
the papers to Washington, I shall forward my reply to the
Dept. of State direct. I Jiave the honor to be.
Your Obdt. Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters Depart-ment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. iith, 1862
Hon. Wm. H, Seward, Secretary of State
Sir: I forward herewith a letter from the Acting French
Consul enclosing a memorial frora one Francis Bougere, mak-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 399
ing large clairas against the United States for negroes and
other property. Upon the receipt of the raemorial, as you
will see by the endorseraent upon it, I ordered an iraraediate
report to be raade by Col, Thoraas, who comraanded the
expedition complained of, of all the facts and circurastances.
It will be seen by his report, which I doubt not is correct, that
there is no claira against the United States frora Mr, Bougere
for anything, and that his assumed neutrality, like most of the
neutrality in this Department, is simply a cover for raost bitter
hostility, I was soraewhat surprised to find a claira raade for negro
slaves as property, by a French citizen, for I had believed
that the Code Civile forbids the acquisition of such property.
The stateraent raade by Bougere that he acquired all these
negroes since 1848 is not true. The French Consul did not
call on rae except in the manner which you see, and I enclose
to you my answer,
I trust this report wUl enable the State Department to raeet
any claira that raay be presented, I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From the Secretary of State
DepaHment of Stale, Washington, 7ft Nov., 1862
[Not in chronological order]
To Major General B. F. Butler, New Orleans
General: I have received your latter of the 24 ult., with
the accompanying papers, relative to the complaint of Francis
Bougere, clairaing to be a Frenchraan. No representation
upon the subject has been received from the Legation of
France here. If any should be addressed to the Depart
ment your communication will, it is believed, probably afford
the means effectually to raeet it. I ara. General,
Your very obedient servant,
William H. Seward
From General Butler
Head Quarters, Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. 24, 1862
To the Hon. Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate Genl. of the Army
Sir: I have the honor to enclose the record of the trial of
Gonzales before a Military Coraraission for raurder. The
testiraony discloses ample grounds for conviction, and it

400 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
seems to me a proper case for prorapt punishment, but I
understand I must have the sanction of the President before
I proceed to execution, which otherwise I should do at once.
Besides, a point is taken against the jurisdiction of the
MUitary Coraraission because the offense was coramitted before
I arrived in this Departraent, but I do not see how that fact
outsets the jurisdiction. Here is a crirae, here is the crirainal,
and here is' the power present to punish the crirae. Why
should not that power be exercised?
I was assigned to the Departraent of the Gulf, includrag the
State of Louisiana, months before I got here, and theoreticaUy
the Departraent was under ray coraraand as it was actually
within the liraits of the United States, I have approved the
proceedings, findings, and sentence of the Court, to be carried
into effect hereafter awaiting instructions, I have the honor
^ "^' Very Respectfully Your obdt Servant
Benj. F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. Uth, 1862
Maj. Gen'l. H. W. Halleck, Commander in Chief
General: "While I have the honor to report a reasonable
degree of health on the part of ray troops through the sumraer,
and an entire absence of epidemic here, I think it would be
well, in view of the coming sumraer, to change the regiraents for
the coming season, and for that purpose it wiU be necessary
to begin now, to prevent disarranging the service. I find
those necessarUy left on the lines at Carrollton suffering greatly
from the malarious swamp fever to which the debilitating
effect of suraraer predisposes thera. To ray astonishraent,
and against all theory, the regiraent of accliraated Louisianans,
which I have recruited here, and one of the most healthy I
had when in Barracks, sent there, supposing them able to
resist the effect of the malaria because of their acclimatization,
have suffered frora the swarap fever the raost considerable of
any, rauch raore than the fresh troops — the seventy -fifth
New York, which I brought frora the healthy lands of Pensa
cola and placed in the sarae locality.
I have the honor to report two regiments of native Guards
(colored) organized and mustered into the service, and one
takes the field to-raorrow.
I have organized an expedition consisting of a Brigade,

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 401
five regiments of infantry, two Batteries of Artillery, and four
Comp. of Cavalry, under the Comraand of Brig, Gen'l, Weitzel,
to raove upon the Western Bank of the Mississippi through
Western Louisiana for the purpose of dispersing the forces
asserabled there under Gen'l, Rich'd, Taylor,
I propose at the sarae tirae to send round sorae light-draught
stearaers which I have been fitting for the service by protect
ing their boilers and engines with iron coverings, so as to pre
vent possibly the recurrence of the dreadful accident which
occurred on the "Mound City" stearaer by the penetration of
her boilers by shot, and mounting them by light guns, to attack
some Batteries on Berwicks Bay, to penetrate the waters of
the Bay and tributaries, and cut off the supplies of cattle for
the Rebel Army frora Texas via Opelousas and New Iberia,
and to act in conjunction with Brig, Gen'l, Weitzel, At the
same time, I push forward columns from Algiers, consisting
of the Sth Vermont Vols, and the first regiment Native Guards
(colored), along the Opelousas Rail Road to Thibodeau and
Brashier City, upon the RaUway, for the purpose of forward
ing supplies to Gen'l, Weitzel's expedition, and to give the
loyal planters an opportunity to forward their sugar and
cotton to this city, I can easily hold this portion of Louisiana,
by far the richest, and extend the moveraent so far as sub
stantially to cut off all supplies frora Texas to the country
this coming winter by this route, if I can receive only rein
forceraents. Please therefore send rae New England troops.
The newspapers assure me that there are thousands waiting
in Massachusetts, Letters from their Officers are received by
rae begging that they raay corae to this Departraent, Of course,
I have a preference for Massachusetts troops. Those that I
have here behaved very well, I trust that they raay be sent
to rae, I should be glad if General Weitzel should be able
to raove upon Texas, and would suggest that an appropriate
base of operation would be through Galveston, which I have
just learned has surrendered to the Naval force of the Union,
But I have hardly got a regiment which I can spare, to hold
it, although I propose to send one. Not that I anticipate an
iraraediate attack upon New Orleans, nor that I fear it unless
I am forced to receive the dSbris of the South Western wing,
after the defeat of Bragg, by General Buell, when, if I weaken
myself here, I may invite attack frora such sources.
Rear Adrairal Farragut is very desirous that we should
raake a deraonstration on MobUe, or at least Fort Morgan,
vol. ii — 26

402 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
to save the necessity of the large blockading force off that
port, I think 3000 men more would do it successfully, but
again I have not the raen to spare, and to do those things
which I think of raore iraraediate necessity,
I have as yet received, with the exception of sixty men,
no recruits frora the North for any of ray old Regiraents, some
of which have been eighteen (IS) months in service, so that
ray regiraents appear rauch larger in nuraber than they are
in effective strength. I am sorry to report the very sudden
and serious illness of Brig. Gen'l. Arnold, who was stricken
with paralysis while attending a review on Saturday, from
which I think he will not recover sufficiently to resume his
duties for some raonths.
I was happy to receive the comraendations of the General-
in-Chief of the action of Maj. Strong at Pontchatoula. The
illness of General Arnold and the wide-spread districts over
which ray troops are disposed makes it necessary that I
should have another Brig. Gen'l. Allow me to recommend
for proraotion Maj. Strong, ray Asst. Adjt. Gen'l,, Lieut, in
the Ordnance Cprps, who graduated the second in his class
at West Point in 1857, and also has been in the service ever
since, I know no one raore corapetent, and certainly none
has shown better conduct and gallantry.
I have been obliged to lose his services a part of the suramer
through his illness brought on by over-exertion, in preparing
this expedition to New Orleans, but I think he has raanfuUy
recovered and reestablished his health. May I ask your kind
offices to recoraraend to the President the appointraent as
one erainently fit to be made. I have the honor to be.
Very respectfully. Your obedient Servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
Front General Butler
Head Quarters, Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. 25, 1862
To the Hon. Edwin E, Stanton, Sec'y of War
I HAVE received the enclosure of the acting French Minister
in regard to the capture of the "Tennessee,"
The "Tennessee" was a stearaer belonging to the house of
Chas, Morgan & Co,, of New York, actually in the possession
of one Harris here, a rebel, was used, as I ara inforraed, in
atterapting to run the blockade, was captured by the Navy
under the French Flag, and I ara not certain but an English

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 403
one. At least, it had pretended French and English owners.
It was sold after the city was actually invested, and whUe
we were preparing an attack upon the forts, the cotton
which had been placed on board to run the blockade having
been landed before the fleet arrived off the city,
English and Frer^ch flags have been used very liberally here
to cover all manner of property, and generally most used by
them who have the least right to them, I at once forwarded
the communication frora the Acting French Minister to Rear
Admiral Farragut, and I enclose his report. The Steamer is
now in the service of the fleet as a tender to the squadron.
The Array never had any and now clairas no interest in her,
I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully, Your obdt. servt,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Flag Ship Hartford, Pensacola Bay, Oct. 17, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major General B, F, Butler, Com'g Dept. of New Orleans
Sir : In reply to your letter desiring to learn all I know of the
capture of the "Tennessee," I have to state that perhaps no
vessel is better known to the blockading force before New
Orleans than the "Tennessee,"
She has been blockaded and watched for many months,
during which time she has been frequently down to the
"passes" loaded with cotton, and ready to run the blockade,
and has been as frequently compelled to return.
When I captured New Orleans I found the "Tennessee"
lying at the wharf with a French Flag hoisted somewhere on
the vessel, indicating that she belonged to a French subject,
but her antecedents were too well-known to rae to regard any
such evidence of ownership, as I knew that if any such trans
fer had been raade it had been done within a very short period
of tirae, and during the blockade, which, according to ray under
standing, is contrary to all law.
There is scarcely a vessel or piece of property belonging to
the rebels that has not been so transferred since the capture
of New Orleans,
Very respectfully. Your obdt. servant,
D, G, Farragut, Rear Admiral Com'g
Western Blk'g. Squadron

404 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Oct. iSth, 1862
Brig. General Neal Dow, Commanding Pensacola
General: I was very rauch surprised and grieved, and the
public service was considerably interfered with, by your
detention of the "St, Mary's," Indeed, it would have been
better for the service to have lost the "Creole" than to have
suffered the delay. The stearaer was sent to Pensacola for
special service, with written orders under ray own hand, for
the utraost despatch, and in such case the boat must never be
interfered with. It has been informally reported to rae that
your expedition was sent for furniture up the Blackwater,
If that was necessary for the corafortable occupation of your
quarters, of course I should not seriously object, but the fewer
of such expeditions the better,
I cannot perrait the shipping of furniture or other articles
North by any officer for his own use. Such taking of private
property, whether belonging to rebels or others, coraes under
the order of the War Departraent, No, 107, a copy of which I
send you, and is there denominated "plundering," If in your
judgraent any property should belong, Pr does belong, to
the United States, and can be better disposed of North than
here, and should be properly shipped and sold, you will take
the same course I did with the bells captured at New Orleans,
— send it to the United States Quarter Master at Boston or
New York, to be disposed of on account of the Government,
but upon no consideration, and under no pretence, upon the
private account of an officer, I must of course subrait these
matters with these instructions to the discretion of an officer
as high in coraraand as yourself, not doubting that it wUl be
properly used,
I have put the "Sykes" as a despatch and raail-boat to run
between Pensacola and here in order that there raay be fre
quent and regular coraraunications between Pensacola, Ship
Island, Fort Pike, and this point. You will see to it that she
is used for no other purpose. Her regular days of saUing from
here will be Wednesdays and Saturdays. Her tirae should
regularly be thirty hours. You wUl appoint such hours for
leaving Pensacola as will best enable her to make her return
trip, and that hour raust not be interfered with after being
appointed except to save life, or frora the necessity of the
public service in case of attack.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 405
I am inforraed that a quantity of pitch was taken under ray
permission from Pensacola and brought here. It was necessary
for the use pf the Navy, This is clairaed by one Harrison, who
was engineer or eraployee of the Rosin Oil Works at Pensa
cola, He has two hundred barrels of pitch there secreted
somewhere in the woods. You will find him at once, and
cause the pitch he has to be delivered at the Navy Yard,
turning it over to Rear Admiral Farragut, asking his receipt
therefor. Please inform by return of the "Sykes" if this
can be done, because otherwise I must send pitch for the use
of the Navy on the next trip of the "Sykes,"
Lt, Col, Dyer has forwarded rae, without your approval,
an application for the resignation of the Adjutant of his
Regiraent, accorapanied by charges as a reason for his resig
nation, that he was drunk on duty. An honorable discharge
of an officer, consequent upon acceptance of a resignation, is
the adjudication of the Coraraanding General that he has
faithfully and properly served his country, and is entitled to
her thanks, her honor, and her rewards. How could Col,
Dyer believe that such discharge could be granted to a man
who deserved dismissal from the service? I have therefore
ordered Adjutant Nowland to be dropped frora the rolls,
assuming the statement of Col, Dyer to be true, as it seems
to be made in a friendly spirit, and as no other reasons for the
resignation are forwarded by hira,
I wish you to raake rae a full report in detail of the transac
tions which led to the detention of the "St, Mary's," the cause
of the detention, and of the orders that caused it, I have the
' Very respy.. Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
From Colonel J. W. Shaffer to General Butler
Office Chief Quarter Master, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans,
Sunday, Oct. 26, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
General: I have the honor to report "St, Mary's" off,
I detained her about one hour. The cause of this inexcusable
blunder I will call and explain. The individual making it
will never make another for me. I had flattered rayself that
everything that had been entrusted to me connected with
the expedition had been promptly done. Consequently I
feel deeply this infernal blunder,
J, W, Shaffer, Colonel & Quarter Master

406 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department ofthe Gvlf, New Orleans, La., October 25ft, 1862
Rear Admiral Farragut, Commanding Gulf Blockading
Squadron
Sir: I had the pleasure to receive your despatch announcing
the great favor you have done rae in detailing Officers King &
Cook to the coraraand of my boats. They go off to-raorrow
raorning, and I trust will be in Berwicks Bay on Monday,
The expedition to DonaldsonviUe started to-day. As soon as
we get through with this little job I will send over the same
troops and light-draught stearaer to cooperate with you, I
think I will spare a Regiment & some pieces of ArtUlery to
hold Galveston if that will be sufficient, I have not sufficient
information as to the nuraber of troops required for that pur
pose, I never was raore astonished in my life than on receiving
your letter about the pitch. The history of the transaction is
this, Sorae person came to me and asked for a perrait to bring
over his property on shore. It never occurred to rae that it
was pitch or anything that you would want; and the permit
was a general one. There are, however, two hundred Bbls,
raore pitch left in Pensacola which I will order seized and
brought to you at the Navy Yard, and if it is reported to me
by General Dow that this cannot be done, I wUl see that suffi
cient for your use is sent frora here. Please indicate how
rauch pitch and how rauch rosin you want by the return of the
"Sykes," When, by any act of raine, I paralyze the operation
of the Navy, I paralyze my own right arm, and it has been a
source of grief to rae that you should even think for the days
you are waiting this reply that I knew anything of this trans
action, I send you by the "Sykes" 20 Bbls of rosin which I
seized at Fort Pike, I can forward you tar and pitch from
here if you do not get the pitch I have mentioned, I have
ordered the "Sykes" to act as a despatch boat between this
Post, Ship Island & Pensacola, She runs about fourteen mUes
an hour, and as she was fired into three tiraes by the Blockading
Squadron, and dodged the shells, and the Capt, does not like
to repeat the experiraent, if you wiU give her a nuraber that
she raay carry at night and distribute it among your Squadron
we shall save accidents, I don't blame the Officers for shoot
ing. After the fate of Preble I would not let anything pass me
if I were they. You know I believe in shooting when any
body attempts to run past. As she is a Despatch Boat, may I

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 407
ask that your Officers shall not detain her, because I wish for
all our sakes that she should make regular trips. She will
leave here every Saturday and Wednesday afternoon at 4
o'clock, and on corresponding days from Pensacola at such
hour as raay give her the best despatch, I think if you will
give her your maU I can raanage with the Postraaster so as to
give you more frequent coraraunication with the North than
in any other way,
Mrs, Butler, who has corae out, sends her best regards. She
has a right lively recollection of many kindnesses from your
self & Officers of your comraand.
Very truly. Your Friend, Benj, F, Butler
From General Neal Dow
Head Quarters, District of West Florida, Pensacola, Oct Slst, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major General B, F, Butler
General: I immediately, on the receipt of your order of
the 25th, relating to pitch, caused explanations to be made,
and the result is that a quantity has been found in a hole in
the sand. It was run in, warm, and is very much raixed with
dirt, I have comraunicated with the Admiml on the subject,
and shall have it melted and dipped off into barrels, free frora
foreign raatters.
The quantity is not yet ascertained, nor do I know the
quality — but shall probably be informed of that to-raorrow,
I hope there will be as rauch as the Adrairal will need.
Very respectfully, Neal Dow, Brig. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Head Quarters Department of the Gulf, New Obleans, Oct. 25, 1862
To the Hon. E, M, Stanton
I HAVE the honor to report that I have forwarded on the
Stearaer "Catawba," under the charge of Capt, Puffer, certain
discharged soldiers, three insane men, and three clergymen of
the Protestant Episcopal Church, I have directed the three
clergymen to be turned over to the care of the United States
Marshal at New York, subject to the order of the War
Departraent, The insane men Capt, Puffer will take with him to Wash
ington, and deliver to the "Soldiers Insane Asylum,"
One of the clergymen, the Rev. Dr. Leacock, preached a

408 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
sermon on the 29th of Nov, 1860, which was afterwards
published and run through four editions of about 30,000
copies, I enclose the vital extracts. You will see that it
was highly incendiary in its nature. He is an Englishman
born, but I believe has been naturalized in this country; at
any rate I have his written admission that he does not claim
British protection. He has been in New Orleans about sis
years, and I think has been an emissary of the British Gov
ernment, And the Rev, Mr, Fulton is a clergyman who
was for a considerable time a private in the Rebel army.
And the Rev. Mr. Goodrich has been an active and violent
secessionist. All these men refused to take the oath of allegiance, and
though the Military Governor of Louisiana, Genl, Shepley,
ordered that they should read the service adopted by the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, including
the prayer for the President of the United States, they have
neglected to obey the order, and though warned of the conse
quences of disobeying the order, they have stUl contumaciously
refused to obey it, I think thera rauch raore mischievous in
this city than they would be as soldiers in arms in the Confed
erate Service, And I send them to Fort Lafayette, so that
they wUl at least be out of mischief during the remainder of
the war.
The only excuse they have to raake to me in personal exami
nation is that the Diocesan Bishop, I believe the Right Rev,
Warrior Bishop Gen, Polk, has prescribed a different form of
service, and that they are therefore canonically obliged to dis
obey the orders of the authorities here.
Any other information about this, if desired by the Depart
ment, will be forwarded if directed, I have the honor to be.
Very respy.. Your obdt. servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Head Quarters, DepaHment of the Gulf, New Obleans, October 25, 1862
To the United States Marshal in New York
Captain Puffer of my staff is directed to deliver into your
hands three clergymen. Rev, Dr, Leacock, Rev, Mr, Fulton,
and Rev, Mr, Goodrich, secessionists, rebels, and enemies of
the United States,
I have reported these cases to the Secretary of War, and

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 409
you wUl retain them subject to orders of the War Department,
I have the honor to be.
Very respectfully. Your obedient servt.,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commanding
HeadquaHers Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, October 25, 1862
General Orders No. 85
The Coraraanding General has exarained the doings of the
Court Martial whereof Major Peck was President, with care.
While there seeras to have been a good degree of discrimination
in weighing the evidence, and the proceedings are reasonably
regular, yet it is apparent that the Court, in the sentences and
punishments, were entirely regardless of their duty. Offenses
that should have been punished with death, or the severest
prison discipline for life, have been given the farcical punish
raent of two or three raonths' confinement and a small fine.
Sleeping on post by a sentinel in face of an enemy, an offense
justly punishable with death, as the safety of a whole army
raay depend on his vigilance, is punished by "three weeks'
confineraent in a guard tent," Going to sleep in his quarters
by an officer of the guard is punished by loss of one month's
pay and a reprimand from the Commander of the post, and
this officer recommended to the raercy of the Commanding
General because of his ignorance. Striking and violent abuse
of an officer by a soldier has had a short terra of imprisonraent
and a sraall fine, less than would have been given by a civil
court for an ordinary assault and battery. Perhaps this raay
be accounted for by the fact that the merabers of the Court
knew exactly how much a raan ought to be punished if he
abused one of thera. Other officers, of a different and proper
appreciation of their own position and raerit, would have corae
to a different conclusion.
The sentences of the Court, as a rule, are a disgrace to every
officer composing it. The Court Martial of which Major
Frank H, Peck is President, is dissolved.
By command of Major-General Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. and A. A. A. G.
From Mrs. Butler to Mrs. Heard
New Orleans, Oct 26ft, 1862
Dear Harriet: A vessel goes out this afternoon; no more
for a week. The weather is quite cold; we have fires all over

410 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
the house. Yesterday Mr, Butler and I dined with four of
the Staff who are keeping Bachelors' HaU, They gave us a
very nice dinner, and on the whole it was quite pleasant. We
expect Fisher soon as he receives news that he is to come.
The articles sent home, including Mrs. Read's ring, were
bought of a Jew Broker, and cost twelve hundred doUars,
bought just as you would buy them of a broker in Boston,
Mrs. Butler's sUver at the sarae place. This I write only be
cause we had spoken of it, and I thought you might like to
know. Of course, you would raake it no subject of conversa
tion to anyone else. Maria has gone into a very fine house,
Harry has left us and gone to her. The things that Mr, Butler
sent for in his letter to me, get together if you can and send by
Fisher, If there is roora in the trunk, put in the box that
contains my muff and raufties. It will be cold enough for
furs, I should like well enough a few yards of bright ribbon
to give to the servants, or a gay handkerchief to tie over their
heads, but you need not trouble much about it. I cannot
write you rauch to interest today, for I seera to have my head
more than full about matters, that I will write to you of when
I get them arranged. You have the steam on by this time, I
hope you are all well, and that you will manage to make it
cheerful and pleasant, I shall be glad to hear how Lote's
affairs progress, Fisher was better pleased with it than he
would have been with the other, of the same name, though he
says he knows nothing about this man. But he is a pleasant
person, and I hope for Lote's sake it will be all right, I hope
you have already written, and that I shaU get a letter in the
course of a week, t^ «. ,• ^ a
Your affectionate Sister
From General Butler
Head Qrs. DepaH-ment ofthe Oulf, New Orleans, Oct. 27, 1862
Maj. Gen. Halleck, Com'g in Chief
General: In my despatch of — inst,, I have the honor to
report to the Coraraanding Genl, the departure of an expedi
tion under Brig, Genl, Weitzel into that part of Louisiana which
lies west of the Mississippi river, I enclose Genl, Weitzel's
despatch, showing his operation so far.
This is sent by hand of Capt, Puffer, of my staff, by whom I
also forward a map of that part of Louisiana, which, though
not strictly accurate, wiU give you a very good idea of the
country through which operations are being raade, I have

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 411
explained to hira verbally the proposed action of the expedi
tion, and, if you desire, by the aid of the raap he raay raake it
clearer than I can by writing, I trust you raay find hira a
gentleraan of such intelligence as to raake clear the difficulty
to be encountered, and the necessity [to] the expedition
for light-draught steamers for the numerous bayous,
I hope that on Tuesday morning, the 2Sth inst,, some of
these steamers, two of thera iron-clad as far as boilers are con
cerned, will be in Brashier City, We have opened the railroad
as far as the point raarked Bouttee station. The eneray have
a force at this point where the Bayou Des AUeraands is crossed
by the railroad, I have the honor to be.
Very respy.. Your obdt. servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Head Qrs. Dept of the Gulf, New Obleans, Oct. 27, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Sec'y of War
Sir: While Brig, Gen, Neal Dow was in coramand at Fort
St, Philip he took great pains and evinced much zeal in rais
ing the chain, which was used by the Confederates. to prevent
our passing the forts.
He succeeded in raising a number of fathoms, of the value
of $4,000 or $5,000, which has been received by the Quarter
Master here. For this he makes a claim for salvage as appears
by his letter, a copy of which is enclosed,
I incline to the opinion that salvage cannot be aUowed in
such case, as the services of the officer belongs to the United
States, But not wishing to prejudice the case of an officer so
high in coraraand, so earnestly raade, I have forwarded it to
the War Department that it may be passed upon there, I
have the honor to be. Very respy.. Your obdt servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commanding
Enclosures referred to Foregoing Letter
Head Qrs. District of Pensacola, Oct. 10ft, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Maj. Geo. C. Strong, A. A. G.
Major: While I was in comraand at Fort St, Phihp, I took
a good deal of pains and devoted personal attention to recov
ering the great chain with which the rebels obstructed the

412 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
river, I succeeded in recovering about forty tons, worth some
$4,000 or $5,000, I sent them to New Orleans, where they
are now, WUl you be so kind as to call Gen'l Butler's attention
to the raatter, I thought I should be justly entitled to salvage,
and I leave the raatter entirely to hira, promising to be con
tented with whatever he shaU think right about it. But I
hope that he may give order that I shall have salvage, of such
a percentage as he raay think proper. Very respy., Neal Dow
Head Qrs. Dept. of the Gulf, New Obleans, Oct. 10, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Brig. Gen. Neal Dow, Commanding U. S. Forces at
Pensacola, Fla,
General: I ara directed by the Major Genl, Comraanding
to acknowledge the recpt, of your letter of Oct, 10th, in rela
tion to the recovery of a chain cable at Fort St, Philip, and to
acknowledge that the part recovered has been received at
New Orleans, The Genl, acknowledges your personal atten
tion and zeal in recovering, but is inclined to the opinion that
no allowance for salvage can be raade, as the recovery was
but your duty to the United States, However, not wishing to
prejudge your claira, he has forwarded it to Washington with
a copy of this note, I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully Your obdt. servt,
Fred Martin, Lt & A. D. C.
From G. S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase ^
Pbfvate. New Obleans, October 27ft, 1862
Deae Sie: Gen, Weitzel left here three days ago, with
five Regiraents Infantry, four corapanies cavalry, and two
batteries. Their destination was DonaldsonviUe, about seventy
miles up the River, where the Rebels were posted in force,
I have just learned from a Captain of a transport, who has
returned frora there, that the landing was effected successfully.
Considerable skirraishing took place, when the Rebels retreated,
leaving a few killed and wounded, and also leaving two hundred
prisoners in our hands, who were paroled and released. The
rebels retreated to Napoleon ville — (south of DonaldsonviUe),
where it is supposed they will make a stand. The 1st (colored)
Regiraent and Sth Verraont left here yesterday, raarching in
' American Historical Association Report 1902, Vol, II, p, 327.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 413
a direction nearly due west. Two days ago, gunboats started
for Berwick's Bay, to take possession there. All these move
ments are parts of one and the same plan, I inforraed you
raany days ago of the departure of a portion of the fleet to
attack and capture Galveston, They accoraplished the object
without loss. Gen, Butler wiU soon send a Regiraent to occupy
the town and Island,
Seventy-three refugees frora Texas have just arrived here
frora Mataraoras, about one-third of whora are Gerraans —
the reraa,inder Araericans, At my request. Gen, Butler is
organizing them into a corapany for Govt, military service.
Judge Davis, from Texas, is now here, and will receive author
ity to enlist and organize a full Texas Regiment, There will
be no difficulty about this, as besides the company here
three or four companies can be raised in Galveston, There
are hundreds of refugees in the vicinity of Mataraoras anxious
to join the array, for whora Gen, Butler will send a stearaer.
You saw Judge Davis in Washington. He is well and favor
ably known in Texas,
Everything appears to be going on well.
Your regulations of Aug, 28th throw upon me great labor
and responsibility, I have informed you of ray action and
opinions in the raatter, and would like to know if I have raade
any raistake,
I know of but one fault to be found with Gen, Butler, He
has (in ray opinion) been altogether too wUling to perrait his
friends to raake fortunes,
I hope you have completely recovered from your illness, of
which mention was raade in the New York papers,
(Geoege S, Denison)
From General Butler
Head Quarters Department of the Gvlf, New Obleans, Oct. 28ft, 1862
Rear Admiral Fabbagut, Commanding Western Blockade
Squadron
My deae Sib: I ara always disinclined to raake coraplaint
of the action of any officer, especiaUy one of your squa,dron,
but I think I raust subrait to you the enclosed report and
correspondence, because it is right that the Quarter Master
at Ship Island, Lt, Ring, should have sorae voucher so that
he raay not be at the personal loss of the value of the cattle
raentioned.

414 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Upon request. Captain Guest should have had the cattle;
but I don't think that upoli reflection Capt, Guest would
desire that the Qr, Master should be at the personal loss, as
he raust be if no receipt is furnished, I have the honor to be,
Your respl. servant,
Benj, F, Butlee, Major General Commanding
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
Office Chief Commissary of Subsistence, Dept of the Gulf, New Obleans
To Major Gen. Butlee, Com'g Dept. of the Gulf
Genebal: I have the honor to enclose herewith the cer
tificate of Lt, Aaron Ring, 13th Me, Vols,, setting forth the
facts of the seizure of six beef cattle, for which he was respon
sible, by Capt, Guest, U,S,N,, of the U,S,S, "Owasco," and a
letter of Capt, Guest in reply when called upon for receipt of
the cattle.
These cattle were sent to Ship Island by ray direction,
being obtained at considerable expense, and sent over there
with much trouble and labor for the use of troops stationed in
that island.
The extenuation offered by Capt, Guest, that he thought
them wild cattle, appears ridiculous in the face of the fact that
sorae 13,000 troops occupied the Island for three or four raonths,
and were for raost of the tirae suffering for the want of fresh
beef; moreover, it is not likely that expeditions would have
been sent off, as was done, to visit neighboring islands for the
very purpose of procuring cattle for the troops, not wUd cattle
but animals left there to graze, when beef cattle were roaming
around on Ship Island, That the cattle were not in the lines
of the command is very probable. The grazing on Ship Island
at best is very scarce, and to have kept thera within the
liraited lines of the two companies would have been to have
kept them to starve; and what dangers were there to appre
hend when our own naval vessels were in the vicinity for the
protection of public property?
It is a fact that we are feeding negroes and vagabond raales
and feraales who raisbehave in New Orleans; why we are doing
so is not for me, a subordinate officer, to question. It is done,
though, with a due accountabUity for every thing so expended,
and I do not understand why this is a warrant for the forcible
seizure of public property by Capt. Guest to hand over to
persons in no manner connected with either Array or Navy. A

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 415
distressed condition of his own case might justify him in the
taking of public property in this raanner, but to be accounted
for afterwards to the responsible officer.
It appears to be a wanton act when Capt. Guest adraits
that his own crew did not want it, nor get any of it, and when
called upon for the proper receipts tells the public officer who
is responsible to his Government for that property, that he
may charge it to "profit and loss."
I subrait this to you, seeking redress for Lt. Ring and exemp
tion if possible frora having stores, gathered at no small pains
and labor for the use of your army, thus forcibly taken and
used for no purpose connected with the operations of this
command. I am, ^^ , t^ u..
Vei/'y respy., Your obdt. servant,
Jno. W. Tubner, Col. & Chief Commissioner,
Dept. of the Gulf
U.S.S. Owasco, Ship Island, 17ft Sept., 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Henry Rust, Col. Cbmg. Post at Ship Island
Dear Sir: I have just received your letter of this day
raaking an inquiry of me in reference to some beef cattle
killed by ray crew on the eastern end of this island. It is true
that a boat's-crew frora this vessel did kill six beef cattle on
the upper end of Ship Island one day last week.
I ara not sure they killed cattle belonging to the Array, as
I have been told there are or were a nuraber of wild cattle on
the island, and if they did belong to the Army, ray men did
not know it. The facts in the case are these: Capt, Wood-
worth of the "Jackson" brought some sheep here from Pen
sacola for the use of our vessels. The sheep escaped from the
pen, and when my raen went in quest of thera, were stopped
by your pickets,
I was therefore obliged to get under-way and to land ray
raen outside of your lines, I told thera to look for the sheep,
and kUl as raany as they could, as I considered thera Ipst,
They saw the sheep but could shoot none. They saw cattle
and killed six.
You will perrait rae to observe that if all the cattle of the
island belong to your Qr, Master's Dept, he has no security
for them whatever, as any one may land and take them away
without his knowledge, and being so far beyond your lines
and control ray men very naturally concluded thera to be wild,
especially as they were seen with the lost sheep.

416 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
As the Supply Steamer was here at the time, my people
did not require the beef, so I distributed it among the mer
chant ships whose crews have no chance to get fresh beef.
I had the pleasure, dear Col,, of sending you a quarter of
beef, little thinking I might be giving you your own. I hope,
however, you found it very tender. As the United States is
now feeding every negro that chooses to come to us, and all
the vagabonds male and female who misbehave in New Orleans,
you perhaps agree with me that the lucky accident which gave
a hearty meal to the loyal crews of our raerchantmen is not
to be regretted.
The Quarter Master will have to charge the beef to "profit
& loss," especially the latter. In future I shaU coiffine my
rffiemen to rautton, when they land on Ship Island, lest they
raight by chance find an Array beef araongst the wUd cattle,
I ara, dear sir, ^^ v ijs
Very respy., Your obdt. servant,
John Guest, Comdr., U. S. N.
From Rear Admiral Farragut
Flag Ship Habtford, Pensacola Bay, Nov. 6, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Major General B, F, Butler
Sir: Your coraraunication in relation to the Beeves kiUed
at Ship Island by order of Lieut, Coradr, Guest was received,
and I called on that Officer for an explanation of the same, but
his letter to rae is nothing but a repetition of the one to the
Corad'g officer at Ship Island, viz: that he did not know that
they belonged to the Array, and therefore directed the pay
master not to receipt for them. But he has gone horae under
orders of the Dept,, and as he acknowledges to have killed
the Beeves, and given the Beef away, I will give the Quarter
raaster a certfficate of the sarae.
Very respectfully. Your obt. Servt,
D, G, Farragut, Rear Admiral
From General Butler
Headqvarters, Departmeni of the Gulf, New Orleans, October 28, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
SfB: I have the honor to enclose to you a translation of a
letter frora one Labitat, I think it is one requiring some
investigation. It is evident to rae, these Arras berag in Havana,
that if we do not get them the Rebels will.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 417
Therefore I have written the enclosed answer, which will
at least give rae tirae to hear from the War Department, I
will either undertake to have the raatter investigated and a
contract made, if authorized, or I wUl afford every facility to
any gentleman of the Ordnance Department who raay be sent
here for that purpose, I can coraraunicate almost weekly
with Havana, I have the honor to be.
Very respectfully. Your Obedt. Servant,
Benj, F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Commdg. ,
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Translation. Havana, Oct. ilst 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen. Butleb, New Obleans
I HAVE by mistake put a letter in the mail of the steamer
"Roanoke," for New York, to your address, in which I raade
you a certain proposition, therefore to repair my error I
hereby address you this letter, I suppose you will receive the
other some time later,
I inforraed you. General, that I can furnish you with ammu
nition of war, I have $80,000 in muskets, also rffies, with
sword bayonets. If you wish anything, you may give me an
order which will be filled at once, I shall require a credit on
London or France for the araount. Those muskets will come
to $23, to be delivered at any port in the United States you
may direct, I should prefer if you answer ray letter in the
French language,
I understand the business, having been an officer in the
French array, and have furnished the French array with arras
also, I am a nephew of Gen'l, Labitat, Hoping to hear from
you soon, I reraain, y^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ j^^ Habitat
Cotton will do as well as specie in exchange.
From General Butler
Head Quarters Depart-ment of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. 28, 1862
M. Labitat, Havana
Sir: I would be glad of your rauskets and rffies provided
they are of such quality as would suit ray soldiers. The price
seeras quite high, but I suppose that would not be so raaterial
an objection as want of good quality, WiU you have the
kindness to send rae by the first stearaer frora Havana a saraple
of each gun, and a contract saying what nuraber of each you
VOL. 11—27

418 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
will deliver at this port, and the price, the arras to be in per
fect order and equal to sample, I shall then have a basis upon
which I may close the contract.
It would be preferable to pay for the arms in exchange on
Paris, I am. Sir, Your obdt Servant
Benj, F, Butlee, Major General Commanding
From R. W. Shufeldt
U.S. Consulate General, Havana, October iSth, 1862
Major General B, F, Butlee, Commanding U. S. Forces Gulf
Dept, &c.
Sir: It has been the subject of complaint on the part of
parties interested in vessels visiting the Port of New Orleans
— under the Spanish flag — that they have been submitted
to quarantine & other restrictions not placed upon vessels —
coming frora the port of Cuba — under the Ara, flag,
I ara indisposed to believe that any such partiality has been
shown, altho' it has frequently been here raade the theme of
the press, and the topic of conversation, — at the instance,
therefore, of a highly-respectable merchant of this city, the
owner of the stearaer "Pajaro del Oceano," about to be dis
patched to N, O,, I take the liberty of calling your attention
to the subject, remarking, as I can from personal knowledge,
that our steam packets have always been received in the
ports of Cuba with uniforra liberality, and that even during
the past years our men-of-war and our merchant vessels have
received a courtesy and a protection for which we have looked
in vain frora other nations than Spain, frora whora we thought
we had a better right to expect it.
Believing that you are as anxious as I am to cultivate the
little friendly feeling we find abroad in our present crisis, I am
sure that any cause of coraplaint which raay reach you from
the Master of the above steamer or any other Spanish vessel
will receive your favorable consideration.
In view of the great importance of maintaining the health
of N, O,, I do not venture to raake any suggestions in regard
to the quarantine regulations of that Port, I can only say
that the Health authorities of Havana are now issuing clean
bills of health, about which they are exceedingly careful, & I
believe Havana to be as free frora epidemic as it ever is in any
season of the year, I have the honor to be with great respect,
Your Obedt Servant, R, W, Shufeldt, Consul Genl.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 419
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept, New Orleans, Oct. 28, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sib: I have the honor to call your attention to the enclosed
extracts translated frora the Diario of Havana, in confirraation
of my reports in regard to Spanish vessels of war transporting
passengers; also the fact that the Spanish War Steamer
"Blasco de Garay" has taken frora this port over a raUlion
doUars in specie. It will be seen that whUe I ara forbidding
their leaving the city without passes, the Spanish raen-of-war
are taking away both, I desire instructions whether this is
a breach of national courtesy and hospitality; and I should
aUow no Spanish vessel of war to come above the Forts untU
I receive instructions frora the Department, I have the honor
' Very respectfully. Your obt. servt.
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
The Prensa of the 15th announces the arrival of the "Mari-
galanti" frora New Orleans, with over 200 passengers (refugees)
and Government tobacco.
The Diario of the 16th, noticing the arrival of the refugees
in the "Marigalanti," remarks, "It is a satisfaction to us to
think that circumstances have made the Spanish Flag the
first to give aid and shelter to the citizens of Louisiana, while
they have been suffering from the calamities which accompany
civU war,"
The Diario closes by the remark that the emigration from
New Orleans, which it hopes wffi augment, wUl doubtless be
very beneficial to the interior of the "ever faithful Isle," and
that the authorities of the island seem to so regard it, as they
afford all needful protection to those that seek their aid.
The Prensa of the 17th announces that the Spanish Frigate
"Cortes" has left St, lago de Cuba for Porte au Prince, where
it was reported that she would remain fifteen days. The
Prensa has no knowledge of the object of her visit.
The Prensa, mentioning the arrival of the Spanish War
Stearaship "Blasco de Garay" frora New Orleans, says she
had on board over a million of dollars in gold, entrusted to
her Coraraander, and that the raoney has been deposited in
the various banks of Havana, The Prensa understands that
the Coramand, of the "Blasco de Garay " declined to receive the

420 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
usual percentage allowed for the transportation of specie in
war vessels, and that the eraigrants frora this city by that
vessel, in testimony of their gratitude to Don Manuel Herera,
the Comd,, for his generous conduct, have tendered hira a pubhc
dinner. From General Butler
Head Quarters Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Oct. 29, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton Sec'y of War
Sib: I have the honor to enclose the report of ray Medical
DirectPr and the Surgeon of the Quarantine Station in regard
to the action of Mr, Pierce, Consul at Mataraoras, who it
would seem needs some instructions in the way of his duty.
He gives clean bills of health when epidemic is raging.
We have thus far succeeded, in the Providence of God, by
the most strenuous exertions in keeping all pestilence away
from the city, and the enclosed communications wUl give
sorae idea of the difficulties under which we labor, I have
the honor to be, rr ir n^
Very respy. Your obdt. servant
Benj, F, Butleb, Maj. General Commanding
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
Consulate of the U.S. of America at Matamoras, Oct. 3, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
I, Consul of the United States of Araerica for the port of
Matamoras, Mexico, do hereby certify that the schooner called
the "Planet," of Nassau, N,P,, of the registered burden of
seventy-six tons, whereof J, Chander is master, navigated by
six raen and having on board twenty-five passengers, being in
all thirty-two are persons on board cleared this day frora this
port for New Orleans, I hereby further certify that in this
port and vicinity and araong the shipping thereof good health
prevails without suspicion of plague, yellow fever, or any con
tagious or pestilential disease whatever, in either an epidemic
or sporadic forra, and that no disease has existed either in the
place or among the shipping for the past , , , weeks or
months. Given under my hand and seal of this Consular office, the
day and year above written,
L. PiEBCE, Je,, U. S. Consul

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 421
Medical Director's Office, Head Qts. Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct 25ft, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butlee, U. S. Army, Comdg. Dept. of Gulf
Genebal: I herewith enclose to you the bill of health for
the schooner "Planet" frora Mataraoras, Mexico, and a copy
of the letter of Dr, J, A, G, Fisher, the Quarantine physician
at the station below New Orleans, dated October 20th, 1862,
giving statements of some of the passengers of the schooner
"Planet," On the 16th Septeraber, 1862, the Mexican schooner "lical-
tipec" arrived frora Mataraoras, Mexico, having a clean bill
of health frora the U. S, Consul at that port. The schooner
had on board six U, S, soldiers — escaped prisoners frora the
rebels. On the 21st of Septeraber, Dr, Fisher reported that
Pat C, Spark of the Sth Infy,, who came as a passenger on the
"licaltipec," was taken sick with yellow fever, and on the
27th Septeraber Dr, Fisher reports that this raan had died the
previous day (the 26th Sept,), black vomit having set in, thus
proving to be an unmistakable case of yellow fever, — still this
vessel had a clean bill of health.
Again, on the 16th October, 1862, the schooner "Planet"
arrived here frora Mataraoras, having enclosed a clean bill
of health frora Mr, L, Pierce, Jr,, the U, S, Consul at that
port, although this vessel had 93 passengers on board frora
Texas, who stated to Dr, Fisher that yellow fever in an
epideraic forra existed at Brownsville at the time of their
departure. This has been the second case of a vessel arriving from
Matamoras with a clean bill of health from Mr, L, Pierce,
Jr,, the U, S, Consul, while it is a well-known fact that a severe
epideraic of yellow fever existed during this season along the
whole coast of Texas and Mexico,
Very Respectfully, Your Obdt. Servant,
Chaeles McCoemick, Medical Director, Dept. of the Gulf
From the Secretary of War
War Department, Washington City, October 29ft, 1862
Genebal: The Secretary of War directs me to transmit to
you the enclosed Copy of a communication addressed to this
Department by the Consul General of Switzerland, with the
request that you will report the facts in relation to the alleged
sequestration of 22 Hogsheads of Sugar, claimed to be the

422 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
property of Messrs, Steiner & Marioni, citizens of Switzerland,
resident at New Orleans,
Very respectfully. Your obedt. Servant,
P, H, Watson, Asst. Secretary of War
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Nov. 25ft, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sib: The sugar mentioned in your coraraunication of
October 29th, having been found in one of the bonded ware
houses of the supposed Confederate Govemraent, was held
by the Custora House Officers untU investigation could be
raade, as will be seen by the enclosed report. It was long
since returned, I have the honor to be.
Very respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Commanding
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
November 26ft, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
General Butlee
Genebal: The Collector reports to rae this sugar was
returned to this firm some tirae since, it having been in one of
the bonded warehouses, and for a tirae held by the Custom
House authorities. It was never sequestered.
Respectfully, J, H, French, Provost Marshal General
From Honorable S. P. Chase
Treasury DepaHment, Oct 29ft, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler
My dear General: The sincerest interest in you prompts
this letter. You have done so much and so well, and have
been personally so just in your action and expressions towards
myself, that I cannot endure the thoughts of your suffering in
the present poor opinion as well as in the esteera of the govern
ment through the imputed faults of others.
So many and seemingly such well-founded charges against
your brother. Col, Butler, have reached me and other mem
bers of the adrainistration, as well as the President, that I feel
bound to say to you that in my judgment you owe it to your
self not to be responsible, even by toleration, for what he
does. Many do not scruple to express their conviction that

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 423
you and some other of your officers are concerned in his specu
lations, Mr, Denison alone of all who have written frora New
Orleans has repelled the idea of your participation, and even
his faith, though he expresses the greatest adrairation and
regard for you, seeras to be shaken in this respect,
I do not presurae to suggest any line of action to you. Your
own good sense will advise you better than I can.
It is said that Col, Butler's gains araount to between one
and two milUons of dollars,
Mr, Denison's last letter transmits two permits, one from
yourself and one frora Gov, Shepley, for trade with the enemy,
or rather within the rebel lines. This is expressly forbidden
by act of Congress as well as by Regulation. I am glad to
have his assurance that no more such perraits wUl be granted.
All intercourse across the lines should be confined to railitary
purposes. I shall look anxiously and hopefully to the result of your
expedition up the river. I hope it may add a new laurel to
your crown, as well as prove of essential service to our cause.
Mr, Denison gives the most interesting and promising accounts
of your colored regiment experiment. The only error is that
the experiment is begun too late. Long ago we should have
received every recruit willing to take arms for the Union
in the rebel states, whether black or white, putting them in
proper organization, and save as far as possible our labor in
the loyal states. The drain in consequence of the neglect of
this simple device of prudence upon our labor, and especially
our unskilled labor, is frightful. This alone will account for
augmented prices of all articles produced by labor.
Yours cordially and faithfully, S, P, Chase
From General Butler to Salmon P. Chase
HeadquaHers DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, November Iith, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
My dear Sir: Your kind and welcome note was received
with mingled emotions of pleasure and pain — pleasure from
the friendship which so conspicuously shows through every
line, and pain that you, a friend, should think I would permit
the wrongs which you sketch to be done not only with my
knowledge, but with ray sanction. My brother has been in
deed engaged in commercial adventure in New Orleans, and
has been successful, I know and cannot be raistaken that he

424 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
has been no raore successful than raany others, I believe
that every transaction has been legitiraate raercantile opera
tions, I have aided him in no way officially. On the con
trary, I have avoided it, and have aided him far less than
I have strangers, so far as all raatters of official action were
concerned. I have aided hira to capital and credit by the use
of ray name at the North, and drawing on ray bankers where
I had some raeans before this war, but very httle now, L
have aided hira in no other way, I believe this is a legitimate
course toward a brother, I have not heard, nor do I believe,
that he has done anything which in any way interferes with
the Army of the Gulf or with the department. Certain it is
that be has suppUed the army with nothing or bought anything
from it that was not sold at public auction.
That his acts have been misrepresented is raost true, and
in nothing more than in the extent of his transactions, — you
say you have heard his profits were two millions !!, "Why
he shew me his balance sheet the 1st of October, and his
entire transactions were only rising eight hundred thousand
dollars, a large portion of which was in buying sugar here at
nearly the sarae price it sold for in New York, soraetimes
higher, and depending upon the difference of exchange 12 or
15 per cent for his profits.
How much he has been able to gain you wiU conjecture,
I have not asked hira, nor do I believe he knows. That he
raost carefully bought for the Govemraent, to send horae under
my direction, some sixty thousand dollars worth of sugar and
naval stores, upon which the Government doubled the raoney,
and in payment of which my drafts were suffered to go to pro
test, is most true, but for that he has never yet received one
cent. I asked hira to ballast sorae Govemraent transports,
which would otherwise have to go to Ship Island for sand, and
the Quartermaster at Boston repudiated his contracts, although
thousands of dollars were saved to the Government, A loss
was thrown on hira by the repudiation, and his narae brought
into disrepute by the action of Quarterraaster's Department,
These are all the acts he has ever done for the Government,
and these are the results, I have determined, however, that
no appearance of evil shall exist to rob me of the fair earnings
of a devotion of life and fortune to the service of ray country.
I have therefore asked Col. Butler to close up his business and
go away from New Orleans, so as to leave rae entirely untram
melled to deal with the infernal brood of slandering speculators

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 425
who have maligned rae because I will not allow thera to plunder
the Govemraent,
I would desire that every high officer of ray coraraand,
every quarterraaster, coraraissary. Gov, Shepley, General
Weitzel, Sherman, or other officers, might be interrogated as
to any act of Col, Butler in his business, and I ara willing he
should abide the result of the answer,
I have raanaged the affairs of this department as I would
have done my own, and that I have been successful before I
entered the service of the country in accumulating a compe
tency for rayself is the best guarantee that I know how to
raanage ray own affairs, and I point with a just pride to the
records of the commissary, quartermaster's, and treasury for
the justification of ray adrainistration — less by raore than
ten dollars to one as corapared with the Port Royal expedition,
which was just about the sarae size. And much less than
any other expedition of the equal size.
Besides, I have fed more than thirty thousand whites and
ten thousand blacks for more than five raonths, and have put
into the Treasury of the United States more than three quarters
of a million of dollars,
I have a right to say this to a friend, and take the privilege
to do so. As to the raatter of the passes of merchandise to
get cotton, I have fully informed the departraent upon that
subject. It was brought to the notice of the State Departraent
and approved, and subraitted to Hon, Reverdy Johnson at the
time, and approved by him, and this was the only evidence
I had it was wrong until I got your note.
Certain it is that by allowing some provisions to go across
the lake to the starving people there, we have caused an insur
rection at Jackson, Mississippi, against the Confederate Gov
ernment, because they would not allow the cotton to go out
to pay for thera. Upon exaraination of the "regulations of
the Treasury," however, the raost stringent rules in conforraity
therewith were adopted.
My experiraent of arraing the free negroes is succeeding
adrairably. Two regiraents are already doing service in
the field in guarding the Opelousas Railroad, and are doing
it as well as any soldiers can. That they will fight I do not
doubt, I am much in need of reinforcements — not to hold
this place, but to do anything with service to the country, I
can take Mobile if I have 10,000 men to do it with, aye, I will
try with seven, I have now scarcely 10 thousand effective

426 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
men in the departraent, and I could not have moved as I have
were it not for ray negro recruits.
You wUl find enclosed the order. No. 91, that I have issued
in regard to the property in the Lafourche county. I wUl
get a raUlion of dollars worth of property, at least, for the
Govemraent, if some coraraissioner is not sent down here to
give it up. Mr. Johnson's visit here cost the Govemment
$405,000 in gold, which has been since sent out to pay for
army clothing for the Rebels. It is aU told in ray despatches
to the War Departraent. Do pray send rae sorae raen. I wiU
take Texas if you will send any raen. I have not 2000 now in
the city of New Orieans, nor five within striking distance.
From G. S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase ^
Private. New Orleans, Nov. Uth, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Dear Sir: Four days ago General Butler showed rae the
letter he had just received frora you, concerning the specula
tions of Col, Butler, and trade with the eneray. In ray opin
ion it was the right method of effecting a desirable object.
The General pleased to talk to me confidentially. He says
that his brother's gains have been less than Two Hundred
Thousand — that he hsls done only a legitimate business —
that without being interested he assisted his brother at first
with his (the GenTs) credit — and that Col, Butler wiU close
his business as quickly as possible and go home. He also said
that some of his officers had engaged in speculations, but only
in a proper manner.
For one thing Col, Butler deserves credit. Many sugar
plantations were abandoned. Col, B, bought the standing
crop of a large plantation for $25,000, hired negroes at a fair
rate per day — and will make a thousand hogsheads of sugar
this year from this one plantation, I say he deserves credit,
as being the first man bold and enterprising enough to under
take the raising of a large crop of sugar by free labor — which,
a little whUe ago, was slave labor — in opposition to the South
ern idea, long established, that Sugar and Cotton can be suc
cessfully raised only by compulsory labor, I lately visited this
plantation, which is a few mUes below the city, and never saw
negroes work with more energy and industry. This single
experiment refutes theories which Southern leaders have
labored, for years, to estabhsh. The crops of four or five
' American Historical Association Report 1902, Vol. II, p. 329.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 427
other plantations down the river, and sorae above the city,
were subsequently purchased by other persons, and are con
ducted with the same success. The abolition of Slavery, by
whatever means accoraplished, instead of destroying will
increase and invigorate labor,
I think there will not again be any ground of coraplaint
against Gen, Butler for his toleration of speculators. Nothing
objectionable has been perraitted since the receipt of your
regulations of August 28th, He is a raan not to be spared frora
the country's service, I suppose he was a pro-slavery raan
before the war, but he has since becorae the opposite. And
nearly all real Union raen frora the South are Anti-Slavery, of
whom Hon, A, J, Hamilton is a good representative.
The expedition to the Lafourche has been entirely successful.
The whole country frora here to Berwick's Bay, and up as
far as DonaldsonviUe, is in our possession. There was a short,
sharp fight, and the undertaking was accoraplished. Gen,
Butler's gun-boats did not reach Berwick in tirae to cut off
the retreat, — having got aground on the bar, — and so the
greater part of the enemy escaped.
These gunboats are four. Gen, Butler made three of them
out of old river boats — iron plated thera with plating designed
for rebel gunboats, and, drawing but little water, they are of
great service.
The inhabitants of Lafourche are thoroughly subjugated,
and express a desire for peace on any terras. They take the
oath of allegiance voluntarily. The negroes everywhere flocked
to the army, as to their deliverers, and raany of the plantations
were entirely deserted. Gen, Butler says they are free forever,
but he has ordered thera (I understand) back to their planta
tions to work there for proper compensation. This is the only
method of providing for thera at present. The situation of
this country (Lafourche) is such that it is not probable the
rebels will ever regain it. It is much to be regretted that
Gen, B, has not more troops here. With 25,000 raore, he could
accoraplish great things. If the eneray is attacked from the
South, he will no longer think of invading Kentucky and
Missouri, but turn southward to protect the Gulf states.
The two colored regiments guard the railroad from here to
Berwick, They have done well, and accomplished all that
has been given them to do. About one year ago, the colored
Regt. was ordered out to escort the Yankee prisoners through
the city, though the order was subsequently countermanded.

428 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
A few days ago, a company of the sarae Reg't, raarched into
the city, having un'der guard about twenty guerillas, whom
they had captured. It seemed a just retribution.
The company officers of this first Reg't, are educated men,
and each speaks at least two languages. Gen, B, will soon
give his colored troops a chance to show themselves. He
designs attacking Port Hudson, a strong position on the river.
The third colored Reg't, is full, and will soon be in the field,
I urged upon General B, the propriety of arraing all the able-
bodied negroes in Lafourche, for they would willingly consent
to it. He is undoubtedly in favor of it, but has not arras. He
has collected in the city smooth-bore rauskets enough for three
more Reg'ts,, but his supply will then be exhausted. This will
be six colored Regiments, I fear the Government will not act
decidedly, as to the army of negroes, until the rebels take the
wind out of our sails by arming thera for the Rebel side.
The Rebels have found a new supply of salt. It is on an
Island formed by a bayou, half way between Vermilion Bay
and New Iberia, which island is called Petit Anse on the map
I sent you. It is forty or fifty miles west of Berwick, and
about ten railes inland, but the Bayou is navigable for Gun
boats, The supply of salt is large, and wagons are hauling it
to Mississippi and Alabaraa, Gen, Bulter will take raeasures
to destroy the works at once — or as soon as possible,
Texas refugees have, at different tiraes, reached this city,
I proposed to Gen, Butler that a Texas Reg't, of raounted
rifles be organized, at the same tirae suggesting the raethod of
doing it. He adopted the plan. Judge Davis, of Corpus
Christi, is selected as Col,, and Mr, Stancel (Inspector in this
Custora House) as Lieut, Col, The first company is mustered
m, — coraposed entirely of refugees, — and two raore are
started. They will go to Galveston, where raany persons wiU
join — and a stearaship will be sent to Rio Grande, to bring
off the refugees who are at, or near, Mataraoras, A full regi
raent can easUy be raised. Perhaps the news rec'd, here of
the expedition to Texas under Gen, Banks, wUl interfere with
the plan, but I hope not.
The whole country west of the Mississippi can be subjugated
in one campaign. Should this be accomplished, the Southern
Confederacy would never be formidable, in case of its inde
pendence being established by foreign interference, or by
other means, ,^
(George S, Denison)

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 429
By General Butler
Headquarters, DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. SOth, 1862
Col. Thomas
Sir: You will take every means to open coraraunication
between Bouttee Station, Thibodeaux, & Bayou des AUe
raands by telegraph, Lieut, Smith goes out for this purpose.
Be sure and get communication between yourself and me at
once, and report frequently, push on with all vigor to make a
junction with Gen'l, Weitzel, leaving a sufficient working party
at the bridge with Col, Stafford, I shall send forward the
Companies of his regiment now employed in guarding the road,
and supply their places with the 2nd Regt, Native Guards
(colored), I have no report from you as to the condition of
the bridge at Des AUeraands, Send to rae for whatever you
want, but send a report how long you are to be in repairing
the bridge. What is the condition of the road between Des
AUeraands and Lafourche? General Weitzel will desire you
to hold Thibodeaux, and therefore I am pressing forward
Col, Stafford, I desire to impress upon you once raore the
necessity of the raost energetic raeasures in repairing that
bridge, and the thing that will do raost for it will be in
opening the telegraphic coraraunication with me, so that I
can send forward workmen and supplies if necessary. Every
thing is quiet here, and no news frora the North, I have
the honor to be tt- ai- 77 xr t j- a j
Very respectjuUy, Your obedient servant.
By command of Maj, Gen, Butler
From General Butler
Head Quarters Department of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. 30, 1862
Brig. Gen. Weitzel, Com'g Reserve Corps, Thibodeaux, La,
General: I have received your report of the 28 & 29th
inst,, the last enclosing a list of killed and wounded, I cannot
speak too highly of the admirable conduct of your troops, and
your own brilliant success in the expedition,
I have pushed forward the opening of the road as vigor
ously as possible. Col, Stafford left Wednesday afternoon,
with timber sufficient, as he said, to repair the bridge at Bayou
des AUeraands, and he assured rae that he would be able to
do it in two days or three at the outside, I have directed Col,
Thomas by the sarae raessenger to push forward the bulk of

430 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
his regiraent as fast as he can repair the track, and to join
you at Thibodeaux, Your requisition shall be filled and for
warded at the earliest possible raoraent,
Buchanan was to have raade his attack on Tuesday at
Berwicks, with what success of course I cannot say as yet.
We were delayed three days by a raost terrffic storra which
disabled the "Diana," but I have got her in working order,
and she has gone round,
I have ordered over the Second Native Guards (colored),
who will hold the road while Stafford pushes on to Thibodeaux,
I sympathize with you in the matter of the negroes. By
the Act of Congress they are clearly free, still you must not
encumber yourself with them. Make them stop at Thibo
deaux, from whence, when we get cars running, we can
transport them to Algiers if necessary. If they pillage, of
course we cannot help it. It is one of the necessary evUs fol
lowing this system of labor, and the rebellion, as far as I
can see.
Everything is quiet here. We have had no arrivals from
the north. Through secret channels we learn that Bragg has
evacuated Kentucky, The elections in Ohio, Pennsylvania,
and Indiana have been in favor of the Democracy, so secesh
reports; but with this we have nothing to do, as I suppose it
will not affect the prosecution of the war-.
Push in to Brashier City as soon as possible, to be able to
act in conjunction with Buchanan, I have a despatch from
Col, Holcomb at DonaldsonvUle, He reports everything quiet
there. The "Essex" has gone up there.
Very respy. ' Your obdt. Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major Gen. Commanding
By Wm, S, G, Greene, Lt Q. A. D. C.
From Rear-Admiral Reynaud
Translation. Naval Division of the Gulf and North America. Officeof the Admiral.
New Orleans, October Slst, 1862
Major General Butler, Commanding at New Orleans
General: I have the honor to acknowledge reception of
the passes which you sent rae, and ara obliged to you.
I have received also your gracious letter which enclosed
thera, and I regret much that I have to decline your amia
ble proposition, as I cannot accept the invitation of Mr.
Butler until I have the honor to receive the visit of the

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 431
General Comraanding. I have the honor. General, to be with
Your most obedt. Servant, Reynaud
The Contre Admiral, commanding in chief the naval
division of the Gulf and North America
From General Butler
HeadquaHers Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Oct. 31, 1862
The Admiral Commanding the French Naval Division of the
Seas of the Antilles and of South America
Monsieur: WiU the Adrairal honor General Butler by
indicating at what hour and at what place it will be his pleasure
to receive an official visit frora the Major General Coraraand
ing, and allow the General to present to the Adrairal the mem
bers of his Staff.
General Butler takes liberty to raake his regretful apologies
to the Adrairal, that the pressure of official business connected
with the movements of his troops now in progress has rendered
the perforraance of the duty and pleasure of paying his respects
to the Adrairal irapossible until this raoraent.
From Rear-Admiral Reynaud,
Translation. New Obleans, October Slst, 1862
Major General Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
General: In reply to your letter of yesterday evening,
and which I received this raorning, I shall have the honor, if
convenient to you, to receive the General Coraraand'g, on
board the "Catinat" this afternoon at 3 o'clock, I am with
respect. General, y^^^ ^^^^^ g^^^_^ Reynaud
The Contre Admiral Commanding Naval Div. of Gulf, &c.
From General Butler
Head QuaHers Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 1, 1862
To the Hon. E, M, Stanton, Sec'y of War
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of correspondence
between the French Consul and rayself in relation to certain
blankets which the necessities of my comraand require me to
have, >
The tone of the letter of Count Mejan is insufferable; but
I have taken no further notice of it than that shown in my
letter, I suppose the raatter wUl be raade a subject of cor-

432 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
respondence with the State Departraent, and I have forwarded
this correspondence for information. I have the honor to be.
Very Respy. Your obdt. servant,
Benj. F. Butleb, Major General Commanding
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
Translation. New Orleans, Oct. Slst, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butleb, Com'g Army of the Gulf,
New Orleans
Sir: I have just been informed that by virtue of an order
issued by the Provost Marshal General, Col, French, and
approved by you, ten bales of blankets belonging to Messrs.
Barriere Bros., French merchants, residing in this city, have
been taken away frora the custora house, where these goods
were stored, without even inforraing the owners thereof.
This arbitrary act is raore than an attempt against the prop
erty of the French citizen, it is fiagrant violation of a trust
confided to the good faith of the United States under the flag
floating over the Custora House, and placed under the pro
tection of the Head of the Custora House Adrainistration.
In the midst of your important occupations the gravity
of this fact was without doubt not presented to your mind,
and I hope these remarks will be sufficient to induce you to
order the restitution of the goods thus Ulegally seized.
If a violation of a trust is by itself not justffiable, it is the
more so by the fact that Messrs. Barriere Bros, have not been
advised of what was intended and accoraplished.
All the iraportant iraporters are interested in this question.
The commerce cannot exist without security, and how can
business in New Orleans, already so dull, take a rise, which
was formerly characteristic of this city, if one is exposed to
see his goods, confided to the Custom House, seized without
notice, without reason, or right. Already Messrs, Barriere
have been victiras of a seizure in their stores in Canal St,, a
seizure executed under a promise of early payment, which
has been delayed until the tirae when the war should be over,
which delay is admissible, as it raight be only the result of a
contract between both parties, and Messrs, Barriere are not
wiUing to submit to this,
I beg you therefore. General, to order the restitution of the
goods seized frora the Depot of the Custora House, and belong
ing to Messrs, Barriere Bros,, as well as the iraraediate pay-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 433
ment of those which have been taken from their store by order,
if I am right, of the Surgeon General of the Army, Please
accept the assurance of ray high consideration.
Count Mejan, Consul of France
Head Quarters Department of the Gulf, New Obleans, Nov. 1, 1862
Count Mejan, Consul of France
Sir: I have your letter of Oct, 31 in regard to the taking
by the United States authorities of the blankets of Mr, Barriere
& Co, Mr, Barriere has misinformed and misled you by the
statement that they were taken without information to hira.
The Medical Director of the Departraent had need of the
blankets for the sick in Hospital, The sudden appearance of
cold weather and the delay of steamers from the North had
rendered the supply insufficient.
It becarae, then, a necessity that blankets should be pro
cured, Mr, Barriere had almost the only blankets of which we
knew. The Medical Director called upon him and desired to
purchase the blankets. He refused to sell them unless he
could be paid money in hand at an exorbitant price. He was
informed that the money would soon be paid at fair price.
He then peremptorily refused to sell. Therefore, yielding to
the inexorable law of necessity, Ldirected the blankets to be
taken for the purpose indicated for military purposes, and
should have done the same thing had they belonged to the
most loyal citizen of the United States,
I know of no treaty or obligation of national courtesy that
requires the French citizen to be put, in time of war at least,
upon any better or different footing than the citizen of the
Govemraent in which he finds hiraself, in regard to raatters
of trade, coraraerce, and property, I do not now advert to
rules which raay govern raUitary service, A receipt was given
Messrs, Barriere & Bros, for the blankets as soon as an account
of thera could be taken, in form given to loyal citizens of the
United States, as a voucher by the Gov't, and in the usual
course of business, I would have directed a payment to be
made to hira at the earliest possible raoraent. But I am now
hindered from so doing frora the tone and demands of your
letter. You do not demand payraent — you deraand restitu
tion of the article. This last wUl not be acceded to. The
blankets are now covering sick and wounded soldiers, whose
interest I raust care for before those of commerce, which of
course lie raore near the heart of a coraraercial agent,
VOL. II — 28

434 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
I beg leave to suggest to the French Consul that words of
characterization of my acts, such as "arbitrary and flagrant
violation of trusts," are not worthy a place in a correspond
ence between hiraself and the Chief of this Departraent. The
act was not arbitrary, otherwise than all acts necessary for
mUitary purposes are so. The taking of the blankets for
railitary purposes was no violation of trust. The United
States Govemraent was responsible for thera before they
were taken; the same Government is responsible for them
now, I trust and believe that these objectionable expressions in
the note of the French Consul were inadvertent, and I need
not say they will not be repeated in official correspondence
with rae.
The authorities of the United States have endeavored to
forward the interests of coraraerce alraost to the exclusion
of other raatters, and that the commerce of Louisiana has not
been fully opened to the world is not the fault of the Federal
Government, Their safeguard has been given it, their pro
tection afforded, and that safeguard and that protection has
in no just sense of the terra ever been violated, I ara grieved
that the French Consul has chosen to take this course upon
this raatter, as now the necessary correspondence with the
authorities at Washington will delay Barriere Bros, in getting
their pay for the blankets, which I should have been glad to
have given thera had I felt at liberty to do so after the French
Consul's coraraunication, I beg leave to say to the French
consul, as an evidence of the necessity which corapeUed me
to take the blankets, that they were of so poor a quality that
had I any choice left rae I would neither take thera or purchase
thera. Brought to Havana for the purpose of being imported
into the rebel states through the blockade, as I am informed
and think I am able to prove, they were only saved by the
vigilance of our cruisers from being now in the rebel cause,
toward which the proclivities of the Messrs. Barriere Bros.
are as well-known as in their former trade with the rebels.
StUI, having been brought here since the opening of the port,
I should have overlooked the purpose for which they were
originally taken to Havana, and pay for them if the French
Consul had left rae at liberty to do so. I have the honor to be.
Very respy. Your obdt. servant,
Benj. F. Butler, Major Gen. Commanding

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 435
Head Quarters Department of the Gulf, New Obleans, Nov. 5, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Count Mejan, Consul of France
Sir: I enclose you the report of Dr, McCorraick, ray Medi
cal Director, upon the subject of the blankets of Messrs,
Barriere and Bros, for your inforraation. It will be seen
that the Messrs, Barriere raight have had their pay if they
desired it, I have the honor to be.
Your obdt. Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding

Medical Director's Office, Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans,
November ith, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Major General Benj, F, Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
General: In obedience to your instructions I report that
on Tuesday, 28th of October ult,, I called on Messrs, Barriere
Brothers to purchase sorae blankets for the Medical Depart
ment of the Array, most urgently necessary for the health,
and in sorae cases even the lives of the soldiers of your Array
and although I had frequently raade purchases for the Array
in years past frora these same gentlemen, and always hereto
fore received frora thera most cheerfully what I might need,
and paid thera subsequently after a longer or shorter credit,
to ray great surprise they positively refused to let rae have
the blankets I so urgently needed except upon paying cash
before delivery, and not having the raoney on hand and not
having been able to find the requisite nuraber of blankets
elsewhere, I was corapeUed to seek the advice of Col, French,
Provost Marshal General, and yourself, or else to perrait the
sick confided to my charge to suffer greatly, raany of thera
even unto death, by failing to procure these blankets.
In a conversation with Mr, Barriere since, in ray office and
in the presence of ray steward, he, Mr, Barriere, adraitted
his knowledge of rae as a government agent and our former
transactions, and his entire satisfaction with me in all our
previous business affairs.
The collector sent Messrs, Barriere Brothers a verbal
instead of written notice in referenee to the seizure of his
blankets. Before and since taking these blankets, in the most
emphatic manner I rerainded Mr, Barriere that the Govern
ment did not want his goods without paying for thera.
In conclusion, I beg leave to say that I gave hira a certffi-

436 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
cate in accordance with orders of War Departraent dated
July 22nd, 1862, upon which he wUl receive payment.
Very respectfully, Your obt. Servt,
Charles McCormick. Medical Director and Purveyor
Department of the Gulf
From M. Mithoffas Parish of Jefferson, Nov. 1st, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commdg. Gulf Dept
Sir: The importance of the subject must be the excuse for
my addressing you.
Meeting Mr, Theo, Soniat yesterday, he requested me to
ascertain whether the authorities would allow hira to take his
crop off with hired labor. He admitted not having taken the
oath. It would be impossible for him to get pecuniary assist
ance or even labor without your permission, and nearly all
the other plantations in ray neighborhood are in the same
situation, even if having taken the oath, I do not know
what your policy in regard to this state of affairs is, or what
the government intends to do, but wish to save as much as
possible to the government, and the time to do so with the
sugar crops has arrived. In South Carolina, the crops were
saved for govt, account at very heavy expenses, I would
propose to do so at a certain percentage-account, of which aU
the expense for labor, feeding, raanaging, should be paid, and
the clear surplus raight be subject to a future decision of the
Government, if the owner is disloyal, and to a loyal owner at
once. The amount of percentage would depend on the facili
ties granted by you to eraploy the contrabands, to be paid for
their labor, and fed out of the above percentage, which, in
such an instance, I would be wiUing to do for 25%, This would
relieve the govemraent of supporting the contrabands, would
teach them that hereafter they must support theraselves,
induce men to try to raise their crops with hired labor, and be
beneficial all around. Not knowing whether anything of this
kind of arrangement would receive your approbation, I have
not tried to ascertain whether the planters would consent, but
doubt not that the loyal ones would. The disloyal ones, if not
agreeing, a provisional seizure might be necessary.
Being lately engaged in superintending the building the new
levee between Carrollton and the Parapet, under the super
vision of Capt, BaUey of 4th Wisconsin V, Regt,, a force of

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 437
about 300 contrabands have been organized and eraployed,
and the levee will be finished in about one week. It strikes
me that this force might be profitably and usefully employed
for the object of saving sugar crops to the amount of 800 to
1000 Hhds,, and 1500 bbls, of molasses, on some such terms
as above mentioned, before the 1st January, If anything can
be saved out of the percentage it should go to the benefit of
the manager. In securing the sugar crops, female contrabands
can be employed to nearly half the force.
Submitting the above to your consideration, I have the
' Your obedient Servant, M, Mithoffas
From General Butler New Orleans, Nov. 1, 1862
W, N, Mebcee, J, W, Lafeye, J, D, Dwyee
Gentlemen: The Merchants Bank has $8,000 in gold and
some $6,000 in local bank notes, with a small note circulation
of $10,678,75, Those notes are presumed to be in the hands
of the poorer classes, and their redemption in city notes or
other current funds would greatly benefit the holders with
out daraage to the bank.
The U, S, hold in the hands of Lieut, Field $5,705 of the
notes of the Merchants Bank, of denominations above $5, — •
and are consequently entitled to a privilege on the assets of
the Bank,
Now, in order to pay off both the above specified claims,
you are here authorized and requested to dispose of the $8,000^
in gold, and use that and the local bank notes in liquidation
of the said circulation.
The manner of withdrawing the small notes is left to your
own good judgment.
Very respectfully. Your obt. servt,
B, F, Butlee
By General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, November 1, 1862
Genebal Orders No. 88
I, No person will be arrested as a slave, by any Policeman
or other person, and put in confinement for safe keeping,
unless the person arresting knows that such person is owned
by a loyal citizen of the United States,
II, The Inspector and Superintendent of Prisons is author-

438 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
ized to discharge frora confineraent all slaves not known to be
the slaves of loyal owners.
By command of Major-General Butler
Geo, C, Strong, A. A. G.
From Mrs. Butler to Mrs. Heard
New Orleans, Nov. ind, 1862
Dear Harriet: I have only ten rainutes to write you a
line, as we did not intend to write by this vessel, as she usually
stops at aU the blockaded Ports, This time the Captain sends
me word she will go direct to New York, Therefore I raust
write to say we are well, but I shall not be able to think of
anything further I raay wish to say till after the raail has
gone. As you know, I am always obliged to call back the
servants after they have got to the foot of the stairs. Yes
terday was All Souls' Day, The custom here is to dress graves
with flower images, and lighted candles. We drove to several
cemeteries. One could hardly judge what the effect might
be apart from the crowd, but it looked a gay scene for a grave
yard. Tomorrow there will be services, and I suppose the
same adornments will still be there, Mr, Butler bought yes
terday three oil paintings, and a bronze clock, I thought he
paid high for them, for this place where so much wUl soon be
sold at auction. Three hundred dollars for all, I do not
know if they will be sent home directly or not. Before this
reaches you Fisher will have started. The pistol-case was a
mystery till I explained it. No wonder ray letter read oddly
to Mr, Butler, I could think of a dozen things if I had more
time, but raust wait for next raaU, Tell the children I want to
kiss thera ever so rauch, , « „
Affec. Sister
From J. M. Fortenberry Columbia, Miss., Nov, 2, 1862
To Mr. D, C, Stanley
Dear Sir : I wish to inforra you that if you could raake any
arrangeraents with the authorities in N, O, or any person to
barter salt and provisions for cotton, myself and neighbors
will deliver the cotton at any point named. We are in a tight
place, and something must be done, as the railitary authorities
have entirely overlooked the wants of a starvmg country.
Please give rae a decisive answer by return raail, and oblige.
Yours etc., J, M, Fortenberry

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 439
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of ihe Gvlf, New Orleans, Nov, 2, 1862
To Brig. Gen. Weitzel, Commdg: Dist. of the Teche
General: Your despatch of November first is received.
As I informed you in ray last, I have sent forward both Regi
raents of Native Guards (colored) to guard the road. I have
no doubt that before this reaches you Col. Thoraas and Col.
Stafford will have reported to you. They will receive your
orders. We had already taken measures about the organiza
tions of the management of the Opelousas R.Road, Of course
there will be no raore difficult subject for you to deal with than
the negroes. By the Act of Congress, independent of the
President's proclaraation, having come from rebel masters
into our lines, in occupation of rebel territory since the passage
of that act, they are free. But the question recurs. What
shall we do with thera? While we have no right to return thera
to their raasters, as such, it is our duty to take care of thera,
and that can include eraployraent. Put thera as far as pos-
siblje upon plantations, use every energy to have the sugar
crop raade and preserved for the owners that are loyal, and
for the United States when the owners are disloyal, I am
working the plantations along the river below on this plan.
Let the loyal planters raake arrangements to pay their negroes
$10, a month for able-bodied men, $3, to be expended in
clothing, and so in proportion. Disembarrass your Army of
them as rauch as possible. Especially will this be necessary
in the case of Col, Stafford's Coraraand,
I have information raore or less reliable that there were
about 8000 troops at Port Hudson, Pontchatoula and Carap
Moore, about equally divided among the three, on the 27th
of October, My impression is that they have gone North,
Bragg is undoubtedly badly beaten, and is in full retreat.
There has been no battle since the 9th at Perryville, up to the
16th, We have Northern dates to the 16th, Nothing new on
the Potomac, I enclose you sorae of the latest newspapers
with this despatch. In regard to disarraing the people, every
disloyal person raust be disarraed. And I do not raean by
loyalty "lip service," And we raust leave force enough to
take care of any rising of the negroes, I think you had better
see the raore intelligent of the negroes in person, and assure
thera that all acts of Congress and laws in their favor will be
carried out to thera with the sarae effect if they reraain on the

440 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
plantations and the work, as if they came into camp. And
caution them that there must be no violence to unarmed and
quiet persons.
You had better send back a train of extra Artillery and
Cavalry horses and mule wagons to Algiers on a raarch,
without waiting for the Rail Road, A sraall guard will be
sufficient. They will probably have to strike the river road
at Bonne Carre, but of that your knowledge of the topography
of the country will give you the best direction, I need not
assure you that I ara taking every measure to open railroad
and telegraphic coraraunication, Capt, Kensel, who is pres
ent as this despatch is written, is only awaiting transportation
to forward the Araraunitions, I think the gunboats had better
press up to Franklin, and capture or destroy sorae boats that
are building there. Of that you can tell better when you go
forward, I wish to disengage McMillan's Regiraent as early
as it can be dispensed with, if at all, to hold Galveston, It is
under adviseraent to build a Fort at DonaldsonviUe, at the
junction of the Bayou and the river. We have thirty two-
pounders here with which we can arm it. That will make a
station easily held on the coast half way between here and
Baton Rouge, I think a work about on the plan of Fort
Macorab, with casemates only to fiank the drawbridge, would
be the better plan. Please advise me on the subject.
We have flaming reports of salt works at New Iberia, If
practicable, will it not be better to reach thera and destroy
thera? But that I leave entirely at your discretion. That por
tion of Louisiana lying West of the Mississippi River wiU be
constituted a railitary district under your coramand, to be
caUed the district of Lafourche, Headquarters wherever you
may be. Col, Thomas writes me that the cars wiU pass to
Lafourche to-day. Report to rae early what rolling stock you
find at Brashier or along the road, I think the iron howitzers
at Raceland had better be sent here unless you have need of
thera. Your attention is directed to the practicabihty of so
fortifying Brashier as to hold it with the aid of a gunboat,
with a small force. Please report upon this subject. Is any
fortification practicable at Thibodeaux or Terrebonne? Noth
ing else occurs to rae of interest to coraraunicate.
By Order of Maj, Gen, Butler,
Geo, C, Strong, A. A. Gen., Chief of Staff

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 441
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 3rd, 1862
Rear Admiral Fabbagut, Comdg. Western Gulf Blockdg.
Squadron
Sie: I enclose to you a communication from L. Garrison,
It would appear that the matter should be investigated, but
I have not the means to do so, I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully, Your Obdt. Servt,
Benj, F, Butlee, Maj, Gen. Comdg.
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
New Orleans, October SOth, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Major G, C, Stbong
Deae Sie: On the 15th instant, Mr, Cosma Morgan, a
loyal citizen of the U, S,, obtained frora General Butler, by you,
an order for the release of his lugger, called "Liberty," which
had been captured a short tirae previous at Ship Island by
the gunboat "Jackson," He presented the order to the cora
raanding officer of the frigate "Vincent," who placed hira in
possession of the lugger, but on the arrival, just at the time
of the gunboat "Jackson" from Pensacola, The officer in
command objected to it — stating that the said order was not
a proper one, and advised Mr, Morgan to return to New Orleans
and get from the commanding General a letter or order
addressed to Admiral D, G, Farragut to that effect. Antici
pating that you will grant hira the necessary order and protec
tion in the preraise, please to accept ray thanks for this and
' Very Respectfully, Your Obt Servt,
L, Garrison
From General Butler
Head Quarters Dept, of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 3rd, 1862
Rear Admiral Farragut, Com'g. Westm. Gulf Squadron
I have inforraation raore or less reliable that the "Orieto,"
which ran the blockade, is now being fitted up as a privateer,
and is about to run out frora Mobile, For God's sake do not
let this be done, I have the honor to be.
Very respy. Your obt. sevt,
Benj, F, Butlee, Major Gen. Commanding

442 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From the Assistant Secretary of War
War Department Washington, D.C, November ith, 1862
Major General B, F, Butlee, Commanding at
New Obleans
Genebal: The Secretary of War directs rae to transrait to
you the enclosed copy of a coraraunication received frora the
State Departraent, on the subject of the arrest and iraprison
raent by your order of J, J, Burrowes, a British subject, to
gether with a copy of the letter of Burrowes to the British
Consul at New Orleans which accompanied it, and to invite
your attention to the suggestion raade by the Secretary of
State in the preraises. Very Respectfully, Your obedt. Servant,
P, H, Watson, Assistant Sec'y of War
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Department of State, Washington, 30ft Oct., 1862 [Not in chronological order]
To the Honorable E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter from J,
J, Burrowes, a British subject at New Orleans, to M, Coppell,
the Consul there, relative to the arrest and imprisonment of
Burrowes by order of Major General Butler, The case has
been submitted to rae by Mr, Stuart, Her Britannic Majesty's
Charge d'Affaires, who desires that as rauch clemency may be
shown in the matter as the public interests raay allow. If
satisfactory assurances shall be received frora the prisoner
that he will not violate the obligations existing upon all per
sons, by coraraitting fresh offences, it may be deeraed expedi
ent to release hira frora custody, I have the honor to be. Sir,
Your obedient Servant, William H, Seward
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. iSth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
To Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a com
munication frora the War Departraent, dated November 4th,
1862, in relation to the arrest and iraprisonraent of J, J, Bur
rowes, a British subject, with enclosure,
J, J, Burrowes was Captain of the "British Guards" and
presided at the raeeting at which the Corapany voted to send

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 443
its arms and uniforms to Beauregard, and he was thereupon
ordered to leave the city. He retumed, however, and I found
him in expression of rebel sentiraents, and aiding in shipping
plates from New Orleans in contravention of orders. For
these reasons I ordered hira into confineraent, I have read
his letter. Portions of the stateraent in which he says I called
hira a coward and a rebel are a raistake, "What did happen
was this, I asked hira if he was a raan that had borne arras
against the United States, He replied that he was, I told
hira that I should send hira to confineraent. He then said he
was a British subject, I told hira it was cowardly to act as a
rebel and then claim British protection.
Desirous to yield to any intimation of the Hon. Secretary of
State, I have forwarded to Mr, Burrowes a parole, a copy of
which is enclosed, upon signing which he will be released finally
as he has already been temporarily, and for certain purposes
connected with the health of his faraUy, upon the intercession
of a British Consul, I have the honor to be.
Very respectfully Your Obt. servt,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Head Quarters, Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. Sth, 1862
Count Mejan, Consul of France
Sir: I return you enclosed sorae letters apparently frora
your consulate, which were captured, being surreptitiously
passed through our lines. This raode of coraraunication need
not be taken by the representative of a nation toward which
I desire to exercise every courtesy.
If the French Consul has occasion to send into the lines of
the enemy any proper communications, relating to the business
of his consulate, if forwarded to these Head Quarters they
will be sent at the earliest opportunity. This will prevent all
miscarriages and examinations, I have the honor to be.
Your obdt. servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major Gen. Commanding
From Hon. Reverdy Johnson
Washington, November Sth, 1862
Governor Shepley
My dear Governor: I am much obliged to you for yours
of the 23rd October, just received.

444 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
I shall now be able to find who the officer was, referred to
in the Tribune article, and will then write to the General, It
is possible (I hope the fact is so) that no such statement was
made by either of his staff. That it was not raade by Maj,
Bell, I ara satisfied. He called to see rae, and I aided all that
I was able in effecting what he said was important, an increase
of the General's force, I think I have reason to complain
that the General should give credit at all to representations of
others, in regard to my feelings towards him. He saw enough
of me, I had supposed, in New Orleans, if he had not known
rae before, to be satisfied that I would never directly or in
directly assail a person in his absence. If I had had cause of
grievance with hira he would have been apprised of it by rayself,
I am glad that I had not; on the contrary, as I said to him in
a parting note, I felt obliged by the courtesy he showed me
duririg ray stay in the city.
Truly Your Friend, Reverdy Johnson
From Colonel J. W. McMillan
Brashier City, Nov. Sth, 1862
Gen. Geo, C, Strong
Sir: After innumerable difficulties we arrived here two
days too late — last Saturday night. But as the Northern
element of the Rebel array is raost valuable to thera, so it
seeras is the Northern wind, for we found the Bar so com
pletely stripped as to show only about six feet water, whUe
all of our vessels drew raore, Genl, Weitzel frightened the
Rebels terribly, and they wUl scarcely make a stand this side
of Franklin, and I do not think they will there unless reinforced,
as they say they will be, from Vicksburg, which I greatly
doubt. Day before yesterday the gun-boats went up the
Teche to PattersonvUle, and drove away the "Cotton" and
shore batteries. The "Kinsman" fought splendidly, and came
out with 54 shot holes in her — one through her raagazine,
I lost three killed — Navy none — one died since. She wUl be
in fighting order tomorrow, Lt, Wiggins deserves big promo
tion. No raan in the Navy has fought raore deterrainedly
whUe suffering such daraage to ship or bgat. All did well,
but as the "Commodore's" report wiU show, Wiggins was
conspicuously brave among the gallant, Fard accompanying
him. Col, of the Sth N, H, will be at the burned bridge over
the boat today, I will have boats in readiness to cross Weitzel

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 445
as soon as he arrives, I have sorae Rebel sugar in R,R, Depot.
Have not heard of any cotton burnt or unburnt. The Teche
is obstructed but can be easily cleared I think. It is said there
are from four to fourteen stearaboats in it. Capt. Fuller cora
raands the "Cotton" and fights her well, but she is so badly
used up she will hardly fight again.
The Rebel planters would be glad to be loyal citizens if they
were not deterred by the political vagabonds in the Rebel
army. All begin to think slavery must go if Jan. 1st finds
them in rebellion.
The gun-boats at 4 o'clock p,m, have just retumed frora
the obstructions on the Teche, where the Rebels are building
a dirt fort, and seera deterrained to raake a stand for a fight.
The "Calhoun" lost three seamen. No other casualties, I
believe. Their works can be easily turned or passed entirely,
and Franklin reached without passing near their forts. The
iron-clad of the "Kinsman" is splendid, turning a 32-lb, shot
fired at a less distance than 1000 yards. The Rebels have
added to their stock of artillery. They have 20 pieces of Field
Artillery of all classes. They will sink the "Hart" and
"Cotton" after mounting their guns in the Fort, Health
good, I have the honor to be. Your very obt. servt,
J, W, McMillan, Col Com. Vols.
From the Assistant Secretary of War
War DepaHment, Washington City, Nov. 6ft, 1862
Major General B, F, Butlee, Commanding &c., at N, O,
Genebal: The Secretary of War instructs me to forward
a translation of a communication from the Minister of France,
relative to a claim of Messrs, Gautherin, of New Orleans, grow
ing out of your prohibiting them from exporting luraber, and
to request that you will report to this Departraent the reasons
for your action in the preraises.
Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
P, H, Watson, Asst. Secretary of War

446 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov, iSih, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War,
Washington, D,C,
Sie: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the
coraraunication frora the War Departraent of Nov, the 6th,
enclosing a translation of the communication of the French
Minister relating to some luraber not perraitted to be shipped
to Havana by the House of Gautherin and Co, Owing to the
blockade of the river above, and the interdiction of traffic
across the Lake by the Treasury regulations, luraber has
becorae very dear and scarce in New Orleans, Large quantities
being needed for roofing the Custora House, to render it hab
itable as the citadel of New Orleans, as well as to protect the
United States from many thousands of dollars' loss, and also
for replanking the wharfs and levees, which had been burnt by
the rebels as a railitary necessity, I forbade the exportation of
lumber to Havana without permission from these Headquar
ters, I was specially induced to this because the materials
of a rebel gunboat, all sawed and fitted, which was uncom
pleted at the tirae of our coming here, had been secretly shipped,
as I afterwards learned, for the purpose of being constructed
elsewhere. This was done through the agency of a foreign
house, the Agent of which had gone to Havana, I therefore
ordered no more lumber to be shipped from New Orleans
without perraission frora these Headquarters. The necessity
of which Orders I trust will be seen,
M, Gautherin & Co,'s luraber carae under that General
Order, I forbear entering into the question of their title,
although I believe the luraber which they had bought belonged
to the Confederate Govemraent, because when it becomes
necessary to the U, S, to use it that question can be examined,
I am led, however, to reraark upon one phrase of the Hon,
Minister of France's coraraunication, that Messrs, Gautherin
& Co, were highly respectable French citizens of New Orleans,
. . . Gautherin has run away, and the other two partners
have [been] confined, awaiting trial for supplying the rebel
army with half a million worth of cloth in a transaction closed
on the 22nd day of June last, whUe they were enjoying the pro
tection of the United States.
The particulars of that transaction wUl be found in my

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 447
despatch of the 13th of Nov. to the Hon. Secretary of State,
relative to the $405,000 spirited away from the Bank of New
Orleans, I have the honor to be very respectfully.
Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Commanding
From President Lincoln
Executive Mansion, Washington, Nov, 6ft, '62
Maj. Genl. Butlee
My deab Sib: This morning the Secretary of the Treasury
read to rae a letter of yours to hira. He read to rae at the
sarae tirae one frora Mr, Denison (I think), at New Orleans,
I was rauch interested by the inforraation in one of thera
that sorae of the planters were raaking arrangeraents with
their negroes to pay thera wages. Please write to rae to what
extent, so far as you know, this is being done. Also what, if
anything, is being done by Mr, Bouligny, or others, about
electing raerabers of Congress, I ara anxious to hear on both
these points, xr ^ j * t
Yours truly, A. Lincoln
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 28ft, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
To the Pbesident of the U,S,A,
Deae Sib: I ara exceedingly obliged for your kind note
inquiring for the success of our experiment in attempting the
cultivation of sugar by free labor, and am happy to report it
is succeeding admirably, I am inforraed by the Govemraent
Agent who has charge that upon one of the plantations, where
sugar is being made by the negroes who had escaped there
frora into our lines, and have been sent back under wages
with the sarae negroes and the sarae raachinery by free labor,
a hogshead & a half more of sugar has been made in a day
than was ever before made in the sarae tirae on the planta
tion under slave labor.
Your friend. Col. Shaffer, has had put up to be forwarded
to you a Bbl. of the first sugar ever raade by free black labor
in Louisiana, and the fact that it will have no flavor of the
degrading whip will not, I know, render it less sweet to your
taste. The planters seera to have been struck with a sort of
judicial blindness, and sorae of thera so deluded have aban
doned their crops rather than work them with free labor. I

448 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
offered them as a basis a contract, the copy of which is enclosed
for your inforraation. It was rejected by raany of them
because they would not relinquish the right to use the whip,
although I had provided a punishraent for the refractory by
raeans of the Provost Marshal, as you will see, preferably
iraprisonraent in darkness on bread and water, I did not feel
that I had a right, by the military power of the United States,
to send back to be scourged, at the will of their former and in
sorae cases infuriated masters, those black men who had fled
to me for protection, while I had no doubt of ray right to
eraploy thera, under the charge of whorasoever I raight choose,
to work for the benefit of theraselves and the Govemraent,
I have, therefore, caused the negroes to be informed that
they should have the same rights as to freedom, if so the law
was, on the plantation as if they were in carap. And they
have in a great raajority of instances gone willingly to work,
and work with a will. They were at first a little averse to going
back lest they should lose sorae rights which would come to
them in carap, but upon our assurances are quite content,
I think this scheme can be carried out without loss to the
Government, and I hope with profit enough to enable us to
support for six raonths longer the starving Whites & Blacks
here, a somewhat herculean task.
We are feeding now daily in the City of New Orleans more
than 32,000 Whites, 17,000 of which are British-born subjects,
and raostly claiming British protection, and only about two
thousand of whom are American citizens, the rest being of
the several Nationalities who are represented here frora aU
parts of the Globe,
Besides this, we have sorae ten thousand negroes to feed,
besides those at work on the plantations, principally women
& children. All this has thus far been done without any draft
upon the treasury, although how much longer we can go on is
a problem of which I am now anxiously seeking the solution,
I take the liberty to enclose to you a synopsis of our reports
of the Relief Coraraission, pubhshed weekly, which raay be
interesting upon this topic (the synopsis only shows the free
colored before the war). Of course, our operations are raostly
yet unorganized, and without that corapleteness necessary
to insure success, but I hope to get thera in such forra that they
will work. The operations of Gen'l, Weitzel in the Lafourche
Country, the richest sugar-planting part of Louisiana, have
opened to us a very large number of slaves aU of whom under

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 449
the act are free, and large crops of sugar, as well those already
made as those in process of being raade, I do myself the
honor to enclose to you the Order that I have raade to meet
this state of things (Order No, 91), to protect the rights of
the United States and of all concerned from the rapacity of
swindlers & speculators, and the effects of disloyalty. All
this portion of the country are rapidly returning to their
Allegiance, and the elections are being organized for Wednes
day next, and I doubt not a large vote will be thrown,
I found Dr, Cottman to be one of the candidates in the
field, but he had voluntarily signed the Ordinance of Secession
as one of the Convention which passed it, and had sat for his
portrait in the Cartoon which was intended to render those
signers immortal, which was published and exhibited here in
the shop windows, in imitation of the picture of our Signers of
the Declaration of Independence, and as the Doctor had never
by any public act testffied his abnegation of that act of sign
ing, I thought it would be best that the Government should
not be put to the scandal of having a person so situated elected,
although the Doctor may be a good Union man now. So I
very strongly advised him against the candidature. It looked
too much like Aaron Burr's atterapt to run for a seat in parlia
ment, after he went to England to avoid his complication in
the Mexican affairs and his combat with Hamilton, It is but
fair to say that Doctor Cottraan, after sorae urging, concluded
to withdraw his name frora the canvass. Two good uncondi
tional Union raen will be elected, I fear, however, we shall
lose Mr, Bouligny, He was iraprudent enough to run for the
office of Justice of Peace under the Secessionists, and although
I believe him always to have been a good Union raan, and to
have sought that office for personal reasons only, yet that
fact tells against hira. However, Mr, Flanders will be elected
in his District and a raore reliable or better Union man can
not be found.
But to return to our negroes, I find this difficulty in pros
pect — raany of the planters here, while professing loyalty,
and I doubt not feeling it if the "Institution" can be spared
to thera, have agreed together not to raake any provision this
autumn for another crop of sugar next season, hoping thereby
to throw upon us this winter an imraense nuraber of blacks
without eraployraent and without any means of support for
the future, the planters themselves living upon what they
raake frora this crop. Thus no provision being made for the
VOL, II — 29

450 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
crop, either of corn, potatoes, or cereal, the Government wUl
be obliged to come to their terras for the future eraployraent of
the negroes or to be at enorraous expenses to support them.
We shall have to raeet this as best we raay. Of course, we
are not responsible for what raay be done outside of our lines,
but here I shall raake what provisions I can for the future, as
well the cereal and root crop as the cane. We shall endeavor
to get a stock of cane laid down on all the plantations worked
by Govemraent, and to preserve seed-corn and potatoes to
raeet this contingency, I shall send out my third Regt, of
Native Guards (colored), and set them to work preserving the
cane and roots for a crop next year. It cannot be supposed
that this great change in a social and political system can be
raade without shock, and I ara only surprised that possibUity
opens up to rae that it can be raade at all. Certain it is I speak
the alraost universal sentiment and opinion of my Officers
that Slavery is doomed, I have no doubt of it, and with every
prejudice and early teaching against the result to which my
mind had been irresistibly brought by my experience here, I
ara now convinced:
1st. That labor can be done in this State by Whites more
economically than by Blacks and Slaves;
2nd. That Black labor can be as well governed, used, and
raade as profitable in a state of freedora as in slavery;
3rd. That while it would have been better could this eman
cipation of the slaves be gradual, yet it is quite feasible
even under this great change as a governmental proposition to
organize, control, and work the negro with profit and safety
to the white, but that this can be best done when under mUi
tary supervision. Of which, allow me to say, I do not desire
the charge,
I must close by apologizing for this very long and discursive
letter, but I am consoled by the thought that it is entirely at
your option to read as much of it as it pleases you to do, I am.
Very truly. Your friend & Servt,
Benj, F, Butler
From General Butler
Head Quarters Dept of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Nov. 6, 1862
Rear Admiral Farragut, Com'g West'n Gulf Bl'k'g Squadron
Sir: I am pleased to return to you a copy of Lt. Comg.
Buchanan's report of his operations at Berwick Bay. I am

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 451
sorry to say that, owing to the storms and delays necessary
and unnecessary in moving our fleets, we were not able to
get there three days sooner, where we should have infallibly
bagged the whole Rebel party. Now as it is we must do the
best we can.
We are proposing to go further, and raay yet be employed
some days upon this matter, I will keep you informed of all
further operations, I have the honor to be,
Benj, F, Butler, Major Gen. Commanding
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
U.S.S. Calhoun, off Brashier City, Nov. 4, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major Gen. Butler, Com'g Dept. of the Gulf
Sir: I have the honor to report that we arrived off here
on the night of the first, but unfortunately too late to stop the
rebels frora crossing. We had a great deal of difficulty in
getting over the Bay, and felt the want of our light-draught
vessels very rauch. The day the "Kinsman" arrived I crossed
in her and tried to get the "Estrella" over, but she grounded,
I carae up to the south of the "Hart," which we chased but
could not catch, and got the "Estrella" and "St, Mary's"
over the next day, and the following day the "Calhoun" came
up with the "Diana,"
The night of our arrival here we chased the Rebel gunboat
"Cotton," but she got away from us by her superior speed.
The same night we captured the Rebel steamer "A, B, Seger,"
She is a small boat about the size of the "Fancy Natchez,"
and is very useful. Yesterday I went with all the gunboats
up Bayou Teche, and found the enemy about fourteen railes
from here posted above the obstructions they had sunk in
the Teche,
We engaged thera for two hours and drove thera off as we
also did the "Cotton," The "Kinsman" bore the brunt of
it, and received fifty-four shells in her upper works and hull,
and had one man killed, a soldier of the 21st Indiana, and five
wounded. The pUot, John BeUino, had his leg badly shattered,
and died to-day frora the effect of amputation, Capt, Cook
in the "Estrella" received three shots, and had two soldiers
of the 21st Indiana killed whilst working the guns, and one
badly wounded. The "Diana" received three shots, but had
on person hurt. She will have to be hauled out, as her stern

452 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
is shot away. I received eight in the "Calhoun," but fortu
nately received no raaterial daraage.
Capt, Wiggins fought his ship nobly. He was in such a
position that he received the fire frora aU the artiUery on shore,
and at the sarae tirae had the "Cotton" playing upon him.
He, however, drove the artillery away, and put several shots
into the "Cotton," The whole Rebel force was there, num
bering between three and four thousand raen, with seventy
field pieces.
We hear to-day we did thera a great deal of daraage, and
that the "Cotton" is sunk. They had thrown up a rand fort
this side, but evacuated on our arrival. We tried to remove
the obstructions, but could not succeed. But I think that
when General "Weitzel arrives, so as to protect us from the
sharpshooters on the banks, we can do so, I keep running up
and down all the tirae so as to keep the river clear of the
obstructions. We can make all our repairs here, and I wUl have the "Kins
man" ready for service to-raorrow. The "Diana" is getting
tiraber out for Col, Thoraas to repair the bridge at Bayou
Boeuf , The eneray destroyed about a thousand hhds, of sugar,
a lot of raolasses, and also burnt 98 cars and three engines,
I send requisitions for araraunition for the three gunboats
which we want very badly, as we fired away a good deal yes
terday, and I expect to have a good deal raore firing to do, and
also for sorae blouses and shoes for the raen who have been
shipped. It is absolutely necessary that they should have
sorae clothing, and I hope that you will order the Quarter
Master to furnish it. We have got all the steamers abovp us,
but I am afraid they will burn them.
The officers and men behaved splendidly. The "Cotton"
is iron-cased, and did some splendid shooting. She mounts
one long 32 pdr, 4-24 pdrs, and 2-6 pdrs, rifled guns. The iron-
casing on the "Kinsman" and the "Diana" turned the shot
beautifully, Capt, McLaughlin, who was on board the "Cal
houn" with his company, went on shore with his raen, and
tried to get opposite the "Cotton," but before he got up to
her she had left. If she has not been sunk we will get her yet,
I shall send the coal schooner back as we do not want her,
there being plenty of coal here, Nov. S, 1862
I HAVE just returned frora another trip up the Teche with
the "Estrella," I had three raen kiUed by a shot. The

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 453
"Cotton" was there. They had a battery on each bank, but
we succeeded in driving thera all off, I can do nothing until
Gen, Weitzel arrives. They are now strongly posted at the
obstructions, and although I can drive thera off, I cannot work
at them. We want sorae more amraunition now badly, I
think the "Cotton" is caseraated, as our shell glanced off.
We had hira on fire once. We could plainly see our shot strike
hira; but he fights bow on, I ara.
Very respy. Your obdt. Servant,
Thos, McKean Buchanan, Lieut. Commanding
From Mrs. Butler to Mrs. Heard
New Orleans, Nov. 6, 1862
Dear Harriet : Your letter enclosing one frora Mr, Butler
carae by the "Potomac" three days ago. She goes out again
tomorrow and takes the mail. You did not open Mr, Butler's
letter as I told you to do, I hope you will the next one, as he
has written for various things to be sent to him. He sent out
the "McClellan" alraost exclusively for rae, by this time she
is on her way back, with Mrs, Strong and Mrs, French as
passengers. But I am not sorry that I did not wait, I would
not like to be in New York to raake the passage again, I was
out this raorning for half an hour's drive. The weather has
changed suddenly from suraraer heat to not extrerae cold, but
so chilly that ray fingers tingle through the gloves, I wish
you were here and the children too for three raonths, but that
cannot be; I should never dare to have them make the passage,
nor could they bear the heat of spring. Poof Benny, when will
he get his present? I will hunt for him one of these days.
I really seera to have no time, and yet I have nothing to do.
Is Paul helping you to take care of the other two, and setting
them an exaraple how to behave at table. I wish he would
learn to write, and send me a letter soraetimes. Would it be
too rauch trouble for you to give thera lessons in spelling sorae
times after tea when the evenings are long? They learn more
rapidly in this way than in any other. If you can do this, and
give Paul a rubbing twice a week with the wash with less of
the soda, — I should like it very rauch. If there is anything
you wish to cut up or change in the house that we did not speak
of, do it as you think best in any way you Uke, either of mine
or Blanche's. Mr, Butler would be glad to go home; I think
he is tired and half homesick, yet he would struggle for his

454 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
place if any atterapt was made unfairly to dispossess him. The
rumour is again afloat that Fremont is to be sent to Texas,
that is in Mr, Butler's Departraent, Gen, Weitzel has raade a
successful raove about sixty railes out frora New Orleans.
It is opening further into the cotton and sugar countries. I
hope Fisher has ray letters to come out, and is already on the
way. The articles Mr, Butler wrote for were embroidered cuffs
and collar and a cap which he had ordered at Burbank & Chase,
and he will perhaps need the new shirts that were left at home.
But if Fisher has started and you have not opened the letter I
shall write about it again. Several of the ladies and gentle
raen belonging here have called, and all of our own officers.
Headquarters is a place where you see rauch corapany and get
great attention, but one gets very weary talking to strangers,
who alraost always have some interest they wish your influence
to advance, Dr, Edson's charity would find ample scope in
this town, but I think he would be shocked at the wickedness,
not of one people, but of both north and south. Our people
are prorapt to iraitate their vices. Give the faraily, Dr,
Edson's, ray regards. Dearest love to the children and yourself.
Your affectionate Sister
I wrote Fisher eight pages giving reasons for his coming
when I first arrived. Of course he has got it and is on his way.
From General Butler
Head Quarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 6, 1862
M. Shufeldt, Consul Gen. U. S. at Havana
Sm: I have received your note, and ara obliged to you for
its kindly suggestions, and the interest you take in the affairs
of this Departraent, I can best inforra you of ray whole action
in regard to the Quarantine laws, which have been relaxed
because the frosts have settled all the questions of epidemic,
by enclosing a report made to the Secretary of War upon the
same subject, with the accompanying exhibits. You can make
use of such portions of the report as you please among our
Spanish friends at Havana,
I believe the entente cordiale now exists between rayself and
the Spanish authorities except upon one subject — that of
carrying passengers upon National vessels, I shaU not permit
this to be done hereafter, I have the honor to be.
Very respy.. Your obdt. servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 455
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov, 6ft, 1862
Brig. Gen'l. Weitzel, Commanding District of ihe Teche
General: Your despatches of the 5th of November have
been received, as also your telegram of this evening, I am
directed by the Maj, Gen'l, Comradg, to reply.
These suggestions as to the field works at DonaldsonviUe
will receive consideration. It will be necessary to raake a
Battery at Martin City, Berwick's Bay, or perhaps a field
work; upon this subject he will confer with you.
In establishing the Military District of the Teche, he was
aware that at the raoraent you did not occupy it except by
your boats, and he gave the name in compliraent to your skill
and gallantry as it was undoubted you would soon be in occu
pation, and in putting the very large forces under the command
of so yoimg a General, he designed to show a raark of confi
dence in your discriraination and judgment. If it would be
more desirable to yourself, he will change the name to the
District of Lafourche,
That you should have declined the Coramand is the occasion
of regret, arising most of all from the reasons given for so doing.
As they are comprehended, they resolve themselves into two —
First, that under your comraand are put two Regiraents of
Native Guards (colored). And you say that in these organi
zations you have no confidence. As your reading raust have
raade you aware. General Jackson entertained a different
opinion upon that subject. It was arranged between the
Coraraanding General and yourself that the colored regiraents
should be eraployed in guarding the Railroad, You do not
coraplain in your report that they either failed in this duty in
that respect, or that they have acted otherwise than correctly
and obediently to the coraraands of their Officers, or that they
have coramitted any outrage or pillage upon the inhabitants.
The General was aware of your opinion that colored men will
not fight. You have failed to show, by the conduct of these
free men so far, anything to sustain that opinion — and the
-General cannot see why you should decline the coraraand,
especially as you express a willingness to go forward to raeet
the only organized enemy with your own Brigade alone,
without further support. The Commanding General cannot
see how the fact that they are guarding your lines of corarauni
cation by Rail Road can weaken your defense. He must there-

456 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
fore look to the other reason, stated by you for an explanation
of your declining the Coraraand,
You say you cannot coraraand these negro Regiraents, "Why
not? The reason must be found in these sentences of your
report :
You say that since the arrival of the negro regiraents at
that place you have seen syraptoras of a servile insurrection.
But as the only regiraent, that has arrived there, got there as
as soon as the rest of your coramand, of course the appearance
of such syraptoras is since their arrival. Have you not raistaken
the cause? Is it the arrival of a negro regiment or is it the
arrival of United States troops, carrying by the Act of Congress
freedom to this servile race? Did you expect to raarch into
that country, drained as you say it is by conscription of aU
its able-bodied white raen, vrithout leaving the negroes free to
show syraptoras of servile insurrection? Does not this state
of things arise frora the very fact of war itself? You are in a
country where now the negroes outnumber the whites two to
one, and these whites are in rebellion against the Government,
or in terror seeking its protection.
Upon reflection, can you doubt that the same state of
things would have arisen without the presence of a colored
regiment? Did you not see syraptoras of the same thing
upon the plantations here upon our arrival, although under
rauch less favorable circumstances for a revolt?
You say that the prospect of such an insurrection is heart
rending, and that you cannot be responsible for it. You are
in no degree responsible for it. This responsibility rests upon
those who have begun & carried out this war, and who have
stopped at no barbarity, at no act of outrage upon the citi
zens & soldiers of the U, S, You have forwarded me records
of a pretended court-raartial, showing that seven men of one
of your regiments, who enlisted here in the Eighth Verraont,
who had surrendered themselves prisoners of war, were in
cold blood murdered, and, as certain information shows, were
required to dig their own graves. You are asked if this is not
an occurrence equally as heartrending as a prospective servile
insurrection. The question is now to be raet, whether, in a hostUe, rebel
lious part of the State, where this very raurder has been com
raitted by the militia, you are to stop in the operations of the
field to put down servile insurrection, because the raen & women

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 457
are terror-stricken, "Whenever was it heard before that a
victorious Gen'l. in an unsurrendered province stopped in his
course for the purpose of preventing the rebellious inhabitants
of that province from destroying each other, or refused to
take command of a conquered province lest he should be
made responsible for their self-destruction? As a military
question, perhaps, the more terror-stricken the inhabitants
are that are left in your rear, the raore safe will be your lines
of coraraunication.
You say there have appeared before your eyes the very facts,
in terror-stricken women & children and men, which you had
before contemplated in theory. Grant it; but is not the remedy
to be found in the surrender of the neighbors and fathers,
brothers & sons of the terror-stricken women and children,
who are now in arras against the Government, within twenty
miles of you? And when that is done, and you have no longer
to fear from these organized forces, and they have returned
peaceably to their homes, you will be able to use the full power
of your troops to ensure your safety frora the so-much-feared
— by thera but not by us — servile insurrection.
If you desire, you can send a flag of truce to the Commander
of these forces, embracing these views and placing upon him
the responsibility which belongs to him. Even that course
will not remove it from you, for upon you it has never rested.
Say to them that if all armed opposition to the authority of
the United States shall cease in Louisiana, on the West Bank
of the river, you are authorized by the Commanding General
to say that the same protection against negro or other violence
wiU be afforded that part of Louisiana that has been in the
part already in the possession of the troops of the United
States, If that is refused, whatever may ensue is upon thera
and not upon you or upon the United States, You wUl have
done all that is required of a brave, huraane raan to avert
frora these deluded people the horrible consequences of their
insane war upon the Govemraent,
With or without such a message, the Commdg, Gen'l, can
see in your reasons nothing which should justly cause you to
decline a high and honorable command. Nor does he see how
the remedy which you propose will aid the matter. And that
reraedy is that either he or some one of his officers shall take
command of the negro regiments, and relieve you of them.
Do you think that change will be less lU^ely to incite a servUe
insurrection under his coramand or that of any of his officers

458 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
than under your own? WiU the horror be less if they are
under the command of an officer not present on the scene to
check and allay these horrors, any less than if comraanded by
an officer present and ready to adopt proper raeasures? If
your negro or other regiraents coramit any outrage upon un
offending and unarmed people, quietly attending to their own
business, let them be most severely punished. But, whUe
operations in the field are going on, I do not see how you can
turn aside from the armed enemy before you to protect or
defend the wives and children of these armed enemies from
the consequences of their own rebellious wickedness.
Consider this case. General Bragg is at liberty to ravage ,
the homes of our brethren of Kentucky because the Union
Army of Louisiana are protecting his wife and his home
against his negroes, Without that protection, he would have
to come back to take care of his wife, his home, and his negroes.
It is understood that Mrs, Bragg is one of those terrffied women
of whom you speak in your report.
This subject is not for the first tirae under the considera
tion of the Commdg, General, When in comraand of the
Dept, of Annapolis, in May, 1861, he was asked to protect a
coraraunity against the consequences of a servile insurrection.
He replied that when that comraunity laid down its arras and
called upon hira for protection, he would give it, because
frora that raoraent between thera and hira war would cease.
The sarae principles initiated there will govern his and your
action now; and you will afford such protection as soon as
the coraraunity, through its organized rules, shall ask it. Your
reports and this reply, I am instructed to say, will be forwarded
by to-morrow's mail to the Comraanding General of the Array.
In the meantirae, these colored regiraents of free men,
raised by the authority of the President and approved by him
as the Comraander-in-Chief of the Array, raust be commanded
by the Officers of the Army of the United States, like any
other Regiment.
The Coraradg. General does not doubt that everything that
prudence, sagacity, skiU, and courage can do wUl be done by
you. General, to prosecute the carapaign you have so success
fuUy begun. .„ T^ T, N
(Benj. F. Butler)

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 459
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, November 7th, 1862
Maj. General H, W, Halleck, Commander-in-Chief of the
Army of the U. S.
General: I have the honor to enclose copies of Gen'l,
Weitzel's reports of his operations on the west bank of the
river, and of ray instructions to him, I propose today to visit
hira in person, to advise whether we will cross Berwick's Bay
without waiting the reconstruction of the bridge at Bayou
Boeuf, It will be apparent that Gen'l, Weitzel brings up the
interesting question of the war, I trust that my instructions
on it will raeet your approbation. The President and your
self are aware that I ara wholly without guide in this matter,
I take occasion to call to the attention of the General Com
raander-in-Chief that raore than 70 days since I called the
attention of the War Departraent to the organization of three
(3) colored regiments by my General Order No, 63, of date of
August 22nd, subject to the approval of. the President, and
though I have had many communications directly from the
War Dept, and the General Corara'd'r-in-Chief, no communi
cation approving of that organization has been received, I
must therefore take it to be approved, but would prefer dis
tinct orders on this subject.
Awaiting further instructions frora the General Coraraander-
in-Chief, I have the honor to be.
Your Obedient Servant,
Benj, F. Butlee, Maj. Gen'l. Commanding
From Count Mejan
Translation. New Obleans, Nov, 7th, 1862
Major General B, F, Butlee, Commanding Army of the Gulf
Sir: A new atterapt of violence has been coraraitted upon
Mr, Coulon, proprietor of the orange garden, plantation Hop
kins, yesterday raorning. Since the facts brought to your
notice by Mr, Fauconnet, in his letter of October 3d last,
those negroes occupying the carap opposite of his place have
never stopped to invade his place every night to take away
his fruits, the produce of his crop, and even his household
utensUs, The passion of this Frenchraan, who saw himself
ruined in such a way, was naturally great, when yesterday
raorning he was inforraed that a troop of about thirty negroes

460 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
invaded his yard. He thought proper to arra hiraself, and
then presented hiraself before this troop in order to request
thera to leave the preraises, but he was told in an insolent
manner that they had to receive no orders frora hira, that
they were the masters and would do as they liked. It appears,
then, that he threatened to make use of his arms, when one
of the negroes fired a shot at him, upon his full breast, and one
of the barrels of Coulon's gun was discharged while Coulon
fell; the sarae negro then wounded hira badly on his face
with his rausket, woundmg his face again cruelly. The
assistant of Mr. Coulon (Jules Mongenot, also a French
subject) seeing his employer treated in such a manner and
his own life in danger, took up Coulon's gun and made use of
it against the negro, who would have murdered him but, it
appears, did not hit him. This Frenchman is now in prison.
Informed of these facts, I sent at once the Chancellor of
the Consulate with Dr, Mange, principal Surgeon of the Im
perial Navy, to inquire into the case. This assault upon the
person of Mr, Coulon has raade a great sensation in the city,
and has revived all the fears which resulted frora the disarm
ing of the white people and the arraing of the negroes. The
attacks upon Mr, Abadie, a few weeks ago, by the negroes in
the Touro barracks, and upon Mr, Coulon in his own place,
have not been punished, notwithstanding the solicitations of
Mr, Fauconnet, and I cannot help thinking that if they had
been punished severely this new crirae would not have hap
pened, Dr, Mange and several other physicians have declared
Mr, Coulon's wounds very serious and probably mortal,
I hope. General, that you will have these aggressors arrested
at once. It appears that they left the carap iramediately after
the crime, leaving this last reraerabrance of their presence in
that locality.
An exemplary punishment can alone calra the general fear
of ray countrymen, of which raany live in the neighborhood
of the camps of these armed negroes, & are daily exposed to
these dangers, „ ^j, „
Respectfully,
The Consul of France, Count Mejan

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 461
By the Secretary of War^
War Department, Adj. General's Office, Washington, Nov. 9, '62
General Order No. 184
By direction of the President of the United States, Major
General N, P, Banks is assigned to the coraraand of the Depart
ment of the Gulf, including the State of Texas,
By order of the Secretary of War
From Mrs. Laura Pugh
Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 30, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Hon. E, M, Stanton, Sec'y of War
Dear Sir: , , , that you will write to Gen, Butler, giving
me your moral aid, and that you will read and forward the two
enclosed letters. My only acquaintance with Gen, Butler is
through two very unflattering sources, — newspapers and his
photograph, I am not ashamed to confess to quite a robust
little fear of him, , , , -nrui. ^ ^ t t.
With great respect, Laura Fugh
From General Butler
Head Quarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 11, 1862
Mrs. Laura Pugh, Frankfort, Kentucky
Madam: Your letter of Aug, 30, 1862, addressed to the
Secretary of War, with two enclosures addressed to Major
Gen, Butler, has been received by the Commanding General,
Upon investigation it does not appear whether the words
"Surgeon La, Vols,," used in crediting the deposit of the late
Dr, A, C, Hensley in the Bank of Louisiana, were intended to
denote a deposit of public funds, or were merely descriptive of
the person. The Com'g General decided to give the clairaants
the benefit of the doubt. He therefore directed payment to be
made, and by his direction I have the honor to enclose you
a check on New York for 576 & 6/100 dollars, being the
amount standing to the credit of Dr, Hensley, less twelve
(12%) per cent,, current rate of exchange this day, as per en
closed memorandum,
I have the honor to enclose a photograph of the Commanding

' General Butler had no official infomiation of this order until General Banks
presented it in person on Dec. 12th.

462 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
General, which he trusts will hereafter find raore favor in your
eyes, I have the honor to be.
Very respy. Your obdt. servant,
Wm, L, G, Green, Lt & A. D. C.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, November 11, 1862
General Orders No. 93
I, Any Comraissioned Officer who is found drinking intoxi
cating liquors in any public drinking place or other public
house within this Departraent will be recommended to the
President for dismissal from the service,
II, All Police Officers are ordered to report, in writing, to
these Headquarters all instances of the violation of this order
which raay corae under their notice.
By command of Major-General Butler
R, S, Davis, Capt. and A. A. A. G.
From Major J. F. Girault
On Board Flag of Truce Boat, Louis d'Or, Miss. River, opposite Carrollton, Nov. 12ft, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commdg. U. S. Forces,
New Orleans, La,
General: I have the honor to announce the arrival at this
point of the Flag of Truce Boat, "L, d'Or" from Vicksburg,
under ray charge, with one hundred and thirty-two Federal
prisoners, taken at or near Labadieville, to be exchanged.
These are the same whose delivery at New Orleans was
promised by Major H, G, Watts, agent of the Confederate
government, about 9th Oct, ult. Major Watts accompanies
me to effect the exchange, and to receive a receipt for any
prisoners of the Confederate Government in your hands that
you may desire to return,
I have also the honor to be the bearer of a sealed corarauni
cation frora Lt, General Pemberton, C,S,A,, Comradg, Dept,
of Mississippi and East La,, which I am directed to deliver to
you and to receive from you a reply if there be any, I have
the honor to be. General,
Very Respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
J, F, Girault, Major U.S.A., Commdg. Flag of Truce

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 463
From Captain T. K. Fuller
Provost Marshal's Office, Thibodeaux, Nov. 12, 1862
Major General Butler
General: I ara inforraed that many of the poorer class in
this district depend upon their shotguns for support during the
winter season. They shoot wild ducks, geese, etc, for raarket.
Shall I disarra everybody, or grant perraission to certain per
sons to keep their arras? — those who take the Oath of
Allegiance? Shin-plasters current when we took possession are now
refused to the distress of the poorer classes. What shall be
done, if anything, in reference to this raatter? Grocers refuse
everything except specie and current New Orleans raoney —
whole bills, I ara. General, with great respect.
Your obedient Servant, T, K, Fuller,
Capt. 75th N. Y. Vols., Provost Marshal, etc.
From General Butler
Head Quarters Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 12, 1862
Mr. Pierce, U. S. Consul at Matamoeas
Sie: I propose to send down the first regiraent Texas Vols,
with sorae other troops to Galveston, I will arrange with
Col, Davis of that coraraand, and with Rear Adrairal Farragut
that refugees who raay desire raay be sent to Galveston from
Texas and Mexico, Sorae of thera will enlist doubtless in
the service of the United States, The preference in granting
passage, as a rule, will be given to those who are physically
able. Of course it wUl be improper to enlist even Americans as
soldiers in Mexican soil, but there can be no impropriety in
sending Araericans to do their duty to their country. The
letters of Col, Davis, coraraanding the Texas Regiment, and
the instructions to the Coramander of the blockading vessel,
wUl explain what is desired. Any other aid that I can furnish,
if suggested by you, will be promptly attended to, I ara.
Very respy.. Your obdt. servant,
Benj, F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Commanding

464 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From Fisher A. Hildreth to General Butler
Lowell, Nov. li, 1862
My deae Butlee: You wish to know what consignments
have been made to rae and what drafts have been made on
me. There have been sorae 4900 hgds, sugar and sorae 80 bbls,
molasses, and a few loads scrap iron, of which I have received
biUs of lading. All had arrived in New York except the sugar
on the "Charles Kean," and the little lot of metal on the
"John Griffin," Those raay have arrived since I left New
York last Friday,
I have not sold so rauch sugar as I have paid in freights
and insurances, I raet your drafts of $50,000 and $9,409,00,
and the Colonel's for $10995,00, by raising the money at the
RaUroad Bank, Lowell, for note of $71,151,08,
The Col, has notffied me of a draft in favor of H, M, Jose
of $25,000,00, Also in favor of C, S, "Whittier or Read for
$20,000, which I suppose will not be presented, as he does not
recognize the sale to the Col,, and Mr, "Whittier and as you
have countermanded the trade,
I stored the sugars for better prices, as they would not pay
invoices on their arrival, and I, as well as the Col,, thought
they would rise,
I got notice of your drafts in New York last Thursday with
acceptance waived, which gave rae Friday and Saturday to
raise the araount of rising seventy thousand dollars, I could
not raise it in New York, as no one would take the sugar as
collateral, as I was not the owner nor had written authority to
hypothecate them. Nor, if I had, I would not have done it
for less than one per ct, brokerage or Commission — besides
the interest; so I retumed to Boston, found Carney dry, then
came to Lowell and got the money on Carney's recoraraenda-
tion in ray name, Webster's, Read's and George's, at regular
interest, I think I shall accept your favor and come to New Orleans
in a few days.
If you have occasion to draw further before I see you, do
not waive acceptance, and draw on as long tirae as convenient.
Your drafts frightened rae when I found I could not raise a
dollar on the sugar in New York, and that Carney's loan was
up so that I could not get it of hira. But we got it through
after rauch tribulation,
McClellan is again superseded, and it looks as if the Gov-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 465
ernraent were deterrained on pressing the war to an eraanci-
pation end if not for eraancipation purposes.
Have a great deal to say if I shall have the good fortune to
^ ¦ Truly yours, Fishee
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept. of the Gvlf, New Obleans, Nov. li, 1862
Hon. Heney Wilson, Washington, D,C,
My dear Sir: Soraewhat irregularly, perhaps, but impelled
by what seems to rae a grave necessity, I venture to address
you upon the state of affairs in this departraent. We want
more men. We have now about 10,000 effective white soldiers,
of which two regiments were raised here. We have two regi
ments of native guards (colored), in good condition and doing
good service in the field; another of the sarae sort has nearly
completed its organization; and we are now raising a regi
ment of Texas cavalry. From the North we get no recruits
to fill up the ranks of our old regiments, but for this have to
depend entirely upon enlistraents here. With this little force
we have to hold this city against Rebels within as well as
without; to keep our lines north of the city always in readi
ness to receive anything which may drop from above — and
something may come after any battle between the Rebels
and the Army of the West, and we have succeeded during the
past three weeks in acquiring a foothold in Western Louisi
ana, which opens the richest part of the State to our control,
and seriously threatens the Rebel communications with their
Beef Barrel Texas, and we are now casting about for a regi
ment to send to Galveston — which the Navy has opened to us.
Rear Admiral Farragut is rather catching it for not having
taken Mobile before this. That he has not done so is no fault
of his. With ten thousand — even with 7,000 troops we can
take it and hold it. Without the cooperation of the Array, it
is raanifestly quite useless for the Navy to atterapt to operate
against the place.
We want to extend our lines of raen so as to coraplete the
cutting off of Rebel coraraunication with the West, Up to
date, we have been victorious wherever we have raet the enemy.
We only want more men to keep it up, Re-enforceraents
have been promised us, but they have not come. Troops
want to corae here — New England troops especiaUy, I know.
Officers write rae to get their coraraand ordered here, and I
VOL. II — 30

466 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
hear the same thing from ray officers who have corae back
from the North,
At this moment — while writing this — I learn that Sterling
Price is crossing the Mississippi at Port Hudson, and is work
ing for the salt mines, against which Gen, Weitzel is operating.
He hopes to hold the mines, which are of incalculable impor
tance to the Rebels, and he hopes to keep open coraraunica
tion with the "Beef barrel" above raentioned. He has 10,000
raen, I can spare not over 7,000 to oppose him. Well, there's
10,000 less for Grant to fight, and if I had 5,000 more men the
enemy before Grant would be 20,000 less.
Believe rae, when the rains descend and the raud comes, the
army of the Potomac can't move, the Rebels will move down
this way to get at the supplies. With 5,000 more men I wUl
cut them off frora Texas, With yet 7,000 raen, I will take and
hold MobUe,
I beg you, as chairraan of the MUitary Coraraittee, to use
your infiuence to have raore troops sent here — Mass, troops
especially. The Rebels are near starvation. Send us troops
enough and we will bring thera quite to that point,
I write to you because I have written to all raanner of
official personages and get nothing except promises in return,
and because I know that if you are convinced of the necessity
of my call for more troops you will leave no means untried to
have it answered. Although we differ in politics we are both
bent upon doing the best for the country, and I have no
hesitation therefore in asking your aid,
(Benj, F, Butler)
«
From Surgeon Chartant
On Board St, Louis d'Oe, November 13ft, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commdg. U. S: Forces,
New Orleans
Sir: I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in addressing
you to make a request, which if granted wUl be regarded in
the proper manner, and for which I wUl be greatly obliged.
I ara very anxious to see Madarae Beauregard, ray first cousin,
and sister, who are both in the city; I wish to see them solely
on family raatters. I also desire with your perraission to
purchase, for the use of the sick, a small lot of raedicines, which
are actually necessary in case any of the prisoners to be returned
by our boat should need any medical attention. This is made

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 467
f
necessary frora the fact that I had only arrived at Vicksburg
just previous to our departure, and being ordered on this
expedition as Surgeon, I had no tirae to get a proper supply
there. As a raatter of course, if the above request is granted,
I wiU consider rayself on "parole d'honneur," and consider
the privUege as sacred and inviolable.
Very Respectfully, Your obedient Servant,
A, Chartant, Surgeon Flag of Truce
I subrait at foot for your inspection the list of raedicines
needed. Adhesive Plaster  2 Yards.
Perchlorate of Iron Iig  1 oz.
Collodion  2 oz.
Chloroform  4 oz.
Ether sulph  1 oz.
Laudanum Sydenham  1 oz.
Tiuct opir Camph  4 oz.
Sub. nitrate Bismuth  1 oz.
Bi-carb Soda  } oz.
Spt. Camph  2 Bottles
Brandy  5 Gals.
From General Butler
Head Quarters Department of the Gulf, New Obleans, Nov. 14, 1862
Hon. Wm, H, Seward, Sec'y of State
Sir: I beg leave to enclose to you a digest of the Laws of
France upon the subject of slavery, which an eminent French
lawyer has prepared for me.
As every owner of slaves loses his nationality by owning
them {entrainera la perte de la qualitS de citoyen frangais) , it
becomes a most vital question here, where every raan of any
property is an owner of slaves and every other man claims to
be a French citizen, what is the slave-owner's status.
The French Consul clairas that losing a quality of a French
citizen only raeans that he loses his right to vote in France.
I claim, on the contrary, that the loss is of nationality.
In support of this proposition, I find that a subject of France
who takes an oath of allegiance to a foreign power and becoraes
a citizen thereof suffers {la perte de la qualitS de citoyen frangais) ,
the civil code using the sarae word in both cases. Is it to be
said that the code, in the case of the abjuration by the French
citizen of his Govemraent, raeans only that he loses his right
to vote in France, or does he lose his French nationality?
I ara in much need of the instruction of the State Depart-

468 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
ment upon the topic, and await with irapatience an authorita
tive exposition of it, I have the honor to be.
Very respy. Your obdt. servant,
Benj, F. Butler, Major General Commanding
From Fauconnet
Tbanslation, New Obleans, Nov. 14, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
The Consul of France has the honor to present his comph-
raents to the Major General, and to call again his attention
to the iraprisonraent on board one of the men-of-war of Elie
Lion, Bertrand Lacaze, and Charles F, Pelot, French subjects,
brought here as prisoners frora DonaldsonviUe,
The first of these Frenchraen, it appears, is suffering with
fever, and a longer confineraent raay endanger his life. The
Consul of France also desires to call the General's attention
to another Frenchraan, Vr, Fonin, who was arrested at La
fourche the 5th of this raonth, and who is confined in the
prison of the Custora-house,
By Order of the Consul, The Chancellor, Fauconnet
Endorsements on Foregoing Letter
Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, Nov. 15ft, 1862
Respectfully referred to Col, French, Pro: Marsh: Genl,
for careful inquiry & report. By order of Maj, Gen, Butler
W, L, G, Green, A. D. C.
Genebal: I have the honor to report that Elie Lion &
Bertrand Lacaze say they were forced into a Militia Co,
which had been disbanded previous to their arrest, Chas,
F, Pelot escaped on the night of Nov, 15th, 1862, E, Lion has
recovered frora his illness. They were all arrested at Donald
sonviUe and sent here as prisoners. Respectfully, &c., &c.,
J, H, Feench, Pro. Marsh. Genl. La.
From Salmon P. Chase to General Butler
Unopficlal. Washington, D.C, November 14, 1862
My dear General: I have been waiting, in order to reply
satisfactorily to your letter stating fully your action in rela-

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 469
tion to trade with persons in rebel lines, for some decision
by the Government in the preraises, and the Government
has been waiting for the return of Lord Lyons in order
that its decision may not conflict with assurances given
by the Secretary of State to the representatives of foreign
states. Lord Lyons has now returned, and the Secretary of
State had an interview with him yesterday, which I under
stand was satisfactory. The subject of cotton, rice, to
bacco, and sugar will corae up in the Cabinet, perhaps, today
— at any rate, shortly — and we shall get on to some defi
nite plan, I hope, Meantirae, I write that you raay not think
I have neglected a matter in which you necessarily feel so deep
an interest.
Gen, Banks goes to New Orleans, not, as I understood, to
supersede you; but to conduct an expedition to Texas while
you are engaged nearer to your present Headquarters, Most
earnestly do I hope for his success.
Your own success has been very great. Except the com
plaints to which I called your attention in my last, I have
heard of none except frora raen whose loyalty is either doubt
ful, or at any rate not very self-sacrfficing, I hope you will
not raisconstrue that letter. It was prorapted solely by a
true regard and friendship raixed with sincere conviction of
public duty, I do not believe that you yourself desire raore
earnestly your distinguished success in the raost iraportant
sphere you have occupied and raust yet occupy, and in the
even larger scope which will I trust soon be given to your
powers, and I ara sure that few men could have fulfilled your
difficult task so well as you have — no man better.
The removal of McClellan wiU not take you by surprise.
His course raade it indispensable. The President postponed
it long — too long — as long as he could; but at length felt
driven to it by McClellan's persistency in disregard of his
wishes and directions, and by his manifest purpose to keep his
army practically inactive, as it was kept last winter.
For General of the Array in his place I preferred Hooker,
The President and Gen, Halleck preferred Burnside, I hope
their preference will be justified by the event, Burnside has
some exceUent qualities, and I hope too he may prove to pos
sess all that he needs for his trying post. He shall have my
most cordial support, and wUl, I ara sure, have that of the
whole adrainistration,
I shall write you as soon as possible again, Meantirae, let

470 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
trade within rebel lines cease, and the Regulation of August
be strictly observed as directed by the Secretary of War,
Yours truly, S, P, Chase
From Rear Admiral Farragut to General Butler
F. S. Hartford, New Orleans, Nov. Uth, 1862
Dear General: We take away the licenses for general
coasting trade, as the law and orders prohibit thera, except
by the Dept,, but I teU these fisherraen that if you wiU let
thera go a-fishing I wiU sign their pass for that purpose only,
or for vessels coraing to New Orleans, I wrote on this man's
hcense, "Fishing and oystering, but not allowed to carry
raerchandise," I think day before yesterday, before I learned
frora you that you had a corapany of them — but he produced
his license to show that he had the privUege of the City
authorities, y^^^ respectfully, D, G, Fabbagut
From Captain W M. Wainwright to General Butler
U.S. Steamer Harriet Lane, Galveston, Texas, Nov. 14, 1862
Genebal: I have given a permit to the sloop boat "Ven-
geur," Wra, H, Bailey, raaster, to proceed to New Orleans,
with eight passengers, refugees from Confederate persecution
in this town. The master of the boat has also permission to
bring back such provisions as he can carry. The poor people
who have remained behind are in a sad state of destitution,
and in a short tirae will be on the verge of absolute starvation.
The Confederate force, who hold the bridge connecting Gal
veston Island with the main land, will not allow an ounce of
provisions to cross, besides which their cavalry squads have
driven off and killed all the cattle they could get at, shooting
in their tracks those that they were unable to drive. Some
little beef is still left on the Island, which, together with some
hogs, chickens, and such fish as the people are able to catch,
is all that they have to eat. Groceries there are none, very
little corn-meal is left, and that is selling at $5,00 a bushel,
"What flour there is, is held at $50,00 the sack of 100 lbs, in
gold, the holder refusing to take Confederate raoney for it.
In fact, I am told this morning that neither flour nor corn-
meal is to be bought at any price, and I have been applied
to by one or two persons, who state that their families have
not a raouthful to eat.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 471
If you can. General, with your well-known benevolence,
forward the sending of some provisions to this port, it will
be the means of rescuing raany innocent people frora great
suffering. Our own supplies are too short to enable us to afford
thera any relief, I ara now holding this harbor with this vessel,
the gun-boat "Owasco," and one of the mortar schooners.
Commander Renshaw having gone into Matagonda Bay with
the "Westfield" and "Clifton" a fortnight ago, I ara looking
for his return daily. Though the town is under our guns,
we have no force to occupy it, and feel the want of sorae
troops sadly. The place can easily be held by a regiment with
the aid of one or two vessels in the harbor, and the people
remaining here are looking anxiously for the arrival of our
troops. Most of thera are citizens of foreign birth, who have
no sympathy with the Confederate cause, and I am assured
that large nurabers would gladly enlist in our service, and had
I arms to give them they would undertake to organize them
selves, and hold the town under cover of the night. Patrols
of the enemy come in frora the other side, pick up conscripts
wherever they can catch thera, and harass the people in
every possible way, which we are powerless to prevent, and
which renders our occupation hitherto anything but a fortu
nate event to the well-disposed inhabitants. We have now
some thirty refugees living on the end of a dock near our
vessels, as their only asylum from seizure by the Rebels.
This town is well-built, containing many fine stores and dwell
ing-houses, together with other structures which could be con
verted into quite formidable strong-holds, and easily held
against anything less than artillery, from which the guns of
our vessels would prove an ample protection. There are two
fine foundries here, one of which I understand to be in com
plete running order; the machinery of the other I have taken
down, but it can readUy be replaced. In conclusion, perrait
me to say that if you can spare a detachment from the force
under your coramand to hold this city, I am sure the good of
the public service will be vastly benefited, I am, with great
respect. Your most obt. servt,
W, M. Wainweight, Com. U.S.N,

472 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From General Butler Nov. Uth, 1862
Hon. Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate
Enclosed are copies of records of MUitary Commission in
two cases against "WUliam WUson, otherwise called Red Bill,
and Frederico Abellando, The sentences, being death, raay re
quire the approval of the President, Red BUl has been the ter
ror of this country for raany years, and has coraraitted raany
murders, Abel, made one of the raost unprovoked and brutal
raurders on record. For the sake of the peace of the commun
ity I request that an early approval of the sentences be re
turned to rae. From General Butler
Head Quarters Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 14, 1862
Major General Halleck, Commanding Armies of the
United States
General: I beg leave to enclose to you my coraraunica
tion to Lt, Gen, Pemberton of the Confederate forces upon
the subject of the murder of seven of ray soldiers when two
corapanies of ray Eighth Verraont Regiraent surrendered at
Bayou des AUeraands, There were enlisted in those com
panies and surrendered as prisoners of war, with thera, seven
Gerraans, residents of Louisiana, who owed no farther alle
giance to the state of Louisiana than we all owe to our states
by being inhabitants thereof.
Because of their enlistment with us, they were tried for
desertion in the mUitia in which they never acted, and for
treason to the state of Louisiana to which they never owed
allegiance — because they were naturalized citizens of the
United States, were found guilty of their supposed offences
only, and were executed in obedience to the orders of a Militia
Court Martial, acting by order of Major Gen, Lewis of the
Militia of the State,
I have treated of the subjects in my letter to Gen, Pember
ton, to which I beg leave to refer you, I send also a partial
copy of the proceedings of that Court Martial, which I have
captured, and frora which you will learn the facts,
I beg specffic instructions upon this matter, I hope and
trust those instructions will be to shoot twice as many more
of the Confederate prisoners of war in retaliation, I have
the honor to be, ,^ , ,
I our obdt. servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major Gen. Commanding

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 473
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Lieut. Gen. Pemberton, Com'g at Vicksburg
General: I have received your coraraunication by the
flag of truce, with prisoners which have been duly receipted for,
I am excessively grieved at the mistake in regard to Peraing-
ton, I had supposed that he was confined at Fort Jackson,
and sent an order there for his release; but, not being confined
there, by sorae unaccountable blunder the matter was not
reported to me, he remaining without being paroled till Oct,
18th,, I supposing up to that time Pemington had been released,
I have ordered his unconditional release in consideration of the
unintentional injustice which has been done hira, and will
send hira up with the other prisoners if you desire.
It did not need the retaliation of the detention of two
privates, I assure you, to cause this act of justice to be done,
I beg to call your attention to the fact that two lieutenants
of the Indiana Regiraent, for whose exchange I sent Capt,
Murphy of the Confederate Navy, have not been released,
and Capt, Murphy has not returned and reported to the Head
Quarters, May I ask that you will see that they are released,
I have sorae two hundred prisoners whora I will send to you
as soon as transportation can be spared. With this exception,
I will retain fourteen of the raost considerable of thera, includ
ing Brig, Gen, Clark, untU I receive instructions from my
Government as to the course to be taken in relation to the
proceedings of a pretended Court Martial, held on the pre
tended authority of Maj, Gen, Lewis, by which seven United
States soldiers had been executed for no crime. The charge
alleges "desertion and treason," but that desertion is only
supported by the fact that as residents of Louisiana they
formed a part of the supposed railitia of Louisiana, There is no
pretence that they had ever been in the field. They had duly
enlisted in the service of the United States, were surrendered
prisoners of war, were made to dig their own graves, and then
wantonly murdered. You wUl be pleased to inform me whether
this act is assumed by the Confederate Government,
I have enlisted a nuraber of thousand of the inhabitants of
the State of Louisiana into the array of the United States,
and I am naturally desirous to know whether this course is
to be taken towards them when they surrender prisoners of
war, I need not say to you that I know how to protect my
self and my soldiers from such acts.

474 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
To you, forraerly a soldier of the United States Array,
knowing the laws and rules of war, I need not further enlarge
upon the probable consequence of allowing the proceedings of
such a court to go on unrevised. The copy of the proceedings
in ray hands is not coraplete, but is sufficiently so to show the
nature of the transaction, I have desired, and still desire, in
all cases to conduct the war according to its uses araong civU
ized nations; but this transaction cannot be tolerated, I
have the honor to be. Very respy., your obdt. Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Head Quarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 14, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Sec'y of War
Sir: I have addressed you directly in this despatch because
the subject relates to other matters than the moveraent of
troops in the field.
As you raay have learned from the despatches to Gen,
Halleck, I have moved Brig, Gen, Weitzel into the Lafourche
country, and have taken possession of the richest portion of
Louisiana, Thousands of hhds, of sugar, at the value of at
least a million of dollars, ought at once to pass into the hands
of the United States, together with rauch other property, I
have therefore organized a Coraraission to take charge of the
whole business, so as, if possible, to save this property to the
United States, and have put the oldest and raost honest men
I have at the head of it,
I annex the copy of the Order No, 91, and the merao-
randura of contract, which will explain theraselves. The ex
periraent of free labor which I ara trying is succeeding
admirably, and I hope large results, not so much in profit
to the United States as in exaraple.
Will you allow rae to avail rayself of this note to ask of you
re-enforcements? I have had none save my free native guards
(colored), and while they are doing good service, still I find
trouble, because they are not formally recognized by the
Department, I have the honor to be.
Very respy. Your obdt servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 475
Subject Matter of "Memorandum" referred to
Owing to the necessity of employing the negroes who have
left plantations, and of securing the present crop of cane and
other cereals, repairing the levee, &c,, the United States will
employ them under the direction of loyal planters and over
seers, to be paid by thera $10 per raonth for males (the price
for females and rainors was not raentioned in the ineraoran-
dura), $3 of which raay be expended for necessary clothing,
the United States to protect thera, the planters, and their
plantations. The planters to furnish proper food and raedi
cine, and to take care of those incapacitated by sickness or
age. No cruel or corporal punishment to be inflicted, but
any refusal to do labor to be reported to the Provost Marshal
of the district, and to be punished under his orders. If any
planter refuses to enter into this arrangement, his slaves raay
hire theraselves to any other loyal planter, or any person
whom the United States may elect. This arrangement is
not to affect the legal rights of either raaster or slave.
The question of freedora to be determined by considera
tions wholly outside the provisions of this contract.

From General Butler
Headquarters Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. Iith, 1862
Special Orders No. 613
The Daily Advocate, having after warning published the
foUowing article,
" The Ballot Box
"This paUadiura of our liberties, this charter of our rights,
this emblem of Democracy, has been speaking in a voice of
thunder, as we knew it would if the people could be aroused
from their slumber. It has been our unceasing endeavor to
awake them throughout the nation. We were the first to tell
our readers of its success in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana,
and now we have gratifying reports frora lUinois, New Jersey,
and New York, if these reports be confirraed, an armistice
wUl soon follow,
"Negotiations once coraraenced, there wUl not be any raore
fighting, "Whether an arraistice results frora the Deraocratic
success or from foreign intervention, we shall hail it as a peace
measure to be welcomed by all parties,"

476 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
The publication of that Journal will be discontinued from
^^ ^ ^' By command of Maj, Gen, Butler,
Geo, C, Strong, A. A. G.

From ihe Assistant Secretary of War to General Butler
War Department, Washington City, November Uth, 1862
Sir: The Secretary of War directs rae to enclose a com
munication frora the Secretary of State, relative to your action
in the case of John George Linghara, an alleged British mer
chant, and to request that you will report the facts of the case
to this Department at your earliest convenience.
Very respectfully. Your obdt. Servant,
P, H, Watson, Asst. Secretary of War
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Washington, November 6th, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Sir: I do myself the honor to transmit to you the accom
panying extracts from a letter and stateraent, which have
been received by Earl Russell frora Professor Donaldson and
Mr, Linghara, the Rector of Larabeth, coraplaining of the
arbitrary conduct of General Butler towards their relative,
Mr, John George Linghara, a British raerchant at New Orleans,
You will perceive that Mr, Linghara appears to have been
sentenced by General Butler to no less than three years' im
prisonment in Fort Pickens, for an offence which bears no
proportion to so heavy a sentence, and I have, under the
circumstances, been instructed to apply to you for his iraraedi
ate release, unless some plot or conspiracy has been proved
against hira.
Earl Russell has observed that the stateraents subraitted to
hira contained no mention of Mr, Linghara having been put
upon his trial, but that it is scarcely possible to suppose that
the punishraent which has been inflicted upon hira should
not have been preceded by a trial of sorae sort,
I avaU myself of this opportunity to renew to you the
assurance of my highest consideration,
W, Stuart

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 477
Extract from Letter of Mr. Thomas C. Donaldson and John
Lingham, Rector of Lambeth, to Earl Russell
Bolton Gardens, Russell Square, Oct. ISth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
I HAVE this day received from Mr, W. H, Haynes, mer
chant at Liverpool, a letter stating that my brother-in-law,
Mr, John George Lingham, an English raerchant at New Or
leans, has been seized by order of the Federal General Butler,
and sentenced to three years' iraprisonraent in Fort Pickens,
and, being in indifferent health, this is very serious. As far
as Mr, Haynes can understand, three gentlemen, among
whom he was one, fearing an outbreak during this reign of
terror, had proposed to send away their plate and valuables
by the British ship "Essex," now lying in New Orleans, and
it is supposed that General Butler was resolved to confiscate
the property under some pretence of disloyalty. The names
of the other two were Mr, Allen and Mr, Mount; the sen
tence of the latter is one year, with ball and chain round
his legs,
Mr, Lingham has on various occasions acted as Acting
Consul at New Orleans, in Mr, Mure's absence, although
not so at this period,
I beg to assure your Lordship that Mr, Lingham has ever
expressed a firra deterraination never to seek naturalization
in America, as he never forsook the character of an English
man; and he has throughout the present contest between the
North and the South maintained a perfect neutrality, never
in any of his letters to his family alluding to political raatters.
He raarried a Creole lady of New Orleans, by whora he has a
son about 15 years old.
On the part of his family and of his brother, the Revd, J.
Lingham, Rector of Lambeth, whose signature is hereunto
appended with my own, I beg to entreat your Lordship to
take such steps with the Federal Government of America that
immediate inquiry be made into the circumstances, in order
that Mr. G. Lingham may, as a British subject, be restored
to liberty, and his life and property secured frora further
aggression. I beg perraission to assure your Lordship of the
deep affliction into which the faraily are plunged by these
cruel circumstances; and we throw ourselves on your Lord
ship's sympathy to obtain redress for this outrage upon our
brother.

478 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Statement forwarded by Mr. Donaldson Oct. 16ft, 1862
A party sorae time ago made a deposit in the Merchants'
Bank, of some Confederate notes, and recently (about 18
September) presented a check for the amount, which the Cash
ier paid, as of course, in the Confederate notes. Upon learning
which (and it seems very like a plot) Butler iraprisoned the
Cashier and your brother-in-law (Mr, Lingham) and two
other Directors, From General Butler
' Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Dec. 9th, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Edwin M, Stanton, Sec'y of War
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the
despatch of the Department, of date of Nov, 14th, inclosing
copy of a letter of coraplaint from "W, Stewart" to the State
Department, bearing the statements of one Donaldson and
the Rev, Mr, Lingham in regard to my action in the case of
his brother, John George Linghara, with the request that I
would report the facts of the case.
This is irapossible, as there is not one fact in the case. The
whole statement is an unmitigated falsehood frora beginning
to end, and in testimony I enclose the stateraent of Mr, Ling
hara hiraself.
Whenever Mr, Lingham has a fancy to coraplain of what
did happen to hira, I shall be raost happy to exhibit facts and
circumstances, I have the honor to be.
Your obdt. servt,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commanding
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Dec. 9ft, 1862
[Not iu chronological order]
I, John Geo, Lingham, was asked to come before Gen'l,
Butler today, and was shown a copy of a letter dated Oct.
16th, 1862, headed "statement, forwarded by Mr, Donaldson
to Earl Russell," So far as it relates to any charge ever made
against rae on account of the Cashier of the Merchants Bank
paying out any Confederate notes, I never heard of it until
called upon by Gen'l, Butler today,
I have also read an extract frora the letter dated Bolton
Gardens, Russell Square, London, Oct, 15th, 1862, contain-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 479
ing the stateraent that I was sentenced by Gen'l, Butler be
cause I had sent away my plate on board the British ship
"Essex," I never heard of that until I was called here
to-day. My plate is now and always has been under my con
trol, and not disturbed by anybody, I had sent a portion of
it for safety to the Bank, and take it away when I choose. But
I never atterapted to send any away, nor was I accused of
sending away any of it on board any vessel,
J, G, Lingham
Witness: H, C, Clark, Lt. and A. D. C.
New Orleans, November ISth, 1862
George Coppell, Esq.
Dear Sir: I should be happy to grant any request of
yours for a pass, especially as you trouble rae so seldom and
generally with a deserving application, but Mr, Chapman
offered a bribe to the officer having charge of the passports
to obtain one, and was turned out of the office. On this ac
count I can hear no application for him. He should be glad
to escape being imprisoned. His note has not escaped my
^"^^*^°^- (Benj, F, Butler)
An Anonymous Communication
Translation
General: There are strange things going on in this City,
The Consuls give certificates to anybody who asks for one,
Mr, Lanata, Consul of Italy, hiraself an Araerican citizen,
has given certfficates to some people who have been citizens
for 10 years,
A certain "Bossu," well-known in the 2nd District as a
citizen for the last 15 years at least, has his papers as a French
subject, Mr, Fauconnet, Act'g French Consul, gives certif
icates as French subjects to Creoles born here, who have been
on the Police & other public offices, who have been raera
bers of MUitary corapanies, and have shown their rights as
citizens at the election polls with knives and revolvers in hand.
The Vice Consul of Italy has been a private in the Garibaldi
Company, Anonymous

480 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From Jacob Barker New Orleans, Nov. 15th, 1862
Maj. Gen. Butler, Comd'g Department of the Gulf
Genl,: I take pleasure in stating to you in this note what
I have explained to you personally, that the purport of the
objectionable article, which is the basis of your Order for
the suppression of the Advocate, has been understood entirely
different from the intention of the writer. The design of the
article was to express the ardent desire of the Editor for
peace. My habits of life, my religious professions, have always
been for peace, and nothing of course can be more ardently
sought by every well-wisher to the Country, Armed inter
vention was inadvertently raentioned as one of the means
through which peace might be obtained, and the article would
certainly bear the interpretation that I desired such inter
vention as the raeans of obtaining peace. This I regret, I
have never been in favor of arraed intervention by a foreign
power in this war; ray whole thought has been opposed to
it, I can point to many articles in my paper expressing that
thought, I am entirely opposed to any interference by for
eigners with the affairs of this Country, and if permitted the
paper wUl raost fully show that opposition,
Jacob Barker, Esq.
From General Butler
Headquarters, New Orleans, Nov. ISih, 1862
Jacob Barker, Esq.
Sir: Your note upon the subject of the article in the Advo
cate is satisfactory, and its publication is permitted, I can
have no objection to any proper advocacy of peace. To ob
tain it, the United States are raaking war. But peace can
never be obtained by arraed intervention of a foreign power.
That would be an act of war, and its possible effect would
only be to put away the day of peace.
No more delusively treasonable idea can be entertained
than the advocacy of foreign intervention, which can never
be perraitted either directly or covertly in this department.
Whoever desires foreign aid to Rebellion, and expresses that
desire, is a traitor and an enemy to the Government, and wUl
Respectfully, B, F, Butler

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 481
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Nm. ISth, 1862
Major General H, W, Halleck, Commander-in-Chief, U.S.A.
General: I have the honor to inclose the proceedings of
the Board of Inquiry in the case of the Seventh Vermont,
with ray own indorseraent thereon, I have endeavored to
treat that regiraent justly, and I thinlc they have no cause
for complaint. But of that you are to judge, I have the
' Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Benjamin F, Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters, Departmeni of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 15, 1862
His Excellency, Gov. Holbrook, Montpelier, Vt,
Governor: I have the pleasure of inclosing you a copy of
the proceedings of a Court of Inquiry in the case of the Seventh
Vermont Reg, Volunteers, When the request for such a board
was made, I informed Major Holbrook, then commanding,
that I would order the Court, and he might choose any offi
cers of my comraand who were not engaged in the battle to
compose the board. For reasons which he judged sufficient,
he declined the offer, and requested that I would forward the
papers to Washington, which I did.
The Major General Comraanding was kind enough to
approve ray action, but informed rae that no officers could
be detaUed frora Washington to corapose the Court, I then
renewed ray offer to the coraraander of the 7th Verraont, and
he solicited the officers who coraposed the Board, I added a
recorder, a gentleraan of considerable legal experience, who
was not even present in the Departraent at the tirae of the
matter. The result is before you, I trust that when you read the
proceedings of the Court of Inquiry you will see that no in
justice has been done to the Regiment which has not been
repaired — in the single particular of its colors,
I shaU rely upon you to see that justice is done to rae in the
preraises, knowing your high sense of justice, I have, dear
Governor, the honor to be.
Very respectfully. Your obedient servant

VOL. II — 31

482 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letters
Headquarters Dept. of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Nov. 6, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
The Commanding General has examined with care the
findings, proceedings, and testiraony of the Court of Inquiry,
whereof Col, Henry Deraing is president, in the matter of the
7th regt, Verraont Volunteers, and approves the proceeding
and finding. It is apparent that every conclusion arrived at
by the Court is supported by the testiraony of the witnesses
called on behalf of the Regiraent, The General is constrained
to find that the charge against the Regiment of breaking in
disorder before the enemy is fully proved. Two-fifths of the
Regiment never returned to the line of battle after they broke
and fied.
That the Regiraent did fire upon the Indiana Regiraent,
and that that was the only firing done by the Regiment that
day, although they held the centre of the line which was
mostly hotly pressed.
The General is glad to find that raost of the line officers
behaved well, and that the official reports which led him to
believe that the Regimental colors were lost by the Regi
ment were mistakes, and therefore he has pleasure in ordering
the colors of the Regiraent to be restored to the Regiraent, with
privilege to carry thera. But he cannot order thera to be in
scribed with the name of the glorious battle of Baton Rouge,
The General doubts not that, now having an officer as
commander who will not force them out of sight for shelter
in a ravine during an action as did their late Lt, Col,, the
Regiraent will in its next action retrieve its position and earn
a proud narae for itself and State,
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, November 20, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
General Orders No. 98
The Coraraanding General, upon the finding of the Board
of Inquiry upon the conduct of the 7th Regiraent Verraont
Volunteers at the battle of Baton Rouge, learns that he was
led into a mistake by the official reports of that action as to
the loss by that regiment of its colors; it proving to have
been the camp color left in camp, and not the regimental color,
that was brought off the field by the Massachusetts Battery,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 483
He therefore has pleasure in ordering the regimental colors
to be restored to the regiment, not doubting that it will, in
its next action, earn for itself a position and narae which
will be a credit to itself, its State, and country.
By command of Major-General Butler
Geo, C, Strong, A. A. G. and Chief of Staff
From Colonel J. W. Shaffer to General Butler
Office Chief Quarter Master, Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 17, 1862
General: I have the honor to enclose you copy of pro
ceedings of Board of Survey on horses at Pensacola, and Cap
tain A, N, Shipley's protest, etc, I also send you Shipley's
report of sale of Rebel steamer "Neafic" by General Dow,
I would most respectfuUy request that you annul both the
proceedings of board and sale of steamer, and order no more
hojrses sold to officers, nor property of any kind or description
to anybody at Pensacola until we have time to get matters
arranged, I would call to see you, but do not feel able to leave my
Respectfully, Your obedient servant,
J. W, Shaffer, Quarter Master
P,S, The "Syke" leaves this afternoon, and I send raan on
her to look after Quarter Master raatters. Yours, J, W, S,
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Pensacola, Fla., November 15, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Dear Colonel: I enclose you a stateraent of "as far as I
can learn" the selling of the stearaboat. Do by aU raeans
send an order by return Steamer either to send to you, or sell
at public auction, the steamboat "Neafic," now lying at the
wharf at Pensacola, The sale made by General Dow is cer
tainly unauthorized and Ulegal, He is in a perfect stew about
that, and the proceedings of a board which apprised a lot of
horses, a copy of which I herewith send you so that you raay
be posted on what is going on here. Candidly speaking, the
whole is a coraplete swindle of Govemraent property, — this
is a httle the d — st coraraand I ever saw. Everybody here
is complaining of General Dow, My God, is there no way
to stay this? Letters from good and loyal citizens representing
gross injustice done them by General Dow, I ara told, have

484 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
been sent to General Butler, no reply received to any one of
thera. They say they fear that these letters never reached the
Coraraanding General of the Departraent,
But about our own Departraent, do all, everything you can
to have the proceedings of the Board on the horses and raules
raade null and void. Look carefully at ray letter raarked
"A," and at the proceedings of the "B," and ray endorseraent
thereon. Have also an order published forbidding the sale
of any raore horses to Officers, on the grounds that they are
absolutely necessary for service in the Quarter Master's
Departraent, also for Cavalry and Light Artillery Service,
I coraraenced today to turn over the Quarter Master Stores,
A quarter master is much needed here, sorae one who will
take an interest in the Government, setting General Dow to
one side. If you can possibly send one, please do so. It is
all important for the public interest. Also have orders sent
here that no tiraber or luraber will be shipped frora this place
without orders frora H'^ Q' Dept, I shall go over on the next
trip of the boat and see you.
My kindest regards to Turner, Peters, and all ray friends,
I will keep you posted as to the doings here, I have, when I
get there, soraething to tell you about money turned in to me
by General Dow,
Trusting that you will destroy the sale of the "Neafic,"
and upset the proceedings of the B'^ on the horses, and pre
vent the further sale of them, and shipping of tiraber, the
latter has not been done but they are preparing to do so. I
' Yours faithfully. A, N. Shipley
P,S, I ara sorry that the Red Fish and Trout I sent you by
last stearaer spoUed, When it gets cooler I will have some
sent you. A, N, S,
Endorsed: ^^^™
General: You will see that this is a private letter, but I
send it to you thinking it contains inforraation you should
Yours truly, J. W. Shaffer
Please keep this that I raay get it again. J. W. S.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 485
From General Butler
Headquarters, Departmeni of the Gvlf, Nov. 17ft, 1862
Brig. General Neal Dow, Commanding Forces at
Pensacola
General: Major General Butler disapproves the proceed
ings of the board of survey convened by Special Orders No.
136, current series, from your headquarters, and refers you to
General Orders No, 36 from A, G, O,, June 24, 1861,
He directs that no horse of those subraitted to that board
(or other horse not conderaned) be sold for less than ($110)
one hundred and ten dollars, — the lowest price horses have
been purchased for in this departraent, I ara. General,
Very respectfully Your obliging jervant,
Geo, C, Strong, A. A. G.
From Count Mejan
Translation. New Orleans, Nov. ISth, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding Army of the Gulf
The Consul of France in New Orleans has the honor to call
the attention of the General Coraraanding to the iraprison
raent in the Custom house prison of a Frenchman naraed
Gustave Lasalle, a blacksraith, who has been arrested some
days ago, in order to be a witness in a case of contraband of
quinine, of which a certain Mr, Passman is accused. It is
so much harder for Lasalle to be in prison, as he knows nothing
about Fassraan's affair and because his health is very poor.
The undersigned takes the liberty to ask the General to re
lease Lasalle, or at least to hurry the investigation in which
Lasalle is a witness.
He profits of this opportunity to renew the assurance of
his high consideration, ^^^^ ^^^^
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 18, 1862
Count Mejan, Consul of France
Sir: Mr, Gustave Lasalle, who now clairas to be a French
citizen, has been Provost Marshal of the Confederates at
Pass Christian, He has iraprisoned and destroyed the prop
erty of Union citizens. The proof against hira is ample, and

486 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
he wUl be tried and punished at ray earliest convenience, I
have the honor to be, y^^^ ^j^^.^.^^ .^^^^^^^
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
From General Butler
Head Quars. Dept of the Gulf, New Obleans, November ISth, 1862
John C, Hamilton, Esq., New York City
My dear Sir: In the harbor of Annapolis, in AprU of last
year, before I had landed at that place, I had the pleasure of
raeeting Mr, Schuyler HaraUton, then private in the New
York Seventh — now by right of brilliant service Major
General, He immediately joined my Staff, and reraained with
rae until his services were claimed by ,Gen, Scott, Upon his
judgment and skill I was accustomed to rely with entire con
fidence. His success since that time has increased that con
fidence, if that were possible, I believe that here he would
be very useful to the public service,
I have written to Gen, Halleck setting forth these facts,
and asking that, if consistent with his views of the .public
necessities, he may be assigned to a coramand in this Depart
ment, I take the liberty to write this to you, in order to solicit
your influence to procure a favorable answer to my petition,
I need raore men — and with thera I need the presence of
Maj, Gen, Hamilton, May I count upon your assistance?
Yours very truly, Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comd'g.
From John C. Hamilton to General Butler
New Yobk, Dec. 4, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
General Butler
Dear General: Your very kind and compliraentary letter
as to ray son, Schuyler, I, iraraediately on its receipt, coramuni-
cated to Gen, Halleck, What course he raay pursue I ara un
able to judge. It is a fact that the Secretary of War requested
Schuyler to remain at Washington to confer with hira from
time to time as to army arrangements. This raay possibly have
been prompted by his knowledge, in the staff of General Scott,
of the administrative part of the service on a large scale,
Schuyler declined the honor, preferring to serve at the
west, where he was known and where the field of honor would
be a wide one. He is now near Nashville, I take for granted
no person can better appreciate the very important services
you have been rendering to the nation, in your present scene.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 487
I may say to you, without compliraent and with entire truth,
that in the minds of intelligent men you have established
yourself in an estiraation few public servants have had the
good fortune to reach at any tirae in any country. Great and
hazardous as have been the difficulties of your position, you
have, with a wonderful perspicacity, directness, and energy,
surraounted thera all. The attacks upon you I have noticed.
Not one seeras to me to have the least force, I presume from
your letter you have an incursion in view. Whether the War
Departraent can supply the force you need is a question at
this raoraent. The expedition of Gen, Banks numbers 38,000
men, and unless new bodies corae in I presume it absorbs all
the troops now at coramand, I, of course, speak without any
authority or precise knowledge on this subject. But so strong
is my impression that, were I situated as you are, I think ray
efforts would be to embody the slaves in corps under white
officers, give thera the preparatory drilling, and to hold them
ready for events, 'Tis certain that a great change has taken
place in thinking rainds on this subject, I ara aware of your
forraer views — mine were similar. The magnitude of the
rebeUion demands a change of policy, and this is the change
most obvious,
A recent publication by Mass, Historical Society contains
all that I ara aware has been written in relation to the negro
as a soldier and a citizen. It is pregnant with valuable facts,
I wUl write to Boston and urge a copy may be sent you.
You will pardon this long note, and accept ray thanks for
your kind reraerabrance of ray son, and rauch raore for your
invaluable services. Yours very respectfully, John C, Hamilton
P,S, Since I wrote, I find published in the Herald a note
of Mr, Seward's, proving the true temper of the cabinet. Noth
ing has transpired to indicate any change, and I am well
inforraed that General Banks declared whUe here that the
President would carry into effect his proclamation, I expect
to go to General HaUeck in a few days, and wUl have an inter
view with the President myself, as he has thought proper to
coraraunicate to rae previously raatters of high iraportance.
In ray opinion, the early eraployraent of negroes as soldiers,
under white officers, is the raeasure the loyal portion of this
country wiU, with few exceptions, raost warmly approve.
The statements as to the conduct of those already eraployed

488 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
justify confidence. I think it certain that it must come to
this at last, and the raan who earliest raeets the great neces
sity wiU be the object of raost approval. You wiU see a great
claraor is being raised as to General Halleck's report. I am
happy to be able to state that the impression it has made is
extending; and that General McClellan's friends are pursuing
their object with a heated indiscretion that raust ere long
powerfully react. General Scott deems the report of General
H, unanswerable. Please consider what I write confidential,
and if I can serve by any politeness, please apprise rae,
J, C, H,

From Mrs. Butler to Mrs. Heard
New Obleans, Nov. 18, 1862
Dear Harriet: A stearaer goes out toraorrow, and you
raust have a letter. You would not think it possible I could
be hurried, yet it is a truth that every raoraent is taken up
with something. This morning I went out to look at the
house again that we are to raove into, and gave sorae orders
about the cleaning of it, etc, I rode a little way after that,
and returned in haste to dress to receive sorae relations of
Mr, Soule, who went North with rae last sumraer as a pris
oner. His friends say he is suffering from ill-health, and are
very desirous Mr, Butler should write, asking his release on
parole. One was an old lady, a French woraan and sister-in-
law of Soule's; the other rather a fine looking woraan who
acted as interpreter. The interview was not long, and by
no means unpleasant. Both were ladies, and this town swarms
with such a set of worthless woraen coraing about on any
pretence they can pick up, that to raeet with- a refined and
elegant woraan is a pleasure. The old lady was satisfied that
I would further her petition if I could, and went away quite
cheerful. The house would be crowded with petitioners, ur
ging me to use my influence, if the guard allowed them to
enter, Mr, Butler refuses to have thera corae to the house;
and insists that the office shall be the only place, yet a great
many present theraselves and are received at the house. The
Sisters of Charity corae to see rae alraost every day. Yes
terday we stearaed down the river fifteen railes, to see sugar
raaking on a large Plantation, twenty gentleraen perhaps, the
French Adrairal, and our Adrairal Farragut, Mr, Butler
invited them. We dined at the plantation, — fortunately, a

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 489
very excellent dinner. No lady but myself, yet it was not in
the least embarrassing, I declined to go at first, but Mr,
Butler insisted, and I found it quite delightful, I wish you
could see the splendid roses the younger gentlemen gathered
for rae. The dinner was partly provided by our servants.
The plantation is owned by an old bachelor, who would have
found it difficult to provide for such a party if we had not car
ried the material with us. Plantation life would never please
me, A strip of land bordering the river, running back a mUe
to an irapassable swarap. Houses three-quarters of a mile
apart, more or less. The land a dead level, lower than the
river. The negroes a raiserable, ragged, degraded-looking
people, far behind the city negro. On Saturday evening a
great Union raeeting, the theater was crararaed, thousands
outside. Mr. Durant, a citizen, and Col. Deraing were the
speakers. Both were excellent, Mr, Durant's was a finished,
classical speech. Col, Deraing's contrasted well, full of fun,
and warmly applauded, I look for Fisher by the next boat.
You need not be afraid your letters will be uninteresting. The
smallest thing you do, or the children say, is of rauch raore
interest than what chances in N, O,, so write a few lines every
day, and that will bring the week round, Loty, I trust, is
quite content, I have not yet made up my box, nor written
much to interest. Love to the children and all.
Most affectionately, Sarah
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. Uth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I have been asked by the merabers of the family of
Mr, Pierre Soule, now in confinement at Fort Lafayette, to
suggest the propriety of having hira released on his parole,
because of his age. It is represented that his health is suffer
ing frora the confineraent, I ara convinced that Mr, Soule
might with safety be given his parole to reside in the city of
Boston, and not to communicate with the enemies of the
United States, until such time that he might be brought to
trial, I believe he would keep that parole, and hope you wUl
grant him that indulgence, if not inconsistent with your views
of public duties, I have the honor to be.
Your obedient servant,
Benjamin F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commd'g.

490 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From General Butler
Headquarters, DepaHment, of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 18, 1862
Maj. Gen'l. H, W, Halleck, Commander-in-Chief U. S. Army
General: I have the honor to recount a very successful
expedition under General Weitzel, of the preparations for the
march of which I have previously informed the Commanding
General, General Weitzel landed at DonaldsonviUe, and took up his
line of march on Sunday the 26th inst. About nine mUes
beyond DonaldsonviUe he raet the enemy in force, A sharp
engageraent ensued, in which he lost IS killed and 68 wounded.
Full list of casualties has been recorded and published. The
Comra'd'g, Officer of the enemy. Col, McPheeters, was kUled,
and the enemy lost quite a large number in killed and wounded.
Two hundred and sixty-eight prisoners were captured, and
also one piece of Artillery, Since then he has met with no
opposition, and the whole of the country is now open to him.
The enemy has evacuated Brashier City, having by means
of the Railroad got away before our gunboats could cut off
their retreat, the Naval force having been delayed by a very
severe storm, I send you General Weitzel's report received
to-day. Sending off so large a proportion of our effective force has
necessarily left me very weak here, and I beg leave to urge
upon the Coraraanding General the necessity of reinforce
ments, with which I can operate on MobUe or Texas or up the
river, I ara organizing sorae corapanies of Texas Volunteers
of Cavalry, which I hope will grow into a Regiraent,
I wUl forward by the next raaU ray letter of instructions to
General Weitzel, in answer to his despatch herewith sent, I
am just informed that our Railroad comraunications with
General Weitzel are open, and his raessenger has come in bring
ing a despatch whUe I write, which I enclose, I cannot too
rauch commend the energy of Col, Thoraas with his Regt,,
the Sth Verraont, who have in six days opened 5\ railes of
Rail Road with 9 Culverts, and rebuilt a bridge burned by
the enemy, 435 feet long, besides hauling up iron from the
track, which entirely impeded locomotives the whole way.
In this work they were assisted by the first Native Guards
(colored), under the comraand of Col. Stafford. I have the
honor to be.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 491
From, General Butler
Headquarters, DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 19, 1862
The Count Mejan, Consul of France
Sir: Your note of Nov. 7th 1862, caUing my attention to
the imprisonraent of Chas, Pelot and others has been received,
I take leave to invite your attention to the enclosed copy
of a communication received by me from the consulate, in
which Pelot is claimed as a resident of Switzerland, and to
beg that the French and Swiss consuls will decide upon the
nationality of the man, as I intend to proceed against him for
fraudulently seeking the protection of a foreign power.
Very respectfully. Your obedient servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
Enclosure to Foregoing Letter
Translation. Svnss Consulate, New Orleans, Nov. 10 , 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major General Butler, Commanding Department of the Gulf
Sir: A Swiss citizen, Chas, F, Pelot, resident of Thibo
deaux, had been pressed into the Confederate militia, and was
in the camp near Lafourche, when the General Weitzel dis
persed them.
He presented himself to Captain Fuller, Provost Marshal,
who made hira take the oath of neutrality, and gave him the
enclosed pass, authorizing him to come to this city, "When he
arrived at DonaldsonviUe he was put aboard of a steamboat
and brought here to the prison-ship, opposite Lafayette St,,
where he is confined, although the other foreigners have been
released, I take the liberty to ask for his release^ being sure
that his case is of serious consequence.
Most respectfully. A, Piaget, Swiss Consul
From General Butler
Headquarters, Departmeni of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Nov. 19, 1862
A, Piaget, Consul of Switzerland
Sir: Yours of Nov, 10th, caUing attention to the detention
of Chas, F, Pelot on board a prison-ship, has been received,
I take leave to invite your attention to the inclosed commu
nication frora the French Consulate, in which Pelot is claimed
as a subject of France, and beg that the French and Swiss
Consuls wUl decide and report upon the nationality of the

492 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
man, as I intend to proceed against him for fraudulently seek
ing the protection of a foreign power.
Very respectfully. Your obedient servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Translation. New Obleans, Nov. 7th, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding Army of the Gulf
Sir: I have the honor to call your attention to the incar
ceration, on board of one of the United States ships, of three
French gentleraen, viz,, Elie Leon, Bertrand Lecaze, Chas, F,
Pelot, inhabitants of DonaldsonviUe, having been arrested by
the U, S, Troops there and sent to this city as prisoners of
war. These Frenchraen declare to have never lost their
nationality, and to have done no act except to obey the local
militia laws, I should be very much obliged to you for the
order to release them, and give them a pass to return to their
homes, I have the honor to be.
Your obedient servant. Count Mejan
From Count Mejan
Translation. New Orleans, Nov. 19ft 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Sir: Mr, Chas, F, Pelot has not personally clairaed the pro
tection of the Consulate of France, and raay perhaps not
know the steps I have taken in his behalf. His narae has
been given to me by a third person, who thought hira with
out doubt to be a Frenchraan, and for that reason addressed
hiraself to ray Consulate,
I wanted only to call your attention to a fact, but not to
discuss it, and I should regret if you raake Mr, Pelot respon
sible for an error which is not his own. Accept, Sir, the assur
ance of ray high consideration.
The Consul of France, Count Mejan
From A. Piaget
New Orleans, Nov. iind, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Major Genl. Butlee, Comdg. Dept. of the Gulf
Sir: I have the honor to reply to your note of the 19th,
that Mr, Chas, F, Pelot is really a Swiss citizen.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 493
The Consul of France has caUed your attention to him in
consequence of a third person, having been induced by his
fellow-prisoners to request his protection,
Pelot hiraself has never requested his protection. Accept,
sir, the assurance of my consideration.
The Swiss Consul, A, Piaget
From General Butler
Headqvarters, Department of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Nov. 19, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: I have the honor to forward to you the enclosed state
ment of the Captain of Co, "C," 13th Maine Volunteers,
with the indorsement of Major Usher, senior paymaster,
thereon, I fully agree that the allotment systera as at present
conducted is a great hindrance to the service. Many raen
have allotted their whole pay, or all but a dollar or two a raonth.
That raoney does not reach the farailies without very consid
erable delay. It leaves the raen nothing for their own neces
sities, dispirits thera, causes thera to be discontented and
uneasy, and many are trying to be transferred to the regular
service, or to other regiments, to get rid of their allotraents,
and in sorae cases even deserting. If any remedy can be
found, I wish it might be adopted by the War Departraent,
I have the honor to be t^ i, j- ., ±
Your obedient servant,
Benj, F, Butleb, Major General Commanding
Enclosures referred to in Foregoing Letter
To Major R, G, Ushee, Paymaster U.S.A.
We the undersigned, raerabers of the Co, "C," 13th Maine
Volunteers, do respectfully represent that upon the solicita
tion of our Field and Corapany officers at the organization of
our regiraent, we were induced to take advantage of the
allotraent system as a safe method to send raoney to our friends,
and one that would facUitate its transraission. But that
since the workings of the systera has been just the reverse of
what was expected, and since no allotted money has been
paid for the nine months the system has been in operation,
we for these reasons respectfully request that the allotraent
rolls of Co, "C" be given up to our Co, Commander, to insure
us hereafter a full payraent of our raoney as U, S, soldiers,
Augustus C, Myeick, and 47 others of Co. "C"

494 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Majob The above statement was drawn up at an organized meet
ing of Co, "C," 13th Me, Vols,, Oct, 19th, 1S62, at which we,
commanding officers of the company, were present. The as
signors by the allotment were present and unanimously voted
and signed the above.
Believing the request therein proper, and one that might be
complied with in justice to the men, we heartily endorse and
present it.
Most respectfully and truly, your obedient servants,
A, E, Buck, Capt. Co. C, 13th Maine, Augustus Myeick,
2nd Lt, Co. C, Uth Maine.
Paymaster's Office, New Orleans Nov. 15, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Endorsement: Most respectfully referred to Major General
Butler, The allotments for the raonths of May, June, July,
and August have been forwarded to the assignees, but will
always be attended by considerable delay, which is unavoid
able, and in my judgment the whole thing is most decidedly
impracticable, notwithstanding it is a Law of Congress,
R, G, Ushee, Sen. Paymaster, Depi. of the Gulf
From Juan Callejon
Translation. New Orleans, November, 1862
Senor General B, F, Butlee, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Senoe Genebal: On the 13th inst, thirty-three Spanish
subjects have been released frora the public prison where they
had been since the 5th inst. One of thera has inforraed rae of
the raanner in which that arrest had been raade, and the cir
curastances which followed, and I beg to bring it to your
knowledge, that in future abuses of this character may be
avoided. When, on the 4th inst,, they returned from fishing on Lake
Borgne and had hardly anchored, they were taken prisoners
by some eight soldiers belonging to the U, S, Service at that
post. The fishermen showed their certfficates of nationality
of Spain, issued by this Consulate, but the troop insisted and
they obeyed. They were then conducted to the military prison
at the Custom-house, and from there to the public prison.
Once there, one of the eraployees, supposed to be the Chief
of the Prison, raade the offer to the fisherraen that if they would

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 495
enhst in the U, S, Service they would be released iramediately.
The prisoners refused, and this was the cause, that they were
rudely treated and worse fed, until on the 13th inst, they
were released.
Under like circumstances are now confined in the same
prison the following Spanish subjects: Basilio Jufante, Juan
Antonio, Ambrosio de Luis, Marcelino Saudego, Severo Alez,
Juan Mariano, Pedro Pascual, Hilario Villanueva, Lorenzo
Francisco, Ignacio de la Cruz, and, as I am told, several raore
are in the Custora-house prison.
The above-mentioned individuals are peaceable fishermen,
who live on the borders of Lake Borgne, where they exercise
their industry. To none of them has been reproached any
criminal offence, nor has there been taken any declaration,
nor do they know by whose order they have been arrested,
I suppose that you have no knowledge of these facts, I bring
them therefore to your notice, that you may take measures
to stop those abuses of your subordinates, I am confident
that you will not perrait such acts to be repeated, and that
you will give orders that hereafter the certificates of national
ity, issued by this Consulate, shall be sufficient guaranty of
respect for the Spaniards, who keep strict neutrality and
observe the laws of the country and obey the constituted
authorities, God guard you many years.
The Consul of H. C. M., Juan Callejon
From General Butler
Headquarters, Depart-ment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 28ft, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
The Honorable Juan Callejon, Her Catholic Majesty's
Consulate, New Obleans
Sie: I am directed by Maj, Gen'l, Butler, in reply to your
communication addressed to these headquarters, to transmit
to you the enclosed copy of a report from Col. T. W. Cahill,
Commdg, United States Forces in this city, in relation to the
aUeged improper detention of Spanish subjects.
It wUl be observed that the Officer denies that Spanish
papers were exhibited to him, Spanish protection will be
respected- I have the honor to be.
Very Resp'y. Y. 0. Servt,
W, L, G, Geeen, A. D.C.

496 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Headquarters United States Forces in New Orleans, La. Nov. iith, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen'l. Butleb, Commdg. Department of the Gulf
Genebal: On the 20th of November was sent to these
Headquarters a document from the Consulate of Spain in
this city, bearing your endorsement with directions to see
Capt, Sawyer and report.
In obedience to which I have the honor to report that the
parties alluded to were not sent in by Capt, Sawyer, That
they were arrested by Serg't, Joseph McQuestion, Co, C,
26th Mass, Vols,, then in charge of the Guard at ProctorvUle,
whose statement I have heard. They were arrested in obedi
ence to your Order to respect no passes without your personal
signature. None showed any Spanish papers, sorae had passes
from General Shepley, some frora Gen, Weitzel, In ray opin
ion it would be irapossible to prevent these fisherraen from
carrying on a contraband traffic to sorae extent if they are
allowed to hover along the coast.
Still, Capt, Sawyer and the raan Knox, who seems a man of
judgraent, thinks some of thera raight be trusted under a
strict surveillance. If they are compeUed to quit their fishing
it would probably leave them destitute, but we have nothing'
but their word to depend on for their being faithful.
The man Knox says he has known sorae of thera for raany
years, I ara inclined to trust his judgraent to sorae extent,
as he has proved hiraself very active and faithful so far, and
is well acquainted with the coast and people. All of which is
respectfully submitted,
Thos, W, Cahill, Col. Commdg. Brigade
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 19, 1862
Pepin vs. Bank of Ameeica
Appeal from Provost Court
Having heard the appeal in the case of J, F, Pepin vs. Bank
of Araerica, upon the arguraents both written and oral of the
counsel for the several parties, and having given it the best
consideration possible, I ara of opinion that the claira of the
plaintiff, to be paid in the currency of the bank and not in
Confederate notes, is valid.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 497
This claim is resisted by the bank upon two grounds,
1st. That the Coraraercial Water Works Co, raade their
deposit in Confederate notes, and that they being a qua.si
banking corapany themselves, the order of the Department
relating to currency did not apply, it not being intended to
control transactions between banks or banking companies,
2nd. ThafPepin, being the drawer of the check made by the
company in their deposit in the bank, cannot bring suit in his
own name, because of the familiar principle that the creditor
or depositor cannot divide his debt or deposit, and raake the
creditor or depositor liable to several parties without his own
consent. That is true; but not in the case of a bank deposit which is
taken under the well-known coraraercial usage that is to be
paid out in checks, so that the promise of the bank upon the
receipt of the money is in law a proraise to pay any portion
of his deposit to whomsoever the depositor shall nominate by
his check in the usual forra, . The authorities cited at the hear
ing will be found upon exaraination to be applicable only to
an ordinary debt between individuals, or an ordinary deposit,
and not applicable to deposits in Banks which are subject to
well known commercial laws.
The first objection would require more consideration did it
not appear that Pepin was a stockholder in the Coraraercial
Water Works Co,, and took the check in the usual course of
business for his dividend, and of course is not subject to any
of the equity existing between the company and the bank.
It is clearly adraitted by the pleadings that the bank owes
the Water Works Co, raore than the araount of Pepin's draft,
whether we reckon that indebtraent in Confederate notes or
m bank notes. The Co. has drawn its check, and if the bank
has sufficient funds it is bound to pay, and if there are any
equities existing between the corapany and the bank in Con
federate notes, and the bank is obliged to pay Pepin in bank
notes, it would have a right to charge the difference, if any,
between their notes and Confederate notes, in the amount
paid to Pepin, in its account current with the Water Works.
An attempt was made in the argument to draw into this
case the supposed equities between the corapany and the
bank, and the case was treated, in argument, in both sides,
and their equities were raised by the pleadings. But the
decision is not based upon those grounds. It was urged in
argument that the Gen'l, Order did not contemplate that any
vol. II — 32

498 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
bank or banking corapany which had deposited large sums in
Confederate notes in any other bank, and had thus aided to
put this illegal currency in circulation, should be allowed to
turn round and claim in good currency the amount of its
deposit frora the deposit bank.
This raay be true and raay require consideration.
Again it wai urged that if the Water Works Co, could draw
checks in favor of third parties, they raight evade the sup
posed equities existing between thera and the bank by sub
stituting these third parties, as in the case of Pepin, as
creditors, in place of theraselves. Their considerations were
urged as against the plaintiff. If any collusion between the
plaintiff and the Water Works Co, had been claimed, the
argument would at least have iad foundation. But the good
faith is not impugned. It is not for the Comraanding Gen
eral to suggest to the learned counsel having the rights of the
bank in charge, how the supposed wrong may be remedied,
as the counsel will readily see that the bank cannot be made
the depositor of the Water Works Co. unless the bank chooses.
And if therefore the bank chooses to tender to the Water
Works Co, the amount of its deposit, and if the Water Works
Co, are bound under Gen'l, Orders, and by the equities exist
ing between the parties, to take that amount in Confederate
notes, the tender of such notes would put an end to all the
right of the Water Works to draw further checks upon the
bank. And then the bank and Water Works Co, would be in
condition, if they choose, to raise any questions before the
civil, or other tribunals, which raay exist between them. But
with this the plaintiff has nothing to do.
The appeal is dismissed, and the judgment of the Provost
Court is affirmed, t» -n t. i,,r • ,r^ ^^ i
Benj, F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Hd. Quars. Dept of the Gulf, New Orleans, November 20ft, 1862
Hon. H, A, Rathbuen, President Canal Bank
Sir: I am informed that the notes of your Bank command
a premium in the market, and that you are selling Sterling
Exchange payable with the same. This is a speculation upon
your circulation, which is withdrawing from the community
where it is needed for the purposes of business.
You wUl therefore raake no further purchases of Exchange
without orders, and you will show cause why the foreign

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 499
exchange of your Bank should not be sold, and your Bank
resume the payment of its notes in specie.
You will report in detail the condition of your Bank to these
Head Quarters tomorrow. Very respectfully. Your obt. servt,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Comd'g.
From Paul R. George to General Butler
New York, Nov. 25ft, (1862)
My dear Genl,: Your wife's letter compels me to write
plain, simple facts, just as they appear to me. Of all duties
ever put upon rae, the raost disagreeable is to state to a
friend, not his three-fourths of nearly perfection, his glorious
prospects, his consummate ability, his resolute purposes, all
these are agreeable to recapitulate, to use by designing men for
seffish purposes, to drown his necessary judgment to success;
mine is the task to be plain, to tread the narrow path of the
quarter track, to note to my friends the brambles, the thistles,
the quick-sands, and the rocks that seem to me to obstruct
the easy progress of his hopes that look so green in the dis
tance, I hinted in ray former letter the necessity for great
care in all coraraercial enterprises, I find no fact afloat to
your prejudice, StUl, my dear Genl,, the atmosphere is rife
with change, with intrigue, with passion, with avarice, coupled
with arabition, and you are airaed at araong its victims. Al
ways remeraber, ray dear Genl,, that the blow airaed at Danton
killed Robespierre too. You raay still be considered the Dan-
ton of the present crisis. Be warned by Danton's or McClel
lan's death, Irabecility, raalignity, and courage surround
authority at headquarters, I have industriously explored,
since I have been in N, Y,, all these attacks. Upon the whole,
have corae to the conclusion that there is just at present no
danger. Now for exaraple:
Chase says: — Why wUl Genl, Butler allow his friends to be
so loaded, so embarrassed with his coraraercial connexions.
Garrison : — George, I tell you (because you are a friend of
Butler's) I am afraid he will be removed, indeed I have been
afraid of it before now, I tell you there is hell to pay among
the merchants. The talk is awful and it has its effect.
Col, Jones : — I am just frora Washington, I tell you before
Banks is done he will have Butler's place, etc. Governor
Andrew I see about the Astor House, I think for no good.

500 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Seward: I ara afraid of the consular affairs; if Butler is
changed he will have an important comraand etc, etc.
Very raany lesser lights I could narae for exaraples but the
above will suffice for the dark side of the question for condi
tion and discussion in the public raind. Now, then, all this is
raet by three-fourths of all those who speak of you at aU with,
"By God, if they reraove Butler I hope the country wUl sink;"
"They dare not do it;" "Butler is the only live General we
have got;" "Butler is the right raan in the right place;"
"Butler has the ring of a good General;" "Butler is the only
Genl, that has done anything," etc; "I have carefully read
aU of Butler's despatches — show rae any other GenL's writ
ing that has the sarae ring in it, or that begins to; 'By God,
gentleraen, don't talk to rae, ' " etc, etc.
Now, my dear Genl, ray opinion and advice is you want a
friend at court, entire disconnexion of all coraraercial enter
prises. Pursue on, as you have, as a Genl, and I have great
hopes, Fisher's and Pierce's visit will accoraplish rauch in
aUaying, both here and at Washington and at New Orleans,
difficulties and surroundings that now lay in the pathway of
the future. You now stand high, so high that to fall would
crush you. Heed, I beg you, what Fisher raay say upon cora
raercial raatters, McCleUan is out and will die with Bum-
side's success. Banks' destination was Texas — his plan to
raake two free states, etc He goes now to reinforce Burnside,
in ray judgraent rauch against his will. All this is well for
you. Such is war, Seyraour is Gov, of N, Y,, and raay bring
on a collision with the U, S, authorities — will certainly if
writ of Habeas Corpus is denied citizens of N, Y, Such a
calaraity would change all the future, I have pressed so hard
the necessity of Fisher's and Pierce's visit that finally they have
concluded to go, I sincerely hope good will grow out of it.
So frank, so plain, I know you will believe rae an unchanged
P, R, George
To Mrs. Genl. Butler
If the General will allow you to read this letter so that you
can raake out its meaning I would be glad, I write and spell
so badly and oftentimes mean so much more than I say that
it often takes the keen eye of a lady to work out its full mean
ing. It always takes tirae for raale or feraale to work out any
sense or to connect ideas in ray bad writing. It is to save the
General valuable tirae that I raake this request, and to raake

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 501
this letter answer to yours, which I felt both honored and
instructed by. Please reraember me to each and every raera
ber of the staff. From General Butler
Headquarters Departmeni of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. iSth, 1862
Rear Admiral Farragut, Commanding Western Gulf Squadron
Admiral: I have the honor to enclose you a letter from the
War Department, ordering restitution of the "West Florida,"
seized as a prize, and to request that you will order her to be
returned to her owners in accordance with said Order, I
have the honor to be, ^r ir r^^ c,
Very respy. Your Obt. Servt.,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen'l. Commdg.
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
War Department, Washington City, Nov. llth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen'l. B, F, Butler, New Orleans, La,
General: The Secretary of the Navj; has brought to the
notice of the President the pass issued by you to the United
States Vessel "West Florida," to proceed frora New Orleans
to Matamoras, etc. The pass was not respected by the Block
ading Squadron in that quarter and the vessel was seized as a
prize. As it is presumed, however, that the document was
given in good faith, the restitution of the vessel will in this
instance be ordered, but it is expected that you will not in
future issue similar passes without further instructions frora
this Departraent, I ara. General, Your very Obedient Servt.,
Edwin M, Stanton, Sec'y. of War
From Rear Admiral Farragut
F. S, Hartford, Pensacola Bay, Oct. 20, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler
Dear Genl, : I herewith send you the copy of a letter sent
me by the coramander of one of my vessels that captured the
"West Florida" at Sabine Pass, The Coraraander believes it
to be a forgery, and therefore sent the vessel up to rae. He
landed the passengers at Matamoras, from which place he
took passage, and appeared rauch surprised at finding hiraself

502 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
at Sabine Pass, If such is the intention of the Govt,, why
send rae such stringent regulations, "not to perrait passes
frora any officer of the array or navy to parts not in the pos
session of our Forces," In fact, N, O, is the only post they
allow any trade with — but I send you copies of all ray latest
instructions, which I think very clearly show that they do not
recognize the right to trade with any Post but New Orleans,
I sent copies of all this vessel's papers to Dept, when she was
captured before, and shall now advise thera of the capture
again, and forward Capt, Crocker's report. The vessel is
detained here in quarantine.
Very respectfully and truly, D, G, Farragut
From Rear Admiral Farragut
Flag Ship Hartford, Pensacola Bay, Oct.JtS, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major General B, F, Butler
Dear General: I enclose herewith a copy of a letter
handed to one of Blockading Officers as a pass for the schooner
"West Florida," captured in the act of running the blockade
at Sabine Pass,
Very truly yours, D, G, Farragut, Rear Admiral
From General Butler
Confidential. Headquarters Departmeni of the Gulf, New Orleans,
Se^pt. ii, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
To the Officers of the Blockading Squadron
The "West Florida" schooner has been loaded with her
present cargo and cleared for Mataraoras, for the purpose of
bringing out cotton from Texas, She proposes to make Sabine
Pass, exchange her cargo for cotton, and then make a port in
Cuba or New Orleans, as raay be best.
The owner, a loyal citizen, has property here to insure his
good faith. You will therefore aid what I understand to be
the policy of my Govemment in getting cotton to foreign
ports, by passing this vessel. This course of trade should be
secret, of course, to be successful. You will not, therefore,
allow any information of this pass of this vessel to be made
public, but report the matter with a copy of this letter to
Admiral Farragut or your superior officer.
Respectfully, Benj, F. Butler, Maj. Genl.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 503
From M. F. Bonzano
U. S. Branch Mint New Orleans, Nov. 27ft, 1862
Major Gen'l B, F, Butler, Comd'g Dept ofthe Gulf
General: It affords me much pleasure to be able, herewith,
to return to you the sura of Two Thousand One Hundred
DoUars, which you so kindly advanced me for the purpose of
defraying the expenses of the Mint and L, N, establishraent.
But for your timely aid, the work under ray charge could not
have been so successfuUy carried on, and I beg leave to assure
you of ray grateful appreciation of the favor you have ex
tended to TT 7 7 7
I our humble servt,
M, F, Bonzano, Special agent. Treasury Dept.
From Mrs. Butler to Mrs. Heard
New Orleans, November 28, 1862
Dear Harriet: Your letter enclosing Mr, Butler's long
one carae this week, I ara glad to hear you have everything
ready to send. They are started before now, of course. We
thought they might be on board the "McClellan," but nothing
is reported. Yesterday I called to see Maria, and was amazed
to hear that she expected Nina next week You said nothing
about it in your letter, and I could hardly believe it possible
that the two would venture on such a voyage, Hope they will
reach here all safe and that she will find sorae pleasure when
she gets here for the winter. But there is a doubt expressed
about Fisher's coraing, yet I shall expect to see hira with thera.
If they have started you raust have had a dull Thanksgiving,
Blanche writes me she is dull and studies too hard, having no
time for recreation, I have written her to take the full tirae
for play, etc.
The London Times is out on Mr, Butler in the ughest forra,
calling Jackson a negro stealer, and saying he is a partner of
his brother, and that great iniquity has been done in New
Orleans, and so forth, taking up two columns and more on
the subject, Mr, Butler feels all this, and would not aUow
his brother about in the sarae way again. But is this any
consolation to rae, who knew what the result must be frora
the first, and have nearly died because I could not prevent it?
It is rather terrible that your own government must inter
fere, and a foreign one coraraent, before the acts of an indi
vidual like that could be stopped. Is it not enough to raake

504 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
one raad that two years of agony which I have borne, and
after I had proved to hira that Jackson was the cause of his
faUure at Fortress Monroe, yet again that he should bestow
all power and give all confidence once raore, to have his repu
tation assaUed, and the power he has and raight yet gain, slip
frora his grasp and cmrable to nothing? Banks we hear is
already on his way with reinforceraents to do the very work
we had planned for Mr, Butler, Chase writes to Mr. Butler
that Banks wUl corae, but not he thinks to supersede him.
And this is all he gets for applying in that quarter. Chase
will never help hira. This is Major Bell's opinion too, after
seeing him last suraraer. So he has lost one who could and
would have served hira, and gained, nothing. Has not every
word that I have said proved true, and raore? My iraagina-
tion has not cheated rae. There is one corafort out of it, only
one. This pest has played through and will at last be obliged
to go, not soon, I think, to regain his hold; so that there is
a chance, if Mr. Butler is again successful, that he will not be
at hand to pull hira down. But there is yet raore that I dread.
This raan has plunged into everything, and what the final
result may be I do not believe he knows. I wish you would
suggest to Fisher to have a care, I think he should not answer
drafts unless they are Mr, Butler's, but yet I may be wrong,
I know Mr, Butler said one day it was not likely that he would
answer any but his. But Fisher may be nearly here, and then
it will be understood, I shall feel relieved when this man has
gone and no raore to be dreaded from him.
You wrote that Benny and Hattie were not well. But they
must be over it by this. What a dull Thanksgiving for all.
Try and make yourselves happy as possible. I have several
things to send horae, not rauch value. But nothing yet for
Benny, There are sorae splendid things will be sold, but I
do not know how I can buy. The house we are now in is
gorgeous with pictures, and statues, and bronzes. However,
it is not worth while to talk about it, I raay have a chance
to send you soraething, ^^^^^ g^^^^
From G. S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase ^
Private. New Orleans, November 28ft, 1862
Dear Sir: I have frequently conversed with Gen'l, Butler
about an expedition to Texas, and since it was known here
' American Historical Association Report 1902, Vol. II, p. 332,

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 505
that Gen, Banks was to comraand the expedition, I have had
two or three conversations with him. The General evidently
expected that this expedition would be under his command,
and now thinks that Gen, Banks should report to him and
act under his orders — for the following reasons,
1st. Because Ship Island is an inconvenient and, for ship
ping, a dangerous rendezvous. Most of the steam vessels
from New York would be unable to enter the Texas harbors.
Gen, Butler would put the troops on board his own light-
draught steamers, and wait just in the mouth of the river
until fair weather permitted him to run to Galveston in 48
hours. The troops from the sailing vessels could be landed
here and the vessels return horae, thus saving expense, while a
few trips of the General's stearaer would convey all the troops
to the Texas coast,
2nd. Gen, Butler's troops are accliraated — well disci
plined — have all been under fire, and the weak iand sickly
have all been weeded out. Gen, Banks' troops will be new and
undisciplined, etc. Gen, Butler would retain the new troops
here, and send to Texas an equal number of his veterans, who
would forra a far more effective force than new troops, and
not liable to be weakened by sickness,
3d. A large army could be accommodated in the City with
greater ease and corafort than upon Ship Island,
4th. This point is the raost convenient depot for supplying
Quarterraaster and Comraissary's stores to Gen, Banks in
Texas, and beef and other supplies to be obtained in Texas
are raost needed here,
Sth. When the rebel array retreats frora Vicksburg and
Port Hudson, they raay go west to Texas and crush Gen,
Banks' force. This can be prevented by cooperating frora this
point, and cutting thera off by taking Shreveport (on Red
River) — and this cooperation can be efficient only by unity
of counsel and coraraand,
6th. The General has prepared four or five iron-clad gun
boats, — the only strong boats on the Gulf coast, capable of
operating advantageously in the shallow bays and bayous of
Texas, Such are the reasons I have collected why Gen, Butler should
have coraraand, or rather, why Gen, Banks should report to
him. These reasons corae frora Gen, Butler himself. Perhaps
others could be given, and perhaps these already stated are
not weighty, I thought it proper, at any rate, to state thera

506 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
to you. Gen, Butler says the above plan would advance the
expedition thirty days. Of course, I am ignorant of Gen,
Banks' plan of operations, InteUigent Texans now here think
the capture of the town of Houston should be the first object.
This is the center of railroads and (they say) the controUmg
position (in military sense) of the state. The slave population
is large in that part of the state, and, if properly eraployed,
would prove a source of great weakness to the Rebels,
(George S, Denison)
P,S, I do not know whether Gen, Butler or Gen, Banks is the
ranking officer, I have written this letter only that you
raight be informed of Gen, Butler's opinions. He wUl soon
send troops to Galveston, From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 28ft, 1862
Hon. Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate General, U.S.A.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a letter
frora your Office of Nov, 21st, relating to the forwarding of
copies of the record of a Military Coraraission, These copies
went forward through inadvertence, and I now have the pleas
ure to enclose the originals,
I trust you will find the proceedings substantially regular.
We cannot in the field expect the rainute technicality which
characterizes the proceedings of Civil Courts, but I believe a
substantial justice and right is raaintained in the Military
Courts, I observe, in looking at Gen'l, Orders No, 170 current series,
that it is said that a Military Commission has not jurisdiction
in the case of a spy, I had supposed that a Military Com
raission, appointed by the Coraraander of a Departraent, had
jurisdiction of life and death, and I came to this conclusion
after an exaraination of the usage of the service and from his
torical recollection. It will be remerabered that Major Andr6
was tried in our service by a Board of Officers, The proceed
ings by Court Martial are so slow, requiring questions and
answers to be in writing, that it is irapossible to punish crime
so rife in a large city with such a population as ours, I trust
your Department has not corae to a final deterraination against
the jurisdiction of a Military Comraission in that respect.
We are very rauch erabarrassed here because of the want of
proraptness of punishraent. The prorapt punishment which I

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 507
accorded to offenders when I came here had the most salutary
effect, but that has now worn away. It has corae to be under
stood by the viUains of New Orleans that no capital punish
ment can be inflicted even upon them, without the sanction
of the President of the United States, and further that he is
opposed to capital punishraent, and that delays will intervene
sufficient to give them the chances of escape which existed
under the laws and administration of the Civil Government,
so that of sixty-nine murders coraraitted in the State of Louisi
ana in a single year there was no capital punishraent,
I wiU enclose you a copy of a translation of a cypher letter
whereby we have just detected a conspiracy against our elec
tions, to be executed by force, a favorite amusement, by the
by, with these people, I believe that I am not usually blood
thirsty, but I am convinced that nothing but the promptest
and severest punishment can govern the Carbonari of Italy,
the Brigands of Sicily, and the secret Bands of other Nation
alities, as well as our own citizens, descendants and comrades
of the Pirate Lafitte, — all congregated here.
Another question of jurisdiction is raised which it is quite
important to settle. We have convicted of murder a man
who was indicted last March by authority of seceded State of
Louisiana, but the Court ran away before his trial, which was
set down for the 19th of May, I have addressed your Depart
ment upon this question but have as yet received no reply,
owing probably to the original record not being sent forward.
We have no means of confining such desperate villains. We
found them at large a terror to the comraunity. The United
States can hardly be responsible for the protection of life and
property if we have not this power of punishraent.
In one case, which is now pending, a man was tarred and
feathered to be driven from the city a few days before we
landed. He is now here, and the "Thug Association" which
did this deed are many of them here, some under an arrest,
and those at large are threatening the life of, the complainant,
in order to drive him away again. Can it be possible that
we are powerless to punish such crimes? Awaiting your early
reply, I have the honor to be.
Most truly Your obdt. Servt,
Maj. Gen. Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.

508 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 28ft, 1862
Capt NiMS, Commdg. 2nd Mass. Vol. Battery
Captain: I ara directed by the Maj, General to call your
attention to certain portions of the report of Col, N, H, M.
Dudley, Act'g, Inspector General of this Department, upon
the condition of the 2nd Mass, Vol, Battery, Viz: "Not a
Knapsack or valise properly packed, discipline not good.
Clothing Book improperly kept, Adjt, Office too far from
camp and in dirty condition, stables not clean, yard dirty and
in fact filthy. Kitchens very dirty and badly managed, Colts-
revolvers, some rusty and nearly all in bad condition, horse,
drawing Govemraent forage, yet is not branded,"
Capt. Niras' attention is also called to the reraarks in same
report upon the subjects of company and weight of bread.
The Commanding General directs that the foregoing receive
the instant attention of Capt, Niras.
Respectfully, Your Obdt. Servt,
Geo. C. Strong, A. A. Gen'l.
From General Butler
Headquarters, DepaH-ment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 29ft, 1862
Hon. Wm, H, Seward, Sec'y. of State
Sir: I have the honor to enclose for the inforraation of the
Department of State copies and translations of a correspond
ence between Adrairal Reynaud and rayself upon the subject
of the imprisonraent of Alfred and Jules Lemore, As these
will form a part of the papers relating to the case of the French
Consul and the "New Orleans Bank," I have transmitted
them directly to the Departraent of State,
It will be observed, in his reply, that the Admiral does not
deny or remark upon the claim of Alfred Lemore, that his
papers were concealed on board the "Catinat" a French Ship
of Wfl.r
Most respectfully. Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
Enclosure referred to in Foregoing Letter
Translation. New Orleans, Nov. 17ft, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Major General Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
General: After the interview which I had the honor to
have with you last Friday 14th inst,, and in which you had

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 509
the complaisance to coraraunicate to me the different papers
relating to the affair "Gautherin & Co,," and in consequence
of remarks which it was ray duty to raake to you, I had left
you with the conviction that Messrs, Lemore would be de
tained only provisionally until a regular Court would decide
upon the offence with which they were charged, namely, to
be engaged in an uijlawful coraraerce with the govemraent of
the Confederate States; it is in this sense that I have rendered
an account to ray govemraent by the raail which left last
Saturday, I have just learned that Mr, Alfred Lemore is confined in
Fort Pickens, not to suffer a provisional imprisonment, but
with the order of close confinement at hard labor, with ball
and chain, and that Mr, Jules Leraore is to leave today for
Fort Jackson, in the same conditions.
These raeasures are so serious that I raust doubt the veracity
of the assertion. But not having the raeans to verify it, I
should be rauch obliged to you. General, if you would let rae
know the present position of these gentlemen, and the nature
of the orders which you thought proper to give in their regard.
However, if against my expectation, Mr, Alfred Lemore has
been subraitted to such treatraent without that legal forras
have been respected, without that the Consul of France has
been inforraed, I should see myself with regret in the necessity
to support near you the official protest which in this case Mr,
Mejan would have to address to you, against an order which
would be outside of all regular legislation. Please accept.
General, the assurance of my high consideration,
Reynaud,
The Contre Admiral commanding in chief the naval division
of ihe Gulf and North America.
From General Butler
HeadquaHers, DepaHment of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 18, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Admiral Reynaud, French Marine Service
Admiral: You were quite correct in your understanding of
the conversation upon the subject of the disposition made of
Alfred and Jules Lemore, with which you did rae the honor
to favor rae, I have at present detained thera for trial, which
I propose will take place iraraediately after the affair upon
the Conlon plantation can be investigated, which you desired
should have the preference, as soon as the case now before

510 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
the military Commission is finished. In the meantirae, I
have ordered Jules Leraore to Fort Jackson for safe keeping
till further orders, and as I don't think the United States is
bound to clothe and feed anybody without an equivalent, I
have directed hira to be put to work.
The case of Alfred Lemore stands differently in this, that
he treated my authority with contempt, refused to answer all
proper questions put to him in regard to the raatter of the
bank, and contumaciously, contemptuously, and utterly re
fused to produce certain papers which were within his con
trol, necessary to my investigation of the affairs of the Bank
of New Orleans,
For this conterapt of all authority on the part of a confessed
crirainal, I directed that until Lemore would produce the
papers he should be confined closely, and as we are quite
unprepared at Fort Pickens for means of certain confine
ment, I added the ball and chain.
This portion Of his confinement Lemore can at any time
alleviate by producing the papers as required. He intimated
in the presence of the Directors of the Bank that these papers
were on board your ship, the "Catinat," an idea I at once
repelled as it was not possible that a French ship-of-war could
be the wUling custodian of the evidence of guUt of any person.
The forra of the order of confineraent of the Lemores, "till
further orders," wUl show you that the imprisonment is merely
provisional, I can't look upon the crirae of the Leraores in
the light you seem to do. While living in this city in June
last under the protection of the United States they were en
gaged in delivering clothing to the Rebel army to the amount
of more than two million francs.
There can be no doubt as to the heinousness of the crime
of those foreigners who, living here, aid in the rebellion. The
native rebel has the palliation that his association, his train
ing, his education, his sympathies, and perhaps almost neces
sities have led hira into acts of treason. Not so the alien of
the rebellion. He has been warned of the heinousness of his
offence against a sovereign proclaraation, he has no ties or asso
ciations, he has no state rights doctrines, imbibed frora child
hood's teachings, to raislead him, he has no country here to
save or ruin. He is merely the voluntary guest of a nation
which protects hira, and grants him more coraraercial advan
tages than he believes his own country affords hira, — and this
nation he aids to destroy. His acts, if done by a citizen, are

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 511
treason. His have all the moral guilt of treason. He breaks
the laws of hospitality of the country whose subject he is, and
the laws of the country whose protection and home he enjoys.
His only excuse is greed and gain — the love of the thirty pieces
of sUver which Judas got for betraying his master from the
same motive, ,
You may be sure. Admiral, that the imprisonment of the
Lemores is not definitive punishraent, for if the raUitary tribu
nal before whora their case shall be brought take the sarae
view of the heinousness of their offence that I do, and if the
proof is undoubted, their punishraent is likely to be much
more suited to the depth of their guilt.
While, however, I claim, and in a proper case should exer
cise, the right and power to try and judge, and if found guilty
to sentence these men myself, as the highest authority here,
I repeat that at the earliest possible moment these men shall
be tried by an impartial commission of officers of rank, ap
pointed before they were arrested,
MeanwhUe, I claim the right to protect rayself and ray Gov
ernment from the contumacious acts of those who are engaged
in an attempt to overthrow it, whether alien or native-born,
I have the honor to assure you. Admiral, of my raost sincere
respect and personal esteera,
Benj, F, Butler, Major General Commanding
From Admiral Reynaud
Translation. New Orleans, Nov. 19ft, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Major General Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
General: I have the honor to acknowledge reception of
the letter which you had the favor to address me yesterday,
18th inst. You do me the honor to inform rae that Messrs,
Lemore will be, as I requested, tried by a regular court, and
confined provisionally until their case can be called up for
trial. You inforra me also of the nature of the orders which you
have given in their regard, and of the motives which dictated
them, I shall not discuss these motives; in relation to the ques
tions of principle & right raentioned in your letter, I shall
submit thera to my Government, and shall ask Mr, Mercier,
Minister of H, M, the Eraperor, in Washington, to do the
same near yours.

512 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
I beg. General, to accept the assurance of my high con
sideration, j{,EYNAUD, the Contre Admiral commanding, &c.
From General Butler
Headquarters DepaHment of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Nov. 29ft, 1862
Hon. Wm, H, Seward, Sec'y. of State
Sir: I send enclosed two affidavits, a letter, and answer of
the Coraraander of the Spanish Ship-of-War, "Blasco de
Garay," and also a note from a private party tending to per
petuate the evidence of the fact that that vessel was engaged
in the eraployraent of carrying away passengers and political
refugees. It wiU be seen that the fact is not denied by the
Spanish Coraraander,
On the fifth of October I also forwarded to the Spanish
Consul an anonyraous communication which I had received,
and which I herewith transmit together with the Consuls'
answer. It wiU be seen that the facts aUeged are not denied
but affirraed, I have the honor to be.
Very respectfully. Your obdt. servt,
Maj. Gen. Benj, F, Butler
From General Butler
Private, HeadquaHers, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Nov. 29, 1862
To the President of the United States
My dear Sib: I take the liberty of addressing you, not as
Chief Magistrate and Coraraander-in-Chief, but as a friend
and a kind and just raan,
I think I have a right to give you the exact state of facts
personally to rayself, I see by the papers that Gen'l, Banks
is about being sent into this Departraent with troops upon
an independent expedition and coraraand. This seeras to
iraply a want of confidence in the Comraarider of this Depart
ment, perhaps deserved, but still painful to me. In my judg
raent it will be prejudicial to the public service to atterapt any
expedition into Texas without raaking New Orleans a base of
supplies and co-operation, to do this there raust be but one
head, and one Departraent, I do not propose to argue the
question here — still further is it frora ray purpose to suggest
even that there raay not be a better head than the one now in
the Departraent, I beg leave to call your attention that since
I carae into the field, the day after your first proclaraation.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 513
that I have ever been in the frontier line of the rebeUion —
Annapolis when Washington was threatened. Relay House
when Harper's Ferry was being evacuated, Baltimore, Fort
Monroe, Newport News, Hatteras, Ship Island, New Orieans,
It is not for me to say with what meed of success. But I have
a right to say that I have lived at this station exposed at once
to the pestUence and the assassin for eight months, awaiting
reinforceraents which the needs of the Government could not
give me untU now. And now they are to be given to another,
I have never complained, I do not now complain, I have
done as well as I could everything which the Government
asked me to do, I have eaten that which was set before me
asking no questions.
It is safe now for any person to come to New Orleans and
stay. It has been deraonstrated that the Quarantine can
keep away the fever. The assassins are overawed or punished.
Why, then, ara I left here when another is sent into the field
in this Department? If it is because of ray disqualification
for the service, in which I have as long an experience as any
General in the United States Army now in the service (being
the Senior in rank), I pray you say so, and so far frora being
even aggrieved, I will return to my horae, consoled by the
reflection that I have at least done my duty as far as endeavor
and application goes, I ara only desirous of not being kept
where I am not needed or desired. And I will relieve the
Administration of all embarrassment. Pray do me the favor
to refiect that I am not asking for the coraraand of any other
person, but siraply that, unless the Govemraent service require
it, my own, which I have a right to say has not been the least
successful of the War, shall not be taken from me in such a
manner as to leave rae all the burden without any of the
results, Perrait rae also to say that towards General Banks, who is
selected to be the leader of the Texas expedition, I have none
but the kindest feelings, he having been ray personal friend
for years, and still being so.
Writing about ray personal affairs, which I have never done
before, I hardly know how to express myself, but what I mean
is this: If the Commander-in-chief find me incompetent (un
faithful I know he cannot), let rae be removed and be allowed
to meet the issue before hira and my country, but as I never do
anything by indirection myself, all I ask of the President, as a
just man, is that the same course may be taken toward rae,
vol. ii — 33

514 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
I have told you before, what you well know, that I have not
acted with you politically, but I defy all and any to show a
political act of raine since I left ray hearth-stone for my
country's service ^ , , , whenever and wherever a friend would
be infiuenced by me. Allow me to repeat again. Sir, what I
have before said, although the deterraination may cause my
recall, put the Department which includes Louisiana and Texas
under one head, and it will be best for the service. I pray you.
Sir, not to raisunderstand rae, I have given up soraething for
ray country, can give up raore. And this command is a smaU
matter in comparison, in my raind, to ray own self-respect, or
to the good of the service,
I do not seek to erabarrass the Government by any action
of mine, or in regard to rayself. Far from it, I would even
take myself away rather than to do anything which would
weaken by one ounce the strength with which the adminis
tration should strangle this rebellion,
I have written, therefore, this present note to the President,
so that if no action should be had upon it, there need be no
official erabarrassraent. With sentiraents of esteera and re-
' ' Most truly, your friend, Benj, F, Butlee
From General Butler
Headquarters, Departmeni of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Nov. 29ft, 1862
Maj. Gen. Halleck, Commanding in Chief, U.S. Army
Genebal: The eneray has concentrated a large force —
not less probably than ten thousand raen, sorae exceUent
authorities stating the nuraber as high as fifteen thousand —
at Fort Hudson, The position is naturally a strong one —
stronger even it is believed than Vicksburg, The design of
the eneray is to fight the great battle for the possession of the
Mississippi at that point. For the want of a sufficient land
force — the Navy say they must have ten thousand men at
least — I have been corapeUed to postpone a projected
attack upon the position. It might have been taken by
five regiraents five weeks since had I had troops sufficient to
hold it.
As the case stands now, it will be easy, with a force as large
as that of the eneray, to corapel him to give battle elsewhere,
if, in no other way, certainly by drowning hira out by destroy-
' Writing illegible.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 515
ing the Levee above hira. Brig, General Sherraan is now en
gaged in exploring the country above here, on the left bank
of the river, with a view to raoveraent which raay take place
hereafter. He has reached a point within six railes of Baton
Rouge, meeting no force of the enemy.
It is believed that before the raiddle of January we shall
be compelled to withdraw General Weitzel's force to the
other side of the Bayou Lafourche, as by that time the lower
Teche Country and the country from Lafourche to Brashier
City will be fiooded from the Red River neighborhood. The
levees being much out of repair, no raeans are in our power
to ward off the irapending danger.
The levees on the right bank far above are in the hands of
the enemy, and totally neglected by him, and the conforma
tion of the country such that the overflow will extend hundreds
of miles. This will be a serious blow to the people of that
country, already great sufferers frora the effects of the war,
and raost of whora are ready and raost heartily anxious to
return to their allegiance, I have the honor to be.
Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butlee, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From George S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase ^
Private. New Orleans, November 29ft, 1862
Deae Sie: I thank you for your kind letter of the 14th
inst. Whenever it is deemed expedient to put another in the
place now occupied by rae, I should like to be raade Surveyor,
as you suggest.
Naturally it wiU be a little painful to occupy the second
place in this Custora House where I have so long been first
— which I cannot help regarding as, in some sort, created by
myself in the midst of great difficulties and in the face of raany
obstacles — now that the great labor is done and the road is
becoming smooth and easy. But that is of little moment, and
the President and yourself are the only proper judges of what
is desirable and expedient,
I cannot recompense your constant kindness to rae, except
by endeavoring to deserve its continuence, . . .
The expedition to the salt works (spoken of in ray last)
faUed. The gunboats could not get up the Bayou, and the

' American Historical Association Report 1902, Vol. II, p. 333.

516 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
troops could not pass through the swaraps. They wUl have
to be taken frora New Iberia.
The affairs of the Dep't, of the Gulf, are managed with
entire honesty, so far as I can perceive. At any rate no trade
of any kind with the enemy is perraitted. The pressure for
perraission to renew the trade has been very great. One man
offered me $50,000 cash for perraission to take salt across the
lake, A sack of salt was worth here $1,25 — across the lake,
$60 to $100, A thousand sacks would be worth $60,000,
with which cotton could be bought for 10 cts, per pound and
brought here and sold for 60 cts. So that one cargo would
be a great fortune, Anotjier raan wanted to bring here several
thousand bales cotton, but raust take back stores. He would
give rae one-fourth of all the cotton brought hither, and
there were raany other cases — but they raake these offers
with such skill that it is irapossible to get any legal hold on
thera, I don't know how raany offers would have been made
if I had been suspected to be of easy virtue. People here
think, if a man has a chance to make money, however dishon
orably, that he will avaU himself of it, of course, I again
express the hope that no trade of any kind with the enemy
will be authorized frora Washington, (Geobge S, Denison)
From Honorable Henry Wilson
Senate Chamber, Dec. ind, 1862
Major General B, F, Butlee
My Deab Sir: Your note was placed in my hand to-day,
and I at once called upon the Secretary of. War and pressed
the iraportance of increasing your forces, I|e agreed with me
and promised to do what he could to aid you. He expressed
his confidence in you and his approval of your vigor and
ability. This was gratifying to me, but I should have been
raore pleased to have had him order an addition to your
force so that you raight have a larger field of action, I wiU
press the raatter all I can, ^r m , ^^ ^r
Very Truly, H, Wilson
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, Dec. 3rd, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: A bounty having been offered by the Federal Govem
raent for soldiers that should be recruited under the provision

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 517
of the offer, there were enlisted in this Departraent, and before
the order discontinuing the bounty reached us, a large portion
of a regiraent, being the Second Louisiana Vols, There was
no other State Regt, in which these recruits could be consoli
dated, there was nothing left for me but to continue the recruit
ing. The regiment was afterwards filled. It is but justice to
these raen, and sustaining the faith of the Govemraent, as they
were promised this bounty, that they should be paid. It can
be done, however, by the Superintendent of recruiting only
by the Order of the "War Department, Such Order is respect
fully asked.
Another class of cases arises — that of men enlisted here
into the old regiraent under the sarae proraises and before the
Order discontinuing the bounty reached us.
Another class still — a large nuraber recruited after the
Order was issued and before it carae here.
Are these to be paid? They claira it, and by the letter their
claim must be allowed. But it is not so just as theirs who
enlisted under its induceraents between the tirae when the
Order was issued and when it reached this Departraent, I
have the honor to be, y^^^ ^^^^ y ^ ^
Benj, F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, December 4, 1862
Hon. E, M, Stanton, Secretary of War
Sir: You wUl reraeraber that the banks of this city sent
away about four raillions of their specie upon the advent of
our troops in the city. They have made application to the
Confederate authorities to bring it back, but have been refused.
The banks now desire that I would permit their specie in
the Confederacy to be put upon a war vessel of some foreign
power and sent either to France or England, or to be kept
there safely till after the termination of the war, the money to
be under the care of two agents, one appointed by the banks
and the other by the Confederate Government. All this to
be done, of course, only if the Richraond people consent. To
effect this arrangeraent, I inforraed the agent of the banks I
could not consent to apply to the department, because of the
great need that the Confederacy have of gold m Europe, The
agent of the banks raight be corrupted by the Confederate
Agent, and the money when there applied to Confederate

518 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMLN F, BUTLER
uses. But that if the representative of the foreign Govern
ment near Washington, upon whose vessel that coin might be
placed, would pledge his Government that the raoney should
be kept intact, unpledged, and undrawn upon during the war,
to be then returned to the banks in specie after peace, I thought
the Departraent raight entertain the proposition,
I have in pursuance of this idea been requested to put this
raatter before the War Departraent, This I have done await
ing instructions, I have the honor to be
Very truly. Your Obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Com.
From the Secretary of War
War Department, Washington City, December 16ft 1862
[Not In chronological order]
Major General B, F, Butler
General: The Secretary of War has received your letter
of the 4th instant, subraitting the proposition of the banks of
New Orleans to send their specie, at present within the lines
of the Southern Confederacy, on board of sorae war vessel to
England or France, to be kept there safely, and returned at
the termination of the war, and asking instructions as to the
course to be pursued in the matter.
In reply I am instructed to inform you that the Depart
ment, after due consideration of the arrangeraent thus pro
posed by .the Banks of New Orleans, feels corapeUed to
withhold its sanction therefrora.
Very Respectfully, Your obedient servant,
C, P, WoLCOTT, Asst. Secretary of War
From, Richard S. Fay, Jr.
Private. Boston, December i, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler
Dear General: Dexter has exceeded ray authority in
drawing upon rae for very large suras at short sight, to such
an extent that I have found rayself obliged in self defence to
protest a large draft of his for non-acceptance. If he sends
forward Bills of Lading of raerchandise in tirae to cover his
bill before its raaturity, I shall probably pay it. If not, it must
go back, and he raust take care of it as best he raay, I shall
be very sorry to have his credit in New Orleans injured, but
he has brought it on hiraself by such recklessness in the use
of ray raoney and credit that there was no alternative.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 519
So far as I can see there is no possible corabination of cir
cumstances which, even under these trials, can affect my sol
vency, but I raay be very rauch erabarrassed for a tirae, and
I do not intend you should have a moment's uneasiness or
risk, and I have therefore made you a remittance (as advised
in a business letter of this date) of a cargo of merchandise
which will cover your balance on ray hands, about $33,000.
I have ordered Mr. Dexter to turn over to Colonel Butler
(or in his absence to you) all the interests I have in New Or
leans, which, with other arrangeraents I am making here, will
in like manner secure hira. I have canceUed Mr. Dexter's
authority to act for rae on any further business, and ask as
a favor that if he hesitates in acceding to ray instructions you
will advertise my revocation of his power of attorney, and
take my interests under your own protection.
I cannot imagine anything short of mania which can have
induced Dexter to go so wild, I have known hira for years
as a raerchant of large experience, and as an honorable, warm
hearted raan, to whora I would trust anything I possessed.
It was in a strong feeling of personal regard that I sent hira to
New Orleans, to give hira the opportunity to make a fresh
start, and repair the loss of fortune caused by a dishonest
associate. I stUl have the fullest confidence in his integrity,
and it is with the deepest regret I now find myself obliged
to act so peremptorily, but I cannot, in my unwillingness to
hurt his feelings, allow rayself to be involved any deeper in
speculation. Everything goes well with the Middlesex. We shall divide
10%, You are on the whole the popular favorite just now (no
great honor), but, what is better worth having, I do not hear a
dissenting voice frora the opinion araong ray own best acquaint
ances that you have done raore real service and shown greater
ability in separate coraraand than any other of our own Cora
raanders, Long raay your success continue, as ever.
Faithfully yours, Richard S, Fay, Jr,
If you lUce, I have no objection to Colonel Butler and Mr,
Dexter seeing this letter. Of course you wiU not have tirae to
manage the "Emblem" merchandise yourself. Select your
own agent, and let hira render his accounts to me through you.
You may know of circumstances which raay render Dexter's
conduct excusable. If so, I would be happy to have hira
manage this stuff, unless the Colonel prefers to do so.

520 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From Mrs. Butler to Mrs. Heard Dec, i, 1862
I MUST add a little more. There are sorae things about
Banks' coraing that I think are well. If he coraes with an
independent coraraand into Mr. Butler's department, for
Texas is a part of it, Mr. Butler can ask to be recalled — and
by that means we can return early in the spring. Otherwise,
if the reinforceraents were sent to hira, he raight from neces
sity be obliged to stay another suraraer. I had rather Banks
carae than accept that alternative. Seward wrote by the last
raail raore conciliatory. Say this to Capt. G., if Fisher has
started. Now I think Mr. B. might be ready to look in
that direction. The other parties have faUed him. But I
wUl write to the Capt. as soon, tell hira, as the next raail coraes
in. I shall urge Mr. B. to raeet proraptly any kindly over
tures from S. I think I may send a box not by this vessel but
the next. Dear love to the children. Do not read this to the
Affectionately, Sarah
From Honorable Charles Sumner to General Butler
Senate Chamber, Sth Dec, '62
Deae Genebal: "The President says that you shall not
be forgotten." Those were his words to rae. General Halleck
and Mr. Stanton say substantially the sarae thing, although
the forraer adds "all generals call for raore troops," but I
shall follow it up. Do not fail to call on rae,
I understand that the French govemraent has forbidden the
papers to raention your narae. The name of Marlboro was once
used in France to frighten children, — raore than a century ago.
You have taken his place. Believe me, ray dear Sir,
Faithfully yours, Chaeles Sumner
From General Butler
Headquarters, Depart-ment of ihe Gulf, New Orleans, Dec. Sth, 1862
General (P,) G, (T,) Beauregard
General: This note will be handed you by your relatives,
Mr, and Mrs, Proctor, who go to meet you under a pass from
rae. They wiU inforra you of the dangerous, and it is feared
soon to be fatal, illness of your wife. You have every sym
pathy with your affliction.
If you desire to visit Mrs. Beauregard, this wUl be a safe-

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 521
guard, pass, and protection to corae to New Orleans and retum.
All officers and soldiers of the United States wiU respect this
pass. I have the honor to be, xr t 7. rt ^
Your obdt. Servt.,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From Lieutenant Commander Buchanan
U. S. Gunboat Calhoun, off BnASHrEiR City, December 6ft, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler, Commanding Dept. of the Gulf
Sir: I have the honor to report that the "Diana" has
arrived from Petit Ause Bayou, and that the "Kinsman" is
still aground on the bar. Captain Weeks has been relieved
frora the "Diana" to be tried by a Court Martial, and Act,
Master Goodwin from the "Hartford" has been ordered in
his place. Captain Wiggins writes me word that he cannot
get off until he gets a high tide, and that he is perfectly safe
and has plenty of coal and provisions. His boilers are in a
very bad condition, however. The boats all require some
repairs, I have sent the "Diana" up Grand Lake, and when
she comes back I will lay her up for repairs.
Captain McMillan wished me to make a statement to you
in regard to some store which was ransacked upon our arrival
here. Captain Wiggins reported to me that the store had been
broken open by the soldiers and sailors, and that there was a
great deal of paint and rope laying about, some of it outside,
and that it would be of use to us, I ordered him to get it on
board, and to find out to whom it belonged and give a receipt
for it. The paint we wanted, as also we did the rope for our
guns. We had broken raost all our back lanyards, and this
stuff suited exactly. Captain Wiggins said he could find no
person to give a receipt to, and I told hira to keep it ready.
The store was broken open two or three tiraes, and a great
many things were taken out by the citizens of this place, I
caught some of my men with plates and canned meats, which
I sent back and had the men punished. There was no person
to look out for it, and therefore every person I presume helped
theraselves, I would respectfully call your attention to the following case
of raine, which if not inconsistent with your duty I would
request it to be allowed. On the 6th of November, five days
after our arrival here, I sent the "Diana" up the lake to bring
away 255 bales of cotton, which Mr, Lod, the owner, had re
quested me to seize to prevent the Confederates from burning

522 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
it, Mr, Lod went with the boat and showed where it was, and
carae down here the next day and offered to sell the cotton.
He represented hiraself as a loyal citizen, and said he wished
to take the oath. As I thought I could raake some money,
and not thinking that under the circumstances I would be
doing anything wrong, I bought the cotton, I was not then
aware of your General Order No, 91, and as soon as I saw it
I sent it in to Col. J. W. Shaffer. Mr. Lod has taken the Oath
of Allegiance, and has looked to us for protection ever since
our arrival here although he lives outside of our lines.
I bought the cotton in good faith, and this is the first time
I have ever had an opportunity of making anything outside
of my pay, and if you can consistently let me have it I would
be greatly obliged to you. I have written to the Coraraission,
and have appointed Col. A. J. Butler ray agent to receive it,
if you will let rae have it, I ara.
Very Respectfully, Your obdt. Servt.,
Thos, McKean Buchanan, lAeut Commander, U.S.N.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Dec. 6ft, 1862
Rear Admiral Farragut, Commdg. Western Gulf Squadron
Admiral: From information received I deem it of the
last importance that the "Essex" should be ordered to remain
within sight of Port Hudson, so as to continually observe the
rebel force there. The other boats might ply between there
and Donaldsonvffie, I wish you would issue such orders, if
this raeets your approbation, ^^ ^ ,
Very truly yours,
Benj, F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters, Departmeni of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Dec. 6ft, 1862
Col. Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate General, U.S.A.
Col,: Your letter of Nov, 17th, concerning the stearaer
"Morning Light," has been received. The stearaboat was
long-since delivered to Williara Dillon, who seeras to be an
honest owner, and to have been defrauded by his agent in
whose care he entrusted her, and who sold her to the
Confederates, That sale raised the only doubt in my mind as to restoring
her. But upon personal exaraination I found the sale had

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 523
been made with an intent to defraud Dillon, and thereupon,
although she was captured from Rebel owners, I ordered her
restoration, I have never claimed salvage where property
has been seized by the Confederates, being at the tirae of the
seizure the property of loyal owners, and I am glad that ray
deterraination coincides with that of the Sec'y, of War upon
this point,
I think the administration of this department is as little
liable to censure as that of any other in treating the Rebels
otherwise than as Rebels, My belief has been that we were a
little in advance on that subject, and I beg leave to assure
you that I shall be the last to recognize the Confederates as
belligerents. Upon this matter of captured steamboats, however, the
truth is that most of the boats were left by their Northern
owners in the hands of agents who sold them to the Rebels,
and they were used in that service and Confederate registers
were taken out for them. In such cases I deera the property
fit to be confiscated to the United States, and I have refused
to return the boats. But when I have returned a boat I have
never raade a claira for salvage, than this raay be considered
such a claira, I have refused to pay for the use of boats between
the time of recapture and the time of delivery to the claimant,
I think it enough for the Government to recapture, pre
serve, and restore the property to owners, generally deprived
of it, by the act of their own agents, without paying for its
intermediate use, or, to use the illustration given in your
letter, the rebel being considered in the light of a robber who
has taken an honest raan's purse, and the officer of the Gov't,
when they rescue it, being bound to restore it, I think the party
robbed could with no good grace raake a claira for interest on
the money whUe it was in the hands of the officer. I have the
honor to be, y^^y Respy., Your Obdt Servt,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Head Qts. Dept ofthe Gulf, New Orleans, Dec. Sth, 1862
Messrs. Durant & Horner, Attorneys at Law
Gentlemen: Your communication of 6th instant, relating
to the Phoenix Iron Co,, is received, I ara inforraed and
believe, and you wUl correct rae if I am wrong, that the Phoe
nix Iron Co,'s works were leased to Mr, Busac, and with the

524 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
knowledge and consent of the corapany were used by hira as
a foundry for the Rebels, raaking shot, shell, and ordnance,
and that there are now on the premises such machinery and
partly-finished ordnance, Mr, Busac having run away, leaving
these evidences of his rebellious trade behind hira. It raay be
true that your clients instituted in the rebel court, when pre
sided over by a rebel judge under authority of a rebel state,
a suit for the division of spoils between rebels, which had been
acquired by working for the rebel, govemment. I am now
called upon to confirm the Provisional Seizure of the Court of
this Rebel property, in favor of Rebels, and to allow the
present Courts established by the United States to sit in
judgment upon this claim. If I am not mistaken in the above-
recited facts, the Court will not prostitute itself to such work.
Lord Mansfield said, in deciding a case where the plaintiff
was before him with rauch cleaner hands than your clients
seera to have, that the Court of Kings Bench would not sit
to divide spoils between the highwaymen. I trust that Courts
established under the authority of the United States wUl not sit
to divide profits or adjudicate rents between the owners and
occupants of rebel foundries. Unless, therefore, it can be shown
to me that I am wholly misinformed in the above state of facts,
I shall direct my Quartermaster not only to retain the iron he
has taken, but to seize the rest for the use of the United States,
and shall ask your clients to show cause why they should not
be tried for treason, in aiding the Rebellion by furnishing a
place for the raanufacture of arras for traitors. I have the
' Very Respectfully, Your Obdt. Servant,
Benj. P. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From General Butler
Headquarters Dept of the Gvlf, New Orleans, Dec, 8, 1862
Moses Bates
It having been represented to rae by the report of Cora
raander Renshaw of the Navy, and in conversation with
Rear Adrairal Farragut, that those well-disposed to the Union
in Galveston are in a state of starvation, I am therefore
endeavoring to furnish them with supplies,
Moses Bates has permission to ship supplies aboard the
Brig, "Adaras" and schooner "West Florida" to Galveston,
on the pledge that they shall go for the use of loyal people.
Benj. F, Butler, Maj. Genl. Comd'g.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 525
From General Butler
Headquarters Departmeni of the Gvlf, New Orleans, December 9ft, 1862
Special Orders No. 560
I. In consequence of a military necessity, and from the
fact of having to furnish the Charity Hospital monthly with
money and needful supplies, it is ordered that hereafter it be
conducted upon the economical plan of a General MUitary
Hospital, II, That hereafter as heretofore the Sister Regina and the
other sisters of Charity resident therein shall have especial
charge of everything relating to the internal police and economy
of the estabhshment, of the storeroom, kitchen and laundry,
and all needful control over nurses, attendants, &c. All this,
however, under the direction of the Surgeon in charge,
III, The medical arrangeraents to be as heretofore under
the charge of the Resident Surgeon and the visiting physicians
selected for this purpose,
IV, This arrangement is made to secure necessary aid to
the military, but shall in no manner interfere with the succor,
shelter, and corafort of the poor who shaU always find a refuge
within its walls when sick.
By command Major General Butler
Geo, C, Strong, A. A. General
From General Butler
Headquarters Departmeni of the Gulf, New Orleans, Dee. 9, 1862
Hon. Edwin M, Stanton, Sec'y. of War
Sir: The 1st Texas Cavalry has been recruited with[out]
bounty or expense to the Government to the number of about
150 raen, I ara about sending it to Galveston, where it is
expected to fill up its ranks frora the same class of people who
have enlisted in it here, I have therefore had to find it officers
and an organization. These officers most of thera are Texas
Refugees, and deserving non-coraraissioned officers of ray
comraand, and in either case sadly in need of their pay to meet
their increased expense.
Under General Orders No, 61, series of 1861, 1 ara not allowed
to rauster them into the service, although I have given them
provisional comraissions under the authority of the Depart
ment, I think that a special order, giving thera their pay
frora their actually acting, which is the date of their comrais-

526 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
sions, will be just, and I desire authority so to do. Awaiting
instructions, I have the honor to be.
Very Respy., Your obdt. Servt,
Benj. F. Butler, Maj. Gen. Commanding
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department of the Oulf, New Orleans, Dec. 9, 1862
Brig. Gen. Meigs, Quarter Master General, U.S.A.
General: I have the honor to enclose to you specffications,
drawing, and raodel of a roof for the Custom House at New
Orleans, It is a buUding which has already cost the United
States millions of dollars. It is left without a roof, and is
crumbling away under the effects of the weather.
To leave it uncovered during the winter and spring wUl be
exceedingly disastrous and expensive. Besides, it is the citadel
of New Orleans, and we have found it necessary to have it
roofed, and we have devised a plan which you will understand
frora the drawings, I think the work can be done within the
estimates, I am now changing the plan so far as to adopt the
fitting composition roof, instead of shingling, by which we
shall save the cost of the gutters.
If this were not a raatter of prime necessity I should not
believe the expense justffiable. The whole raatter I had put
in charge of Gen, Arnold, the Military Coraraandant of the
city; but his being struck by paralysis caused delay until this
tirae. We shall have all that is necessary done in rauch less
time than three raonths. We hope to have it nearly corapleted
by the tirae we receive the answer to this, I shall be able to
eraploy upon it raany laborers whora I ara now feedirig, I
have the honor to be, yr n tt >^7 7, r, .
Very Respy. Your Obdt. Servt,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From Rear Admiral Farragut
Flag Ship Hartford off New Orleans, Dec. 10, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler
Dear General: While no one appreciates raore highly
than rayself the energetic, persevering, and skilful raerchant,
I raust confess that no one has a greater abhorrence and detes
tation of the unscrupulous speculator who takes advantage of
every necessity of his fellow-beings, and, regardless of conse
quences, by bribery and corruption forces his trade into the

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 527
eneray's country, drawing down dishonor upon the cause as
well as the country we serve, and upon us who are exerting
every nerve to sustain our honor araong nations, and even
claira the respect of our eneraies, however unwilling they raay
be to yield it, I have therefore deterrained to call to your
attention the case of the Schooner "L, L, Davis," whose cargo
is owned by one Mr, Wyer of New Orleans,
Lieut. Coradr, Read reported to rae, soraetirae since, that
this vessel was fitting out avowedly for Matamoras, but it
was intimated to him that she was intended to run the block
ade by going into some intermediate port he might find
unguarded, I directed him to watch her closely, and as soon
as she left the precincts of the CivU and Military jurisdiction
of New Orleans to examine his papers carefully, and see that
all was right. He did so, and reported her papers all signed by
the proper authorities. She sailed — and it now appears
that instead of going through the Rigolets, she changed her
course and ran over to Pontchatoula, the well-known depot of
the Confederates, On calling upon Mr, Denison, the Col
lector, for information of this vessel, he informed me that he
had been unwilling to give clearances to vessels for Mataraoras,
and that he had stated to Mr, Wyer (in the case of the "L,
L, Davis") that his cargo was unsuited to the place; to which
he replied "never raind," and appeared indifferent as to the
Collector's opinion; which now, as the result is seen, leaves
but little doubt in ray mmd that she was originaUy mtended
by Mr, Wyer to go precisely where she did, and I call your
attention to the facts, General, in order that the affair niay be
properly ravestigated, and Mr, Wyer dealt with according to
law. This and siraUar things are the therae of public dis
cussion, and bring discredit upon the whole of us, for it is
said publicly that it could not be done without the con
nivance of the authorities, a charge which I ara sure we all
desu-e to avoid by a fair investigation, AU of which is
respectfully submitted by
Your obt servt, D, G, Farragut, Rear Admiral
From General Butler
Headquarters, Department ofthe Gulf, New Orleans, Dec. 10, 1862
Rear Admiral Farragut
My dear Admiral: I agree most fully to your feelmgs of
mdignation in the matter of the "L, L, Davis," I have already

528 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
begun the inquiry, and propose to investigate the raatter to
morrow morning at 10-30 o'clock. In connection with me
and Collector Denison, you are respectfully and earnestly
desired to be present and aid the exaraination. Whoever is
guilty shall be punished if within the power of the Department,
Most truly yours,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commanding
From General Butler to G. S. Denison
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans Dec. 10, 1862
My dear Sir: WiU you come yourself and bring Mr. Grey,
and any papers you raay have, or witnesses frora your Depart
raent, that will throw any light upon the raatter of "L, L,
Davis," I propose to investigate that transaction, with the
aid of the Rear Adrairal Farragut, to-raorrow raorning at half
past ten o'clock.
Yours truly, Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Commdg.
From George S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase ^
Unofficial. New Orleans, December 10ft, 1862
Dear Sir: I send this letter by Mr, Flanders, who leaves
to-day for Washington, and suggest that you talk fully with
hira concerning affairs here, I raean military and political
affairs, with which he is quite famUiar, You can rely per
fectly on the integrity of Mr, F, An occurrence has just taken
place which causes rae to feel rauch indignation and some
chagrin. Col, Butler has three or four men in his employ who raanage
his business for hira. The principal one is Mr. Wyer. Some
days ago Wyer loaded a vessel for Matamoras. She was
loaded in the New Basin, and when she got into the lake, ran
into Pontchatoula.
This information reached rae two days ago, and since then
I have been investigating the raatter, and am satisfied that it
was a pre-determined plan to take the cargo to Pontchatoula
for the rebels, instead of going to Mataraoras. I ara also
satisfied that Col. Butler was the sole owner of the cargo.
The vessel was the Schooner "L, L, Davis," 95 tons
burden, and 500 sacks salt was the greater portion of her
cargo. This is worth in Rebeldora the astonishing price of
^ American Historical Association Report 1902, Vol, II, p, 338,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 529
$150, per sack. Cotton could be bought there at not more
than 15 cts, per pound, and delivered at some point on the
Mississippi whence it could be brought hither. Near Mata
moras salt is abundant and cheap, I expressed astonishraent
to Wyer when he cleared the vessel, that he should send salt
to that port, but he pretended to have inforraation that he
could get a good price for it,
I have just been to see Gen, Butler, and laid the whole
raatter before hira, with stateraent of proof that the "Davis"
was loaded with intention to run the blockade, I cannot give
this stateraent m one letter, but it is sufficient to say that
Gen, Butler expressed himself perfectly satisfied that such
was the intention, I then told hira I believed Col, Butler was
the owner of the cargo — & gave my reasons.
Gen, Butler assures me he will immediately investigate
the matter thoroughly, & if Col, Butler, or those associated
with hira, are interested in the operation, he & they shall
instantly leave the Departraent of the Gulf, He manifested
great indignation which I cannot believe feigned, judging from
his appearance, I ara confident I can bring forward sufficient
proof to convince any honest jury that the vessel is Col, But
ler's, and that he intended to take the cargo to Rebels, This
statement I intend to raake to Gen, Butler to-raorrow raorning,
so that, if he please, he can perrait rae to collect and present
the evidence.
Yesterday I had a long conversation with Adrairal Farragut,
who holds the sarae opinion regarding this matter as myself.
The gunboat at the mouth of New Canal is the "New Lon
don," commanded by Capt, Read (Lieut, Commanding), I
am afraid he wUl be raade to suffer — but it would be very
unjust, for he was not deficient in vigilance, and is an honest
and faithful officer, I am more in fault than he is, for I allowed
myself to be deceived — though any man, however vigUant,
would have been deceived in the sarae raanner,
I shall report to you proraptly this progress and result of
the investigation. Please excuse the hasty raanner in which
I ara obhged to write, ^^^^^^ g jy^^,^^^
P,S, Pontchatoula is ra the northern part of Lake Pontchart
rain — soraewhat inland.

vol. II — 34

530 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From Mrs. Butler to Mrs. Heard
New Orleans, Dec, 10, '62
Dear Harriet: The tirae runs by, and twp raonths have
gone since I left horae, A fortnight ago and I thought it likely
enough we should be horae at Christraas, But I do not feel
so sure of it now, yet I think the chances are we return this
winter. We look for the next raail with considerable eager
ness, as that raay settle it one way or another. It is far better
to go now than run the risk of another suraraer. You would
be araazed to know how closely ray tirae is occupied, and yet
I do nothing. Other people with their calls, wants, and
troubles, take up ray tirae. This, with observing and gather
ing up the thread of things that run wild, is all I can attend
to, 1 usually have a budget for Mr, Butler when evening
comes, which I try to make as little distasteful as possible.
Last night I told him of a story I had heard during the
day. That J — n was engaged in one of the largest garabhng
houses here — that two sporting raen frora California carried
it on ostensibly, but one of thera is his partner in other things,
and he is secretly hiraself a partner in the garabling house.
We are not through with results frora this creature yet, Mr,
B, says he goes frora here in ten days, but where? To Havana,
where he intends to take blood horses taken here frora the
finest stud in America, So with gambling and horse-racing
he will stUl raanage to have his name ahead of the Gen'l,
Mr, B, has great energy, and has found ways to rise however
great the pressure, but this fellow has gone as near to blast
him as he can and miss it, of that I ara quite sure. Nor do
I feel at all certain that he has raissed it. There raay be a
stigma left that cannot be wiped out,
I have packed a box with the bronze clock I wrote you Mr,
B, bought and some books to keep it in place, and in the
crevices I have dropped pecan nuts for the children. An old
torn volume of "Robinson Crusoe" for Paul to read. You
raust tell him the beginning of the story, I think he has. never
read it, I want to send you soraething, and could do so, but
I ara afraid of the conveyance. The clock you can put on the
raantel in ray roora, I do not rauch fancy it, but it is bought
and raust be sent along. The other books you can put aside.
There is a picture book, square with a blue cover and rather
worn, that will please the children, "A Foreign Tour" I think
it is called. The little book of heraldry do not give them.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 531
Poor Benny and Hatty, are they never to get anything? We
were at a dinner party last Sunday at Mr, Durant's, a lawyer
here, Araong other things they gave us for dessert delicious
candy made of roasted almonds pounded, and sugar. If I
could send a box of that, how the children would lUse it, I
begin to doubt if Fisher or Read will corae, things have such
an uncertain look. However, if they are coraing they have
already started, I hope you are not greatiy troubled about
domestic affairs. If Timothy goes with Gen, Banks I may
possibly see hira here. Love to aU,
Affectionately, Sarah
Do not leave ray letters lying about, I wished very rauch to
put a little package for you m the box, but I send the box by
the "Catawba," From F. W. Bird to General Butler Boston, Dec. 11, (1862)
Dear General: You wiU pardon the liberty I take in
enclosing these papers to you, asking you to put thera in the
hands of sorae suitable person. We shall memorialize Congress
ia favor of a Bureau of Emancipation, and we want all the
facts we can get, God keep you in your fight with wild beasts,
FaithfuUy yrs., F, W, Bied
From Committee of the Democratic League
New York, Decemher lift, 1862
Major General Butlee, New Obleans
Deae General: You will allow us, as individuals, to ex
press our commendation of your course, and to congratulate
you upon its effectiveness in the public service. You have
discriminated truly on the question as to what could be turned
into an eleraent of national assistance, and what could not.
You have taken into favor and encouraged the naturally derao
cratic element, whilst you have treated with becoming firmness
those aristocratic forces which are now in league with the
despotisms of Europe to overthrow free govemraent. Allow us
to say to you. General, that you have gone to work in a sen
sible way, thinking in the right direction and fighting in the
right direction, which accounts for the results of your wise
and discriminate action.
Of course. General, the leading rebels are against you; so

532 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
are our vitiated enemies in Europe; so are the traitors and
rebel sympathizers in the North. But, General, the great
buUc of the heart of the North is with you. The great demo
cratic heart of the South, we trust wUl soon be with you; but
the anti-democratic element that inaugurated the rebellion
wUl never be with you. Some of this eleraent raay be alarraed
into a seeraing decency by threatened peril, but nothing raore.
It started off years ago with the idea that "Slavery and
democracy were incompatible," and hence the antipathy to
our forra of government. It has the seeds of disloyalty mixed
vrith its principles, and those seeds are ineradicable. If any
other course of treatraent can be adopted in order to prevent
those seeds from germinating into overshadowing growth,
than by encouraging and bringing into the ascendency the
natural free government eleraent in Southern population, then
indeed are we raistaken. The hope', the delusive, lingering
hope of conciliating the conspirators, and of bringing back
this hopelessly-vitiated eleraent of national weakness, has
greatly hazarded the Union cause. We rauch fear that we
shall not only be obliged to fight thera, but also their allies in
Europe. There is a great democratic famUy in these states coraposed
of the free labor eleraent of the Union. The welfare of this
great faraily is now periled by treason at horae, and the alli
ance of this treason with the free government-haters in Europe.
This great deraocratic faraily raust be brought into unity. If
every man like you had power to discriminate as to the proper
course to be pursued, there could be little difficulty. Whether
the great free government, free labor democracy of the Union,
shall be brought into political affiliation through foresight
and judgment, or whether it wUl indulge in distractions that
will raake unendurable calaraity the basis of unity, is a prac
tical question now to be solved.
With many assurances of high regard, we are.
Very truly yours,
Lorenzo Sherwood, Henry C. Gardiner, Charles P.
KiRKLAND, George P. Nelson, Henry O'Rielly, John J.
Speed, Thomas Ewbank, Corresponding Committee of the
Democratic League.
P.S. We sent a copy of the above letter through the columns
of the Evening Post of the 12th instant.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 533
From Charles S. Parties
Private. Custom House, New York, Sat. Afternoon, Dec, ISth, 1862
Major General Butleb, New Obleans, La,
Deae Sie: This morning I wrote to you somewhat at
length, and in concluding stated I would again write to you
to-day; and having sorae leisure I take the opportunity of ful
filling this promise.
The removal of General McClellan from the coraraand of
the army of the Potomac occasioned great surprise at the
North, By the Democrats — that is I mean by the deraocratic
politicians and editors — it was considered not only a blunder,
but crirae; by the republicans it was deeraed an act of justice,
and to the outcries of their opponents they raaliciously referred
to the removal of General Freraont sorae twelve raonths ago.
But by the great body of the people the measure was looked
upon as being raade by the Executive with the best inten
tions — naraely, to insure a vigorous prosecution of the War,
as well as to promote harmony between the War Departraent
and the generals in the field. As to Gen, Burnside, all com
mended his appointraent — the removal of General McClellan
having previously been made. Had General Banks or Fre
raont received the command, the administration would have
been liable to the charge of partisanship, so recklessly raade
against it by men who, lacking patriotism theraselves, believe
our rulers to lack it likewise,
Sorae of the friends of General McClellan confidently affirm
that he will be made General-in-Chief vice Halleck Jan, 1st.
This appears so grossly improbable that I almost fear I do
wrong in raentioning it, I have pretty good authority for
asserting that Mr, Lincoln intends to decline a re-noraination
for the Presidency in 1864, and that it is well understood in
official circles that General Banks, should he continue as
popular as he is now, is to be the Republican candidate for
that position. Should this be the case, it is highly probable
that a Democrat will be named for Vice-President, to give
the ticket additional influence with the people. Whether
this be so or not, it is certain that the wind sets in the quarter
I have indicated,
"When is MobUe to be captured by our forces? It is pos
sible that General Banks' expedition raay have saUed for that
quarter? — but I have always iraagined that the honor of
reducing the Metropolis of Alabaraa would fall to yourself;.

534 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
and that having redeemed New Orleans you would in like
raanner redeem Mobile from Secession rule.
The election of Messrs, Flanders and Hahn as representa
tives in Congress from New Orleans is variously comraented
upon by the northern newspapers according to their political
proclivities. For instance, the Deraocratic press assurae that
the election is an atterapt on the part of the Administration
to secure for theraselves a raajority in the next Congress, which
otherwise would be deraocratic; that it is, in fine, an odious
conspiracy to over-ride public opinion. This assuraption can
only be raaintained on the ground first that there are no
loyal citizens in New Orleans to be represented in Congress
— or second that the National troops stationed in that city
exercised the right of suffrage, and thus riuUffied the will of
the people. As these premises are wanting, the election is
of course valid, and raust be respected accordingly.
The bill for the admission of West Virginia as a state into
the Union has passed the House of Representatives, and now
only needs the President's signature to become a law. This
proposed enactment also excites the ire of the opponents of
the Administration, who indignantly exclaim that Mr, Lincoln
violates the Constitution for partisan purposes. Here again
are they mistaken, Mr, Lincoln being a practical man, looks
at the subject in all its lights and shadows. He knows it is
possible we raay not be able to subdue all the revolted states;
although believing, as I also believe, that it wUl be done.
Hence, to secure ourselves every possible safeguard against
Ul-fortune, ought we not to detach frora the rebellious states
every foot of ground we can obtain during the progress of
hostilities? In ray opinion clearly so. And every inch of
territory so obtained must never be yielded. By pursuing this
course we shall conquer the South by piecemeal — leaving to
our main armies the work of destroying those of the Rebels,
It is rauch to be regretted that at a tirae like this there
should be two parties in the North, The influence of the
President's Emancipation Proclamation was the signal for
partisan men to range themselves either on one side or the
other, I had hoped that your wise counsels to your friends
in Massachusetts in 1861 to support Governor Andrew, differ
ing from him widely as you did in his anti-slavery opmions,
would have been productive of lasting results. The adrainis
tration has been defeated in New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl
vania, and Ohio, in the first-naraed as well as in the latter

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 535
two states by majorities which would probably have been
overcome had the Volunteers therefrom been allowed to vote.
For ray own part, I think that during the continuance of this
war, and so long as the Adrainistration does not wilfully vio
late the Constitution, it is the duty of every voter reraaining
at home to sustain the government in its great work of sup
pressing the rebellion.
The report of the Secretary of the Treasury discloses an
araount of expenditure hardly covered by a thousand mUlion
of dollars. Of this sum, enormous as it is, the major part has,
I presurae, been expended upon the Array; contractors and
sub-contractors, commissaries and assistant commissaries have
doubtless reaped extraordinary profits — profits altogether
disproportioned to their service, "While the war lasts these
things continue, nay, must increase. And the unhappy raan
who has the vast responsibilities of the Treasury Departraent
resting upon hira can do no raore than endeavor to detect
fraud, and vigilantly guard the public deposits when the
atterapt in a majority of cases is, after all, doomed to failure,
Galveston having been occupied by our forces, it becomes a
question whether they will attempt to penetrate any distance
in the interior, Houston, the capital of, I think, Harris county,
ought to be seized and occupied at the earliest possible raoraent.
This is the great cotton mart of Texas, and surpasses in impor
tance even Galveston itself. I hope this raatter will receive
early attention. Business at the Custom House of New York
has greatly decreased of late owing to the heavy duties imposed
by the new tariffs. Secretary Chase estimates that $70,000,000
receipts from customs will be made during the present fiscal
year; but he is too sanguine. Between $50,000,000 and
$60,000,000 wiU be nearer the amount.
It now seems probable that the system of so-called "arbi
trary arrests" up to but recently pursued by the War Depart
ment will be soon entirely abandoned, as a portion of our truly
loyal people have taken urabrage at the measure, which they
foolishly believe to be destructive of iheir rights, forgetting
that it is only the disloyal who really suffer in the raajority of
cases, and that by their ovra act.
Absurd stateraents relating to "Overtures for Peace," said
to have come frora Jeff Davis, are afloat; but generally dis
credited by the press. There is no truth m them; and they
are brought forth only by the near approach of the 1st of
January.

536 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
General McDowell's court raartial will beyond question
result in his honorable acquittal of all charges preferred either
against his honor as a soldier or his ability as a coraraander of
a corps. Public opinion, which in this case is undoubtedly
correct, declares General McDowell to have been siraply un
fortunate. In the course of the trial (which wUl soon be ter
rainated) General McClellan was called to the witness stand,
and deposed or rather gave it as his opinion that had he at
any time during the Peninsular carapaign been re-enforced
by the 35,000 men comraanded by McDowell, he could have
taken Richraond! This stateraent is now going the rounds of
the press, and as might be expected creates a sensation. It
appears frora the CAddence (documentary) given that McDoweU
was by the express orders of the President and the Secretary
of War prohibited from effecting a junction with McClellan
during the continuance of Jackson's raid in the Shenandoah
Valley (in whose pursuit General McDoweU ineffectuaUy par
ticipated), and for some time thereafter, notwithstanding, as
an ex parte stateraent has it, more than 40,000 troops reraained
to guard Washington with a large reserve at Baltiraore. Now
the question coraes up, who was responsible for McClellan's
failure on the peninsula?
Now, a week or ten days ago there was published an official
statement from General Halleck with regard to this very
subject. General Halleck states in brief that after the seven
days' battles before Richmond, he called upon General McClel
lan, and a discussion took place as to the (future) plans of the
war departraent. In the evening. General McClellan stated
that with 50,000 fresh troops he could take Richraond; being
assured that not more than 20,000 could be fumished, he took
the night to reflect upon the subject. In the moming he
stated that with 20,000 raen he would raake an atterapt, and
stood "sorae chance" of success. It was then understood
that this number (aU that could be spared, including Mc
Dowell's Corps) should be given General McClellan, provided
the concurrence of the President thereto should be obtained.
But just prior to or upon General Halleck's arrival at Wash
ington, he received a telegrara frora General McClellan to the
effect that he (McClellan) could not or would not raake the
attempt without being reinforced by 35,000 troops, 15,000
raore than the nuraber agreed upon. Thereupon General
Halleck telegraphed in reply to coramence the evacuation of
the peninsula — which raovement was coraraenced fourteen

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 537
days thereafter. General McClellan having in the interim
strongly remonstrated against it, to which remonstrance
General Halleck replied at length, and in defense of his order,
I confess that the testiraony given before the McDowell
court martial materially disagrees with the statement of
General Halleck, who stated that he could not give McClellan
more than 20,000 troops (including McDowell's corps), whUe
McClellan or some other General affirms that nearly 70,000
men were left in northern Virginia, the District of Columbia,
Baltimore, and Fortress Monroe, when the peninsular cara
paign was undertaken, and that at the time of Jackson's raid
McDowell had 35,000 men. It is clear that somebody was
mistaken, but who, it is hard to say.
The Eraperor Napoleon has recently seen fit to endeavor to
obtain England's rulers to concur with hira in offering raedia-
tion in the affairs of this country, preliminary to an armistice
taking place between the contending parties. Earl Russell,
who, whatever his shortcomings in other respects, is certainly
a clear-headed and practical Statesman, perceiving that such
an offer would be at once rejected, and do no good whatever,
rejects the proposition, I have no idea that armed interven
tion is likely to occur for many months, if ever; and if it does
corae, it will do more to promote a restoration of the Union
than otherwise. Such at least is ray opinion,
I have written at rauch greater length than I intended when
I coraraenced, and will therefore close with the remark that I
hope you will not find this coraraunication either tedious or
unprofitable.
Very Truly Your obdt. Servt, Charles S, Bartles
From Richard S. Fay, Jr.
Private. Boston, December Uth, 1862
General Butler
Dear General: By the "Marion" and "Creole" I ara in
receipt of invoices and bills from Mr, Dexter, which will
enable me without inconvenience to take up his draft for
$60,000, about which I wrote you in ray last. His letters,
while they confirra my opinion of his good faith, also confirra
rae in ray intention to cancel all authority to act for me in any
way. He has taken risks for me to an amount and of a kind
entirely unjustffied by my authority or instructions, and the
chances now are that I shall sustain a considerable loss by
thera, I shall be sustained by law and right in repudiating

538 LETTERS OF GEN; BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
his acts to a very large extent, but I shall carry thera out so
far as I can, partly out of a personal regard for hira and partly
on account of the strength of ray recoraraendation to you and
your brother,
I have recovered frora ray fears of any inconvenience even
teraporary frora the weight of the business, though it taxes
ray resources very heavily, but I shall prefer that, while I am
so largely in debt to you and Col, Butler, you should hold
whatever property I have in New Orleans, I hope you wffi
draw as lightly as possible until I have had time to tum Mr.
Dexter's shipraents into raoney. Of this Col. Butler wffi
keep the run.
I now enclose your invoices and duplicate bills of mdse.
per "Erablera," consigned to you for sale on ray account, the
proceeds to be placed to my credit in account as a remittance.
I should like this cargo closed out proraptly if your raarket
will permit without too much loss. I expect no profit, and
only wish my business with New Orleans closed up, so that I
can see where I stand. This of course does not apply to any
business you or Col, Butler raay send me, which I shall always
gladly attend to. The "Emblem" invoices do not amount to
quite so much as I had expected, but the amount will very
nearly offset your present balance,
I have given you a letter to give to ray friend, Mr, Brooks,
whose house at Medford you wiU reraeraber. He is one of
my best friends, and a sterling fellow in every respect. His
family has a large property in New Orleans, and he goes to
ascertain its condition.
The Middlesex has made $200,000, and divides 10%, The
Washington MiUs make $200,000 on its woolen and $100,000
on its cotton business.
We are having news of great fighting at Fredericksburg, I
trust we raay win, but even if we do, it is, I fear, too late in
the season to do anything on that line of operations.
Sincerely yours, Richard S, Fay Jr,,
From Charles S. Bartles
Pbivate, Custom House, New Yobk, Monday, Dec. ISth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major General Butler, Comdg. U. S. Forces
Dear Sir: I should not have troubled you with this cora
raunication to-day had I not seen in the Washington corre
spondence of the World of this raorning a recapitulation of the

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 539
charges alleged against you by your eneraies, and said to have
been subraitted to the President. I enclose you the paper in
question, or rather send it by raail.
Now, why a deraocratic newspaper like the World should pur
sue you with such vindictiveness as it does is hard to deterraine,
except on the assuraption that believing you to be an active
supporter of the adrainistration it prefers to strike at it through
you. Heretofore the World was republican in its politics, but
differing frora the government on the subject of so-called "ar
bitrary arrests," it finally went over to the democracy, and is
now their recognized organ in this city. Its chief editor is a
gentleman of high-standing, and one of the raost efficient busi
ness raen I know of; why he should allow the coluran of his
Journal to be used against you is a question beyond ray com
prehension to solve, unless the above hypotheses be correct.
Your rigid performance of the duties appertaining to the
station you hold has of course excited the utmost aniraosity
of those who are secessionists per se, or syrapathize with thera
to an extent hard to define, but none-the-less tangible on that
account. That these two representatives of opposition to the
adrainistration should forra an alliance to effect your reraoval
cannot excite surprise. But that they should be joined in
this atterapt by others whose loyalty is unquestioned, appears
strange. In these days, however, it is party ties that bring
about such curious corabinations,
I have not the slightest idea that you will be reraoved or
interfered with at all; on the contrary, I believe that hereafter
as heretofore your conduct will be approved of by the execu
tive. Secure in his support, General, and of the approbation
of the great body of our loyal citizens as well, go on in your
career adding laurels to your wreath, and promoting the public
welfare. Your reputation rests upon too firm a basis to be
shaken by the breath of your eneraies, who are impotent to
wreak that vengeance they so long to infiict.
Gen, Burnside having affected a lodgement in the ruined
city of Fredericksburg, finds out, to his surprise, the rebel
army strongly entrenched, and prepared to dispute his advance
on Richraond, Severe fighting has taken place without those
decisive results so confidently looked for by the public. But
he wUl triuraph, or I am deceived in my estiraation of his
character. Our brave troops have had enough of repulses;
henceforth they propose to celebrate victories. The papers
of this raorning will give you full particulars of the engageraent.

540 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
I wUl inforra you in confidence of an interesting fact. Gen.
Caraeron has, as you are probably aware, returned horae frora
his Russian raission on leave of absence. Should Mr. Wilraot
decline to be a candidate for re-election to the Senate, Mr.
Caraeron will be the adrainistration norainee for that position,
with every prospect of success notwithstanding the deraocracy
have a small majority on joint ballot. From the fact of
their candidate, Frank Hughes, being strongly tinctured with
secession proclivities, judging frora his effusions in the press
and on the sturap, Mr. Caraeron will probably receive a suffi
cient support frora the deraocratic merabers to insure his re
tum. "Whatever others raay say, I firraly believe General
Caraeron to be one of the best and purest of our public raen,
A true patriot, he accepted the position of Secretary of War
against his own inclination and at the urgent solicitations of
the Executive, Finding the duties of the post too arduous for
hira, he resigned in February, 1862, at a tirae when our forces
were victorious both on land and on sea. He was, as I believe,
a warm friend of yourself, and appreciated your talents as
they deserved, I sincerely hope he wUl be successful; for it
is morally certain that if he is not, an opponent of the admin
istration will succeed Mr, Wilmot,
The Delta is your recognized organ in New Orleans, and a
better conducted Journal, considering its liraited space, does
not exist, I well remember its disunion tendencies before the
commencement of the rebellion, and that for ten years pre
vious to that time it divided with the Charleston Mercury the
honor of extrerae pestilential opinions in behalf of secession,
the reopening of the slave trade, etc, A staunch Union Jour
nal now, it supports with the greatest vigor the policy of the
Government, although taking due care to avoid needlessly
offending public sentiraent in New Orleans with regard to the
abolition of slavery there and in the adjoining parishes. The
True Delta is also an excellent journal, true, I believe, to the
Union and the Constitution, and, like the Richraond Whig,
having yielded to secession only when resistance was impos
sible. The True Delta I think supported Douglas for Presi
dent in 1860, the Delta, Breckinridge, and Picayune and Bee,
John Bell, The Picayune, I am sorry to see, still clings under
its present management to its forraer sympathy with traitors,
although careful to observe what it is facetiously pleased to
term "neutrality," Were George W, Kendall of Texas in
control of its columns there would be no neutrality exhibited.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 541
but in Ueu thereof a warm espousal of the cause of the
Union, In ray letters of Saturday I expressed belief that General
Banks would not disembark his expeditionary force in the
Virginia coast, but would doubtless proceed to some important
Southern city, either Charleston, Savannah, or MobUe. It
appears frora the papers of to-day more than probable that I
was mistaken in this assumption; and that the corps have
been or will be landed at some point on the North Carolina
coast, whence they can proceed first to cut off raUroad
comraunications between the South and Richraond, say at
Weldon, and then raarch on the Confederate Capitol whUe
Burnside's array is proceeding southward by the Fredericks
burg route, I earnestly hope that this belief be not ill-
founded; as, if it is not we shall (Providence perraitting) be
in possession of Richraond by January 1st.
Your Sincere Friend, Charles S. Bartles

From Honorable Salmon P. Chase
Washington D.C, Decemher Iith, 1862
Major General Butler
My dear General: Your letter was handed by me per
sonally to the President, and he read it all through in my
presence, and, as he did so, acknowledged fully the capacity
for service you have exhibited, and the past services you have
actually perforraed. Beyond this he said nothing, except that
he had written you sorae days since. He had proraised this
to rae, and I was glad to learn that he had not forgotten to
do so.
It was only since I received the letter to the President (with
one to myself) that I learned frora Mr. Stanton the real des
tination and instructions of Gen. Banks. I now understand
that he is actually to take charge of the Departraent of the
Gulf, to which Texas is annexed; and that he goes to New
Orleans to direct operations on the river until it is opened,
and on Texas, and I suppose on Mobile. I do not remeraber,
however, that MobUe was mentioned. Of course, this com
raission supersedes yours. Before this conversation, I had
supposed that General Banks was siraply intrusted with the
command of the expedition to Texas, and that though his
comraand raight lead to some conflict, if there were a disposi
tion to raake or have trouble, that your great work on the river

542 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
in Louisiana and Mississippi and at Mobile would not neces
sarily be interfered with. I need hardly say to you that I
regret profoundly to find myself mistaken. My respect for
General Banks and confidence in his ability is entirely sincere;
but I must frankly say to you (and I really hope you will not
take what I say as a mere corapliraent but as what it is — ray
honest conviction) that in ray judgraent you have done raore
work and raore important work and have done it better than
any General whom the President has comraissioned; and I
believe this is the judgraent of the country. Of course, I
cannot think it for the good of the country that you should
be superseded even by General Banks, We have not a great
many raen of first-rate ability, and I think there is work for
thera all, and roora enough to do it in, without bringing one
over another in this fashion.
And this brings rae to what I want most particularly to
say. You intimate a purpose of resigning, I raost earnestly
hope you will disraiss this thought. It is no discredit to serve
under a prior officer. General Banks is your friend and you
are his. Each can greatly help the other, and there is room
enough in the honor and gratitude of the country for both. It
would grieve many if you should retire, and the country, I
ara sure, would suffer immensely. Don't think that the
appointment of General Banks will really harm you. It wUl
not. Your retireraent would, for it would be ascribed to
wounded self-love. If you reraain, doing your duty as here
tofore, everyone will feel that you are governed by a gen
erous patriotism, and your present enviable position wiU be
enhanced, I wish I could repeat to you all I have said. Our friends in
Congress are unanimous in your praise. Nobody finds fault
except some honest people who really believe what has been
said about your connection with trade, and sorae designing
people wbo circulate their stories probably without rauch regard
to their truth or falsehood.
The election of Mr, Flanders gratifies me much, I know
nothing of Mr, Hahn, I hope he is as good a raan, I should
like to have a talk with you about our political future. There
raust be a new organization of parties. The party which now
opposes the National Govemraent is not in any just sense the
Deraocratic party, and ought not to be so called. It is siraply
the opposition, in which old Whigs, Kiiow-nothings, and
Deraocrats unite to expel the Republican frora power, A new

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 543
party, really Deraocratic and really Republican, raust arise,
of which you ought to be an honored and able leader.
But at present let us give all our thoughts to the salvation
of our country, A very considerable battle was fought yes
terday. Today, Sunday, there is a sort of truce. Toraorrow
we expect decisive work. May God give us the victory.
Your friend, S, P, Chase
David Glasgow Farragut's Comments on Gen. B. F. Butler ^
One bright day in Deceraber (the 16th), some exciteraent
was created on the levee by the appearance of several large
steamers coraing up the river, loaded with soldiers, their bands
playing and the men cheering as they passed the city. It was
the army of the new commander of the Departraent, Gen,
N, P, Banks, now sent to supersede General Butler, The
change was a surprise to raany, and to none raore than to Far
ragut, His relations with General Butler had always been
friendly, and in the various military operations in the Gulf,
Butler had lent his hearty cooperation. His administration
of affairs as military governor has been seriously criticised;
but it is only justice to say that in every instance when com
plaint was made of apparent irregularities. Gen, Butler showed
a desire to have matters thoroughly investigated.
His policy in allowing vessels to clear frora New Orleans
with raerchandise, and his efforts generally to restore traffic,
caused raany adventurers to flock thither, and, under the
serablance of loyalty, abuse these privileges.
From George S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase ^
Pbivate. New Orleans, December 17ft, 1862 '
[Not in chronological order]
Dear Sir: Gen, Banks and staff arrived here on the even
ing of Sunday, the 14th, and he assuraed coraraand of the
Departraent of the Gulf yesterday. Enclosed is Gen, Butler's
final order, and Gen, Banks' order on assuraing command,
I endeavor to ascertain how this change is received here,
and the result of my inquiries and observations is very satis
factory. Probably those most intimately connected with
Gen, Butler regret the change, and many of the loyal citizens
express a fear that the new adrainistration of affairs will lack
1 From "Life and Letters of Admiral D. G. Farragut," pages 300-301.
2 American Historical Association Report 1902, Vol. II, p. 339,

544 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
the vigor and abUity of the forraer. Sorae, also, think that
injustice has been done Gen. Butler in reraoving hira frora a
coraraand where he has succeeded so adrairably. But the
general expression is one of satisfaction. The fact is, that the
extensive coraraercial proceedings which were tolerated (to
say the least) by the former Coraraanding General have
created a general disgust. The public opinion was fixed that
these transactions were for Gen, Butler's own benefit, and the
dissatisfaction on this account was intense. Gen, Butler has
always been very kind to rae, and assisted rae whenever asked,
& I feel very grateful to hira. But yet I believe the change is
a good one, I was intending to write to you by this raail,
giving considerable inforraation about speculations here, but it
is now unnecessary — & I suppose all such evils wUl be speedily
corrected, I have seen Gen, Banks but once, but by his mvitation ara
to raeet hira to-day or to-raorrow, for the purpose of giving
hira all the inforraation in ray possession, I shall endeavor
to keep you proraptly inforraed of everything transpiring here.
Gen, Banks' troops have arrived in large nurabers, I do not
know whether all have corae. It is not certainly known why
Gen, Butler was reraoved, Sorae say it is on account of
deraands of France — others that it is on account of specu
lations — others that it is owing to representations of Adrairal
Farragut, I have learned little raore in regard to the Schooner "L, L,
Davis" which run into Pontchatoula, Gen, Butler believes
that I am satisfied that Col, Butler had nothing to do with
it, I am not so satisfied. Gen, Butler says he has ascertained
that a prominent officer (I suspect he refers to Col, French,
Pro, Marshal) loaded the vessel in good faith for Mataraoras,
and that the captain ran away frora hira, I do not know
whether the evidence taken down will be sent to Washington,
I think I shall lay the whole matter before General Banks,
I want some raoney. Three hundred dollars in gold, which
I brought with me, and a few hundred dollars since received
by your order, have been sufficient to pay my expenses, but
is now consumed, I transmit to-day an official receipt for
$25,000 legal tender notes, which have just arrived to pay
expenses of the office. About my own pay, I wrote to you
Oct, 10th, I shaU not pay rayself out of the $25,000 for the
fact is I never really understood what ray corapensation is,
(George S, Denison)

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 545
From General N. P. Banks
Head Quarters, Banks' Expedition, New Orleans, December 16, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major General Butler, Commanding Department of the Gulf
General: I have the honor to request that you will direct
the officers of the Staff Departraents attached to your Head
Quarters to remain here for the present, and report to rae for
Very respectfully. Your obedient Servant,
N. P, Banks, Major General
From General Butler
Department of ihe Gvlf, New Orleans, Dec. 16, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Maj. Gen. N, P, Banks, Comdg. Dept. of the Gulf
General: In compliance with your request I have directed
all ray Staff who are heads of departraents to reraain such tirae
as wUl enable thera to turn over the property in their hands,
and fully instruct the corresponding officers of your Staff,
so that there raay be the least possible embarrassment from
the change. Respectfully, Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Genl. U.S.V.
From General Butler
Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, December 15, 1862
General Orders No. 106
Soldiers of the Army of the Gulf
Relieved from further duties in this Department by direc
tion of the President, under the date of November 9, 1862,
I take leave of you by this final order, it being irapossible to
visit your scattered out-posts, covering hundreds of miles of
the frontier of a larger territory than some of the kingdoms of
Europe, I greet you, ray brave comrades, and say farewell!
This word, endeared as you are by a community of priva
tions, hardships, dangers, victories, successes, military and
civil, is the only sorrowful thought I have.
You have deserved well of your country. Without a mur-
raur you sustained an encampraent on a sand-bar, so desolate
that banishment to it, with every care and comfort possible,
has been the most dreaded punishment raflicted upon your
bitterest and raost insulting eneraies.
vol, II — 3S

546 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
You had so little transportation that but a handful could
advance to compel submission by the Queen City of the Re
bellion, whilst others waded breast-deep in the marshes which
surround St, Philip, and forced the surrender of a fort, deemed
irapregnable to land attack by the most skUful engineers of
your country and her enemy.
At your occupation, order, law, quiet and peace sprang to
this city, filled with the bravos of all nations, where for a
score of years, during the profoundest peace, human life was
scarcely safe at noonday.
By your discipline you Ulustrated the best traits of the
American soldier, and enchained the admiration of those that
corae to scoff.
Landing with a raUitary chest containing but seventy-five
dollars, frora the hoards of a rebel govemment you have given
to your country's treasury nearly a half million of dollars, and
so supplied yourselves with the needs of your service that
your expedition has cost your Government less by four-fifths
than any other.
You have fed the starving poor, the wives and children of
your enemies, so converting . eneraies into friends that they
have sent their representatives to your Congress by a vote
greater than your entire nurabers, frora districts in which,
when you entered, you were tauntingly told that there was
"no one to raise your flag,"
By your practical philanthropy you have won the confidence
of the "oppressed race" and the slave. Hailing you as deliv
erers, they are ready to aid you as willing servants, faithful
laborers, or, using the tactics taught thera by your enemies,
to fight with you in the field.
By steady attention to the laws of health, you have stayed
the pestUence, and, hurable instruments in the hands of God,
you have demonstrated the necessity that His creatures
should obey His laws, and, reaping His blessing in the raost
unhealthy cliraate, you have preserved your ranks fuller than
those of any other Battalions of the sarae length of service.
You have raet double nurabers of the enemy, and defeated
him in the open field; but I need no further enlarge upon this
topic. You were sent here to do that,
I comraend you to your Coraraander, You are worthy of
his love.
Farewell, ray corarades ! again farewell !
Benj, F. Butler, Major-General Commanding

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 547
From Mrs. Butler to Mrs. Heard
New Orleans, Dec. 17ft, 1862
Dear Harriet: All is over for the present. The Depart
raent of the Gulf has passed into other hands. We leave next
Monday, I cannot say by what vessel, Mrs, Read may or
may not corae us with. The rest of the family will stay longer.
Get another servant if you can. I shall bring the hair dresser
with me. It will be rather pell raell, but never raind it. We
raay go to Washington before returning horae.
I shall soon see the children; that is a comfort amid the
trouble. Dear love to all, ajt ..¦ ^ i c^
Affectionately, Sarah
From General Butler New Orleans, Dec. ISth, 1862
Hon. Abeaham Lincoln, President
On the 14th instant, Sunday, at night, I received from the
hand of Maj, Gen, Banks, General Orders No, 184, attested
by Major Gen'l, Halleck, directing Maj, Gen, Banks to assume
the coramand of this Departraent, At 12 o'clock at noon, on
the 16th, the command was turned over to hira.
Having received no further orders, either to report to him
or otherwise, I have taken the liberty to suppose that I was
permitted to return horae, ray services being no longer needed
here, I have given Major Gen'l, Banks all the inforraation in
ray power, and more than he has asked in relation to the
affairs of this Department,
I have the honor to enclose for the inforraation of the Presi
dent a copy of ray last general order, as coraraander of the
Departraent of the Gulf,
I have the honor to inforra you that, until further orders,
ray address will be Lowell, Massachusetts, I have the honor
^ ^^' Very Respt, Yr. Obed. Ser.,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. Com.
From Captain John F. Appleton
Lakeport, Dec. ISth, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Major General B, F, Butlee
Sie: Last suramer you had occasion to reprimand an officer
for an unintentional neglect of duty. Your manner and your
words sunk deep mto his raemory; and he always wished some

548 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
opportunity raight present itself when he could evidence by his
actions his full appreciation of your delicate reproval, I am
that officer, and in part the wished-for opportunity came when
I was ordered here, I have tried to do my duty, and feel that
I have done it, because my General for whose coraraand I raised
ray corapany, who never forgets to censure or to reward, has
not reproved rae. For your kindness to the soldiers you will
ever be held in loving reraerabrance and your past services wUl
be reraerabered by the country and be rewarded.
Now that you are to leave us there can be no want of deli
cacy in ray thus expressing ray feelings.
May good fortune attend you. Goodbye, General! God
bless you, I reraain, with great regard.
Yours ever to command,
John F, Appleton, Capt. Comdg. at Lakepobt
From Colonel S. H. Stafford
Head Quarters 1st Reg. La., National Guards, Dec. 18, '62
Major General B, F, Butlee
General: The Regiraent has instructed rae to speak for
it its words of farewell.
As raen and soldiers they look upon you as their Creator
and their Father, — they regret the parting, obeying the
"orders of the President and the officers appointed over
thera," and they will, when opportunity offers, seek to prove
theraselves worthy of you, who raade thera what they are.
Wherever you go there will their hearts be also, and their
pride will grow on whatever honors you raay win.
Relying upon the facts of the past, they look with hope to
your future, and pray that God raay be with you and the
country. For myself I beg to avail of this occasion to thank you for
the raany acts of kindness and consideration which you have
extended to rae, and have the honor to reraain.
Respectfully and truly, Your obedient servant,
S, H, Stafford, Col. Comg.
From a " She Adder"
New Orleans, December iind, 1862
General Butler
Since your arrival in our city I have addressed you upon
several occasions, through the press and in private; and I

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 549
would do so once more before you leave our city — the scene
of your Herculean labors for the past seven months, I thought
of calling on you, and while bidding you a loving (?) farewell,
inforraing you of the true light with which your departure is
viewed by us. Self-respect, however, prevented rae frora
doing so, as I feared contaraination by even breathing the
polluted air with which you are surrounded. Ever since you
came among us, we have felt for you hatred so violent that no
words can express it. We have always regarded you as a
monster in whose composition the lowest of traits were con
centrated; and "Butler the brute" will be handed down to
posterity as a by-word, by which all true Southerners will " re
raember thee raonster, thou vilest of scum," When you came
here, it was in your power to raake friends instead of eneraies,
by raarking your course with gentlemanly conduct, but that
was foreign to your nature, and instead of treating the citi
zens of New Orleans with that respect and consideration which
a civilized and refined people were entitled to, you heaped
every indignity upon us that your brutal nature was capable
of conceiving. Not content with thieving and stealing from
all sorts and conditions of raen, you insulted our best citizens,
and used language to our gentleraen such as they never heard,
and such as you only are capable of uttering. Even the ladies
were not free frora your vile imprecations. You have ren
dered yourself famous (as well as infamous) for your 28th
order, and in all coraing time your name will be linked with
all that is loathsome and detestable. May you return to
Lowell (the Yankee hole that gave you birth), and when your
raiserable wife decks herself off in her stolen finery, and appears
with you in public, raay every eye be turned, and every finger
pointed to the "pair of Yankee thieves," You may possibly
reach Yankeedom in safety — but remember, vile old coward,
that the day wUl come when you will be hunted down like a
fox in your den, and retribution wUl surely faU upon you. There
are noble, dauntless hearts in our Confederate army who wUl
surely avenge the insults which you have heaped upon us.
Farewell, and may your conscience (if you have any left)
cause your life to be one torment by day, and may the spirit
of the glorious Mumford haunt you by night.
One of your She Adders

550 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From George S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase ^
Private. New Orleans, December 25ft, 1862
Dear Sir: The mail has just arrived, and I see that,
among other charges. Gen, Butler is accused of interfering in
various ways with the Custora House, to the great injury of
coraraerce. Gen, Butler has interfered with the Custora House
in four instances, but not more,
1st. He ordered me not to perrait the shipraent of specie and
plate without his written consent to each shipraent. His object
was to prevent property liable to confiscation [frora] being re
raoved from the country. The Prussian bark, "Essex," had re
ceived on board several large cases of sUver, and by Gen. Butler's
orders, I refused a clearance until these cases were delivered up.
They were delivered up, and clearance was then granted.
2nd. Gen, B, took possession of about $2000, worth of
printer's paper in the warehouse, for his official newspaper.
The Delta — on the ground that it was a railitary necessity,
3d. He took possession of forty barrels of brandy (iraported
two or three years ago) for hospital purposes — as a mffitary
necessity, 4th. He took possession of ten bales of blankets for hospi
tal purposes — as a military necessity.
In each of the last three instances I have his written order
to deliver up the articles to the officer presenting the order —
and in each he settled, I suppose, with the owners of the articles.
Except in the above instances. Gen, Butler has not interfered
with the Custom House business, I make this statement for
your information,
I send you a paper contaming Gen, Butler's farewell address,
and Gen, Banks' proclaraation concerning the Eraancipation
Proclamation, Each article explains itself. From appear
ances, I judge that Gen, Butler intends to join the extreme
radicals, as the Deraocratic papers terra the only party which
(as it seems to rae) appreciates the position. The Texan men
are bitterly disappointed that they cannot invade Texas at
once, and think great injustice has been done them. It seems
to me that the thorough opening of the river is of raost con
sequence just now — after which the whole Southwest faUs
easUy, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas are pretty weU drained
of men, but full of corn and cattle. The Rebels would like
to retreat thither, but if the river is opened at once, they wUl
' American Historical Association Report, 1902, Vol, II, p. 342.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 551
be forced back toward, or into, Alabama, With the loss of
the three Southwestern states, the rebels lose one-half then-
material resources. They could not break through the line
of defence (Mississippi River) to recover it. In no other way
can the Confederate cause be so rauch injured, with so little
expenditure on the part of the Gov't, of raen, tirae, and raoney.
The Arkansas, White, arid Red Rivers, and, in Louisiana,
various bayous, enable gunboats to penetrate in aU directions
to the heart of the country. Fifty thousand men, together
with the Union forces now in Arkansas and at El Paso (Texas),
would be fully able to accomplish this in two or three raonths
after the opening of the river — and provided Emancipation
attended the march, success would be absolutely certain. Lou
isiana is virtually subdued already, and wishes herself back in
the Union. I hope Gen. Banks will adopt some such plan as
the above, and have told hira so. Lest he raight raistake my
political position, I took the first opportunity to tell hira
also what ray opinions were, particularly in regard to Slavery.
According to the best information I can get, the rebels have
at Vicksburg 12,000 men, at Jackson (and Grenada) 40,000,
& at Port Hudson, 20,000, The men are said to be deserting
very fast. Port Hudson is twenty miles above Baton Rouge,
and is said to be much stronger than Vicksburg, Many
believe that to be the point (instead of Vicksburg) where the
great fight will be.
Our troops are moving up to Baton Rouge, where perhaps
20,000 have already arrived, AU the old (Butler's) regiraents
will probably be sent up, I should judge that the attack on
Port Hudson would take place in about ten days. Gen, Banks
is expected to command in person,
MobUe is not fortffied with such strength as is represented
by Southern accounts. The Rebel gunboats there are of very
little account, I have just seen a reliable (white) man who
escaped frora there five weeks ago, Adrairal Farragut can
take the place whenever he chooses.
Please do not authorize raore officers for the Appraiser's
Department to be sent here frora New York, One, Mr.
Paulson, appointed by your order, has just arrived. He is
one too rauch. I understand stUl another is to corae. I want
to keep down expenses, and this expense is entirely unneces
sary. Mr. Sarjeant did wrong in raaking such representations
as he did to you concerning the want of Exarainers here.
(George S. Dei^ison)

552 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From Charles S. Bartles
New York. Friday Dee. 26ft, 1862
Maj. General Butler, New Orleans, La,
Dear Sir: Christraas day passed off pleasantly here as I
tmst it did everywhere.
Before you receive this coraraunication you will of course
have been inforraed of the recent Cabinet fiasco. It appears
that a raajority of the Republican Senators, headed by Mr.
Sumner, believing that the time had arrived when the Presi
dent should have a united Cabinet, called a caucus, and
decided to send a coraraittee to wait upon the President and
ask for a reconstruction of the Cabinet. This was done.
When Secretary Seward heard of the action of the caucus, he
proraptly tendered his resignation. Mr. Chase, desirous of
convincing Mr. Seward, with whora he had always been on
the raost friendly terras, that he had no part in the raove
raent, and that he disapproved of it, also resigned. The
President after due consideration declined to accept either
resignation. This decision ought to convince the raost skeptical that
hereafter we shall have a united cabinet.
A rumor was lately in circulation that you were to be re
lieved of your command by Gen, Banks, he having [been]
appointed your successor, I have no confidence in this story.
It may be true that Gen, Banks has gone to New Orleans,
and that his forces will rendezvous at Ship Island, for the
purpose of cooperating with your ovra coraraand in the capture
of Mobile, now believed to be irarainent.
The report of Hon, Reverdy Johnson on the result of his
raission to New Orleans has been subraitted to the Senate,
but has not yet, I believe, been published, "When it is I wUl
try and forward you a copy.
Gen, Burnside's array, which now ought to nuraber 150,000
raen, is still encamped on the hiUs of Stafford County, Va,
It is not possible he will again move on Richmond before
January 1st,
From an estimate just raade it appears that upward of
$12,000 will be collected as internal revenue in this city during
the present fiscal year.
Attorney General Bates recently decided that the negroes
are citizens. I enclose a copy of his opinion, which, if sus
tained by the Suprerae Court of the United States, corapletely

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 553
reverses the Dred Scott decision. Business in the city is
Respectfully Yours, Charles S, Bartles
From President Lincoln
Executive Mansion, Washington, Dec. 29ft, 1862
Major General B, F, Butler
My dear Sir: I believe you have a faraily, and I dislike
to deprive you of an early visit to thera. But I really wish
to see you at the earliest raoraent, I ara conteraplating a
peculiar and iraportant service for you, which I think, and
hope you wUl think, is as honorable as it is iraportant, I
wish to confer with you upon it. Please come imraediately
upon your arrival at New York, Yours very truly. A, Lincoln
Estimate by Horace Greeley ^
"General Butler had taken 13,700 soldiers from the North
for the capture of New Orleans, He had received no re-inforce-
raents since; and he now turned over to his successor 17,800
drilled and disciplined raen, including three regiments and
two batteries of negroes. He sent home to the treasury the
sura of $345,000; expended $525,000 m feeding the poor of
New Orleans; and turned over about $200,000 to the Com
raissary and Quartermaster of his successor. He had collected
by taxation, assessraents, fines, forfeitures, and confiscations
an aggregate of $1,088,000, which he had faithfully applied
to the public service. He had, of course, made himself very
unpopular with the wealthy Rebels, whora he had, in propor
tion to their several volunteer contributions of raoney in aid
of the Rebel cause, assessed for the support of the New Orleans
poor, deprived of eraployraent by the war; and he had been
especially detested by that larger body of influential foreign
ers, who, having freely devoted their efforts and their means
to the support of the Rebellion, were neither regarded nor
treated by hira as though they had been honestly neutral in
the contest,"

' "The American Conflict," Vol. II, page 106.

554 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Farewell Address by General Butler
New Orleans, Dec. 24, 1862
[Not in chronological order]
Citizens of New Orleans
It raay not be inappropriate, as it is not inopportune in
occasion, that there should be addressed to you a few words
at parting, by one whose narae is to be hereafter indissolubly
connected with your city,
I shall speak in no bitterness, because I ara not conscious of
a single personal animosity, Coraraanding the Array of the
Gulf, I found you captured, but not surrendered; conquered,
but not orderly; relieved frora the presence of an army, but
incapable of taking care of yourselves, I restored order, pun
ished crime, opened coraraerce, brought provisions to your
starving people, reformed your currency, and gave you quiet
protection, such as you had not enjoyed for many years.
"While doing this, ray soldiers were subjected to obloquy,
reproach, and insult.
And now, speaking to you who know the truth, I here
declare that whoever has quietly remained about his business,
affording neither aid nor comfort to the eneraies of the United
States, has never been interfered with by the soldiers of the
United States,
The men who had assumed to govern you and to defend
your city in arms having fled, sorae of your woraen flouted at
the presence of those who came to protect them. By a simple
order (No, 28), I called upon every soldier of this array to treat
the women of New Orleans as gentleraen should deal with the
sex, with such effect that I now call upon the just-rainded
ladies of New Orleans to say whether they have ever enjoyed
so coraplete protection and calm quiet for theraselves and their
farailies as since the advent of the United States troops.
The eneraies of ray country, unrepentant and implacable, I
have treated with merited severity. I hold that rebellion is
treason, and that treason, persisted in, is death, and any
punishment short of that due a traitor gives so rauch clear
gain to hira frora the clemency of the government. Upon this
thesis have I administered the authority of the United States,
because of which I ara not unconscious of coraplaint. I do
not feel that I have erred in too rauch harshness, for that
harshness has ever been exhibited to disloyal eneraies to my
country, and not to loyal friends. To be sure, I raight have
regaled you with the araenities of British civilization, and yet

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 555
been within the supposed rules of civUized warfare. You
raight have been smoked to death in caverns, as were the Cove
nanters of Scotland by the command of a general of the royal
house of England; or roasted, lUce the inhabitants of Algiers
during the French campaign; your wives and daughters
might have been given over to the ravisher, as were the unfor
tunate dames of Spain in the Peninsular War; or you might
have been scalped and tomahawked, as our mothers were at
Wyoming by the savage allies of Great Britain in our ovm
Revolution; your property could have been turned over to
indiscrirainate "loot," lUie the palace of the Eraperor of China;
works of art which adorned your buildings raight have been
sent away, like paintings of the Vatican; your sons might
have been blown from the mouths of cannon, like the Sepoys
at Delhi; and yet all this would have been within the rules of
civilized warfare as practised by the most polished and the
most hypocritical nations of Europe. For such acts the records
of the doings of some of the inhabitants of your city toward
the friends of the Union, before my coming, were a sufficient
provocative and justification.
But I have not so conducted. On the contrary, the worst
punishment inflicted, except for criminal acts punishable by
every law, has been banishment with labor to a barren island,
where I encamped my own soldiers before raarching here.
It is true, I have levied upon the wealthy rebels and paid out
nearly half a million of dollars to feed forty thousand of the starv
mg poor of all nations assembled here, raade so by this war,
I saw that this Rebellion was a war of the aristocrats against
the raiddling raen, of the rich against the poor; a war of the
land-owner against the laborer; that it was a struggle for the
retention of power in the hands of the few against the raany;
and I found no conclusion to it, save in the subjugation of the
few and the disenthrallraent of the raany, I therefore felt no
hesitation in taking the substance of the wealthy, who had
caused the war, to feed the innocent poor, who had suffered
by the war. And I shall now leave you with the proud con
sciousness that I carry with rae the blessings of the hurable
and loyal, under the roof of the cottage and in the cabin of
the slave, and so ara quite content to incur the sneers of the
salon, or the curses of the rich,
I have found you trerabling at the terrors of servUe insur
rection. All danger of this I have prevented by so treating
the slave that he had no cause to rebel.

556 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
I found the dungeon, the chain, and the lash your only
raeans of enforcing obedience in your servants. I leave them
peaceful, laborious, controlled 'by the laws of kindness and
justice, I have deraonstrated that the pestilence can be kept frora
your borders,
I have added a raillion of dollars to your wealth in the
forra of new land frora the batture of the Mississippi,
I have cleansed and iraproved your streets, canals, and pub
lic squares, and opened new avenues to unoccupied land,
I have given you freedora of elections greater than you have
ever enjoyed before,
I have caused justice to be admmistered so impartially that
your own advocates have unanimously corapliraented the
judges of ray appointraent.
You have seen, therefore, the benefit of the laws and justice
of the govemment against which you have rebelled.
Why, then, will you not all return to your aUegiance to that
govemraent, — not with lip-service, but with the heart?
I conjure you, if you desire ever to see renewed prosperity,
giving business to your streets and wharves — if you hope to
see your city becorae again the mart of the western world, fed
by its rivers for more than three thousand miles, draming the
coraraerce of a country greater than the raind of raan hath^
ever conceived — return to your allegiance.
If you desire to leave to your children the inheritance you
received frora your fathers — a stable constitutional govern
ment; if you desire that they should be in the future a portion
of the greatest empire the sun ever shone upon — return to
your allegiance.
There is but one thing that stands in the way.
There is but one thing that at this hour stands between you
and your government — and that is slavery.
The institution, cursed of God, which has taken its last
refuge here, in His providence will be rooted out as the tares
frora the wheat, although the wheat be torn up with it,
I have given rauch thought to this subject,
I carae araong you, by teachings, by habit of raind, by polit
ical position, by social affinity, inclined to sustain your domes
tic laws, if by possibiUty they might be with safety to the
Union, Months of experience and of observation have forced the
conviction that the existence of slavery is incorapatible with

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 557
the safety either of yourselves or of the Union, As the systera
has gradually grown to its present huge diraensions, it were
best if it could be gradually reraoved; but it is better, far better,
that it should be taken out at once, than that it should longer
vitiate the social, political, and faraily relations of your country,
I ara speaking with no philanthropic views as regards the
slave, but siraply of the effect of slavery on the master. See
for yourselves. Look around you and say whether this sad
dening, deadening influence has not all but destroyed the very
framework of your society?
I am speaking the farewell words of one who has shown his
devotion to his country at the peril of his life and fortune,
who in these words can have neither hope nor interest, save
the good of those whora he addresses ; and let rae here repeat,
with all the solemnity of an appeal to heaven to bear me
witness, that such are the views forced upon rae by experience.
Come, then, to the unconditional support of the govern
ment. Take into your own hands your own institutions; re-
raodel them according to the laws of nations and of God,
and thus attain that great prosperity assured to you by geo
graphical position, only a portion of which was heretofore
^°^^^- Benj. F, Butler
By Jefferson Davis
A Proclamation by the President of the Confederate States
"Whereas, a coraraunication was addressed on the 6th
day of July last, 1862, by General Robert E, Lee, acting under
the instructions of the secretary of war of the Confederate
States of Araerica, to General H, W, Halleck, coraraander-in-
chief of the United States Array, informing the latter that a
report had reached this government that Wm, B, Mumford,
a citizen of the Confederate States, had been executed by the
United States authorities at New Orleans for having pulled
down the United States flag in that city before its occupation
by the United States forces, and calling for a stateraent of the
facts, with a view of retaliation if such an outrage had really
been coraraitted under the sanction of the authorities of the
United States;
"And whereas (no answer having been received to said
letter), another letter was, on the 2nd of August last, 1862,
addressed by General Lee, under ray instructions, to General

558 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Halleck, renewing the inquiries in relation to the execution
of the said Muraford, with the information that, in the event
of not receiving a reply within fifteen days, it would be assumed
that the fact was true, and was sanctioned by the govemraent
of the United States;
"And whereas, an answer, dated on the 7th of August last,
1862, was addressed to General Lee by General H, W, Halleck,
the said general-in-chief of the arraies of the United States,
alleging sufficient cause for failure to make early reply to said
letter of the 6th of July, asserting that 'no authentic informa
tion had been received in relation to the execution of Mura
ford; but raeasures will be iraraediately taken to ascertain
the facts of the alleged execution,' and proraising that General
Lee should be duly inforraed thereof;
"And whereas, on the 26th of Noveraber last, 1S62, another
letter was addressed, under my instructions, by Robert Ould,
Confederate agent for the exchange of prisoners, under the
cartel between the two governments, to Lieutenant-Colonel
W, H, Ludlow, agent of the United States under said cartel,
inforraing hira that the explanation proraised in the said letter
of General Halleck, of 7th of August last, had not yet been
received, and that if no answer was sent to the govemraent
within fifteen days frora the delivery of this last coraraunica
tion, it would be considered that an answer is declined;
"And whereas, by a letter dated on the 3rd day of the pres
ent raonth of Deceraber, the said Lieutenant-Colonel Ludlow
apprised the said Robert Ould that the above recited cora
raunication of the 19th of Noveraber had been received and
forwarded to the secretary of war of the United States; and
whereas, this last delay of fifteen days allowed for answer
has elapsed, and no answer has been received;
"And whereas, in addition to the tacit adraission resulting
frora the above refusal to answer, I have received evidence
fully establishing the truth of the fact that the said Williara
B, Muraford, a citizen of the Confederacy, was actually and
publicly executed, in cold blood, by hanging, after the occu
pation of the city of New Orleans by the forces under General
Benjarain F, Butler, when said Muraford was an unresisting
and non-corabatant captive, and for no offense even alleged
to have been coraraitted by hira subsequent to the date of the
capture of the said city;
"And whereas, the silence of the govemraent of the United
States, and its raaintaining of said Butler in high office under

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN P, BUTLER 559
its authority for many raonths after his commission of an act
that can be viewed in no other light than as a deliberate murder,
as well as of numerous other outrages and atrocities hereafter
to be mentioned, afford evidence too conclusive that the said
government sanctions the conduct of the said Butler, and is
determined that he shall remain unpunished for these crimes;
"Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Con
federate States of America, and in their name, do pronounce
and declare the said Benjarain F, Butler to be a felon, deserv
ing of capital punishment, I do order that he shall no longer
be considered or treated simply as a public enemy of the Con
federate States of America, but as an outlaw and comraon
eneray of raankind, and that, in the event of his capture, the
officer in comraand of the capturing force do cause hira to be
immediately executed by hanging,
"And I do farther order that no coraraissioned officer of the
United States, taken captive, shall be released on parole, be
fore exchanged, until the said Butler shall have raet with due
punishment for his crimes,
"And whereas, the hostilities waged against this Confed
eracy by the forces of the United States, under the coraraand of
said Benjamin F, Butler, have borne no resemblance to such
warfare as is alone perraissible by the rules of international
law or the usages of civilization, but have been characterized
by repeated atrocities and outrages, araong the large nuraber
of which the following raay be cited as examples:
"Peaceful and aged citizens, unresisting captives and non-
combatants, have been confined at hard labor, with iron chains
attached to their lirabs, and are still so held, in dungeons and
fortresses, "Others have been submitted to a like degrading punish
raent for selling medicines to the sick soldiers of the
Confederacy, "The soldiers of the United States have been invited and
encouraged in general orders to insult and outrage the wives,
the mothers, and the sisters of our citizens,
"Helpless women have been torn from their horaes, and
subjected to solitary confineraent, sorae in fortresses and pris
ons, and one especially on an island of barren sand, under a
tropical sun; have been fed with loathsorae rations that have
been conderaned as unfit for soldiers, and have been exposed
to the vUest insults,
"Prisoners of war, who surrendered to the naval forces of

560 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
the United States, on agreeraent that they should be released
on parole, have been seized and kept in close confineraent.
"Repeated pretexts have been sought or invented for plun
dering the inhabitants of a captured city, by fines levied and
collected under threats of iraprisoning recusants at hard labor
with ball and chain. The entire population of New Orleans
have been forced to elect between starvation by the confisca
tion of all property and taking an oath against conscience to
bear allegiance to the invader of their country.
"Egress from the city has been refused to those whose forti
tude withstood the test, and even to lone and aged woraen, and
to helpless children; and, after being ejected frora their horaes
and robbed of their property, they have been left to starve in
the streets or subsist on charity.
"The slaves have been driven frora the plantations in the
neighborhood of New Orleans until their owners would con
sent to share their crops with the coraraanding general, his
brother, Andrew J. Butler, and other officers; and when such
consent had been extorted, the slaves have been restored to
the plantations, and there corapeUed to work under the bayo
nets of the guards of United States soldiers. Where that part
nership was refused, armed expeditions have been sent to the
plantations to rob thera of everything that was susceptible of
removal. "And even slaves, too aged or infirm to work, have, in spite
of their entreaties, been forced frora the horaes provided by
their owners, and driven to wander helpless on the highway.
"By a recent General Order No. 91, the entire property in
that part of Louisiana west of the Mississippi river has been
sequestrated for confiscation, and officers have been assigned
to duty, with orders to gather up and collect the personal
property, and turn over to the proper officers, upon their
receipts, such of said property as raay be required for the use
of the United States array; to collect together all the personal
property and bring the sarae to New Orleans, and cause it to
be sold at public auction to highest bidders — an order which,
if executed, conderans to punishraent, by starvation, at least a
quarter of a raillion of human beings, of all ages, sexes, and
conditions, and of which the execution, although forbidden
to military officers by the orders of President Lincoln, is in
accordance with the confiscation law of our eneraies, which he
has effected to be enforced through the agency of civil officials.
"And, finally, the African slaves have not only been incited

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 561
to insurection by every license and encourageraent, but num
bers of thera have actuaUy been arraed for a servile war —
a war in its nature far exceeding the horrors and raost raerci-
less atrocities of savages.
"And whereas, the officers under coramand of the said Butler
have been, in raany instances, active and zealous agents in
the coraraission of these crimes, and no instance is known of
the refusal of any one of them to participate in the outrages
above narrated;
"And whereas, the president of the United States has, by
public and official declarations, signified not only his approval
of the effort to excite servile war within the Confederacy, but
his intention to give aid and encourageraent thereto, if these
independent states shall continue to refuse subraission to a
foreign power after the 1st day of January next, and has thus
made known that all appeal to the law of nations, the dictates
of reason, and the instincts of humanity would be addressed
in vain to our enemies, and that they can be deterred from
the commission of these crimes only by the terrors of just
retributions; "Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, president of the Con
federate States of Araerica, and acting by their authority,
appealing to the Divine Judge in attestation that their conduct
is not guided by the passion of revenge, but that they reluc
tantly yield to the solemn duty of redressing, by necessary
severity, crimes of which their citizens are the victiras, do issue
this my proclamation, and, by virtue of my authority as com
mander-in-chief of the armies of the Confederate States, do
order —
"First — That all coraraissioned officers in the coraraand of
said Benjarain F. Butler be declared not entitled to be con
sidered as soldiers engaged in honorable warfare, but as rob
bers and crirainals, deserving death; and each of thera be,
whenever captured, reserved for execution,
"Second — That the private soldiers and non-coraraissioned
officers in the array of said Butler be considered as only the
instruraents used for the coraraission of criraes perpetrated by
his orders, and not as free agents; that they, therefore, be
treated when captured as prisoners of war, with kindness and
huraanity, and be sent horae on the usual parole that they
will in no raanner aid or serve the United States in any capac
ity during the continuance of this war, unless duly exchanged.
" Third — That all negro slaves captured in arms be at once
VOL, II — 36

562 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
delivered over to the executive authorities of the respective
states to which they belong, to be dealt with according to the
law of said states.
"Fourth — That the like orders be issued in all cases with
respect to the coraraissioned officers of the United States
when found serving in corapany with said slaves in insurrec
tion against the authorities of the different states of this
Confederacy. "In testiraony whereof, I have signed these presents, and
caused the seal of the Confederate States of Araerica to be
affixed thereto, at the city of Richraond, on the 23d day of
Deceraber, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun
dred and sixty-two. „ t tv
•' Jefferson Davis
" By the President, 3 . P, Benjamin, Secretary of State"
By Richard Yeadon
Charleston, S.C, January 1 [Not in chronological order]
Ten Thousand Dollars Reward! — $10,000!
President Davi^ having proclairaed Benjarain F, Butler,
of Massachusetts, to be a felon, deserving of capital punish
ment, for the deliberate murder of Wra, B, Muraford, a citi
zen of the Confederate States at New Orleans; and having
ordered that the said Benjamin F, Butler be considered or
treated as an outlaw and comraon eneray of mankind, and
that, in the event of his capture, the officer in comraand of
the capturing force do cause him to be iraraediately executed
by hanging, the undersigned hereby offers a reward of ten
thousand dollars ($10,000) for the capture and delivery of
the said Benjarain F, Butler, dead or ahve, to any proper
Confederate authority, t» ,,,.
•^ Richard Yeadon
From William Tyler
Recd. Washington, Fdi. S, 1863 [Not in chronological order]
Major Gen. B, F, Butler
General: With this I send you the Providence Evening
Press of the 27th, containing extracts frora Jeff, Davis' Procla
raation against you and Eraancipation, along with strictures
on your adrainistration as railitary governor at New Orleans
— an adrainistration which to my judgment has been erainently
just, able, and efficient. The Press is understood to be Gov.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 563
Sprague's organ, if not his property in whole or in part. It
has, of late, discovered raore than heretofore a proclivity to
politics of the Valendinghara and Judge B, T, Thoraas type.
But it is ruraored that Gov, Sprague is inclining to the policy
of the national adrainistration. How the Press and the Gov
ernor will corae out hereafter remains to be seen,
I am sure that the strictures of the Press on your admin
istration will pass by you as the idle wind, and that you will
treat the fulraination of the bogus rebel President as Martin
Luther did the Pope's bull of excoraraunication. That you
will be intimidated by the malignant sentence of outlawing,
those who know you do not believe. Doubtless the proclaraa
tion is chiefly designed to anticipate the forthcoraing one of
President Lincoln, and to counteract its influence. You are
singled out for special vengeance because of your superior
vigilance, boldness, and efficiency in curbing the insolence and
suppressing the machinations of the rebels,
Quos Deus vult perdere, etc. is true of these rebels. Infatu
ated they are, and when the "peculiar institution" shall be
overthrown, as it will be, it will be patent to the world that
the initiation of the event will be credited to them. But I
tax your attention too much by expatiating on raatters better
understood by you.
Perhaps the only thing I can raention worth your notice is
the fact that in the sraall circle of my intercourse, you are
winning golden opinions from all sorts of people, excepting
only a few political bigots, I am. Dear Sir,
Very truly yours, William Tyler
From P. H. Morgan
New Orleans, Jan. ind, 1863
General Butler
My dear Sir: The day I sailed from New York I was
authoritatively informed that you had been superseded; I
was therefore prepared to find you deprived of your coramand.
I was disappointed, however, in not finding you here, as I
hoped to have seen you before your departure.
Very shortly after reaching Washington I becarae convinced
that the authorities were workrag, or had already worked,
against ypu, although they professed to be your friends. The
day I arrived it was irapossible for rae to see the Secretary of
State; I however saw the Secretary of War, and explained to
him what your despatches to the State Departraent were. He

564 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
proraised to have them delivered imraediately. They were
not received for several days, and had not been read the day
after the Secretary got them. When I expressed my surprise
to Mr, Seward at this, he said it raade no difference, as he had
had no tirae to read thera, even if they had been received.
The Secretary of the Treasury positively refused to grant rae
the permission which you had sanctioned, and not only that,
even returned a letter to rae, written by the collector at N, Y,,
with the seal unbroken. All these things forced upon rae the
suspicion that a new govemraent had been deterrained upon
for this section, notwithstanding their protestations of friend
ship, and the facts that the Secretary of War had reported raost
favorably of your conduct here, and the President was then
recoraraending to Congress that you should be presented with
a sword. In my opinion several things conspired against you,
1, The Secretary of War knew that there was a claraor against
him, and a large share of public attention was directed towards
Gen, Banks as his successor. He was therefore not opposed
to have him out of the way,
2, Seward was always opposed to ypu, and he was constantly
in a state of alarra lest you should bring about what he terraed
some complications with European Powers, You out of the
way, and he considered such a contigency as a very remote
one. He was therefore in favor of your reraoval.
In the third place, you will have discovered that so far
this war has been nothing but a political carapaign : the ques
tion with the present incumbents being how they can best
keep where they are; and with the opposition, which Gen
eral can fight hiraself into the Presidency,
Now, the people in the North and West are divided into
two classes: those who are your friends and those who are
opposed to you; and a very large party there are already in
your favor for that position. The Govemraent, then, was
all in fear of you, and thus deterrained upon breaking you
down if they could, just as they atterapted to do it when they
sent you here,
I raake these suggestions to you thinking that they may
possibly throw some light upon what would seem their inex
plicable conduct. But, General, this is not the object of my
troubling you with this already long letter. Your own pene
tration will no doubt have discovered to you long ago the
reasons for your treatraent you have received.
My purpose in addressing you now is to attempt to express

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 565
to you the gratitude I feel for the very raany services which
you rendered rae while you were in this city. You were truly
and disinterestedly ray friend, and, come what come may, I
can never fail to think of you with anything but the strongest
feelings. The machinations of designing raen raay seeraingly have
triumphed over you for the present, and it pains me to think
that you are in sorae trouble. The pretended belief in slanders
on the part of the Government may make some action on your
part necessary, and I had thought that it might be possible
that I might have an opportunity to serve you. If so, I claira
it as a right that you call upon rae. You would not, I know,
ask anything of any man which is not bounded by the largest
horizon of honor; anywhere within that circle, in any manner,
or at any risk, you can coramand, and, believe me, confide
in rae.
Again thanking you for all you have done and have tried
to do for my advantage, I remain.
Yours Most Truly, P, H, Morgan
From George S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase ^
Private. New Orleans, January ind, 1863
Dear Sir: Everything remains nearly as when I last
wrote. Troops have been moving up to Baton Rouge, and
the whole army and navy here are occupied in preparations
for advancing on Port Hudson, It will certainly be captured
when attacked, and, according to the best inforraation I can
collect, the attack will be raade in about twelve days. Gen,
Banks seeras disposed to occupy hiraself raore with railitary
and less with civil and coraraercial affairs than Gen, Butler
did. He does not yet coraraunicate his intentions to rae so
freely as Gen, Butler did.
Two regiraents of infantry and a battery have gone to Gal
veston, to occupy that Island, I have laid before Gen, Banks
a plan for the capture of Brownsville, opposite Mataraoras on
the Rio Grande, The occupation of this place is becoraing
of great consequence, on account of the great trade at that
point with the Rebel states. Gen, Hamilton urges the proj
ect, and Gen, Banks seems to regard it favorable.
Gen, Hamilton asks for five thousand men. The 1st, Texas
regiraent (only 200 or 300 in nuraber) accompanied the other

1 American Historical Association Report, 1902, Vol, II, p, 344,

566 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
two regiraents to Galveston, Gen, HaraUton is still here, and
will probably reraain until the expedition goes to Brownsville.
I suppose great coraplaints will be raade of Gen. Butler when
he gets North. You raay be sure that Gen. Butler deserves
well of the country and Govemraent, and I believe he did no
bad thing, except permitting his brother and other friends to
raake large suras of raoney — dishonorably, as I think. All
the other accusations against hira, which I have seen, are not
true. I do not think Gen. Butler sent to Washington the evidence
respecting the schooner which run into Pontchitoula. He said
the testiraony would be presented to the witnesses for signa
ture, but this has not been done.
Stateraents are in circulation here that you and Mr. Seward
have resigned. In respect to yourself, I can truly say that
the report is received by all with regret. When I say by all,
I raean the public generaUy.
I have sent to you to-day a bill of lading for $195,000.00,
shipped to John J. Cisco in accordance with your instructions.
(Geo. S. Denison)
From Count Adam Gurowski
Washington, January Srd, 1863
Major General Butler
General: Only after I had the honor and the pleasure to
shake hands with you, I read your parting word to the people
of New Orleans. I raaster not ray feelings, ray rapture, and
bring to you ray homage.
You speak deeds not words; deeds of eternal honor of a
noble and true patriot and citizen, a lofty-minded and genuine
Your very devoted and very respectful, Gurowski
From Edward L. Pierce
Boston, January Srd, 1863, 26 Old State House
General Butler
My dear General: I wish I could see you and thank you
for your services at New Orleans, where you have done so
nobly and well. But as distance separates us, I want you to
see my friend. Rev. James Freeman Clarke, of West Roxbury,
who takes a great interest in public affairs, and who exerts a
wide raoral and political influence in this coraraunity. You
ought to know him, and on your account as weU as on his, I

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 567
have handed him this note, and you can talk freely with hira
of your position and labors,
I would like now to publish your private letter to me on
Aug, (15) 1861 — in relation to slavery and the necessity of
destroying it. It shows you as foreseeing and anticipating
events, A personal allusion to an officer of a Mass, regiment
would of course be suppressed. You speak of Cameron's
answer to your letter as "evasive, unsatisfactory, and incon
clusive," This raight be oraitted if you desired, though I see
no irapropriety in retaining it, "What do you say?
Be not afraid of the caluraniators, God never deserts, the
Araerican people never desert, a raan deterrained to do his
duty. At this hour no General in the array has so rauch the
respect of the people as yourself, and your adrainistration of
New Orleans has now the adrairation of all who are in earnest
in suppressing the rebellion.
Hoping on Mr. Blake's return to learn fully about you
' Yours truly, Edward L, Pierce
From Citizens of New York
New York, January 6ft, 1863
Major General Benjamin F, Butler, United States Army
Dear Sir: At a raeeting of citizens of this city, held at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel on the evening of the Sth instant for the
purpose of expressing the sense of this community in refer
ence to the public services rendered by you to the country,
the following resolution was unanimously adopted,
"Resolved: That the loyal patriotism, indomitable energy, and
great adrainistrative ability shown by Major General Benjarain
F, Butler in the various coraraands held by him in the service
of the country, and especially in his civil and railitary adrain
istration of the duties pertaining to his coraraand of the De
partraent of the Gulf, erainently entitle hira to an expression
of approbation on the part of the citizens of New York,"
In furtherance of the views thus expressed, it was also resolved
that in addition to such action as raay be taken by our mu
nicipal authorities in extending to you the hospitalities of this
city, a public dinner be tendered to you by the citizens, and
the undersigned were appointed a committee to communi
cate with you upon the subject.
We have now the honor to apprise you of the action thus

568 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
taken, and to ask that you will raeet with our citizens at a
public dinner at such tirae, to be appointed by you, as raay
be consistent with your official duties and your personal
convenience. In conveying to you this invitation, intended as a tribute of
personal respect and esteera, we are well-assured that it wUl
not be the less acceptable to you as raarked by a still higher
significance. The citizens of New York, watching the events
of the war with a degree of vigilance and anxiety proportioned
to the vast interests and influences which converge towards
and radiate frora, this great coraraercial centre, have recog
nized in the course pursued by you, in the service and support
of the Government, the principles which they deera raost
essential and indispensable to its triuraph. They share with
you in the conviction that there is no raiddle or neutral ground
between loyalty and treason; that traitors against the Gov
emraent forfeit all rights of protection and of property; that
those who persist in armed rebellion, or aid it less openly, but
not less effectively, must be put down, and kept down by the
strong hand of power and by the use of all rightful raeans,
and that, so far as raay be, the sufferings of the poor and the
raisguided, caused by the rebeUion, should be visited upon
the authors of their calamities. We have seen with appro
bation that in applying these principles amidst the peculiar
difficulties and embarrassraents incident to your adrainis
tration in your recent comraand, you have had the sagacity
to devise, the will to execute, and the courage to enforce
the measures they demanded, and we rejoice at the success
which has vindicated the wisdom and the justice of your
official course. In thus congratulating you upon these results,
we believe that we express the feeling of all those who most
earnestly desire the speedy restoration of the Union in its
full integrity and power, and we trust that you will be able
to afford us the opportunity of interchanging with you, in the
manner proposed, the patriotic syrapathies and hopes which
belong to this sacred cause. We are. General,
With high respect. Your friends and obedt. servants,
E, E, Morgan, Rich, Grant White, Chaeles Gould,
Geo, Blunt, Wm, Allen Butlee, John Blunt, of Brooklyn,
Feank Geo, Shaw, R, J, Thome, Petee Coopee, C, W.
Maeshall, Chaeles King, R, H, McCubdy, Hieam Baeney,
Seth B, Hunt, E, Nye, John Wadswoeth, Chaeles Butleb,
Edwaed Mintuen, Russell Stuegis, Hamlin Blake

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 569
From "New Yorker"
New York, January 9th, 1863
To Butlee the Boast
Before you attend that dinner which is gotten up on your
behalf by a few truckling scoundrels, who, like yourself, have
taken part in public demonstrations with the purpose of
proraoting your own interest, it raay be as well for you to
know that this is no corapliraent frora the citizens of New
York, The leading raerabers of the Charaber of Coraraerce
refused to allow their rooms to be desecrated by any meeting
to do honor to a raan whose private character was so well-
known before he had the opportunity to disgrace our country
by his public acts. You are well-known in the little town of
Boston, also raany a wretched strumpet and gambler can
testify to your private character, and don't think that you
have so easily gone to New Orleans and robbed with the aid
of your relatives everywhere you had a chance, and that you
will not be exposed. No; you are to answer to the people of
the North for your thieving; an account is coming out which
raay take down your bombastic vanity a degree, and another
little account for which you try on all public occasions to
excuse yourself, is the murder of Mumford, whom you call a
drunken gambler, — the idea of a drunken sot like you calling
another a "drunken gambler," But make your peace with
God, for the arrangements are all made to despatch you.
Thousands thirst for your blood, and are deterrained to have
it. You cannot avert it; you will be despatched when least
you think. You are fully as much detested here in the North
as in the South, and your day of reckoning is at hand, although
you may look two ways. It is something like your official
adrainistration in the South, when you looked to your own
pocket while professing to serve the good.
Your rotten-hearted carcass raust be deprived of vitality,
your thieving soul of life, so prepare to raeet your cohort, the
Devil, who wants you raore than this country does.
New Yorker
From President Lincoln to Congress
Dec. 16ft, 1862 [Not in chronological order]
Fellow-citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives
I HAVE in my possession three valuable swords, formerly the
property of General David E, Twiggs, which I now place at the

570 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
disposal of Congress, They were forwarded to rae from New
Orleans by Major General Benjarain F, Butler, If they, or any
of them, shall be by Congress disposed of, in reward or compli
raent of military service, I think General Butler is entitled to
the first consideration, A copy of the General's letter to rae,
accompanying the swords, is herewith transmitted,
Abraham Lincoln
In the Senate of the United States January 7th, 1863
Mr, Wilson, of Massachusetts, from the Committee on
MUitary Affairs and the MUitia, reported the following joint
resolution, which was read and passed to a second reading,^
Joint Resolution
raaking disposition of three swords, forraerly the property of
David E, Twiggs, late brevet brigadier general in the array of
the United States.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States, in Congress asserabled —
That the three presentation swords, seized by Major General
Benjamin F, Butler after the capture of New Orleans, Louisi
ana, as the property of David E, Twiggs, late brevet major
general in the army of the United States, and abandoned by
hira in his flight frora that city on the twenty-fifth of April,
eighteen hundred and sixty-two, be disposed of by the Presi
dent of the United States in the following raanner, to wit:
The sword voted by Congress on the second March, 1847,
to be presented to Major General Benjarain F, Butler, as a
reward for his distinguished raUitary services during the pres
ent rebellion; the sword presented by the State of Georgia
to be deposited in the library of the Military Acaderay at
West Point, New York; and the sword given hira by Augusta,
his native city, to be preserved in the Patent Office, at Wash
ington, as a trophy of the present rebellion.
From Honorable Charles Sumner to General Butler
Washington, D.C. Senate Chamber, Jan. 8, 1863
Dear General: Mr, Stanton assured rae last evening
that had he known your real position with regard to the
Proclaraation, he would have cut off his right hand before
' This bill was pigeon-holed in Committee, and no further action taken in regard
to General Butler,

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 571
he would have aUowed anybody to take your place. That his
fixed purpose was that on the 1st, Jan, a General should be
in command at New Orleans to whom the Proclaraation would
be a living letter, and that in this respect it was natural, after
the recent elections in Pa, and N, Y,, that he should look to
a Republican rather than to an old Deraocrat,
I raention these things frankly, that you may see the precise
motive of the recent change,
I afterwards saw the President, who said that he hoped
very soon to return you to New Orleans, He added that he
was anxious to keep you in the public service to gratify you,
as you had deserved well of the country,
I do not know that you wffi care to hear these things, but I
trust that you wUl appreciate the sympathy and friendly
interests which dictate their coraraunication. Believe rae,
' Very faithfully yours, Charles Sumner
From T. D. Eliot to General Butler
Washington, January Sth, 1863
My dear Sib: I had prepared a vote of thanks to you, but
the state of Ohio was first called, and Mr, Hutchins offered a
resolution to the same effect, which after some opposition (not
by speech, but by motions to defeat) we have now passed by
a vote of 83 to 28,
The Sth of January is a good day to pass it, and it is an act
in all respects fit to be done. Sincerely your friend, T, D, Eliot
From George S. Denison to Salmon P. Chase ^
Private. New Orleans, January Sth, 1863
Deae Sie: A disaster has occurred at Galveston, siraUar
to that near Fortress Monroe, when the "Cumberland" and
"Congress" were destroyed.
The rebels, under Magruder, came down frora Houston
with four boats (steara) protected by cotton bales. At the
sarae tirae, a land force, estimated from 3,000 to 7,000, crossed
the bridge to the Island and occupied Galveston, This occurred
about one or two o'clock on the morning of Jan 1st, About
3 o'clock, an attack was made by land and water on the gun
boats — which were m the narrow channel within rausket
shot of the shore. The "Harriet Lane" run into a rebel

1 American Historical Association Report, 1902, Vol, H, p, 345,

572 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
boat and sunk her, but becarae entangled in the wreck and
could not get off. She was carried by boarding and captured.
Less than twenty of her raen are supposed to survive (out of
130), The "Westfield" (Flag Ship) was aground, Corarao
dore Renshaw sent off to the other vessels all the raen and
officers except eight or ten, and then blew up the vessel and
hiraself with her. He did not intend to destroy hiraself, but
the raagazine took fire unexpectedly, just as he was escaping.
Two hundred and fifty men of a Massachusetts regiraent
(infantry only) were posted in the town, and were all captured
or killed. The gunboats had previous notice of the attack,
and there must have been negligence on the part of the officers.
Our loss is — "Harriet Lane" captured, but believed to be
too rauch injured to be fit for sea for sorae tirae. The "West-
field" blown up. Two sailing vessels loaded with coal for the
navy. About 400 raen killed or taken prisoners.
All the other vessels (two were gunboats) escaped. The
fight lasted from three o'clock until 10 a,m,
Adrairal Farragut, on receipt of the news, iraraediately
despatched several vessels to Galveston, which will set things
right again, I hope. The 1st, Texas Regt,, Col, Davis, arrived,
after the capture on the S, Ship "Cumbria," and narrowly
escaped capture. The reg't, numbers about 200 raen, who have
all returned here.
The condition of things here does not seem to me to be very
satisfactory — but Gen, Banks has not been here long enough
to deterraine the prospect of iraproveraent,
I think Gen, Banks lacks decision. With one or two excep
tions, his staff are not men of ability. He seems to favor the
policy of conciliation — which policy is weak and will always
be unsuccessful, I can hardly get him to express an opinion
— or if he does, it does not seera to be an earnest conviction.
Secessionists grow more defiant, and Union raen despondent.
This, I hope, and think, will be changed, I believe he is
thoroughly hoUfest, and he already has effected rauch good by
putting down swindlers and array speculators. Gen, Butler's
railitary coraraission (Gen, orders No, 91) did an iramense
amount of mischief and injustice. Gen, Butler is an extraor
dinary man, but did very wrong in all things connected with
internal trade, I have frequently heard Union men say they
wished he was President, for though he would raake rail
lions for hiraself during the first three months, he would finish
the war in three raonths more.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 573
Gen, Banks has a very difficult position, for he coraes here
a stranger, and four weeks at least are necessary for him to
become informed of the situation.
The Government can finish this war in twelve months —
in one way and in only one. Arm the negroes, I am per
fectly satisfied it must be done. Why delay it? It can be
done here without throwing the border states into a fever.
Here and in S, Carolina and not well elsewhere, I called
upon Gen, Banks this morning and urged the matter on his
attention, as I have often done before. He agreed with rae
that the war could be finished in that way, but seems afraid
of taking the responsibility, I wish I could assume the respon
sibility for him, I would suggest that you write rae a letter
to be shown to Gen, Banks, giving your opinion of the expedi
ency of raising negro troops, and stating how such a step will
be regarded by the Administration, If he is assured in this
manner that the Government will approve, perhaps he will en
list the negroes. There at least 20,000 black men within our
lines who will raake good and willing soldiers, 50,000 raore can
be raised west of the Mississippi as our array advances.
The three colored regiraents already organized have peti
tioned Gen, Banks to be put in the front rank at Port Hudson,
that they may have a chance of reraoving the stigraa of alleged
cowardice frora their race, and vindicate their rights and
abilities as soldiers, I urge hira to grant their request, but do
not know what he will do about it. The negroes all say they
can finish the war if the Gov't, will give thera a chance. By
no other means is success certain, "Why delay it?
If it had not been for speculations in the sugar crops. Gen,
Butler would have raised more regiments, but the raen were
wanted on the plantations to take off the crops.
Our last dates frora the North are of the 20th Deceraber,
It is ruraored that Gen, Butler may go into the Cabinet, I
alraost wish he would. He is a raan of wonderful energy, wUl,
and ability, and will always be adraired by the Union raen of
New Orleans, even though he is believed by some to have ac
quired great wealth here.
Military affairs reraain in the sarae condition as when I
last wrote. Port Hudson has not been attacked, and I don't
know when it will be. The rebels are said to be receiving re-
raforceraents there. ^^.^^^^^ g Denison)
P.S. Gen. HaraUton is still here.

574 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From W. W. Murphy
Consulate General ofthe United States of America, Frankfort, M., January 8ft, 1863
Major General B, F, Butlee
Dear Sir: I was obliged to you for the denial of the nu
raerous falsehoods published in the London papers. To-day I
cut another article from the London Herald, a Tory paper
which is as much worse than the other in falsehoods as you can
well iraagine. No sensible raan believes the stories here, but
I thought as a raatter of arauseraent I concluded to send it
to you. We know your efforts for the Union cause, and every
good Union man appreciates them, I observe that my letter
is written on the glorious Sth of January, the anniversary of
the celebration of the victory of General Jackson, I hope
that noble motto of his, "The Union must and shall be pre
served," will soon be realized.
Yours truly, W. W. Murphy
From Emerson Etheridge
House of Representatives, January Sth, 1863
Major General B. F. Butler, City of New York
Sir: I have the honor herewith to transmit to you a copy
of the resolution this day adopted by the House of Represen
tatives, expressive of its appreciation of your able, energetic,
and huraane adrainistration of the Departraent of the Gulf.
I have the honor to be.
Your obedient Servant, Em. Etheridge, Clerk House of Rep.
From General Butler
Lowell, Massachusetts, Jan. 17ft, 1863. [Not in chronological order]
Hon. Emerson Etheridge, Clerk of the House of
Representatives, U. S. Congress
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of an
engrossed copy of the vote of the House of Representatives.
For your proraptness in forwarding I am truly grateful. I
have the honor to be.
Most respy. Your Obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. U.S.V-

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 575
From H. M. Fuller to Paul R. George
New Orleans, January 9ft, 1863
My dear friend, Capt, George: As there is a raail going
frora here for New York to-raorrow, I will try and give you
sorae idea of New Orleans as I see it now, I was soraewhat
prepared to find the change in this Departraent of the Gulf,
reraerabering what you told me in New York, and then pass
ing some of Banks' expedition near Key West, I began to think
that General Banks was to relieve General Butler, which we
found was true when we arrived at the Passes, We arrived
in the city the 24th of Dec, about 9 o'clock in the evening.
The next day, being Christmas, was a holiday, and of course a
good deal of liquor drank, which, with General Banks' fiatter-
ing proclaraations and mild treatment with them here, brought
out their true feelings into words, and in many places quite
loud. The health of Jeff Davis was drank often by crowds in
bar-rooms so as to be heard in the streets by those passing,
I found, what I always told you was true, that there was no
Union feeling in New Orleans, They dared do nothing but
obey when General Butler was here, but, now he is gone,
they curse him, and tell all sorts of stories about him, and
speak in high terras of Banks, I saw, the day after I came
here, in a window in Carap Street, the portrait of Beauregard
with forty tickets at 50 cents each for sale, and when all sold
to be raffled for. The portrait never would have been exhibited,
neither the health of Jeff Davis drank, had Gen, Butler been
in coraraand here, I dont think Banks is "big" enough for
the place,
I have been out to the Texas Ime to bring sugar, but it has
all been bought up, I saw the Confederate soldiers across the
Rio, We have about fifteen hundred raen stationed there
with three gun boats, and it is said they have three thousand
raen and three or four boats, such as they are, a short distance
up the Rio, I think Banks had better look out or they will
recapture the Opelousas R, R,, and all the territory south
and west of the Miss, that Gen, Butler captured.
Trade is very dull here, as Gen, Banks wUl not give any
one perrait to trade out of the city, 'Tis well that we did not
get a perrait to go to Galveston, as we tried, for had we got
it I should be there with the "Franklm," The "Franklra"
arrived here on the first of January, just coraraenced dis
charging her with the crew as there is no hurry. Freights

576 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
are very low, they have got nothing yet to freight the " Frank
lin" home. Read feels very blue; Fisher says he should feel
well enough if he had you here. The "Saxon" started last
night for New York, I wanted to go in her, but Fisher said I
raust stay till the " Relief " carae; he raight want rae. We have
not heard a word from the "Relief " yet, save by the paper that
she was to leave New York the 25th Dec, The transports are
all leaving for N, York, The "Quincy" is repairing her fur
nace or something about the boiler, and will be ready to leave
the first of the week, I am stopping on the "Franklin," live
better than at any hotel in this city, I presume I shall go home
in the "Franklin," she beats most all the clippers, coming out
here in seventeen days, I am anxious to hear frora horae. We
have had no raail for nearly two weeks. Where is the Rio, Rio?
Your friend, H, M, Fuller
From Richard Grant White
186 Tenth Street, New Yobk, Jan. 10ft, 1863
Major General Butler
Sir: I beg your acceptance of the accompanying volume
with the assurance of ray respect. It is a book to which in
October last I added sorae notes, in one of which (on page
107) I expressed, briefly and imperfectly, an appreciation of
your rule and your writing in New Orleans, which since then
has only been confirraed and heightened. Indeed, though
neither a railitary man nor a politician, I venture to say,
after narrowly watching the course of events, during the last
year and a half, that you. Sir, have exhibited during the
whole of that time those qualities the lack of which in others
has brought us to the present pass in our national affairs.
Trusting that the order which relieved you of your ardu
ous duties at New Orleans will prove to have been justffied by
the necessity of assigning you to a wider, though it can be
hardly a more iraportant field of labor, I ara. Sir,
Very respectfully. Your obdt. Servant,
Richard Grant White
Will you pardon rae, for adding that I know how raany and
how various must be the demands upon your time and atten
tion, and that should these prevent you from acknowledging
the receipt of this note, I should still be unwilling to dissent
frora Count Mejan's gracious adraission that "General Butler
knows how to be polite" on proper occasions, R, G, W.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 577
From William Alexander
Pbivate. New Obleans, La., Jan. 13ft, 1863
Hon. M, Blair, P. M. Gen'l of the U. S., Washington
Dear Sir: As I believe that you sincerely desire to crush
the rebellion by military force and not to palter with treason
by compromises, I again trouble you with a line. Can't Texas
be taken out of Gen, Banks' military departraent? If so, I
do raost earnestly urge you to use your influence to accom
plish that end. Since he came here I have not called upon
him (and have been but very little about Gen, Hamilton;
ray conterapt for their contented inefficiency was too great
to perrait rae to waste ray personal attentions upon thera),
but frora what has corae before the public I have seen that he
is wholly unequal to his position. With but sraall adrainis
trative intent, and without railitary capacity or even confi
dence in his own views and energy to carry thera out, he has
done nothing and can and wUl do nothing — he is a coraplete
failure. Even his sycophants will have to acknowledge that
the weU-known quotation, "Signus imperio nisi imperasset,"
would form a raotto peculiarly appropriate to his case. Thus
far his adrainistration has served no purpose save to afford a
foil to Butler's,
For Heaven's sake don't let Banks go to Texas! He won't
suit the job. He has not sense and does not possses the pluck
to do any good there, and is surrounded by a staff that would
paralyze the genius of the 1st Napoleon, Give this some
earnest and energetic man that does not in tiie raeantirae
appear too plainly to be the compromise of Seward candidate
for the presidency of the United States, and let hira coramence
his attack on or near the Rio Grande, and success will certainly
cover his efforts.
It appears that inasmuch as five railroads converge to
Houston, and a trunk road goes frora thence to Galveston,
making Galveston the only point on the entire coast of Texas
out of which all the rebel forces within 150 miles could be
massed within a few hours, it was selected by Admiral Farra
gut as a point to be taken and by Gen, Banks as a point to be
occupied. The result is already before you. Now, if Napo
leon 1st were at the head of our Government, he would dis
grace Farragut for taking a place without military value to
us, and for attacking at a point where our eneraies wish us to
atterapt to raake an entrance into the state, and leaving the
vol. ii — 37

578 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
railroad bridge from the mainland to the island unbroken; and he
would at least have removed Banks for suffering a small force
to be landed where so long as the bridge stood they would be
entirely at the mercy of the enemy. These officers, through
neglect or ignorance of facts they could have easily have
raustered, have caused defeat and loss, I suppose that some
petty naval officer vrill be made the scape-goat, and that
Farragut and Banks will escape even an inquiry.
I know something about Texas, having spent some 16 years
of ray life there, and I now assure you that if any raove be
raade to recover that State by way of Red River, or the Sa
bine, or Galveston, it wUl cause a wanton and useless sacrffice
of treasure and of blood. Indianola is the point at which an
adequate force ought to enter. A sraaller force could raain-
tain itself and do rauch good if landed at Point Isabel,
In the raeantirae, ray loyal friends in Texas were sacrfficed
by useless delay on the part of the Govemraent. Can't a
few men, provided with arms and ammunition and authority
to recruit be sent to Point Isabel, and protected by a light-
draft gunboat? If so, thousands can be saved. The rebel
trade with and through Mexico would be broken up, and you
little dream how iraportant it has become.
Gen, Banks contemplates sending a steamer there to bring off
the Union men to this place, I can scarce conceive of greater
folly. Such action would cause our Government to be looked
upon m Mexico as the raost cowardly and mefficient on earth.
I forgot to say that Fort Brown has long since been evacu
ated by the Rebels, and the heavy guns removed to Ringgold
Very respectfully, Wm, Alexander
From Estwick Evans
Washington City, Jan. 13ft, 1863
To Major General Benj, F, Butler
Dear Sir: Allow rae to congratulate you for your suc
cesses. I thank you for the line to rae, and your order frora
New Orleans, We must make a Midas of misfortune and
sorrow. The affair of Vicksburg and Galveston must produce
a strong sway back in the other direction. The nature of
things is God,
It won't be so easy for a mole-hill to overtop a raountain
as for the South to overcome the great Union cause. But our
sacrffices and sorrows are awful, and our efforts gigantic.

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 579
The effects should be more so. We raust have even greater
enterprises and raove with greater velocity — together with
powerful preparation, prudence, and strategy, I like your
grand idea of a cross-cut near Vicksburg, May it not be
practicable? We raust, if need he, burn out or drown out the
rascals, and is it not most time? Shall we first sacrifice a
hundred thousand more of our noble chUdren?
Adieu, General, accept my best consideration and great
regards, ^^ _
LsTwicK Evans
From General Butler
Lowell, Massachusetts, Jan. 17ft, 1863
Hon. Jos, Holt, Judge Advocate General, U.S.A.
Dear Sir: If such occurrences can take place in our army
as is shown by written copy of order and stateraent, is it pos
sible to maintain discipline?
A raore gross case than Capt, Bidwell's is rarely raet, and
yet he is re-commissioned.
The matter is subraitted to your judgment, I have the
' Very Respy., Your obdt. Servt,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. U.S.V.
Exhibits referred to in Foregoing Letter
Headquarters, DepaHment of the Gulf, Sepi. 14ft, 1862
Special Oedee No. 374
In which Capt, Bidwell was dishonorably discharged from
the service for retaining the money of discharged private
soldiers, under pretences of altering the pay-rolls, and while
under arrest for previous misdemeanor.
Statement of E. H. Brie
Lowell, Massachusetts, Jan. 17ft, 1863
On the llth inst, I saw the above-naraed Capt, Bidwell,
whora I personaUy know, in New York City, and then con
versed with hira. He was in full uniform, and wore his sash
as Officer of the Day, He inforraed me then that he was a
Captain in the 176 Reg, New York Vols,, and expected to
leave for New Orieans soon, j,^^^^ jj_ g^^^

580 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From J. 0. A. Griffin to General Butler
Chablestown, Sunday Evening, Jan. 18ft, 1863
My deae Sir: Miracles are occurring in our time, i^ never
before, I have just come from Tremont Temple where, to an
immense audience, Wendell Phillips has delivered an eulogy
(to appropriate a phrase applicable to dead men) on yourself,
and his commendations were not because of your views on
slavery, but by reason of the fact that you have done some
thing and know how to do raore. He spoke of you as the only
raan who "had organized victory," He rebuked the govern
ment for recalling you and filling your place by a man who
could organize nothing raore formidable than a caucus. And
he went on, at great length, in a strain of highly eulogistic
reraarks. The audience received what he said with en
thusiastic applause, Sunday night "to the contrary
notwithstanding," Phillips, in these winter months, manufactures a vast amount
of popular opinion. No man will speak oftener or to larger
audiences in America for the next few months. He is really a
statesman though not recognized as such "by the general,"
A mention of this fact I raake, because I think now the only
hope of Araerica rests in keeping up a healthy state of senti
ment both as to measures and men in the great masses. These
masses in New England and New York and Ohio are reached by
men like Phillips who have the public ear in Lyceum Halls.
Besides, considering your antecedents and his, I think it
something that you wrung frora the lips of this Modern Cicero
such words as he spoke tonight. Yours truly, J, O, A, Griffin
From Moses Bates
Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 18ft, 1863
Major Gen. B, F, Butler
My dear Sir: I ara arraigned before Gen, C, Grover, Brig,
Gen, Comdg, at this Post, and prohibited frora trading here,
having been tried, conderaned, and sentenced without a hear
ing, for a paper which one Zeigler signed here last suramer
agreeing not to purchase cotton above the raaximura price
fixed for me to purchase to stock the Penitentiary, Having
been advised by Col, McMillan that this affidavit of Zeigler
had been acted upon by a board of enquiry, who had decided
that I was siraply discharging ray duty as an officer, I had

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 581
contented rayself in regard to the raatter, but now I find —
and this is not the first instance I have had of the sarae spirit
— that I ara to be pursued by Gen, Banks' subordinates until
I ara driven frora the Departraent,
The circumstances connected with this subject are briefly
these: "When the factory of the Penitentiary was stopped for
want of cotton, and the prisoners were being fed frora the
Commissary Department, this Ziegler shipped a quantity of
cotton to New Orleans in violation of your order to first offer
it to the Penitentiary, This cotton was by your order returned
to this city, where I was waited upon by Lt, S, W, Peree,
A, Q, M, of the Post, in company with Zeigler, and I was
urged by this officer to aUow the cotton to be returned, Zeigler
at the same time expressing a determination not to buy any
raore cotton at this place, and asking the privilege of express
ing that deterraination in writing, — his previous relations
with ray clerk having convinced me that his word was not to
be taken, a fact which he very well knew. Having procured
several weeks' supply between the shipment and the return
of Zeigler's cotton, I complied with the Quartermaster's re
quest, and released this cotton, at the sarae time complying
with Zeigler's request to allow him to sign the paper for which
I am now outlawed by Gen, Grover,
The transaction had no other object than a compliance
with the necessity for providing the Penitentiary with stock
to keep the prisoners employed profitably, and was in har-
raony with your order and those of Gen, Williaras, the paper
itself having been written at the request of the Quarterraaster
in charge, and since at no time during my charge of the Peni
tentiary factory did I buy or sell a bale of cotton except for
the Government, of which I have rendered a just and full
account to the military Governor of the State, in compliance
with your commands, I have no alternative but through you,
to deraand of the war department not only full restitution
for being deprived of ray rights as a citizen of the United
States, but a reasonable corapensation for the loss to which
I am subjected by the Military authorities here, — upon the
unsupported affidavit of an individual who left this State as
it is believed to avoid being convicted of felony.
With renewed assurances of my regards, and ray sincere
congratulations for your reception on arriving among your
friends, I have the honor to remain.
Your Obdt. Servant, Moses Bates

582 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
From James Parton to General Butler
New Yobk, Mason Brothers, 6 & 7 Mercer St., Jan. 19, 1863
Sir: I wish to write the history of your adrainistration in
New Orleans. This I would do for the vindication of the
country as well as to do honor to one who, in this raost diffi
cult of all wars, has shown a capacity equal to the occasion.
The work which I propose ought not to be done without
your sanction, and cannot be well done without your coop
eration. I now ask your sanction and cooperation.
I shall require of you: 1st, one or two long conversations;
2nd, occasional short interviews or notes; 3d, sorae introduc
tions to your friends, here and in New Orleans; 4th, perhaps,
copies of a few unpublished papers.
I propose a volume duodecimo of four or five hundred
pages, suitable for universal circulation, to be issued in about
eight months from this time — sooner if possible. In about
three weeks I shall be ready to begin, and in three raore to
start for New Orleans,
I have no right to suppose that you have heard ray narae.
Yet you raay have done so, I have written a life of Aaron
Burr, and one of Andrew Jackson, besides sorae sraaller things,
I beg that you will take this raatter into consideration, and
favor rae with an answer within a week or two. Perhaps I
should inform you in addition that I ara a slavery loathing
deraocrat, and that you are my candidate for President,
With the highest respect, Jas, Parton
From General Butler
Lowell, Jan. il, 1863 [Not in chronological order]
James PaRton, Esq.
Dear Sir: You are by far too raodest in your supposition
that I raight not have heard of your narae. One of the con
solations perraitted rae at New Orleans was reading your chap
ters of the life of Jackson, and finding that he had the sarae
and worse difficulties than those which beset me,
I ara, too, rauch flattered by your request, and will endeavor
to give you every assistance in the directions you raention.
My letter and order books shaU be at your disposal, as weU
as the official and unofficial correspondence directed to rae.
If I can by personal conversation elucidate raany raatters
wherein otherwise history raight be a perversion of the truth,
I will be at your service.

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 583
One thing I beg shaU be understood between us, however
(as I have no doubt it would have been without this paragraph),
that whUe I wiU furnish you with every possible facility to
learn everything done by rae in New Orleans and elsewhere,
it wUl be upon the express condition that you shall report it
in precisely the manner you may choose — without the slight
est sense of obligation "aught to extenuate" because of the
source from which you derive the raaterials of your work, and
farther, that no sense of delicacy of position in relation to
rayself shall interfere with the closest investigation of every
act alleged to have been done or permitted by rae, I will
only ask that upon all raatter I raay have the privilege of
presenting to your raind the documentary and other evidence
of the fact, I should be happy to confer with you personally
at such tirae as raay be convenient. Respectfully, B, F, Butler
From James Parton to General Butler
New Yobk, Mason Brothers, 5 and 7 Mercer St., Jan. Uth, 1863
[Not in chronological order]
Dear Sir: I received yesterday your letter of the 21st,
and read it with perfect satisfaction. To the honorable con
dition which you irapose I raost cordially assent. It is the
truth, and the truth only, that I desire to relate.
This morning I was about to ask you whether I could
depend on finding you at home during the latter half of next
month, and to say that if I could I would spend that time at
LoweU, But I see in the Tribune of this morning a stateraent
that you are about to return to New Orleans, and re-assurae
coraraand of the Southwestern departraent. If this is true
(and I hope, for the country's sake, it is), it raay necessitate a
delay in the execution of my task, but only, I trust, to raake it
raore worthy the doing,
I wait for inforraation of your raoveraents, MeanwhUe, I
shall hasten to wind up ray present occupation, or rather, get
rayself in readmess to do so, and collect the printed matter
that has already appeared relating to the subject before me.
With the highest respect, Jas, Parton

584 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
From R. C. Hale
Hd. Quars. Pennsylvania Militia, Qr. M. General's Office, Habrisbubg,
January 20, 1863
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler, Lowell, Mass,
General: I have read with great interest your reraarks to
your neighbors at Lowell, Like yourself, this foul rebellion
found rae a deraocrat, I was appointed to the office I now
hold by a Republican Governor and unaniraously confirraed
by a Republican Senate; but the Governor said to rae, "I
appoint you because you are a Democrat, and if I knew a
better Deraocrat I would appoint hira," I claira stUl to be a
Deraocrat, but, like you, if I have not changed ray principles,
I have changed sorae of ray ideas. No raan of ordinary intel
ligence can have peeped through the scenes of the past two
years without being fully convinced that slavery is the cause
and foundation stone of the rebellion, and the latter cannot
be crushed out till slavery is swept away.
I trust, on some new and ample field you wUl finish the work
so nobly begun, and that the grateful thanks of a united
country raay be yours.
Yours respectfully, R. C. Hale, Q. M. Genl.
From Salmon P. Chase to General Butler
Washington, Jan. 20, 1863
My dear General: I could not corae to Boston, and very
sorry was I that it was not possible. You are appreciated as
you raerit. How prorapt the people are to recognize real ser
vice when they see it! My duties confine rae too closely to
allow rauch knowledge of anything outside of ray Departraent,
but the President says you are to go back to N, O, It can
hardly be too soon, Mr, Flanders, elected for one of the Dis
tricts there, is a valuable support to you; very intelligent, and,
as far as can be judged on short acquaintance, altogether
reliable. You see the intercepted diplomacy. The use the Confed
erates would raake of perraission to take out cotton is now
Your friend, S, P, Chase

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 585
From General Butler
Lowell, Mass., January iind, 1863
Brig. Genl. L, Thomas, Adjutant General
General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
the coraraunication of Fred, Caraden to the Secretary of War
— referred to rae frora your office for inforraation.
It will be seen by reference to my despatch to the Secre-
retary of the Treasury, under date of June 19th, 1862, that I
received of the Citizens' Bank certain sums standing to the
credit of the Confederate States receivers, amounting to about
a quarter of a mUlion dollars, which were sent to the Treasury
of the United States — to be disposed of by the Government,
This amount, together with much more, was collected frora
property of loyal citizens confiscated by the rebels and depos
ited to their credit in gross. Many drafts were drawn against
this fund, and the balance only was got by rae.
There are very many claims upon this fund by loyal citi
zens whose property was thus taken. It is not sufficient to
pay all. It cannot be shown that any given citizen's property
is in it, as his araount raay have been drawn out by the re
ceivers and his neighbor's left behind.
Therefore I have suggested that a coraraission be estab
lished to adjudicate on all their clairas, and divide the amount
pro rata amongstthe just claimants.
But this is for the wisdom of the Govemment, I know of
nothing further upon the topic that would be for the advan
tage of your office to communicate, I have the honor to be.
Very Respect. Your obedient Servant,
Benj, F, Butler, Maj. Gen. U.S.V.
From J. M. Bell to General Butler
Boston, January iind, 1863
General: I do not think that any transplanted cabbage
ever wUted faster than I have done since I was shaken out of
your corapany. But "one blast upon your battle-horn is worth
a thousand" pUls, as I believe that Scott did not write, and I
live in hope to hear your suraraons to work agara as ray restor
ative, I vrill be ready at any tirae, any where, every where,
in any capacity, to do what in rae lies, for you and your inter
ests, and write this only to assure you that nothing but sick
ness superinduced by laziness has prevented ray coraing up
to inquire if there was anything that I could do.

586 LETTERS OF GEI;f, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
I suppose from what Shaffer writes that there is prospect
of a return to N, O, I should prefer to see your abilities at
Washington, The country needs this, and should demand
it, but the country rarely gets what it needs,
Mrs, Bell wishes to tender her respects to you, and both
join in kind regards to Mrs, Butler, With the highest respect,
Your friend and servant, J, M, Bell
From Oliver Warner
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Secretaries Office, Boston, Jan. iSrd, 1863
Major General Butler, Lowell, Mass,
Sir: I have the honor to transrait herewith a copy of a
"Resolve, presenting the thanks of the Legislature to Major
General Butler,"
AUow rae personally to congratulate you upon the successful
adrainistration of affairs in your late department, and to
express my cordial wish for your contmuous prosperity.
Very respectfully. Your obdt. Servant,
Oliver Warner
Resolve — presenting the thanks of the Legislature to
General Butler
Resolved, That the thanks of the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives are hereby tendered to Major-General Benjarain
F, Butler, for the energy, ability, and success characterizing
his late adrainistration and coraraand of the Departraent of
the Gulf,
House of Representatives, January 20ft, 1863
Passed, Alex, H, Bullock, Speaker
In Senate, January 20ft, 1863
Passed, Jona, E, Field, President
January 20th, 1863, Approved, John A, Andrew
Secretary's DepaHment, Boston, January ilst, 1863
I HEREBY certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the origi
nal resolve. Witness the Seal of the Coraraonwealth here
unto affixed at the date above written,
Olivee Waenee, Secretary of the Commonwealth

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 587
From President Lincoln ^
Executive Mansion, Washington, Jan. iSrd, 1863
Hon. Secretary of War
Sie: I think General Butler should go to New Orleans again.
He is unwUling to go unless he is restored to the coraraand of
the department. He should start by the 1st of February, and
should take some force with him. The whole must be so
raanaged as to not wrong or wound the feelings of General
Banks, His original wish was to go to Texas; and it raust be
arranged for him to do this now with a substantial force; and
yet he raust not go to the endangering the opening of the
Mississippi, I hope this raay be done by the time General
Butler shall arrive there; but whether or not, I think we can
not longer dispense with General Butler's services.
Yours truly. A, Lincoln
From Salmon P. Chase to General Butler
Washington, Jany. 23, 1863
My deae Genebal: Mr, Bullitt is appointed acting Col
lector at New Orleans, as I told you he would be when you
were here,
I am very sure you raisapprehend his personal disposition
towards yourself and your adrainistration there; as I have
said to him that I would like to have him satisfy you that
such is the fact. He proposes either to write or see you; and,
as the frankness of a personal explanation is raost likely to
produce a clear and good understanding, I think well of the
idea of his making you a visit.
Please give him such a reception as you would give rae; let
no insurmountable obstacle prevent the establishment of
friendly and cordial relations.
You raust go back to New Orleans, and I want cordial
cooperation for you and with you from all officers connected
with my Department, y^^^^ sincerely, S, P, Chase
From Isaac Ironside to General Butler
Foreign Affairs Committee, Sheffield, January Uth, 1863
Sib: This Coraraittee have had under consideration your
letter to the Citizens of New Orleans of Dec, 24th, 1862, and

"Lincoln's Complete Works," Vol. II, pp. 305-306.

588 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
they request me to do an impossibility in reference thereto,
which is to convey to you their high sense of admiration and
satisfaction at the value of your words, and at your clear and
convincing statement.
Before and since the rebellion, the Coramittee lost no proper
opportunity of raising their humble voice in support of the
United States, and against the rebellion and its objects and
real promoters,
"When Lord Russell granted belligerent rights to the rebels,
the Coraraittee sent him a protest against the act as being
unlawful and unprecedented; when he declared that the
blockading of the Southern ports was "unjustifiable," the
Coraraittee exposed his hypocrisy by comparing the conduct
of England in suppressing the Indian insurrection — a lawful
one — with that of the United States, and asked him if it
would be justffiable in thera to blow the rebels frora guns
instead of stopping their supplies, which he said was unjusti
fiable. When the affair of the Trent happened, the Coramittee
petitioned the Queen praying that her officers who had vio
lated her proclamation might be punished according to law.
These are but a few of the acts of the Committee in the same
direction, and they have had the satisfaction of seeing in some
degree the fruit of their labours. All the newspapers in this
town support the rebels. Over and over again have they
falsely declared that the inhabitants were favorable to the
rebels, A large public raeeting was recently held on this sub
ject, at which the supporters of the rebels fought with rauch
tenacity. The raeeting lasted four hours. They raoved two
araendents upon the original resolutions, and displayed a
zeal worthy of a better cause. However, the original resolu
tions in favor of law and order and the abolition of slavery
were carried by an overwhelming majority, not more than a
dozen voting for the two amendments.
Your letter fully explains the reason of the virulent hatred
of you displayed by the rebels and their supporters. You are
terribly in earnest, and before that earnestness slavery is
doomed, and with its doora the cause of the poor and the
labourer in every land will receive an infinite support, which
nothing can take away. The Coraraittee trust you will per
severe in your high and holy course whatever raay be the con
sequences. You are no doubt aware that Russia is the real
promoter of the rebeUion, Many years ago Sir John MacNeUl
wrote in the Quarterly Review, "The Cabinets and statesmen

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 589
of Europe are the tools with which Russia works," Those tools
have been worked by her in every way relative to the rebel
lion, Mr, Buchanan is one of her tools, Russia seeks univer
sal dominion in order to permanently establish the aristocrats,
the rich, the landowners, against the poor, the laborer. By
the publication of your letter, if not before, you placed the
filet on your brow, designating you for her victim. She will
use every means to crush you, but the Coraraittee trust you
will escape her machinations.
Your obedient servant, Isaac Ieonside, Chairman
From T. B. Thorpe to General Butler
New Orleans, January iith, 1863
Dear Sir: I have been intending to write you ever since
you left, but a variety of duties have constantly interfered,
but nevertheless I have daily thought of you, as ten times a
day I have been made to feel how much the city and the Union
have lost by your absence, I assure you that there is a deep
under-current of indignation and regret at your reraoval,
that you can scarcely realize many of your former opponents,
among the respectable people, now admit that you of all others
was the raan for the place. Your departure has paralyzed
business, destroyed hope, and sent things to the backwards
generally, I have watched your progress north with pleasure,
your reception was no raore than I expected, I say in the
bottora of my heart, God bless you for your thorough Union
practices. As a sign of the tiraes here and the heart of public
opinion I send you the account of a Union raeeting held last
evening. This is the record of a spontaneous movement, I
had nothing to do vrith it. The feeling here of the Union raen
is deep indignation, fear, and a hopelessness of the future,
^® ^' Your friend and admirer, T, B, Thorpe
From Colonel Shaffer to General Butler
Private. Metropolitan Hotel, Washington, January iSth, 1863
Dear General: I arrived here Wednesday morning, and
have been confined to my room ever since, I have, however,
seen a great raany persons who have called to see rae. The
present plan no doubt is to send you back to New Orleans,
but there is a strong party desirous of putting you in the War
Department. I prevailed on the Republican members from

590 LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Illinois to caU in a body on Mr. Lincoln and warn hira of the
dangers of continuing Stanton and HaUeck in their present
positions, but the interview was not satisfactory. Blair came
in and interrupted them. They think that Mr. Lincoln is
past doing anything with, he pays no attention to what his
friends say. General Caraeron called on rae this moming and
agreed to see Mr. Lincoln to-morrow and protest against
your being sent South. He says Washington is your place, he
will let rae know the result of his interview with Mr, Lincoln,
and I wiU write you. The truth is, that the President is about
played out, and acts like a chUd, I ara discouraged and out
of all patience with him, Cameron says that you must be
put where you can make yourself strong with the people, that
you are the only raan for next President, He wants rae to
go to Philadelphia, where he says I can be of raore use in shap
ing raatters for you than in any other place, I told hira that
I intended first to get well, and then I would be wUling to go
any place or do anything that was thought best, I wUl not get
frora here for several days, and would like to hear frora you.
Truly Your Friend, J. W. Shaffer
From 0. C. Gardiner New York, January iSih, 1863
My dear Butler: In 1845 and 6, the year of ray connec
tion with O'SuUivan in the Demo. Review, he was in Europe,
and Caleb Gushing, Alex, Everett, Prof, Tucker of Va,, Atty,
Gen, Gilpm (H, D,), Dudley Field, B, F, Butler of N, Y„ E,
P, "Whipple, Hawthorne, "Whittier, etc, some twenty were
contributors. After it was sold I penned a series of articles for
Cotton's Whig Review on "Foreign Iraraigration," one of which
was a history of the Irish faraine, as an inducing agency, and
another, a resurae of the public and private charities of this
city — their necessity as related to the influx of foreign popu
lation. This connection with the press (afterwards with the
Daily), which continued down to 1851, brought rae into the
centre of both the secret and open influences which shape and
forra public opinion in this central metropolis. In 1848, I
wrote the pamphlet called the "Great Issue," 200 pages,
going briefly over the National Legislation on slavery frora the
Congress of 1774 down to that date. Gen, Dix and John Van
Buren read my Mss,, and the Gen, wrote for rae two pages —
the history of the storray session when he raade two noted

LiETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLJER 591
speeches in the Senate, These and other associations have
given rae sorae knowledge of the real strength and influence
of the men who are now actively prominent here.
And from the day of your first raarch through this city on
your way to Annapolis, I have endeavored quietly among the
press, and the strong loyal men here, — those who give body
to public opinion, — to strengthen your good name whenever
and wherever covertly attacked, I have done it not for any
selfish ends, but both in meraory of past pleasant scenes, and
to aid the cause of our iraperiled country. With an intiraacy
and warra attachraent with the best raen of the press here a
sensible man can do a good work.
But I write to tell you how matters are shaping in regard
to your proposed reception in New York, I met, day before
yesterday, Mr. Prosper M, Wetmore, one of the most active
of the coramittee. He says, and I know, there is a great desire
to have you make a speech in the Academy of Music They
have circulated a petition to this effect, and it has already there
been signed by over two hundred of the best raen in New York,
— three ex-Governors, Morgan, King and Hamilton Fish,
the Mayor of the city, Opdyke, and the Presidents of three
colleges. President of Chamber of Coraraerce, and sorae of the
first clergyraen — old Dr, Spring and Prof, Hitchcock, etc.
After the speech, they propose a private banquet. Such a
speech would go broadcast through thousands of presses over
the country, and over all Europe, I hope you wUl raake one
of an hour at least, with all the simplicity, earnestness, and
force, which can be condensed into the great and solemn
truths of this crisis,
I was exceedingly gratffied with the simplicity and direct
ness of your reraarks at LoweU and Boston,
President Lincoln was elected to discharge the ordinary duties
of President of the United States, But thickening events
brought responsibUities unforeseen and unheard of in the his
tory of the world. He has no great lights of past experience
to guide hira. Forbearance was therefore a great virtue, until
in every aspect of the crisis it ceased to avail. You were his
agent at N, O, with delegated power, to act on the instant,
when the struggle was one of life or death. You were far
reraoved frora the source of your power, with no past experi
ences in history, and only reason and constitutional or raili
tary law to guide. It is not strange if sorae errors were raade,
and you deserve all honor for having done so bravely and weU.

592 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
It would be, it seeras to rae, a fit raoraent to receive in New
York the cunning devices of our foe in New Orleans, and his
abettors abroad "to whip the devil round the sturap " and to
prevent at all hazards the resumption of the Federal authori
ties in this chief city of the South, And in so doing to show
without bitterness, and with that dignity which rises above it,
incidentally the malignity of the charges made against you
both at horae and abroad.
This is what I would desire. You of course, see the whole
horizon of your position, and can judge best. You have out
lived in the events of this rebellion all raotives for anything
but the good of your country and a lasting farae, one founded
in just, heroic, and, good deeds. You have had and still have
ray fervent prayers. If God, in his Providence, has placed
you as a raarked agent in the path of his great events, to work
in and for their accoraplishraent, raay you have the courage
to work calraly and fearlessly, trusting in Hira unto the end.
My kind regards to Mrs, Butler, and believe rae, as ever,
Yours sincerely, O. C, Gardiner
From Edwin J. Davis
Private. New Orleans, La., Jan. 27ft, 1863
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler, Washington, D,C,
My dear Sir: I suppose that you will have seen Gen,
Hamilton before this reaches you. Matters have arrived at
such a pass in this department as rendered our Texas affairs
hopeless, under the present Military head. It is much to be
regretted that Gen, Harailton did not return to Washington
a month sooner — we could have been so far advanced towards
a decision of some sort,
I have furnished Gen, Hamilton some late information from
Western Texas, brought by a schooner last Saturday, To cut
off the iraraense trade of the Rebel Govemraent, being put
under way by that, I subraitted a plan to Gen, Banks, but
he will not act upon it, I have sent a stateraent of the plan
to Gen, Harailton, who will show it to you if you desire it.
From your knowledge of the country where that trade is car
ried on, I am satisfied that you will agree with rae that the
plan is feasible.
General Banks seems to have a coraplete disgust of every
thing relating to Texas, The Galveston disaster had cora
pletely upset him. The worst of the raatter for us lies in the

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 593
queer idea he seems to have adopted, that aU his troubles are
m some way raixed up with Texas and Texans, Consequently
he slights us in every possible way.
As it is probable the force intended to act in Texas wUl be
largely raade up of nine raonths' raen already in this depart
ment, I have a suggestion to raake which I think wUl obviate
the objection to their use, on account of the shortness of the
terra they have stiU to serve, I find that the most of these
men wiU agree to extend their term of service for six or nine
raonths longer, on condition that they are iraraediately sent
to Texas, An offer could also be raade, conditioned on success,
that each man should receive from the public lands of Texas
from three to five hundred acres of land if he was wUling to
remain as a settler in the State, I believe all Unionists in
Texas would willingly see our public lands disposed of in this
way. At any rate, we must have sorae arrangeraent raade
by which the terra of service of the raen composing the expedi
tion shall be at least nine months after landing in Texas. With
this arrangeraent, and say fifteen thousand raen, the re-estab-
lishraent of lawful authority in Texas is sure. Of course this
class of men is not requisite for such a raid as I proposed to
General Banks,
I trouble you with these particulars because I believe you
are well-posted concerning our State, and take a sincere
interest in our success; besides, it is not impossible that you
may yet take an active part with us.
Truly yours, Edwin J, Davis
From President Lincoln
Telegram. Washington, Jan. 28ft
Maj. Gen. Butlee
Please come here iraraediately. Telegraph me about what
time you wffi arrive. A, Lincoln
From J. W. Turner
Chicago, Illinois, January 29ft, 1863
Major General B, F, Butler
Dear General: Though the New York Tribune persist
ently has it that you are going back to New Orleans, not
having heard from you I have given it no credence. Without
any positive knowledge, I have felt at no time that this ad
ministration would send you back. Should a change occur
vol. ii — 38

594 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
in it, which has been, and is, probable frora the aspect of
affairs^ should you not be called to fill a higher place, I have
no doubt but what you would be offered the comraand of the
Dept. of the Gulf, with probably a rauch larger field of action,
I doubt not though by that tirae, if not already by this, it
has becorae in your estiraation no longer desirable. It would
depend I presurae soraewhat upon the field they gave you,
and the disposition of other Generals,
You have corapletely satisfied the public raind in this part
of the country in your administration of affairs at New
Orleans — both Republicans and Deraocrats too; and then
a cavil can always be traced to a no well-wisher of the
Union, Your original and suramary method of dealing with rebels
brings a smile to lighten the face of every one, in striking con
trast to the lank, cadaverous countenance with which they
view the prospect of affairs elsewhere.
It is as true that the West desire to see these rebels pum
melled, as it is that there is a rapidly gaining genuine feeling
of opposition to the radicalism of the adrainistration, which
will vent itself unless heeded, in confusion to our unhappy
country, I have been confined to ray room by illness during the last
five days, I shall leave for the East about the 7th if I get no
orders in the meantirae, I would like to see you or hear from
you before I went on to Washington, On my arrival in New
York, should you still be in Lowell, I wffi corae on, I will go
direct to New York, I have done alraost as rauch heavy sit
ting around as I am capable of doing, I ara, respectfuUy,
Yours sincerely, J, W, Turner
From General Daniel Butterfield
Head QuaHers, Army of the Potomac, Jan. SOth, 1863
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler
My dear General: Gen, Hooker has called rae to the
position of Chief of his staff. In entering upon the duties, I
find no systera, organized or otherwise, of espionage for col
lecting information of the enemies' movements. We are almost
as much in the dark in this respect as if the Chinese wall sur
rounded us, and we could neither get inside, outside, nor on
top of it,
I cannot find that any method or systera has been organized

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 595
in this army of late for any such purpose. Of course, the
necessity of this thing raust be apparent to you, and I feel
that I am not raistaken when I judge that your experience in
this line wiU prove valuable. Can you give me advice as to
your plans and operations in securing information of the ene
mies' raoveraents; or the naraes of any persons, white or
black, or any other color, who can undertake this duty to per
forra it properly with the certainty of reward coramensurate
with their services. Please consider this confidential.
Yours truly,
Daniel Butterfield, Maj. Gen. Ch. of Staff
From Stephen M. Allen
Boston, May 26ft, 1890 [Not in chronological order]
Maj. General Benjamin F, Butler
Dear Sir: In regard to the interviews of January, 1863,
for the committee on the conduct of the war, I will say from
memory without consulting papers, that in February, 1862,
all was, as you know, confusion in Washington, Being there
for a few weeks, and having a large acquaintance among
merabers of Congress, I was asked by some members of the
Committee on "The Conduct of the War," to aid them.
The meetings were generally held at the rooms of John
Cavode, at the Avenue Hotel, who took a leading interest in
all war matters, and generally acted as Chairman of the Com
mittee, A large proportion of the business was hearing re
ports of "Scouts," and giving orders for investigation. In
fact there was a large corps of informers, or employees of the
Coramittee, not under pay of course, whose business led thera
into all sorts of exarainations of raen and things, at their sug
gestion. Their books, if extant, would show a strange record.
Sorae in high places (including the Adjutant General hiraself)
were set down as traitors. Of course, character was much
handled, and the fidelity of the officers in the army was a
constant topic of discussion. I had every opportunity to see,
hear, and read of these matters, which lasted some few weeks,
by an every day raeeting with the Coraraittee. You were much
spoken of, as one that could be thoroughly relied on for what
ever you took to accomplish. It was thought, too, that you
were raore free frora jealousy of the regular army officers than
any other of the new Generals, The decided stand you took
against treason at the Charlestown Convention, your memor-

596 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
able words, "I will not sit in a Convention where the African
Slave trade, which is Piracy by the laws of ray country, is
approvingly advocated," which rang like a "Fiery Cross"
through the press North and South, were reraerabered and
cherished by Pres, Lincoln, as well as the important fact that
you have been among the first to arouse the military valor of
Massachusetts, and that your services at Annapolis, Balti
more, and in Virginia were of the first magnitude — Negro
Slaves became "contraband of war" under your rule,
I returned to Boston before the summer of 1862, and did
not go back to Washington until after New Year's in 1863,
when Cavode again requested ray services with the Coraraittee,
and I was constantly with hira and thera, as before, untU
about the 17th of February, There was terrible confusion
all round, and raost everybody, including the President,
was very rauch discouraged.
Many of the raerabers of the House and Senate of Congress
had becorae very strongly opinionated in regard to raeasures,
and there was doubt and distrust on every side, Sorae were
for overriding the President and giving the raanageraent of
the war to their favorite generals. Few were liberal and
practical in their views, and there was insubordination all
round. Many changes in the array were raade on purely
political grounds, or as matters of strategic policy. This was
the case in regard to your recall from New Orleans, During
all the discussions of the Committee when I was present, or
in conversation with any of them, or with other raerabers of
Congress at this period, I never heard a word against your
ability, integrity, or fidelity to the great cause in which you
are engaged, but on the contrary a full expression of con
fidence in your whole raotive and action was often raade.
This speaks a great deal when you consider the araount of
public abuse you were getting from your jealous and seffish
enemies outside, who spared no pains, nor the use of any means,
to ruin your character before the world.
When the question of interviewing you came up I told
the Committee I did not know you personally, but of course
knew of you, "So much the better," says Cavode, "you
know what we think personally, and can the better negotiate
for us,"
He then stated to rae frankly and fully that the Coraraittee
had the highest opinion of your loyalty, character, and abihty,
and felt that the government was under great obligations to

LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER 597
you already and hoped to be raore so. He desired me First,
to ask your own explanation of your commercial transactions
in New Orleans, which had been so fouUy misrepresented in
the papers, taking notes to be sent to the Coramittee, Second,
if they seemed satisfactory to me, as he said no doubt they
would be, to make you the following offer. Viz : — You to take
50,000 men frora McCleUan's array in Virginia, march to the
Ohio River, and go down and take Port Hudson (I think it
was Port Hudson), After you made the stateraents before
referred to, and feeling perfectly satisfied rayself, I did state
to you their offer. You answered very proraptly, and as I
thought rather tartly, that you would not do it. First, you
said it was no way to take any place on the Mississippi by
a fieet going down from above, where, if crippled, they would
drift into the lion's jaws and be destroyed at once, A fieet
to be safe should come up the river, instead of down, that
unless you started frora New Orleans you would not under
take it, and I might so report. After a raoraent's reflection
you remarked that you would be happy to do any thing
proper and practical for the government, but you would not
undertake that project as it was impractical. After a few
raoraents more you said, "Besides all this, before such a thing
could be done Port Hudson will be taken, and the cost of the
effort would be lost," You then went into a detailed account
of how long it would take to raove that body of men to the
Ohio, how many cars it would take, how rauch equipment,
how many steamers, with such an armament, etc, and how
long to get down, proving what you had said as to time, "No»
I will not undertake it, and it is impractical,"
You then opened upon Mexico, Maximilian, Louis Napo
leon, England, etc, and gave a very long and detailed account
of what they were up to m regard to Texas, etc, etc., also
what England was waiting for, and what she would do if she
could, etc, also that you would like to pay off the Mason and
Shdell affair by landing 5000 raen on the west coast of Ire
land, to keep their attention at horae. All of which inforraa
tion I sent to the Coramittee, On renewing a cigar, and sitting
back in your chair, you reminded me of Ike Marvel in his
"Reveries of A Bachelor," and soon began to talk again,
"Now, I will make the government a proposition," said you,
"and will carry it out too if they will aid rae, I will take the
50,000 raen proposed and get them to tide water as soon as
practicable, land above Charleston, and in connection with

598 LETTERS OF GEN, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER
Farragut in the Bay will take the city, I will then raarch back
into the interior, and spend the hot weather in the pineries of
the West, and in the early fall, if the govemraent will send^
rae a recruit frora Rosecrans' array in West Tennessee or sorae
other, I will raarch to the coast (by the Torabigby River, I
think), and thus cut the confederacy in two, which wffi prac
ticaUy end the war," You then were called to Washington,
and changes prevented your carrying out your plans pro
posed, 19 raonths sooner than Sherman did.
If there is anything else I can do for you please inform rae,
Stephen M, Allen
Surviving Presiding Officer of the Worcester Convention, July
20, 1854, which formed and gave name to the Republican party
in Massachusetts. From J. E. Bouligny
American Telegraph Company, Washington, Jan. SOth, 1863
Maj. Gen. B, F, Butler, Lowell, Mass,
Sir: I was inforraed yesterday only of your despatch to
Flanders, My testiraony as published in the Times does not
contain one word of truth. Respectfully, J, E, Bouligny.
From Hannah K. Lowering Boston, February 1st, 1863
General B. F. Butler
Dear Sir: Excuse the liberty which I a stranger thus
take m writing you a letter, but I have heard of you so often,
and have so frequently read your speeches, that I feel I am
not entirely unknown.
Your raany and noble deeds perforraed in the service of
your country, have endeared your narae to all who love their
country and their coraraon cause, and in accordance with my
husband's request, a soldier who formerly served under you,
I have this day named ray young son "Benjamin Butler Lev
ering" in honor of yourself, and that he may becorae as great
and good a raan as his naraesake is ray fervent wish and prayer.
Trusting my choice of narae will not displease you and
wishing you all success, I ara.
Yours very truly,
Hannah K. Lovering

LETTERS OF GEN. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER 599
Feb. 6ft
Answer. I ara very much obliged to you for the supposed
compliraent. I only pity the boy that he should bear so
unfortunate (a) narae. B. F. B.
From Governor Tod
The State of Ohio, Executive Department, Columbus, February ith, 1863
Major General Benjamin F. Butler,
Washington City, D.C,
Dear General: The general assembly of the state of Ohio
have devolved upon me a raost pleasant and agreeable duty,
in directing that I send you the enclosed resolution. The
assembly have but expressed the sentiment of all the loyal
people of Ohio,
Hoping that you raay soon have an opportunity to win
new laurels for our country and yourself, I ara
Truly yours, David Tod, Governor
Ohio House Joint Resolution
Resolved, By the General Assembly of the State of Ohio,
that Major General Benjamin F, Butler, by reason of his dis
tinguished service to his country during the present rebellion,
is entitled to the grateful acknowledgments and thanks of the
loyal people of the country.
Resolved, That the Governor communicate copies of
these resolutions to Major General Butler,
James R. Hubbell, Speaker of the House of Representatives
B, Stanton, President of the Senate
Office of the Secretary of State, January SOth, 1863
[Not in chronological order]
I CERTIFY the foregoing to be correctly copied from the
original Roll on file in this office.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name,
and affixed the Great Seal of the State of Ohio, at Columbus,
the 31st day of January A.D, 1863,
"W, W, Armstrong, Secretary of State

INDEX

"A. B. Seger," the, 451
Abadie, Mr., 360, 376, 460
Abbott, €apt., 176, 197
Abbott, Judge, 304, 338
Abellando, Frederico, 472
Abolitionists, the, 78
Academy of Music, the, 591
"Adams," the, 524
Adams Express Co., Agent for. See Blake,
Asa S.; B. makes draft for payment of
troops in favor of, 32, 33; President of.
See Daismore, W. B.; 83; draft de
livered to Vice President of, 151
Adams, Charles Francis, letter to B.
fictitiously alleged from, 70; extract of
letter from Seward to, 74
Africans, Regiments of. See Phelps,
Brig. Gen. J. W.
Alabama, 168, 428, 533, 551
Alexander the Coppersmith, 308
Alexander, William, letter to Blair from,
577
Alez, Severo, 495
Algiers, 49; letters from Davis to Provost
Marshal of, 49, SO, 278, 401, 430, 440
AUen, Brig. Gen., 168, 169, 302
Allen, Lieut., 223, 225
Allen, Mr., 477, 478
Allen, Stephen M., letter to B. from, 595;
Presiding officer of Worcester Conven
tion, 598
"American Conflict," the, 553
American Historical Association Report,
1902, 228, 270, 328, 355, 378, 412, 426,
604, 515, 628, 543, 550, 565, 571
Amiti River, 150
Andr6, Maj., 506
Andrew, Gov. John A., 42, 43; Commis
sions of, 234, 235; re-nominated, 286;
354, 499
Andrews, Judge John W., sentenced to
Ship Island, 15, 25, 61, 62; B. asked
to review sentence of, 62, 63
"Anglo American," the, 249, 250
"Anna Pervette," the, 8
Annapolis, 486, 513

Anonymous, letter to B., 479
Antonio, Juan, 496
Appleton, Capt, John F., letter to B.
from, 547
Arkansas, 132, 223, 550
"Arkansas," the, 141, 160, 161, 164, 168,
169, 176, 178, 179, 180, 181, 202, 307
Arlington Heights, 144
Armstrong, W. W., 599
Army of the Gulf, the, B. commends the
soldiers of, 172-173
Arnold, Brig. Gen. L. G., letters from B.
to 54, 230; B. asks for officer from, 54;
request for transfer of district under
command of, 107; transferred to Dept.
of the Gulf, 199, 233, 316; illness of,
402; 626
"Aroostook," the, 382
Assistant Secretary of War. See Wol-
cott, C. P.
Assistant Treasurer of the U. S., the,
32,33
Astor Hotel, 166
Astor House, the, 499
Atchafalaya, 8
Augusta, Ga., sword presented to Twiggs
by, 5, 6, 570
Austria, 71
Avendano, Don Peregrim, 280
Avendano Brothers, 279, 280, 281, 387,
388, 389, 390
Avenue Hotel, the, 595
Avery, Dr., 357 B
Bacon, Thomas Scott, 78, 79
Bahne, Albert, 90
Bahne, Dick, 90
Bailey, Captain, 436
Bailey,U. S. N., Captain, 7
Bailey, Wm. H., 470
Bainbridge, Captain, 43
Baldwin, Mr., 259
Ballot Box, the, 475
Baltimore, 36, 45, 236, 256, 259, 285,
308, 513
Bank of America, the, 21, 496
Bank of Commerce, the, 337

601

602

INDEX

Bank of Louisiana, 461
Bank of Mutual Redemption, the, 122
Bank of Tennessee, the, 139, 140
Banks, Maj. Gen. N. P., 149, 176, 428;
assigned to command of Dept. of the
Gulf, 461, 499, 542, 543, 544, 647;
Expedition to Texas, 469, 487, 505,
512, 513, 541, 577, 692; .to go to New
Orleans, 504, 520; possible candidate
for Presidential nomination, 533; letter
to B. from, 645; letter from B. to,
646; proclamation concerning Eman
cipation by, 650; attack on Port Hud
son, 551; possible successor of Stan
ton, 564; plan for capture of Browns
ville, 666; criticism of, 572, 676, 677,
578; on arming of negroes, 673; 587
Baratana Bay, 99
Baring Bros. & Co., 392
Barker, Jacob, letters to B. from, 52,
337, 338, 480; letter from B. to, 480
Barney, Hiram, 568
Barney, William, letter from Norton to,
263; 365
Barriere Brothers, 432, 433, 434, 435
Barriere, Mr., 433, 435
Bartles, Charles S., letters to B. from,
533, 638, 552
"Barvutaria," the, 8
Bates, Attorney General, 552
Bates, Moses, letters to B. from, 58, 106,
113, 139, 240, 580; 102; letter to Stan
ton from,106; Williams refuses privileges
to, 130; 203, 208; letters from B. to,
241, 524; outlawed by Grover, 580
Baton Rouge, 9, 13, 14, 21, 49, 63, 58,
65, 66, 67, 83, 94, 140, 142, 149, 150,
154, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 168, 169,
172, 173, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 183,
191, 193, 194, 197, 201, 202, 203, 210,
228, 231, 233, 235, 243, 293, 294, 296,
308, 331, 339, 353, 356, 384, 385, 440,
482, 515, 551, 565; Mayor of. See
Byam, Mr.
Bauer, F., fined, 167
Bayou Boeuf, 452, 459
Bayou Cortableu, 8
Bayou des AUemands, 267, 278, 411,
429, 472
Bayou Lafourche, 388, 515
Bayou Plaquemines, 8
Bayou Sara, 187, 270
Bayou Teche, 451
Bay St. Louis, 358
Beauport, 263
Beauregard, Madame, 466, 520
Beauregard, Gen. P. G. T„ 35, 47, 194,

216, 223; goes to Charlestown, 352;
364, 443; letter from B, to, 520;
B. gives pass to, 520
Bee, the, 540
"Bee," the, 8
Beecher, Henry Ward, 247
Belgian Consul, the. See ConturiS,
Amedee
Bell, John, 540
Bell, Maj. Joseph M., 42, 44, 103, 138,
194, 198, 233, 266, 258; letters to B.
from, 283, 585; in New York, 285;
return of, 304, 333, 338; 322, 323, 326,
327, 339, 381, 444, 504
Bell, Mrs., 256, 258
Bellino, John, 451
Beloy House, the, 284
Benachi, M. W., letter from B. to, 300
Benjamin, J. P., 13; Rebel Secretary of
War, 358, 367, 562
Bent and Bush, 380
Beresford, General, 72
Berwick's Bay, 8, 231, 280, 401, 406,
413, 427, 430; report of operations at,
460, 451; 455, 459
Bidwell, Capt., 579
Bigelow, Chief Justice, 283
Bu-d, F. W., letter to B. from, 531
Birmingham, 261
Birmingham Small Arms Trade, the, 261
"Black Prince," the, 290
Black River, the, 142
Blackwater, the, 404
Blair, Montgomery, receives Roselius,
207; letter from Alexander to, 577;
590
Blake, Asa S., letter from B. to, 32;
letter to B. from, 33; protest against
payment of money to B. made by, 33
Blake, Hamlin, 568
Blanchard, T. Bailey, Jr., 276
"Blasco de Garay," the, quarantine
regulations embarrass the commander
of, 182; letter from B. to commander
of, 182; Capt. of, $ee Herrera, Jose
Manuel Dias de, 325, 347, 368; viola
tion of neutrality laws by, 374, 375,
612; specie taken away by, 419
Blount, Capt., 302
Blunt, George, 568
Blunt, John, 568
Board of Survey, the, 110, 483
Bondreux, Sergeant, 376
Bonfanti, Capt., 209, 241, 289, 319, 320,
328
Bonne Carre, 302, 440
Bonne, Carre Point, 287

INDEX

603

Bonnegass, Monsieur, 188
Bonnet Carre, 231
Bonzano, H., asks that the sentence of
Judge Andrews be reviewed, 62; 105,
106
Bonzano, M. F., letter to B. from, 603
Borgne, Lake, 494, 495
Borrowes, J. J., 442, 443
"Bossu," 479
Boston, 7, 34, 37, 42, 61, 77, 247, 314,
569
Bougere, Francis, complaint of, 391,
398, 399
Bouligny, Mr., 379, 447, 449, 598
Bouttee station, 411, 429
Brady, Capt., 246
Bragg, Gen., 223, 401, 430, 439, 458
Bragg, Mrs., 468
Brainard, Lieut., 199
Brandt, A., 90
Brashier City, 401, 411, 430, 440, 490, 515
Breckinridge, Maj. Gen. J. C, 111, 150;
at Baton Rouge, 159, 160, 161; letter
to Col. Cahill from, 160; letter from
Col. Cahill to, 161; attacks Vicksburg,
168, 179, 186, 187, 191; goes to Mobile,
242; 540
Breese, Lieut. Commanding, 246
Bremen, Republic of, 222
Brie, E. H., statement of, 579
Brien, J. O., 371
British Corps of Scouts, the, 68
British Government, the, 73
British Guards, the, 442
British Legation, the, 11
Brooklyn, 568
Brooks, John, 106
Brooks, Mr., 538
Brothers, Alexander, accused of dis
loyalty, 381; furniture, etc. taken
from, 382
Brown, J. George, B. warned by, 242
Brown & McMamms, 397
Brownlow, Dr., 51
Brownsville, 421; occupation of, 565
Buchanan, Mr., 589
Buchanan, Lieut. Comg. Thomas
McKean, 430; letters to B. from, 450,
461, 621; asks permission to buy
cotton, 522
Buck, Capt. A. E., 69, 70, 494
Buell, Gen., 223, 401
BuUitt, Cuthbert, 9, 131, 136, 285, 687
BulUtt, Cuthbert. See BuUett, Cuthbert
Bull's Run, 72, 350
Bullock, Alexander H., speaker House of
Representatives, 586

Burbank and Chase, 380, 454
Burbank, E. W., 231
Burbank, Thomas S., asks B. for relief
for brother, 216, 231
Burbank, William, treatment by Con
federates of, 216, 217
Burden, Mr., 369
Bureau of Emancipation, the, 631
Burnside, Gen., 469, 500, 533; at Fred
ericksburg, 539, 541; 552
Burr, Aaron, 582
Burton, Mr., Ill
Busac, Mr., 523, 524
Butler, Col. Andrew Jackson, letter from
Palfrey to, 2; in treaty to sell one half
of "Saxon," 55; not interested with
Snow, 76; business relations with B.,
76, 83, 92, 93, 122, 197; 229, 338, 354,
356, 357, 358, 423, 424, 426, 426,
528, 629; business with Fay Jr., 234,
236, 262; charges against, 242, 422,
503, 530, 560; menace to B., 320,
503; asked to leave New Orleans, 424,
464, 519, 522, 638
Butler, Gen. Benjamin F., sequesters
Gen. Twiggs' house, 1, 2, 3, 7; Special
Orders by. No. 138, 2, No. 146, 9,
No. 150, 36, No. 151, 24, No. 152, 26,
No. 156, 26, No. 166, 30, No. 179, 57,
No. 181, 57, No. 206, 90, No. 232, 131,
No. 235, 130, No. 244, 158, No. 246.
162, No. 268, 195, No. 278, 200, No.
294, 213, No. 326, 237, No. 374, 579,
No. 441, 397, No. 513, 476, No. 560,
525; pistols given to, 3; plates for
printing C. S. TreaS. notes sent to Sec.
of Treas. by, 3, 151; presents flags to
Gen. Dix, 4, 151; Gen. Twiggs'
swords, 5, 151, 570; feeling of people
at home for, 7, 44, 86, 114, 119, 283,
284, 285, 600, 519, 532, 563; informa
tion concerning Gov. Moore received
by, 8; "qualified amnesty," 9; re
quires oath of allegiance from for
eigners in New Orleans, 9, 11, 38, 47,
73, 299; State Dept. approves action
in Mexican Consulate case, 9; difficulty
with Phelps on negro question, 10, 41,
109, 123, 125, 126, 127, 142, 143, 144,
145, 148, 154, 158, 207; relations with
Coppell, 12, 46, 47; conflict between
Foreign Consuls and, 12, 26, 251, 262,
253, 254, 255, 298; conditions at
Baton Rouge reported by, 13; se- 1
questers funds in banks of Louisiana, J
14; payment of troops, 14, 31, 32, 33,1
66, 398, 525; treatment of traitors.

604

INDEX

16, 24, 25, 36; in need ot troops, 15.
192, 194, 401, 425, 427, 465, 474, 490,
516; passports issued by, 17; boats
seized for transports by, 21; the
Mumford case, 22, 72, 667, 668; City
of Jefferson empowered to issue bank
notes by, 26; case of Durand vs. Bank
of Louisiana, 27, 278; relief of distress
in New Orieans, 30, 152, 153, 366,
shipments of, 34, 44, 78, 89, 92; friendli
ness of Stanton for, 37, 38, 66, 92, 516;
friendliness of Chase for, 38, 66, 134,
323, 422, 423, 469, 542, 584; attitude
of Seward toward, 38, 44, 664; liquor
released, 39, 107, 108; suggestions as
to appointments upon his Staff of, 42;
promotion of Col. Jones desired by,
45; map of New Orleans presented to
City Library of Lowell by, 46, 66, 89,
92, 93; life in New Orleans of, 46, 55;
publishing of the Richmond despatches,
48; in the matter of the Union Bank
vs. the Mechanics Bank, 48; an auto
graph copy of Dr. Brownlow's work
presented to, 61; asked for opinion of
Lossing's "History of the Great Re
bellion," 51; bank book of, 52; pay
ment of dividends, interest, etc. due
to any citizen of the U. S. from C. S.
ordered by, 52; Victor asks protection
for his sisters from, 53; Dept. of War
approves acts of, 63, 65; sends report
of operations above Vicksburg to War
Dept., 53; recruiting of, 54, 82; asks
Gen. Arnold for officer from regular
service, 54, 66; investigation of claims
of Kennedy aud Co. asked of, 56;
punishment of the Larues by, 57;
orders payment of $5000 to Charity
Hospital of New Orleans, 58; gratitude
of Gen. Shepley to, 59; on use of
liquors, 59, 462; the Parole of Lowber,
60; threat of the Coimcil of Ten
against, 61; asked to review case of
Judge Andrews, 62, 63; Col. Rust's
call for more help at Ship Island
answered by, 65; disapproval of
Adams for, 71; English newspaper
clipping concerning, 71-74; English
vituperation, 75; Coxe appeals for
protection to, 76; portrait of, 76, 115;
regarding funds of, 76; coimection
with claims of Belgian Consul, 80, 81,
82, 95; Gen. Williams recalled from
Vicksburg by, 82; asks advice of
Johnson, 83; asked to revoke Correc
tion of Slaves order, 84, 85; concerning

payment for clothing ordered for
soldiers, 87; on Negro question, 88,
102, 115, 134, 186, 189, 192, 243, 244,
328, 331, 339, 427, 437, 570, 596;
residents of Vacherie ask protection of,
89; restoration of commerce by, 90,
94, 95, 131; quarantine orders of,
91, 192, 193, 206, 206, 207, 229, 239,
249, 274, 275, 340-342, 343, 344, 345.
346, 347, 348, 418, 420, 421; letter in
Boston Journal and N. Y. Times, 91;
praised by Mrs. B., 93; decision on
claims of Kennedy and Co., 96, 97,
98-102; Shippen requests situation or
pass, 103, 104; decision in case of
Maull and Hancock returned to, 104-
105; asks permission to coin small
coin, 105; in connection with Higgins
Hotel, 110; resignation of Capt.
Merrill, 112. 113; sends for children's
photographs, 115; discouragement of,
116; receipted bill for jewehy bought
by, 116; asked to assist in settlement
of claim of Kingdeus vs. Denegre, 117,
118; sends sword to Gen. Taylor, 118,
191; claim of Capt. Crampton, 118,
119; concerning shipping cotton to
England, 120, 121; private account of,
122; suggests that Hildreth ship
hoop ¦poles, 124; retention of the
"Saxon" by, 124, 125; in connection
with Heidsick case, 127, 128, 129,
130, 212, 276, 277, 372, 373; Proc
lamation of May 1st, 130; threats
against, 138; Gov. Johnson asks help
of, 139; esteem of Gov. Johnson for.
140; need of equipment, 140; Capt.
Porter calls for boats and suggests
fortification to, 141; approbation in
Washington for, 147-148; John Brown,
speech of, 149; rumor that Banks
is to take place of, 149, 513, 552;
feelings toward Gen. Phelps, 155, 156;
advice about Baton Rouge, 158, 159;
tribute paid to Gen. Williams by,
162; appoints Commission of Relief
at New Orleans, 162; Major Strong
asks for promotion, 166; answers
Bauer, 167; suggestions from O'Brien
to, 170-172; friendly feeling of Gov.
Holbrook for, 174; williug to deal
with Greenwood, 178; on the co
operation of army and navy, 183, 184,
246, 406; pays tribute to Farragut,
184, 245; endorsement by Col. Shaffer,
186; arming of negroes, 186, 192, 228,
229, 234, 244. 270, 316, 322, 425, 455.

INDEX

605

See also Native Guards, ihe; orders
arms of citizens of New Orleans to be
delivered up, 188, 189, 190, 228;
attitude toward Spanish government,
193, 346, 464; orders selling of sugar,
196; sends pistols home, 199; Gen.
Arnold ordered to New Orleans by,
199; Sawyer dishonorably discharged
by, 200; concerning correspondence of
Spanish Consul, 204-206; treason
plots in Gas Works reported to, 207;
equipment of Mercier Guards brought
to notice of, 208; concerning exchange
of commodities for cotton, 209; rumors
of transfer of, 212, 242, 243, 248, 249,
256, 262, 273, 282, 283, 304, 308, 320,
327, 539; orders banks to gd into
liquidation, 213; on the bombardment
of DonaldsonviUe, 214, 216; reply to
Kruttschnidt, 222; recognition of
Kruttschnidt as Acting Consul of
Republic of Bremen, 222; reinforce
ments promised to, 223, 226, 349;
friendliness of Loring for, 223; asked
to protect and assist Mr. Dexter, 225;
tribute from James T. Whitney to,
228; suspected of interest in specula
tions of Col. Butler, 230, 242, 270,
329, 356, 357, 358, 422, 426, 503, 544;
appeals to Gen. Arnold for consulta
tion and reinforcements, 230; Burbank
reports on movements of the Con
federates, 231-232; Gen. Arnold added
to command of, 233; Gen. Sherman
sent to, 233; in connection with case
of Lieut. Prince, 234, 235; at Carrol
ton, 236; program of a day's work of,
236; Licard pardoned by, 237; sends
Gen. Thomas roster of officers for
commission in 1st Regt. La. Vols.,
237; borrows from City Relief Fund,
237; in the case of the "Tennessee,"
238, 239, 240; concerning chUdren of
incarcerated women, 240, 241; reports
good condition of men, 244, 400;
report upon letter of Com. Porter, 245,
247; praised by Beecher, 247; on the
prospect of going home, 248; in the
case of Messrs. Pelie, 257, 258; on
the release of McLaurin, 260, 261; busi
ness transactions with Richard Fay, Jr.,
262, 289, 290, 519, 538; degree con
ferred upon, 263; Taylor accuses and
threatens troops of, 266-266; answers
Taylor, 266-269; attitude of soldiers
toward, 270; tribute of Denison to
270, 324, 328, 360, 379, 413, 566;

health of, 271, 277, 286; order con
cerning captured property, 273; sup
presses Compilateur, 276; Spanish
govemment complains of action taken
by, 279, 387; friendliness of Chief
Justice Bigelow toward, 283; registra
tion of neutral foreigners ordered by,
286, 299, 331; muddled by confficting
reports from the North, 286; effect of
wife upon, 287; longs to be home, 287;
on the pUlage or plunder by soldiers,
287, 288, 289, 315; the Lunt episode
told to, 290-291; calls for steamers.
291, 292; orders release of Mrs,
PhiUipps, 292; on complaint of Maj.
Holbrook, 293, 294 Gov. Holbrook
asks for Court of Inquiry, 295; replies
to Gov. Holbrook, 295; attitude toward
acts of violence committed by U. S.
soldiers, 296, 360; in case of Dr.
Knapp, 296, 297; releases sugars,
property of Covas and Megropont,
300; General Orders by. No. 13, 301,
No. 19, 130, No. 28, 15, 35, 72, 74,
77, 86, 119, 148, 549, 554, No. 30, 27,
No. 36, 486, No. 40, 61, 299, No. 41,
9, 47, No. 42, 47, No. 46, 3, No. 48,
52, No. 54, 203, No. 55, 152, 158, 167,
219, 220, 221, 222, 361, 362, 366, No.
56, 161, No. 57, 172, No. 60, 195, 237,
352, No. 62, 243, 294, 295, No. 63,
209, 459, No. 71, 285, 298, No. 73, 305,
318, No. 74, 315, No. 76, 332, 333,
No. 79, 363, No. 85, 409, No. 88, 437,
No. 91, 426, 449, 522, 560, 572, No. 93,
462, No. 98, 482, No. 106, 545; ex
change of prisoners, 301, 302, 303, 363,
394, 462, 473; asks return of wounded
men, 302; Confiscation Act, 305, 307,
315, 316, 318, 323, 333; makes test
case of the Fago affair, 307; feelings
toward Reverdy Johnson, 308; in
connection with "Essex" affair, 309.
310, 318-319, 329, 350, 351, 366;
thanks Major Shaw, 311; Gen,
Thompson accepts apology of, 311;
testimony on sugar "Speculations,"
^312-314; urges Mrs. B. to join him,
317; criticises government, 317; Col.
Butler a menace to, 320; advice from
Mrs. B. and Capt. George, 321, 322,
335, 336, 337, 499; in matter of
Spanish transports, 324, 325, 340;
commends action of Major Strong,
326; Mrs. B. suggests a place be made
on his staff for Major BeU by, 327;
tribute to Dr. Mercer by, 333; attitude

606

INDEX

toward HUdreth, 338; bUl for paintings
from Lux, 339; reports on complaints
of Spanish legation, 339, 368; cordial
relations established between Callejon
and, 346; with regard to wrecking,
348, 349; complaints against ad
ministration of, 349; sends gift to his
mother, 352, 393; expecting Mrs. B.,
363; charters the "Frank Mumford,"
363; decUnes further dealings with
DiUon, 364; with reference to trading
with enemy, 367, 368, 359, 378, 379,
390, 395, 396, 425, 469; gives state
ment of foreign population of New
Orleans, 363, 364, 365, 367; in con
nection with violation of neutrality
laws by Spanish vessels, 374, 375, 419;
answers complaint of Castillo and
Harrisse, 378; sends ship for Mrs. B.,
380, 463; reports on case of Dacres,
383; return of property of Consul of
the Netherlands, 386; statement of
facts concerning case of Avendafio
Brothers, 387; release of railroad iron,
392; on white labor, 397; management
of financial affairs of Dept. by, 398,
426; recommends promotion to Brig.
Gen. for Strong, 402; reports on
"Tennessee" affair, 402; sends Dow
instructions concerning use of vessels,
404; in the "pitch" transaction, 406;
sends home disloyal clergymen, 408;
orders Court Martial to dissolve, 409;
in the matter of salvage claimed by
Dow, 411, 412; raising forces in Texas,
413, 428, 465; on buying of arms, 416;
417; reports facts concerning com
plaint of Consul General of Switzerland.
422; orders sent to Col. Thomas by,
429; pays his respects to Admiral
Reynaud, 431; controversy with
French consul over seizure of blankets,
431-436; use of contraband labor
suggested by Mithoffas to, 436; au
thorizes Merchants Bank to meet
claims, 437; disarming of the people,
439, 463; on employment of negroes,
439, 447, 449, 474, 475; fonvards
parole to Borrowes, 443; returns
letters to Count Mejan, 443; reports
on matter of Gautherin & Co.. 446;
sends photograph to Mrs. Pugh. 461;
Gen. Banks replaces B., 461, 541, 542,
643, 544, 547, 596; HUdreth reports
on consignments and drafts, 464; asks
aid of Henry Wilson, 466-466; asks
Sec. of State for instruction concerning

French citizenship, 467; Wainwright
asks help for people of Galveston, 471;
refers case of murder of soldiers to
Halleck, 472; organizes Commission
to take charge of merchandise, 474;
in connection with Lingham case, 476,
477, 478; on subject of foreign aid to
Rebellion, 480, 610; restores colors to
7th Vermont Volunteers, 481, 482. 483;
in case of LasaUe, 485; asks for Maj.
Gen. HamUton, 486; tribute from J.
C. Hamilton, 487; asks parole for
SoiU6, 489; disapproves of allotment
system, 493; on the detention of
Spanish subjects, 496; in case of
Pepin vs. Bank of America, 496-498;
forbids Canal Bank to purchase ex
change, 498; in the matter of the
"West Florida" pass, 501, 502; aids
Bonzano, 503; criticised by London
Times, SOS; in connection with Texan
Expedition, 604-506, 612, 541, 550;
on the punishment of crime, 506; in
the Lemore case, 509-511 ; friendliness
toward Banks of. 613, 642; obliged to
postpone attack at Fort Hudson, 514;
on payment of bounty, 517; submits
proposition of the banks to War Dept.,
517; friendUness of Sumner for, 520,
571 ; on matter of captured steamboats,
522; in case of Phoenix Iron Co., 524;
permits supplies to be shipped to
Galveston, 524; plan for roof on
Custom House, 526; in "L. L. Davis"
case, 527, 529, 544; pohtical news
fromhome, 634, 640, 542, 552; publica
tion in World against, 539; tribute
from Bartles, 539; Congress in praise
of, 542; Farragut comments on, 543;
final order of, 543, 545, 547; tribute
from Appleton to, 548; tribute from
Stafford to, 548; accused of inter
fering with Custom House, 560;
rumored intention of joining extreme
radicals, 550; Greeley's estimate of,
553; fareweU address of, 660, 664-557,
587; called to Washington by Lincoln,
663, 693; declared a felon by Jefferson
Davis, 569; reward offered for, 662;
tribute from Tyler to, 562; authorities
in Washington work against, 563-664;
friendliness of Morgan for, 665;
tribute from Gurowski to, 666; friend
liness of E. L. Pierce toward, 667;
tribute from citizens of New York to,
667-568; threatened, 569; attitude of
Lincoln toward, 57 1 ; vote of thanks to.

INDEX

607

571; Banks compared with, 672, 576,
577; rumored candidate for Cabinet,
573; denial of falsehoods in London
Herald, 574; resolutions adopted by
House of Representatives, 674; tribute
from White to, 576; congratulations
from Evans, 678; incensed by Bidwell
case, 579; WendeU PhiUips on, 580;
Bates appeals for help to, 580; Parton
wishes to write history of administra
tion in New Orleans of, 582, 583;
retirrn to New Orleans rumored, 583,
584, 586. 587. 589, 593; friendliness of
Maj. BeU toward, 685; thanks of the
Mass. Legislature presented to, 686;
tribute of Warner to, 586; Bullitt to
caU on, 687; tribute from Thorpe to,
589; suggested for War Dept., 589;
suggested as Pres., 590; contribution
to Democratic Review, 690; invited to
speak in New York, 591; respect of
Gardiner for, 591, 592; praise from
Turner, 594; Butterfield asks advice
of, 596; at the Charlestown Conven
tion, 595 ; attitude of Congress toward,
596; Allen's interview with, 596, 597;
B. B. Lovering named for, 698, 699;
Ohio House Joint Resolutions, 699.
Letters from B. to
Arnold, General, Si, 230
Banks, Gen. N. P., 646
Barker, Jacob, 480
Bates, Moses, iii, Sii
Beauregard, Gen. P. 0. T., 520
Benachi, M. W., 300
Blake, Asw S., 32
Blockading Squadron, the officers of the,
502
Bonfanti, Capt 209
Butler, Paul, 79
Butler, Mrs. Sarah, 46, 55, 76, 83, 93,
109, 110, 115, 124, 148. 153, 176, 177,
185. 190, 198, 233. 236, 241, 248, 271.
277. 286, 297, 316, 323, 338, 380
Callejon, Juan de, 192, 249, 331, 373, 496
" Cardenas, " Captain of the, 204
Carney, J. G., 35
Champlin, J. T., 263
Charity Hospital, Committee of Administra
tion of, SS
Chase, S. P., 3, 26, 31, 105, 113, 394, 398,
423
Clara, Superior S. M., 216
Coppell, George, 46, 479
Daismxrre, W. B., 33

Denison, G. S., 628
Dillon, William, 364
Dix, General, 4
Dow, Brig. Gen. Neal, 69, 404, 485
Durant & Homer, 523
Dwyer, J. D., 437
Etheridge, Emerson, 574
FauconTiet, 299
Farragut, Adm. D. 6., UO, 149, 183, 184.
273, 406, 413, 441, 450, 501, 522, 527
Foster, Dwight, 248
Fowler, Joseph S., 140
Fox, Capt G. v., 348
Halleck, Maj. Gen. H. W., Ill, 242, 278,
326, 394, 400, 410, 459. 472, 481, 490,
514
Hamilton, J. C, 486
Herrera, JosS Manuel Dias de, 182, 326
Holbrook, Gov. Frederick, 296, 481
Holt Joseph, 399, 472, 506, 522, 679
Hosford, Mayor, 45
January, Capt, 330
Johnson,Reverdy, 80, 81, 83, 94, 98-102, 120
Jones, Col. E. F., 45
Kruttschnidt J., 310. 318. 350
Labitat, Jonathan, 417
Lafeye, J. W., 437
Lamed, Col. B. F., 31
Larue, Mrs., 57
Lincoln, President 5, 123, 447, 512, 647
Marshal in New York, the U. S., 408
Meigs, General, 118, 291', 526
Mejan, Count, 26, 127, 188, 433, 435, 443,
485, 491
Mercer, W. N., 278, 332, 437
Mobile, Commanding Officer of Forces at,
121
Morris, Com. H. W., 26, 239, 240, 363
New Orleans, Treasurer of City of, 257
New York, the Mayor of, 236
Nims, Capt., 508
Opelousas, Officer Commanding Forces at,
217
Paine, Col. C. J., 377
Paine, Col H. E., 169, 170, 193, 203
Parton, James, 582
Pemberton, General, 473
Perkins, Lieutenant, 330
Phelps, Brig. Gen. J. W., 102, 12,6, 143,
154, 165, 244
Piaget, A., 491
Picayune, Editors of the, 48
Pierce, L., Jr., 463
Ponier ds Co., 34
Porter, Capt. W. D., 141, 187
Pugh, Mrs., 461
Quartermaster General, the, 249

608

INDEX

Rathburn, H. A., 498
Reynaud, Admiral, 431, 609
Roy, Lieut T. A., 288
Rozier, J. Ad., SS
Sanborn, John, 110
Seward, Wm. H., 40, 123, 275, 306, 377,
398, 467, 608, 612
Shepley. Gen., 261, 277
Sherman, Gen. T. W., 331, 339
Shufeldt, M., 454
Slocumb and Urquhart, Mesdames, 1
Stafford, Capt, 88
Stanton, E. M., 6, 13, 40, 42, 53, 59, 66,
82, 107, 112, 142, 168, 191, 194, 243,
298, 315, 339, 361, 368, 375, 383, 384,
385, 387, 392, 397, 402, 407, 411, 416,
419, 420, 422, 431, 442, 446, 474, 478,
489, 493, 516, 517, 625
Taylor, Gen. Jo., 118
Taylor, Maj. R., 266
Thomas, Gen., 234, 237, 245, 293, 585
Thompson, Gen. M. J., 302, 303, 311
Walden, D. T., 292
Weitzel, Gen. Godfrey, ISS, 429, 439, 455
Welles, Gideon, 287
Williams, Gen., 83, 150
Wilson, Henry, 465
Letters to B, from
Adams, C. F.. 70
Allen, S. M., 595
Anonymous, 479
Appleton, Capt. J. F., 547
Arnold, Gen. L. G., 107
Banks, General, 545
Barker, Jacob, Si, 337, 338, 480
Bartles, Charles, 533, 538, 552
Bates, Moses, SS, 106, 113, 139, 240,
680
Bauer, F., 167
Bell, Major, 283, 585
Benachi, M. W., 300
Bird, F. W., 631
Blake, Mrs. A. S., 33
Bonzano, M. F., 503
Bouligny, J. E., 598
Brown, J. G., iii
Buchanan, Lieut. T. M., 460, 451, 521
Burbank, Thomas, 216, 231
Butler, Mrs. Sarah, 163, 175, 196, 201,
218, 225, 232, 247, 266, 258. 304, 305,
319, 321, 326, 333
Butterfield, Gen. Daniel, 694
Callejon, Juan, 331, 374, 494
Carney, J. G., 91, 119
ChaHant A., 466

Chase, S. P., 107, 131, 323, 422, 468, 541,
584, 587
Childs, 0. W., 51
Cisco, J. J., 117
Clara, Superior S. M., 213
Clark, John, 285
Copeland, Henry, 207
Coppell, George, 46, 163
Council of Ten, the, 61
Coxe, B. F., 76
Davis, Ed-win, 592
Deming, Col. H. C, 150
Democratic League, ihe Committee of the,
531
Denison, G. S., 66, 84
Derby, E. H., 61
Dow, Gen. Neal, 199
Eliot T. D., 571
Elliott, Joseph, 249
Etheridge, Emerson, 574
Eustis, W. T., 177
Evans, Estwick, 578
Everett, Edward, 198
Fairfax, Capt D. M. W., 180
Farragut, Adm. D. G., 47, 182, 183, 186,
330, 382, 393, 403, 416, 470, 501, 502.
526
Farwell & Co., Messrs. A. G., 56
Fauconnet, 275, 296, 298, 361, 376, 391,
468
Fay, R. S., Jr., 88, 92, 122, 211, 225, 250,
262, 289, 314, 364, 618, 537
Fay, R. S., Sr., 238
Fisher, J. A. G., 207
Foster, Dwight, 284
French, J. H., Sii
Fuller, T. K., 463
Gardiner, 0. C, 590
George, P. R., 44, 499
Girault J. F., 462
Griffin, J. 0. A., 580
Gurowski, Count, 566
Hale, R. C, 684
Halleck, General, 212, 223
Hamilton, J. C, 486
Herrera, JosS Manuel Dias de, 325
Hildreth, F. A., 464
Holbrook, Governor, 173. 296
Holbrook, Kendall, 189
Hunt, Randall, 56
Hurley, Jeremiah, 138
Ironside, Isaac, 687
J. P. M., 84
Johnson, Gov. Andrew, 139
Johnson, Reverdy, 56, 80, 94. 95, 96. 98,
102, 104, 120, 121
Killborn, G. W., 382

INDEX

609

Kinsman, J. B., 37
Kruttschnidt, J., 220, 309, 317, 351, 355
Labitat, Jonathan, 417
Lincoln, President, 447, 553
Lingham, J. G., 478
Loring, George, 223
Lovering, H. K. 598
McCormick, Charles, iii, 435
McMillan, Col. D. W., 102, 187
Maignan, General, SI
Meigs, Gen. M. C, 185
Mejan, Count 25, 127, 128, 432, 459, 485.
492
Mercer, W. N., 332
Merrill, Capt C. R., 113
Mithoffas, M., 436
Morgan, P. H., 663
Morris, Com. H. W., 238, 240, 316
Murphy, W. W., 574
Myers, J. B., 7
New Orleans, Merchants of, 276
New York, Citizens of, 667
"New Yorker," 669
O'Brien, J., 170
PaHon, James, 582, 583
Perkins, Capt E. H., 180
Pevie, General, 208
Peyster, Gen. Walter de, 78
Phelps, Gen. J. W., US, 155
Piaget, A., 491, 492
Pierce, Carlos, 87
Pierce, E. L., 566
Pinot, J. L., 372
Ponier & Co., 34
PoHer, Com. D. D., 246
Porter, Com. W. D., 140, 269
Reynaud, Admiral, 430, 431. 508, 511
Richardson, D. S., 86
Robinson, W. G., 300
Roselius, C, 207
Ruggles, Gen. Daniel, 67, 215
Rust, Henry, Jr., 64
Ryan, J. T., 381
Seacock, W. T., 63
Seward, W. H., 399
Shaffer, Col. J. W., 405, 483, 589
"She Adder," A, SiS
Shepley, G. F., 59, 147, 260
Shields, Colonel, 319
Shipper, G. M., 103
Shipper, Mrs. G. M., 104
Shufeldt R. W., 418
Stafford, Col. S. H., 548
Stanton, E. M., 9, 41, 222, 250, 298, 377.
392, 421, 501. 518
Strong, Maj. 0. C, 114, 165
Sumner, Charles, 520, 570
VOL. II — 39

Taylor, Maj. R., 266
Taylor, I. T., 191
Tod, Governor, 599
Thomas, Gen. Lorenzo, 234, 247
Thomas, Col. S., iii
Thompson, General, 311
Thmpe, F. B., 184
Thorpe, T. B., 589
Turner, Col. J. W., 414, 693
Tyler, William, 562
Union Man, A, 3
Vacherie, Residents of, 89
Veritas, 374
Victor, J. N., S3
Wain-wrighi, Capi. W. M., 470
Warner, Oliver, 586
WaUon, P. H., 274, 279, 298, 442, 445, 476
White, R. 0., 576
Whitney, J. T., 124, 227
Wilson, Henry, 516
Wolcott, C. P., 60
Telegrams to B, from
Dow, Gen. Neal, 316
Lincoln, President, 593
Telegrams from B. to
Dow, Gen. Neal, 151, 161

Butler, Mrs. Sarah H. P., 37, 114;
letter to Major Strong from, 40; letters
from B. to, 46, 55, 76, 83, 93, 109, 116,
124, 148, 153, 176, 185, 190. 198, 233,
236, 241, 248, 271. 277. 286, 297, 316,
323, 338, 380; letters to B. from, 163,
175, 196, 201, 218, 225, 232, 247, 266.
258. 304, 319, 321, 326, 333; letter
from Whitney to, 204; letter to
Hildreth from, 282; 339; letters to
Mrs. Heard from, 393, 410, 438, 463,
488, 603, 620, 530, 647; at New
Orleans, 393, 407, 488; letters from
George to, 500; feeling against Col.
B. of, 504, 530; sends gifts home, 530;
plans for returning home, 547
Butler. Benjamin Israel, 79, 80. 115, 165,
196, 248, 338, 339, 453, 504
Butler, Blanche, 39, 46, 55, 75, 83, 93,
109, 115, 124, 149, 165, 196, 218, 226,
232, 233, 234, 259, 277, 317, 327, 338,
339, 393, 453, 503
Butler, Charles, 568
Butler, Mrs, Charlotte ElUson, 219, 393,
410

610

INDEX

Butler, Paul, letter from B. to, 79; age ot,
79; gifts to. 83, 630; 115, 165, 196,
219, 249, 453
Butler, WUliam Allen, 568
Butterfield, Gen. Daniel, letter to B.
from, 594; caUed to staff of Hooker,
594; asks advice ot B., 596
Byam, Mr., Mayor ot Baton Rouge, 13

Cabezas, Edward, 369; deposition of,
370
CadwaUader, General, rumored as suc
cessor to B., 283
CahiU, Col. Thomas W., affair at Baton
Rouge reported by, 159, 160; letter
from Breckinridge to, 160; letter to
Breckinridge from, 161; in command
at Vicksburg, 169; letter to B, from,
495. 496
"CaUioun," the, 273, 394, 446, 451, 452
CaUeja. Mr., 369, 371
CaUejon, Juan de, correspondence of,
128, 205; letters from B. to, 192, 249,
331, 373, 495. 325; letters to B. from.
331, 374. 494; in the "Roanoke" case,
340, 344, 345; cordial relations estab
lished between B. and. 346; asked to
bring Puig before B., 369; complains
of detention ot Spanish subjects. 494;
612
CaUeza, M. See Calleja, Mr.
Cambridge. 37, 39. 62, 86
Camden, Frederick, 586
Cameron, General, 540, 690
Camp Chalmette, 86
Camp Moore, 21, 50. 66, 150. 167, 349,
357
Camp Parapet. 102. 113, 143
Camp Verde, 303
Canal Bank, the. 498
"Cardenas," the, 182, 206; letter from
B. to Capt. ot, 204; 249. 340. 342,
343, 344, 346, 346, 389
Carnere, A., 276
Carney, J. G., letter from B. to, 36;
B's consignment to be explained to,
77; letters to B. from. 91, 119; pay
ment of drafts of, 91, 93, 212; 148,
326, 464
Carohne, 65, 77, 232
Carrington, Mr., 98
Carrolton, 66, 102, 143, 228, 236, 237,
244, 273, 400, 436
CastUlo, Mr. 377, 378
Castle, Henry, 64; 67

"Catawba," the, 407, 531
"Catinat," the, 431, 508, 510
Cavode, John, 595, 596
Center, the, 69
CentrevUle. 247
Cerro Gorde, 5
Chamber of Commerce, the N, Y., 569,
691
Champlin, Rev. J, T., letter from B. to,
263
Chander, J., 420
Chapman, Mr., 479
Chapultepec, 5
Charity Hospital ot New Orleans, the.
resignation ot trustees of, 15; state of
funds of, 58; 525
"Charles Kean," the, 464
Charleston, 72, 390, 597
Charlestown, 352
Charlestown Convention, the, 695, 596
Chartant, Surgeon A.. 466
Chase, Kate, 134
Chase. Salmon P,. Sscretary of the
Treasury, 3; letters from B. to 3, 26,
31, 105. 113, 394, 398, 423; friendliness
toward B. of, 38, 66, 134; release of
liquor ordered by, 39, 107, 108; funds
transmitted by B. to, 83; B. asks
permission to coin smaU coin from,
106; letters to B. from, 107, 131, 323,
422, 468, 541, 684, 687; release of
matches ordered by, 109; B, sends
copy of Records of Mortgages to, 113,
114; on the negro question, 132-135;
plates delivered to, 161; letters from
Denison to, 228, 269, 328, 366, 378,
412, 426, 604, 616, 628, 543, 550, 565;
in favor with Lmcoln, 334; 335. 358.
499, 504, 535; resignation of, 552, 566,
585
Chicago, 197
"Chickahominy," 24
Chickering, Thomas, Regt. of, 354
ChUds, George W., letter to B. from, 51
Choate, Rufus, 42, 194
Chubbuck, Mr.. 232, 256
Cincinnati, 257, 286
Cisco, John J., letters to B. from. 117, 566
Citizen's Bank of New Orleans, the, 221.
585
Citizens of New York, letter to B. from,
567
Claiborne, J. F. H., information given to
Captain Buck by, 69-70
Clara, Superior S. M., letter to B. from.
213; letter from B. to, 215
Clark, Captain, 284, 326, 333

INDEX

611

Clark, Colonel, 111
Clark, H. C. 479
Clark. John, reports to B. on conditions
in North, 285
Clark, Mr., 368
Clark, Robert, 356
Clarke, Brig. Gen. Charles, prisoner of
war, 160, 161, 168, 169, 215; visited
by his chUdren, 319; 473
Clarke, Mrs. Charles, allowed to visit
her husband. 216; 301
Clarke. James Freeman, 566
Clemence, Major. 110, 304, 306, 322
"Clifton," the, 140, 330, 471
"Colored Brigade," the. See Native
Guards, ihe
Colton, Charles C, 86
Columbus, 364
Commercial Water Works Co., the,
497, 498
Commissary of Subsistence, the Chief.
See Turner, Col. John W.
Commissioners of Peace, 336
"Committee of Public Safety,'' 152, 364
Compilateur, the, 275
Comstock, Capt. A., 103, 104
"Conduct of the War," the. Committee
on, 595
Confederacy, the, 17, 19, 329, 332, 346
Confederate Army, the, 26, 65, 66, 261,
343, 353, 357, 358
Confederate Government, the. 17, 19.
90, 95, 268, 371, 395, 422, 425, 446,
462, 473
Confederate money. 3, 8
Confederate officers, 21, 23
Confederate States, the. Treasury notes
of, 3, 14, 20, 81; Secretary of the
Treasury of. See Memminger, C. G.;
Myers, Quartermaster of, 6, 17; una
nimity of the people ot, 19, 52, 67, 69;
Receivers of, 83; 101, 179, 265, 300,
332, 363, 365, 370, 509
Confederate States Treasury, the, B.
sends to Sec. of the Treas. certificates
of deposits in, 26
Confiscation Act, the, 151, 315, 316
"Congress," the, 571
Congress, sword presented to Twiggs by
act of, 5
"Connecticut," the. 124, 142, 176, 343
Connecticut Volunteer MUitia, the, 168;
9th Regt. of, 278, 357; 13th Regt, ot,
342, 358
Conscription Act, 14
Consul, Acting British. See Coppell,
George

Consul General ot Havana. See Shufeldt,
R.W.
Consul of Bremen, Acting. See Krutt
schnidt, J.; Rudolf I. Keus vice, 222
Consul of France. See Mejan, Count;
Acting. See Fauconnet, Monsieur
ConsiU ot Greece. See Benachi, M. W.
Consul ot Italy, the. See Lanata, Mr.
Consul at Malta, 61
Consul at Matamoras. See Pierce, Mr.
Consul of Mexico, the, 24
Consul ot the Netherlands, the. See
ConturiS, Amedee. See also, Mejan,
Count
Consul of Prussia. See Vogel, William;
Acting. See Kruttschnidt, V.; Rei-
chart. late, 222
Consul ot Spain, the. See Callejon,
Juan de
Contraband of War, 39, 109, 264, 310,
357, 368, 558
Contrabands, the, 126, 127, 436, 437
Conturie, Amedee, conffict with military
authorities of New Orleans and, 80,
81, 82. 95, 96, 262, 263, 254, 255, 306;
taUure to exercise functions of Consul
by, 255; invited by Dutch minister to
receive articles seized at his house,
298; return ot property ot, 385, 386, 387
Cook, Captain, 394, 406, 451
Cooper, Peter, 568
Copeland, Henry, 207
CoppeU, George, in coimection with oath
of aUegiance, 9, 73; duly appointed
Acting British Consul, 11; in connec
tion with the sugar transaction. 12;
letters to B. from. 46. 163; letters from
B. to, 46, 479; re-establishment of
official relations between B. and, 47;
in connection with arrest of Borrowes,
442
Corinth, 191, 223, 354
CornweU, Captain, 358
Corpus Christi, 428
Correction of Slaves, 84
"Cortes," the, 419
Cottman, Mr., 449
"Cotton," the, 444, 445, 451, 452, 463
Cotton Factors, the, 362
Coulon, Justin, 351, 459, 460
CouncU of Ten. the. letter to B. from, 61
Courier, the Boston, 36, 290, 291
Court Martial, 150
Court ot King's Bench, the, 524
Covas and Megroponte, Messrs., 300
Coxe, B. F., appeals to B. for protection,
75

612

INDEX

Crampton, Captain, 118
"Creole," the, 64, 149, 404, 537
Crescent City, the. See New Orleans
Crescent City Bank of New Orleans, the,
213
Crocker. Captain, 502
Crossman, Colonel, 87
Cross State Station, the, 65
Crottes, Martial, 377
Cruz, Ignacia de la, 495
Cuba, 204, 205, 280, 316, 340, 342, 343,
345, 346. 418
"Cumberiand," the, 571
"Cumbria," the, 572
Curtis, General, with Grant at Vicksburg,
111
Curtis. George W., 86
Cushing, Mr., 148
Cushing, Caleb, 590
Custom House, the, 526

D

Dacres, James, claim of, 383
Daily Advocate, the, 475, 480
Daismore, W. B., letter from B. to, 33
Davis, Capt. R. S., gives orders to
Palfrey concerning Twiggs' house, 2;
Special Orders issued by. No. 138, 2,
No. 146, 9, No. 150, 36, No. 151, 24,
No. 152, 25, No. 166, 26, No. 166, 30,
No. 179, 57, No. 181, 57, No. 206, 90,
No. 232, 130, No. 235, 130, No. 244.
168, No. 246, 162, No. 268, 195, No.
278, 200, No. 294, 213; General Orders
issued by. No. 46, 3, No. 48, 52, No. 55,
152, No. 56. 161, No. 57, 173, No. 60,
195, No. 63, 209, No. 85, 409, No. 93,
462; B. asks promotion for, 42;
letters to Col. McMiUan from, 49, SO,
58; return of stolen articles to Provost
Marshal ot Algiers La., by, 49; copies
of information furnished by scouts
sent to Col. McMiUan by, 65; orders
concerning quarantine issued by, 91;
letters from Gen. Phelps to, 125, 126;
letter to Lieut. Weitzel from, 158;
letters to Col. Paine from, 159, 170,
193; letter from Col. CahiU to 159;
330
Davis, Colonel, 413, 428, 463, 572
Davis, Commander, 15, 48, 286
Davis, Edwin J., letter to B. from, 592
Davis, Jefferson, 3, 78, 535; Proclama
tion by. 557-662. 563; 662
Davis. Judge. See Davis, Colonel
"Dean," the, 380

Dean, Mr., 304, 338
De Bauer, Major, 160
De Kay, Lieutenant, 36, 37 i
\ Delta, the, 332, 363, ^ 650 I "^
Deming, Col. Henry CTl6r42, 55; letter
to B. from, 151; 482, 489
Democratic League, the Corresponding
Committee ot the, letter to B. from,
532
Democratic party, the, 334, 335, 336
Democratic Review, the, 690
Denegre, J. D., 117, 118
Denegree, General, on Board ot Survey,
110
Denison, George S., Sec. of the Treas.
gives instructions regarding ardent
spirits to, 39, 107. 108; letters to B,
from, 66, 84; concerning permits
granted by B. to, 84, 423; instruc
tions concerning matches given to, 109;
letters to Chase from, 228, 270, 324, 328,
365, 378, 412, 426, 604, 515, 528, 643,
550, 566, 571; suspects B., 367, 423;
statements made to, 357, 358; letter
to Lincoln from. 447; in the "L, L.
Davis" case. 527. 528, 529, 544; re
commends thorough opening of river,
650; estimate of Banks, 572, 573;
on arming the negroes, 673
Denison and Wyckoff, Messrs., 109
Department ot the Gulf, the, 69, 107, 199,
303, 616, 641, 647, 667, 575, 594
Department of the Mississippi, the.
Van Dom in command of, 13, 462
Department of the Navy, the, 287
Department ot New England, the, 235
Department of Ordnance, the, 417
Department of State, the, 9, 10, 12, 250,
274, 275, 279, 300, 306, 308, 309, 315,
361, 387, 396, 398, 399, 432, 442
Department of the South, the, 107, 199
Department ot the Treasury, the, 39,
264; condition of, 324
Department ot the West, the. 111
Department ot War, the, 9, 16; despatch
from, 55; 63, 89, 154, 199, 237, 295,
313, 339; General Orders from. No.
107, 316, 404, No. 184, 461; 368, 369,
375, 409, 411, 417, 426, 436, 442, 446,
459, 533, 535; party desirous of
putting B. in, 589
Derby, E. H., review of case of Andrews
requested by, 61 ; letter from Bonzano
to, 62
Deslonde, Capt. A., 216, 217, 218, 268
Destrihan, M. A., list ot articles belonging
to, 49

INDEX

613

Dexter, T. C. A., 212, 225, 518, 519, 537,
538
"Diana," the, 430. 451, 462, 521
Diario, the, 419
Dickenson, Lieutenant. 69
DiUon. WiUiam. 364. 522, 523
Dimick, Col. J., 60
Dix, General, letter from B. to, 4; B.
presents flags to, 4; 248; rumored as
successor to B., 282, 283; dinner to
Johnson given by, 349; 394, 590
Donaldson,. Thomas C, 476, 477, 478
DonaldsonvUle, bombardment of orphan
asylum of, 214, 215; 232, 287, 302;
expedition to, 406, 412, 427, 430, 490;
440, 455, 468, 491, 492, 522
Douglas, Mr., 540
Dow, Brig. Gen. Neal, B. orders dis
tribution of wines and liquors stopped
by, 59; telegrams from B. to, 151, 161;
quarantine order to, 151; letter to B.
from, 200; at New Orleans, 316;
letters from B. to, 404, 485; B. gives
instructions on use ot vessels to. 404;
orders relating to pitch. 405, 406, 407;
in relation to recovery of a chain cable,
411, 412; letter to Strong from, 411;
letter from Martin to, 412; sale of
"Neafic" by, 483; 484; Special Orders
No. 136 by, 485
Dow, Colonel, 316
Dracut, 269
Dred Scott decision, the, 653
Dubois and Mish, 221
Dubos, Francis, 275
Duclos, Lucien, 391
Dudley, Act. Brig. Gen. N. A. M., 294
Dudley, Col. N. H. M., 508
Dumas. Alexander. 360
Dupasseur and Co.. 81, 251
Durand. A., case against officers of the
Bank of Louisiana and, 27-30
Durant & Horner, letter from B. to, 523
Durant, Mr., 186, 489, 531
Durant, Thomas J., 136
Durivage, Messrs., 198
Dwyer, J. D., letter from B. to, 437
Dyer, Lieutenant Colonel, 405

E

East Indian War, the, 69
Eastman, 304
Eddy, Mr., 246
Edson, Dr.. 454
Elam. R. p. ,140
EUot, T. D., 571

Elliott, Joseph, friendliness toward B. of,
249
"Ellis" Cliffs, 141
"Ehuira," the, 8
Eloisque, F., 371
El Paso, 551
"Emblem," the, 619, 538
"Emma," the, 329
"Empu-e Parish," the, 90, 245
England, 71, 74, 75. 101, 120, 177
English Legation, the, 38
English Parliament, the, 86
"E. P. Stewart," the, 39
"Essex," the, 141, 160, 169, 173, 178, 179,
180, 181, 187, 269, 271, 273, 309, 310,
317, 318, 319, 329, 360, 351, 355, 430,
477, 478, 550, 562
"EstreUa," the, 451, 452
Etheridge, Emerson. 574
Eustis. George, 374
Eustis, M. M. Delain, 374
Eustis, WUliam T., claim ot, 177-178
Evans, Estwick, letter to B. from, 578
Evening Post, the N. Y., 532
Evening Press, the Providence, 662, 663
Everett, Alexander. 690
Everett, Edward, letter to B. from, 198
Ewbank, Thomas, 532

Fago, C, McDonald, 306, 307
FauJax. Capt. D. M. W., assaUed by
Captain Porter, 179. 180
Fau: Oaks, 92
FaUon, Martin, case of, 383
"Fancy Natchez," the, 451
Fard, Mr.. 444
Farragut, Rear Adm. D. G., letters to B.
from, 47, 182, 183, 186, 330, 382, 393,
403, 416, 470, 501, 502, 526; sheUing of
Vicksburg by, 47; guerUlas fire upon.
54, 85; letters from B. to, 140, 141,
149, 183, 184, 273, 406, 413, 441, 450.
501, 522, 527; gives up Vicksburg.
148; 164. 169. 179; about to leave
Mississippi River, 183, 350; ou co
operation of army and navy, 183, 187,
245; praised by B.. 184; 186; proud ot
title of Rear Admiral. 186; 216, 329,
349; tribute paid by Fox to, 350; in
coimection with trading permits, 383,
395, 396; 401; in connection with
"Tennessee" affair, 403; in connection
with "pitch transaction," 405, 406,
407; , asked to investigate case of
Garrison, 441; asked to stop "Oreto,"

614

INDEX

441; 463; in the "L. L. Davis" case,
527, 528, 529; comments on B., 543;
quotation from "Life & Letters" ot,
543, 644, 551; arrives at GalTeston,
572; criticism of, 677
Farrar, Mr., 319
Farrington, 304
Farwell & Co., Messrs. A. G., letter to
B. from, 56
Passman, Mr., 485
Fauconnet, Monsieur, addresses B. in
behalf of Dubos, 276; reports acts ot
violence committed by U. S. soldiers,
296, 351; letters from B. to, 296, 362,
360, 376, 398; concerning complying
with General Orders Nos. 40, 41 and
71, 298, 299, 300; letters to B. from,
376, 391. 468; 399, 402, 403, 459;
gives certificates, 479
Fay, I. S., 290
Fay, Richard S., Jr., 7; and shipment of
merchandise, 34, 89, 92; 35, 238, 290.
314; letter to Mrs. Butler from, 65;
letters to B. from, 88, 92, 122, 211,
226, 260, 262, 289, 314, 354, 618, 537;
91; sends private account of B., 122;
refuses false draft, 211; 234; purchases
draft for B., 260; business transactions
with B., 262, 289, 290, 338, 364, 638;
administration criticised by, 263;
supports the Courier, 290; Bonfanti
draws on, 328; with regard to hay in
New Orleans, 354
Pay, Richard S.. Sr., letter to B. from,
238; 289, 290, 291
" Fearnot," the, 238, 240
Federal Govemment, the, 12, 68. 72
Federal Troops, 67
Field, Lieut. C. G.. 153, 437
Field, Dudley, 590
Field, Jonathan E., Pres. of the Senate,
686
Fifth Ave. Hotel, the, 567
Fish, Hamilton, 591
Fisher, J. A. G., 207, 421
Fiske, Capt. Wm. O., 43
Flanders, B. P., 163, 329, 449, 528, 534,
542, 584, 598
Fleyd, Mr., 390
Florence, Miss Rowena, Twiggs leaves
swords and sUver to, 6, 6
Florida, 161
Fonin, Vr., 468
ForstaU, Edmund I., 80, 95, 96, 252,
253, 308
Fortenberry, J. M., letter to Stanley
from, 438

Fort Gaines, 330, 382, 394
Fort Hudson, 514
Fort Jackson, 73, 128, 200, 230, 231,
293, 473, 609, 510
Fort Lafayette, 408, 489
Fort Luforth, 37
Port Macomb, 440
Fort Monroe, 513
Port Morgan, 401
Fort Pickens, 43. 70. 107. 230, 476, 477,
509, 510
Fort PUse, 406
Fortress Monroe, 232, 247. 349, 504
Port St. PhUip, 45, 161, 187, 188, 230,
385, 411, 412
Port Taylor, 207
Fort Warren, 37, 60, 62, 63
Poster, Dwight, expression of regard for
B. made by, 284; B. replies to, 284
Fowler, Joseph S., 140
"Pox," the, 99, 245, 246, 388
Fox, Capt. G. v., 89, 290; letter from
B. to. 348; letter to B. from. 348-350
Pox, Mrs., 348
Prance, 71, 74, 75, 250; minister of, 445,
446; laws of, 467
Francisco, Lorenzo, 495
Franklin, 440, 444, 445
"Franklin," the, 575, 576 '
"Frank Mumford," the, 353
Frazer, 225
Fredericksburg. 638, 539
"Free Colored Brigade," the. See Na
tive Guards, the
Fremont, General, 44, 93, 335, 454, 533
French, George A., 139
French, Mrs., 453
Prench, Gen. Jonas H.. 42; letter to B,
from, 324; 351; suspected of interest
in speculations of Col. Butler, 366;
seizures released by, 357; 371, 432, 436,
468
French Legation, the, 38, 367
"French Legion," the, the storing of
arms of, 51
French, Zouaves, the, 68
PuUer, H. M., letter to George from, 675
Fuller, Capt. T. K., 445, 463, 491
Fulton, Reverend Wm., 408

Gainsville, 69, 70
Galveston, 382, 401, 406, 413, 428, 440,
463, 466, 506, 524, 625, 635, 565, 566;
disaster at, 671, 592; 575, 577
Galveston Island, 470

INDEX

615

Gardiner, Henry C, 532
Gardiner, O. C, letter to B. from, 690;
"Foreign Immigration" by, 590; the
"Great Issue" by. 590
Garibaldi Company, the, 479
Garrison, L., 441, 499
Gautherin, & Co., M., 445, 446. 509
"General Butler," the, 34
George, Capt. Paul R., letters to B.
from, 44, 499; 46, 87, 114, 122, 166,
259, 283, 305, 321, 322, 337, 381, 464;
warns B., 499-500; letter from FuUer
to, 575
Georgetown, 39, 232, 256, 282, 327
Georgia, sword presented to Twiggs by,
5, 6; 168, 670
Germany, 71
Gerolt, Baron Fr., letter to Seward from,
219
Gibson, Captain, ordered to stop boats
approaching New Orleans via lakes, 91
Giddings, Major, 228
GUI, Mr., 213
GUpin, H. D., 590
Girault, Maj. J. P., letter to B. from, 462
Gladden, General, 171
Glenn, L. P., 103
Godbury, James, 231
Goicouria and Co., D.D., 358
Goicouria, Don G., 358
Gonzales, convicted for murder, 399
Goodman, Mr., 261
Goodrich, Reverend Mr., 408
Goodwin, Acting Master, 521
Gould, Charles, 668
Graham, I. A., 130
GraUhe, Mr., 374
Grand Lake, 521
Grant, Gen. U. S., advance upon Vicks
burg by, 82, 111; 124
Grant's Pass. 183, 394
Gray, W. C, 350
Great Britem, 250, 305
Greece, 71
Greeley, Horace, estimate of B. by, 653
Green, Son & Co., George. 355
"Green Mountain Boys." the, 174
Green, Lieut. Wm. L. G., 462, 468, 495
Greenwood, Moses, 129; the cotton deal
ot, 177; in connection with case ot
Heidrick, 372
Grenada, 551
Griffin, Mr., 304, 338
Griffin, J. O. A., letter to B. from, 580
Grima, P., 220, 221
Grivot, Adjutant and Inspector General,
210, 211

Grover, Brig. Gen. C, outlaws Bates,
680, 681
GueriUas, Farragut fired on by band of,
54; cotton destroyed by bands of,
58; Steal's band of, 69; 103, 111, 144;
attack on, 150; 199, 215, 231, 232, 243,
267, 268, 269, 270, 278, 279, 288, 291,
312, 378, 428
GueriUa warfare, 13, 15
Guest, Capt. John, in connection with
cattle shipped to Ship Island, 414. 415,
416
Gulf of Mexico, the, 388
Gurowski, Count Adam, 566
H
Haas, John Geo., 34
Haggerty, Captain, 45, 66, 165, 202, 203,
339, 352; report of delivery ot property
to Consul of the Netherlands, 385
Hahn, Mr., 534, 542
Haidel, Doct., 231
Haines, Major, 160
Hale, R. C, letter to B. from, 584
Halleck, Maj. Gen. Herny W., 48, 83;
letters from B. to. 111, 242, 278, 326,
394, 400, 410, 459, 472, 481, 490, 514;
estebUshed in Washington, 122; 124;
letters to B. from, 212; appointed Sec
retary of War, 321, 223; caUs on Chase,
323; 334; Weitzel's report sent to. 469;
469; B. refers case of murder of
soldiers to. 472; 486, 487, 488, 520,
533; statement concerning re-enforce
ment of McClellan, 536, 537; General
Orders by. No. 184, 547; in connection
with Mumford case, 657, 558; 590
Hambling, Mr., 351
Hamburg, 221
HamUton, A. J., 427
Hamilton, John C, letter from B. to,
486; letter to B. from, 486; on em
ployment ot negroes, 487
Hamilton. Maj. Gen. Schuyler. 486;
favors occupation of BrownsvUle, 565;
666, 673. 577. 692
"Hanna Thornton." the, 89
Hardy, P. D., 210
Harper's Perry, 513
" Harriet Lane," the, 671, 572
Harris & Co., H., 290
Harris, Mr., 402
Harrison, Mr., 405
Harrisse, Charles, 377, 378
Harry, 410
"Hart," the, 445,451

616

INDEX

"Hartford," the, 521
Hartley, Lieutenant, 49
Harvey, S. H., articles taken from house
of, 49, 60
Hatteras, 43, 513
Havana. 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 151, 192,
280, 316, 342, 343, 34^, 345, 346, 361,
368, 388, 390, 416, 417, 434, 530
Havre, 346
Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 590
Haynes, W. H., 477
Heard, Mrs. Harriet, 110, 124, 247;
letters from Mrs. B. to, 393, 410, 438,
453, 488, 603, 520, 530, 547
Heath, E., 163
Heidsick, Charles, 127, 128, 129, 130,
212; merchants ot New Orleans ask
clemency tor, 276, 277, 372, 373
Helme, Brig. Gen. Robert G., at Vicks
burg, 168. 169
Hensley, Dr. A. C, 461
Herald, The London, 574
Herald, the N. Y., 166, 487
Herrera, Jose Manuel Dias de, letter to
B. from, 325; 420, 612
Hewett, Captain, 46
Higgins Hotel, the, 110
HUdreth et al., Messrs., 91
Hildreth, Fisher A., 35, 46, 55, 93, 110,
124, 149, 164, 175, 196, 201, 202, 203,
218, 225, 226, 227, 228, 232, 234, 236,
241. 247. 256, 257, 259, 272; letters
from Mrs. B. to, 282, 393; 304, 305,
316, 317, 321, 327, 338, 381, 410, 454;
letter to B. from. 464; 489, 500, 503,
531, 676
HUdreth, Laura Wright, 410, 489
HUl, D. H., 394
HUton Head, 107, 219, 227
History of Ireland, the, 360
"History of the Great Rebellion," by
Lossing, 61
Hitchcock, Professor, 591
Holbrook, Gov. Frederick, offers support
to B., 174; asks B. for advancement
of son, 174; asks tor court of inquiry,
296; letters from B. to, 295, 481
Holbrook, KendaU, 189
Holbrook, Maj. W. C, 174; complaint
of, 293; caUs for court of inquiry,
294; 481
Holcomb, Colonel, 430
Holt, Joseph, letters from B. to, 399,
472, 506, 522, 579
Hooker, General, 469; Butterfield caUed
to staff of, 594
Hooper, Mr., 290

Hope and Co., Messrs., 80, 82, 95, 96,
252, 253, 306
Hope Insurance Co., the 80, 253
Hopkins, the plantation. 351, 459
Hosford, Mr., letter from B. to, 45
House Mutual Insurance Company, the,
381. 382
House of Representatives, the, 569, 570;
resolutions adopted by, 674
Houston, 506, 535, 571, 577
Hubbard, J. B., 163
Hubbell, James R., 599
Hughes, Frank, 540
Hunt, Randall, letter from B. to, 66
Hunt, Seth B., 568
Hunter, General, 133, 134, 164
Hunton, Thomas, 381, 382
Hurly, Jeremiah, 138
Hutchins, Mr., 571

"Iberville," the, 131
"Ida," the, 342
"licaltipec," the, 421
Indiana, 324
Indiana Volunteer MUitia, the, 21st Regt,
ot, 13. 50, 160, 168, 169, 278, 295, 451,
473
Indianola, 578
Irish RebelUon, the, 72
Ironside. Isaac, letter to B. from, 587

Jackson, 127, 425, 551
Jackson, Gen. Andrew, 93, 247, 256,
259, 305, 674, 582
Jackson, garrison of, 46
Jackson, R, R., the, 382
Jackson, StonewaU, See Jackson, Gen.
Andrew
"Jackson,'' the. 415. 441
James River, the, 10, 323
January, Captain, 330
Jefferson, Texas, 8, 26
"John Griffin," the, 464
Johnson, Gov. Andrew, letter to B. from,
139-140
Johnson, Captain, 239, 240
Johnson, Reverdy, appointed by President
as Commissioner to inquire into proceed
ings between B. and foreign Consuls, 9,
12, 56, 95, 96, 261, 252, 253, 254, 307;
letter from Seward to, 12; letters to,
B. from, 56, 80, 94, 95, 96, 98, 102,
104, 120, 121; letters from B. to. 80,

INDEX

617

81, 83, 94, 98-102, 120; asked by B. to
investigate Citizen's Bank transactions,
81; B. asks advice of, 83; letter to
Puffer from, 95; decision on claims ot
Kennedy & Co., 96, 98, 98-102;
judgment in case of Maull and Han
cock, 104; 114, 118; letters from Pres.
Lincoln to, 131, 133; goes home, 148;
151, 166, 191, 230; reports of, 308,
309, 552; dinner for, 349; 396, 425,
426; letter to Shepley from, 443; atti
tude toward B. ot, 444
Johnstown, 70
Joint Committee on the Conduct ot the
War, the, report of, 312
Jones, Col. Edward P., letter from B. to,
46; promotion of, 46; 499
Jose, H. M., 464
Joumcd, the, Boston, 91
J, P. M., letter to B. from, 84
Jufante, Basilio, 495
Juge, Paul, 363
Juge, Paul, fits, 276
Juge & Tarry, Paul, 276
K
Kahl, Mr., 351
"Katahdin," the, 141, 288
Keith, Lieutenant Colonel, 169
KeUer, Fidel, 15, 24
KeUogg, Dr., 166
KeUogg, Spencer, 269
KendaU, George W., 540
Kendrick, Capt. F. M. H., 103
"Kenio," the, 141, 169, 180
Kennedy and Corvere, 98
Kennedy and Co., S. H., claims of. 65,
56, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 105
Kensel, Capt. George A., 42, 230, 440
Kentucky, 42, 86, 118, 223, 324, 349,
427, 430
Keus, Rudolf I., 222
Key West, 91, 207, 233, 575
KUlborn, G. W., letter to B. from, 382
KimbaU, Lieutenant Colonel, 10
KimbaU, S. S., 177
King, Charles, 568
King, ex-Governor, 591
King, Lieutenant, 394, 406
Kingdeus, James G., 118
Kingdeus Co., James G., 117
Kingdom ot Great Britain, the, 60
Kinney, Lieutenant, 358
"Kinsman," the, 444, 445. 461, 452, 621
Kinsman, Capt. J. B., letter to B. from,
37; in WasMngton, 38, 44; 114, 203, 323
Kirkland, Charles P.. 532

Klatt, Captain, 310, 317, 318, 351, 355
Knapp, P. H., patrol ot, 296
Knight, Thomas C, 39
Knowles, Samuel, 108
Knox, Mr., 496
Krattschnidt, J., 220; letters to B. from,
220. 309. 317. 351, 355; reply of B. to,
222; recognized as Acting Consul of Re
public ot Bremen 222, 223; the "Essex"
case, 309, 317, 318, 319, 350, 356; letters
from B. to, 310, 318, 350; subscriber
to "city defense fund," 363, 365; 367
Kruttschnidt, V, See Kruttschnidt, J.

Labadieville, 462
"Labarge," the, 199
Labitat, General, 417
Labitat, Jonathan, letter to B. from,
416, 417; letter from B. to, 417
La Bourgeois, Capt. Joseph, 231
Lacaze, Bertrand, 468
Ladd, Major, 282
"L. d'Or," the, 462
Lafeye, J, W., letter from B. to, 437
Lafourche, 231, 426, 427, 428, 429;
district of, 440, 448, 455; 468, 491
La Hache, 199
Lake des AUemands, the, 89
Lake Ponchartrain, 130, 143, 157, 183,
356, 367, 629
Lambeth, the Rector ot. See Lingham,
John
Lanata, Mr., 479
Larned< U. S. A., Paymaster Gen. Ben
jamin P., letter from B. to, 31
Larue, Anne, 57
Larue, John H., 57
Lasalle, Gustave, 485
Lasart, Mr., 199, 200
Lea, J. N., letter from B, to, 68
Leacock, Reverend Doctor, 407, 408
Lecaze, Bertrand, 492
Lechleiter, Joseph, 90
Lee. Gen. Robert E.. 334. 349. 557
Leesburg, 256
Lemore, Alfred, 508, 509, 510, 611
Lemore, Jules, 608, 509, 510, 511
Leon, Elie, 492
Letter Book, the, 353
Lewis, Major General, 211, 472, 473
Lewis, Mr., 367
"Liberty," 441
Licard, Marcelin, 237
Limburg, Mr. Roest van, letter from
Seward to, 252-255

618

INDEX

Lincoln, President Abraham; letters
from B. to, 5, 123, 447, 612, 541, 547;
B. sends Twiggs' swords to, 5, 151, 670;
a "qualified amnesty" brought to
attention ot, 9; General Order No. 41
brought to attention ot, 9; on Gen.
Phelps and negro question, 10, 41, 131,
133, 135, 136, 143, 146, 146, 148, 165,
157; Oath of Allegiance required by
B. from the foreign residents of New
Orleans objected to by, 11; requests
B. to remove impression of injury from
Mr. CoppeU, 12; Johnson appointed
commissioner to examine into pro
ceedings between B. and foreign
consuls by, 9, 12, 66, 261, 262; Cabinet
of, 71; 75; blockade removed by
Proclamation of, 98, 99, 263; 119;
RoseUus sent to give his views of negro
question to, 123, 124, 207; plan
of compensated emancipation, 132;
133; letter to Johnson from, 135;
letter to Bullett from, 136; answers
Durant, 135-138; interview with Gen.
Shepley, 147; 148, orders volunteers,
151; resignation of Gen. Phelps sent
to, 154, 207; 164; call tor more troops
by, 173; criticism of, 224. 533. 534,
690, 591, 594; view ot conflict between
Foreign Consuls and mihtary author
ities in New Orleans, 253, 255; rela
tions with Spanish government, 282;
does not act on advice ot Sec. Chase,
323, 324; Proclamation of Emancipa
tion of, 327, 334, 534, 550; re-instates
McCleUan. 334; leans on Chase, 334;
335, 336, 422; letters to B. from, 447,
653; barrel of sugar sent to, 447; 459;
directs Gen. Banks to take command
ot Dept. ofthe Gulf, 461, 469; removes
McCleUan, 469, 533; appoints Burn
side, 469, 533; 487; on capital punish
ment, 507; 520; re-nomination ot, 533,
536; decUnes resignation of Chase and
Seward, 552; calls B. to Washington,
553, 593; 563; disposition of Twiggs'
swords by, 670; attitude toward B.
of, 671; letter to Stanton from, 587;
protest against B. being sent South to,
590, 596
"Lincoln's Complete Works," 587
Lingham, John, Rector ot Lambeth, 476,
477, 478
Lingham, John George, 476, 477, 478,
479
Lion, Elie, 468
Liverpool, 307, 318, 355

"L. L. Davis," the, 527, 528, 544
Lloyd, Richard, 359
Locke, Major, 14, 31, 398
Lod, Mr., 621, 522
London, 97, 99, lOO, 417
Loring, George B., letter to B. from, 223-
225
Lossing, Mr., 61
Lote. See Hildreth, Laura Wright
Louisiana, B. sequesters funds in banks
of, 14; Shepley made mUitary Gov. ot,
16, 56; address by Moore to People
of, 16-24; case of Bank ot, 27, 278;
52; a nest ot traitors, 79; questions
with regard to, 82; law tor Correction
of Slaves in, 84; 89, 101; Secession
Ordinance ot, 123, 136; convention ot,
123; 124; the negro question in, 133;
rebeUion in, 137; 147; purchase of,
167; 168; library of, 233; 235, 236;
law tor chUdren ot imprisoned patents
in, 240, 241; Citizen's Bank of, 252,
306; former Gov. of, 265; bonds of
state of, 300; 388, 410, 419, 472, 507,
542, 650
"Louisiana," the, 148, 173, 179
Louisiana, the Bank of. President ot.
See Mercer, W. N.; cashier of. See
Montreuil, Auguste; case of Durand
against. 27-30
Louisiana Club, the, 25, 62
Louisiana Volunteers, the, B. organizing,
54, 82; B. on the payment ot, 66; 143;
1st Regt. ot, 192, 228, 234, 237; 2nd
Regt. ot, 517
LoveU, General, removed from command
of Department ot the Mississippi, 13,
70; 363
Lovering, Hannah K., letter to B, from,
598
Lowber, Daniel C, parole of, 60
LoweU, 37, 40, 149; Mayor of. See
Hosford, Mr.; RaUroad Bank of, 464
Lowery. Lieutenant Commanding, 287
Ludlow, Lieut. Col. W. H.. 658
Luis, Ambrosio de, 495
Limt, Mr.. 290
Lux, Rudolph T.. bUl from, 339
Lyons, Lord, 47, 383, 384, 385, 469
M
McClellan, Gen. George, at Richmond,
10, 41, 44, 92, 151, 536, 537; not
defeated at Fair Oaks, 92; 122; 256;
rout ot, 272; re-instated Commander-
in-Chief on the Potomac, 321, 334;

INDEX

619

Sec, Chase advocates substitute tor,
323; the military man for the Demo
cratic party, 334, 335, 336; removal
of, 464, 469, 500, 533; ramored
successor to HaUeck, 533
"McClellan," the, 4, 31, 380, 463, 503
McClernand, Mr., 349
McCluskey, Colonel, 112
McCormick, Charles, 271, 346; letters
to B. from, 421, 435
McCuUough, Joseph, 208
McCuUough, WUliam, 208
McCurdy, R. H., 568
McDoweU, General, honorable acquittal
of, 536, 537
Mclnnis, Captain, 69
McKim, Quarter Master, 44, 87, 89, 126
McLaughlin, Captain, 452
McLaurin, Archibald, 40, 260, 261
McLoughlin, Mr., 208
McMillan, Captain, 521
McMUlan, Col. J. W., asked to recover
articles stolen from house in Algiers,
49; a call tor re-enforcements from,
60, 103; orders concerning selling of
cotton sent to, 58, 102, 111; B. sends
information concerning movements of
the Confederate army to, 65; 93, 160;
disturbed by conditions at Baton
Rouge, 187; 278, 440; letter to Strong
from, 444; 580
MacNeiU, Sir John, 588
McPheeters, Colonel, 490
McQuestion, Serg't. Joseph, 496
MadisonviUe, 150
Mafford, Colonel, 296
Magee, Mr., 115
Maginnis, Mr., 269
Magruder, Col. J. Bankhead, 671
Maignan, Gen., ot French Brigade, 61;
letter to B. from, 51; the safeguarding
of arms in arsenal of French Legion
promised by, 51
Mame, 87, 285
Maine Volunteer Militia, the, 12th Regt.
ot, 10; 14th Regt. ot, 50, 160, 168, 169;
13th Regt. of, 65, 200, 414, 493, 494;
16th Regt. of, 112, 113
"Major FareweU," the. 371
MaUony, Mr., 390
Manassas, 232
"Manassas," the, 173, 178, 348
Manchac, 232
Manchac Pass, 10, 326
MandevUle, Sergeant, 150, 376
Mang6, Dr., 460
Mann, John, 150

Mansfield, Lord, 624
Maria, 410, 503
"Maria Felicia," the, 346
Mariano, Juan, 495
"Marie Galante," the, 340, 375, 419
"Marion," the, 537
MarshaU, C. W., 568
Martin City, 455
Martin, Dr. 327
Martin, Lieut. Frederick, 166, 330, 412
Martin, Gen. Robert, arrest of, 232
Martin and Wood, shipment of liquors,
39
Marvel, Ike, 697
Maryland, 324, 334, 349
Mascuard. Frederic Adolphe, 114
Mason, Honore, 351
Mason, M., 361
Massachusetts, 87; Governor of. See
Andrew, Gov. John; Republican party
formed in. 598
Massachusetts Historical Society, the,
487
Massachusetts Volunteer MUitia, the,
Everett's Battery, 13, 168; 30th Regt,
of, 42, 234; 6th Regt. of, 45; 2nd
Regt. of, 3; Nim's Battery of, 168,
508; Manning's Battery of, 168;
Magee's Cavalry of, 168; 26th Regt.
ot, 496
Matagonda Bay, 471
Matamoras, 395, 413; Consul at. See
Pierce, Mr. L., 421, 428, 501, 502, 627,
528. 529, 565
"Matanzas," the, 316
MauU and Hancock, 104, 105
Maury, I., 121
Mayor ot New York, the, letter from B,
to, 236
Mechanics and Traders Bank of New
Orleans, the, 300
Mechanics Bank of New Orleans, the,
46, 300
Medford, 538
Meigs, Gen. M. C, 88. 89. 92; letters
from B. to, 118-119, 291, 526; reten
tion by B. ot the "Saxon" approved
by, 124; letter to B. from, 186; 290
Mejan, Count, letters to B. from, 25,
127, 128, 432, 459, 485, 492; letters
from B. to, 26, 127, 188, 433, 436, 443,
485, 491; conflict between mihtary
authorities at New Orleans and, 81,
188. 250, 251, 306; the ShdeU mortgage
legalized by, 114; letter from Heidsick
to, 128, 206; appointed temporary
Consul ot the Netherlands, 266; 372;

620

INDEX

blanket controversy with B., 431-436;
complains of negro violence, 459; 467;
asks return of prisoners, 468; 508, 509,
576
Memminger, C. G., C. S. Treasurer, 3;
letters from, 3, 4
Memphis. 132
Meneely and Son. 78
Mercer, Dr. W. Newton, 27, 189; letters
from B. to, 278, 332, 437
Merchants Bank ot New Orleans, the,
213, 437, 478
Merchants Insurance Co., the, 98
Mercier. Doctor, 208
Mercier Guards, the, 208
Mercier, Mr., Minister of H. M. the
Emperor, 511
Mercury, the Charleston, 540
MerriU, Capt. C. R., 112, 113
"Merrimac," the, 173, 178
Mexican Consulate, the, 9
Mexico, 5, 161, 268, 420, 421, 463
M. H. L. Insurance Co., 122
"Miami," the, 140, 184
Michigan Volunteer MUitia, the, 6th
Regt. of, 13, 168
Middlesex Co., 122, 364, 519, 538
"MUan," the, 206
MUitary Academy, the, 670
MUitary Commandant of New Orleans.
See, Shepley, Acting Brig. Gen.
"Militia ot the Seas," the, 68
Millandon, the Plantation. 376
Miltemberger. J. Oliver. 198
MUtemberger. Mrs. J. Oliver, 197
Minturn, Edward, 568
Mississippi, 37, 168, 223, 428, 542
"Mississippi," the, 173, 178, 273, 313,
383
Mississippi River, the, 8, 12, 20, 22, 26,
70, 89, 141, 232, 265, 278, 323, 348,
349, 366
Mississippi Sound, 183
Missouri, 427
Mithoffas, M., letter to B. from, 436
MobUe, 16, 70, 80, 95, 96, 120, 121, 127.
28, 129, 149, 186, 187. 192. 205, 209,
226, 242, 253, 273, 316, 349, 372, 390,
395, 401, 425, 441, 466, 490, 533, 541,
542, 551, 552
MobUe Bay, 183
MobUe, the Commanding Officer of Forces
at, letter from B. to, 121
Molino del Rey. 5
Mongenot, Jules, 460
Monterey, 6
Montgomery, A., shipments of, 89, 379

Montgomery, R. H., 359
MontreuU, Auguste, 27
Moore, Mr., 187
Moore, Gov. Thomas Overton, informa
tion received by B. relating to, 8;
Proclamation of, 8, 16, 243, 268, 362;
at Washington, 8; address by, 13, 16-
24; rules laid down by, 23; letter
from Count Mejan to, 25; commissions
officers ot Native Guards, 209-211;
orders arrest of Gen. Martin, 232;
268, 307; conditions of passes given
by, 361; petitioned to prevent ship
ments ot cotton to New Orleans, 362;
permits given by, 362
Morgan, 223
Morgan & Co., Charles, 402
Morgan, Cosma, 441
Morgan, E. E., 668
Morgan, ex-Governor, 591
Morgan, Judge, 379
Morgan, P. H., letter to B. from, 663
"Morning Light," the, 522
Morris, Captain. See Morris, Com.
Henry W.
Morris, Com. Henry W., letters from B.
to, 26, 239, 240, 363; 48; warned of
C. S. boats in Red River, 50; ordered
to look out tor steamer "Music," 93;
letters to B. from, 238, 240, 316; 245,
278; communication referred to B. by,
287-288
Morse, Mr., 319, 320
"Mound City," the, 401
Mount, Mr., 477, 478
Mudget, Mr., 292
Mumford, Wm. B., 22, 72, 557, 558, 662,
669
Mure, Mr., 477
Murphy, Captain, 473
Murphy, W. W., letter to B. from, 574
"Music," the. 94, 169
Myers, Colonel, Quartermaster General
ot C. S. Government, 6
Myers, J. BaUey, letter to B. from, 7;
friendUness tor B. of, 7
Myrick, Augustus C, 493, 494
N
Napoleon, Emperor, proposition ot, 637
NapoleonvUle, 412
NashvUle, 140, 486
Nassau, 40, 91, 316, 342, 390, 420
"Nassau," the, 292
Natchez, 141, 243
"Natchez," the, 127

INDEX

621

Natchitoches, La., 78
Native Guards, the, 192, 209, 211, 270,
328, 360. 400, 401, 412, 427, 428, 429,
430, 439, 450, 455, 456, 458, 465, 474,
490
"Neafic," the, 483, 484
Nelson, George P., 532
Nelson, Mr., 131
Netherlands, the, 250, 264
"Nevens," the, 107
New Basin, the, 528
New Bedford, 164, 225, 228
New Canal, the, 358, 369, 629
New Hampshire Volunteer Militia, the,
Sth Regt. of, 444
New Iberia, 401, 428, 440, 516
"New London," the, 273, 629
New Orleans, B. sequesters property of
Twiggs in, 3; Banks ot, 3, 4, 81, 82, 83,
114, 117, 139, 140; flight of Twiggs
from. See Twiggs, Brig. Gen. David
E.; 9, 10; Johnson in, 12, 25, 262, 307,
308, 352; the Commercial Depot of
the State, 16; occupied by enemy, 16;
17, 18; supplies of provisions for, 21,
23; tearing down of flag on Mint at,
22, 72, 657; loss ot, 21, 23; B.'s plan
of relief of distress in, 30, 152, 153, 168,
184, 553; 34, 36; liquors shipped to,
39, 43; Provost Marshal of. See
French, Lieut. Col. Jonas H.; Provost
Judge ot. See Bell, Jos. M.; City
Library ot, 45; judgment of B. in
matter of Union Bank vs. Mechanics
Bank of, 48; Office ot Military Com-.
mandant of. See Shepley, Acting
Brig. Gen.; 57, 59, 60; B. condemns
to imprisonment citizen ot, 61; 62, 65;
Castle and Pennington taken to. 67;
69, 71; criticism of treatment by B. of
citizens ot. 73; 74, 76; bonds of, 80, 95,
96; treatment of negroes in, 86; Acting
Provost Marshal of. See Stafford,
Captain; 88; approach of boats to, 91;
capture ot, 92; restoring of commerce
at, 94; 96, 98, 99, 101, 103, 109; Acting
Collector at. See Dennison, George
S.; copy of Records ot Mortgages in,
113, 114; Major Strong due in, 114;
consolidated debt of the City of, 117,
253; 123, 124, 127, 131, 146, 147, 151,
162; Commission of Relief appointed
at, 162; 164, 166. 176, 177, 178;
danger of negro insurrection in, 186;
threatened attack on, 187, 192, 193,
194, 198, 230, 233, 243, 257, 273, 279,
286, 315, 320, 321, 326, 401; disarming

of citizens of, 189, 195, 228; 197, 198,
201, 204; treason in the gas works at,
207-208; Merchants Bank of, 213,
437, 478; Crescent City Bank of.
, 213; 218. 219; city ordinance No. 5949,
220; Citizen's Bank of, 221, 585; 222;
holding ot, 223, 226, 228, 233, 272;
conditions in, 229, 242, 243, 271;
employment ot secessionists in, 229;
B. borrows from City Relief Fund of,
237; defence loan ot the city ot, 250,
363; conflict between Foreign Consuls
and mUitary authorities at, 250, 251,
253, 264, 306; letter from B. to Treas.
ot City ot, 257; plunge of unprincipled
men in City Treasury, 257, 258; 260;
opening of port ot, 263, 264; 265, 274;
clemency tor Heidsick asked by
merchants of, 276; robbery at Custom
House at, 292; Mechanics and Traders
Bank of, 300; bonds of city of, 300;
transfer of property in, 307; 309, 312.'
313, 314; excitement over Confiscation
Act in, 316, 316; mails at, 330; case
of yellow fever in, 342; trade at, 356,
357; outlets to Gulf from, 361; ship
ping of cotton at, 361, 362; foreign
population ot, 363; City CouncU ot,
363, 364; Common Council ot the
city of, 364; 371. 390. 411, 412, 418;
Spanish vessels take refugees from,
419; the barter of salt for cotton at,
438; exportation ot lumber from, 446;
the Bank of, 447, 508. 510, 512, 513;
many being ted in, 448; Chartant
asks to enter, 466; Acting Consul at,
477; War Dept. withholds sanction to
proposition ot Banks of, 618, 626, 534;
Gen. Banks goes to, 641, 543; B.
leaves, 547; B.'s farewell address to
citizens of, 554-557, 587; conditions
under Banks in, 575; B.'s rumored
return to, 583, 584, 586, 587, 589, 593;
Acting Collector at, 687
New Orleans Coupons, 122
New Orleans, Jackson, and Great
Northern R. R. Co., 198
New York, 32, 33, 37, 47, 71, 109, 117,
236, 313, 667; Mayor of. See Op-
dyke, Mayor
New York, the State of, 87; Gov. ot.
See Seymour, Governor
New York Volunteers, the, 176th Regt.
ot, 579
"New Yorker," letter to B. from, 569
Newport News, 513
Nims, Captain, letter from B. to, 508

INDEX

Nina [Mrs. Henry Read], 115, 297, 503
"Nina Simms," the, 8
N. O. & I. R. R., the, 208
Norfolk, 92
Norton, Sidney S., letter to Barney from,
263; 356
Nowland, Adjutant, dropped from roll,
405
Nutt, Commodore, 333 O
O'Brien. J., 170
/'Ocean Queen," the, 40, 202, 230, 277
OdeU, Mr., 313
Official Records, 94, 306
Ohio, 324; Gov. ot. See Tod, Gov.
David
"Old Point," 110
Old Red River, 8
"Oneida." the, 169
Opdyke, Mayor 591
Opelomay Rail Road, the, 265
Opelous, the, 8
Opelousas, 217, 268, 401
Opelousas Railroad, the, 379, 392, 401,
426, 427, 439, 575
Ordinance of Secession, the, 449
O'RieUy, Henry, 532
" Orieto," the, 441
O'SuUivan, Mr., 590
Ould, Robert, 558
"Owasco," the, 414, 471

"Pacific," the, 40
Paeshar & Co., Mr., 367
Paine, Col. Charles J., letter to B. from,
296; 297; letter from B. to, 377; 397
Paine, Col. H. E., at Baton Rouge, 159;
ordered to employ contrabands and
secessionists, 170; ordered to evacuate
Baton Rouge, 193, 203
"Pajaro del Oceano," the, 418
Palfrey, H. W., orders concerning Twiggs'
house given to, 2; letter to A. J. Butler
from, 2
Palmerston, Lord, 77
Palo Alto, 6
Parapet, 436
Paris, France, 49, 81, 114, 418
Parish of Jefferson, 49
Parish ot St. James, the, 89
Parish Prison, 67
Parker, Mrs. J. M. G., 269
"Parliament," the, 226

"Parmelia," the, 108
Partisan Rangers, the, 13, 22, 67, 69, 90,
268, 278
Parton, James, asks to write history ot
B.'s administration in New Orleans,
582, 683
Pascual, Pedro, 495
Pass Christian, 485
Passes, the, 91, 361
Patent Office, the, 6. 670
PattersonvUle, 444
Paulson, Mr., 551
Pearson, George, 247, 322
Peck, Maj. Prank H., 167; Pres. of
Court Martial. 409
Pelie. Messrs., 257, 258
Pelot, Charles P., 468, 491, 492, 493
Pemberton, C. S. A., Lieutenant General,
Commanding Dept. ot Mississippi,
462; letter from B. to, 473
Pemington, 473
Penitentiary, the, factory of, 57, 106, 111,
113, 139, 208; 179, 193, 680, 581
Pennington, Thomas C. 67
Pensacola. 54, 107. 124, 201, 233, 236,
238, 272, 277, 329, 330, 396, 404, 405 ,
406, 407, 415, 441, 483
"Pensacola," the, 93, 273
Pepin, J. P., vs. Bank of America, 496,
497, 498
Pepper, Capt. Daniel, 126, 219
Peree, Lieut. S. W., 581
Perkins, Lieutenant, 181, 330
Perkins. Capt. E. H., 86, 180
Perkins, WUliam, 359
PerryviUe. 439
Peters Reports, 98
Petit Anse. 428. 621
Pevie, Quarter Master General Alexander
I., employment ot convicts approved
by, 209
Peyster, Gen. Walter de, letter to B.
from, 78; asks to redeem beUs, 78
Phelps, Brig. Gen. J. W., B.'s report ot,
10; Gen. de Peyster known by, 79;
letters from B. to, 102, 126, 143, 154,
155, 244; sustained in negro question,
109; letters to Davis from, 126, 126;
proposes to raise African Regiments,
125, 142, 143, 145, 146, 148, 154, 157,
271; employment of "Contrabands"
by, 126, 127, 142, 143, 144, 145, 148.
154, 156; resignation ot, 127, 142,
143, 144, 145, 146, 148, 154, 166, 166,
207, 270; 133; letters to B. from, 145;
166; B's feelings toward, 165, 156, 164,
201, 203; at Carrolton, 228, 229; 234,

INDEX

623

goes home, 287; gives horse, etc., to
Weitzel, 287; Sherman takes place of,
316
Phi Beta Kappa, the, 86
PhUadelphia, 39, 87
PhiUipps, Mrs. Philipp, 15, 24, 36, 292
PhiUips. WendeU, eulogizes B., 580
Phoenix Iron Co., the, 623
Piaget, A., letters to B. from, 491, 492,
letter from B. to, 491
Picayune, the New Orleans, letter from
B. to editors ot, 48; "the reUable man"
lies pubhshed in, 48; B. discontinues
pubhcation ot, 130; copy of General
Orders No. 57 pubhshed in, 178; 640
Pierce, Mr., 335, 600
Pierce Bros. Co., 88
Pierce, Carlos, letter to B- from, 87
Pierce, Edward L., letter to B. from, 566
Pierce, L., Jr., 420, 421; letter from B,
to, 463
Pinot, J. L., 372
"Pinta," the, 193, 340, 347, 375
Pittsburgh, 198
Plaquemine, 94
"Planet," the, 420, 421
Playson, S., 276, 277
Plussan, S., 372, 373
Point Isabel, 578
Polish Lancers, the. 68
Polk. Leonidas, 79
Polk, Right Rev. Warrior Bishop Gen.,
408
Ponier & Co., letter to B. from, 34;
sugar consigned to, 34; letter from B.
to, 34
Pontchatoula, 302, 326, 357, 402, 439,
527, 628. 529, 544, 566
Pope, General, 232, 247, 285, 286, 321, 334
Porte, Mr., Vice Consul at MobUe, 372
Porte au Prince, 419
Porter, Commander David D., letter to
B. from, 246
Porter, Commodore Wm. D.. 140, 141,
148, 161; attack on the "Arkansas"
reported by. 178, 180; Capt. Fairfax
denies charge of, 181; accusations of,
184; letter from B. to, 187; B.'s report
on letter of, 245; letter to B. from, 269
Portervins. Capt. John, 69, 70
Portervins, Capt. Wm., 70
Port Hudson, 66, 269, 428. 439. 466, 505,
522, 551, 566, 673, 597
Port Republic, 93
Port Royal. 107. 164, 233, 263, 425
Post Master General. See Blair, Mont
gomery

Potomac, 272, 321, 334, 439
"Potomac," the, 382, 453
Potomac, the Army of the, 44, 144, 349,
466, 533
"Prean & Conturie," 386, 387
Prensa, the, 419
Price, Sterling, 466
Prince, Lieut. James B., Jr., 234, 235
Proctor, Mr., 520
Proctor, Mrs., 520
ProctorviUe. 496
Protestant Episcopal Church, the, 407,
408
Provisional Commission, the, 237
"Provisional General." See Tvriggs,
Brig. Gen. David E.
Provost Court, the, 27, 28, 29. 48
Provost Marshal, of New Orleans. See
French, Lieut. Col. Jonas H.; 274. 275
Prussia, Minister from, 318, 356, 387
Puffer, Lieut. T. A. P.. letter from
Johnson to, 96; 245, 300, 311. 331,
339, 377, 407, 408, 410
Pugh, Mrs. Laura, 461; letter from B.
to, 461
Puig Brothers, 205 ; complaint of Spanish
Minister iu connection with house of,
368, 369, 370; United States vs., 370, 371
Puig, Majin, 205, 371 Q
Quarantine Records, the, 346
Quarterly Review, the, 588
Quartermaster General, the, letter from
B. to, 249
"Quincy," the, 576

R

"Raamen." the. 207
Raceland, 440
Rafel, Joseph, 116
Rankin, GUmour & Co., 350
Rankin, Hayton, 350
Ransom, Captain, 180, 181, 383
Rappahannock, the, 212
Rathburn, H. A., from B. to, 498
Read, Lieut. Commander, 527, 629
Read, Mr., 297, 381. 464. 531, 676
Read, Mrs. Henry, 381, 410, 547. See
also Nina
Red BiU. See Wilson, William
Red River, the, 8, 26, 50, 83, 102, 140,
141, 142, 150, 171, 273, 349, 505, 515,
678
Red River County, 15

624

INDEX

Regina, Sister, 625
Reichard, General, 319, 347; subscribes
to "city defense funds," 363, 365, 367
Reichard & Co., 220, 221. 367
Relay House, the, 613
"Relief," the, 227, 228, 272, 277, 286.
676
Renshaw, Commander, 471, 524, 572
Rents Commentaries, 98
RepubUcan party, the, 335, 598
Resaca de la Palma, 5
Revere House, the, 41
"Reveries ot A Bachelor," the, 597
Reynaud, Rear Admiral, letters to B.
from, 430, 431, 608. 511; decUnes
invitation from B., 430; letters from
B. to, 431, 509; 508; protests to B.,
509
Rhode Island, Gov. of. See Sprague,
Governor
"Rhode Island," the, 56, 176, 273, 330
Richardson, Daniel S., letter to B. from,
86
Richardson, Dr., 219
Richardson, Mr., 227
Richmond, reverses of McClellan at,
10,70,77; 21; the Picaj/Mrae publishes
news of, 48; 148, 170, 171, 224, 263,
335, 357, 395. 536, 539, 541
Rigoleta, the, 361, 627
"Rinaldo," 40, 46, 47, 206
Ring, Lieut. Aaron. 413, 415
Rio Grande, 349, 428, 666
Ritchie, David, flags rescued from the
"McClellan" by, 4
Roah, James O., 70
"Roanoke," the, 204, 238. 340, 344, 346,
417
Robb, Mrs., 197
Roberts, Colonel, 169
Robinson, Jno. G., 360
Robinson, Walter G., letter to B. from,
300
Rochereau & Co., 367
Rochereau, Mr., 365
Rogers and Co., G. H., 108
Roman Catholic Priest, a, 358
Roselius, C, sent to Washington, 123,
142, 207; legal advisor of Mrs. Vogel,
221
Rosin OU Works, the, 405
Rosing, Mr., Charge d'affaires of Bremen,
222
Rost, Commissioner, 388
Rowell, J. C, 84
Roy, Lieut. T. A., letter to Morris from,
287; letter from Wiegel, 289

Rozier, J. Ad., letter to B. from, 65;
letter from B. to, 68
Ruggles, Brig. Gen. Daniel, letters to B.
from, 67, 215; existence of Partisan
Rangers championed by, 67-69; in
command ot Louisiana East ot Missis
sippi, 70; 168, 169, 187
RusseU, Earl, 260, 261, 476, 477, 478, 537.
588
Russia, real promoter ot rebeUion, 688
Rust, Col. Henry, Jr., letter to B, from,
64; letter from Captain Guest to,
416
Ryan, John T., letter to B. from, 381

Sabine, the, 578
Sabine Pass, 396, 601, 502
Sacred Heart Convent, the, 214
"St. Charles," the, 249, 250
St. lago de Cuba, 419
St. MartinsviUe, 216
"St. Mary's," the, 382, 394, 404, 405,
406, 451
"St. Matahda," the, 288
"St. Matanzas," the, 382
"St. Maurice," the, 288
St. Nicholas, the, 282
Sanborn, John, letter from B. to, 110
"Sanders," the, 98
Sarjeant, Mr., 551
Saudego, Marcelino, 495
Savannah, 390 ,
Sawyer, Capt. Joshua L., 200, 496
"Saxon," the, 55, 125, 149, 197, 202, 204,
218, 219, 226, 227, 277, 286, 316, 322,
323, 352, 576
Schiffer, Messrs. S. and J., 108
Schmidt, F. W., 221
Schneider, T. J., 90
Scholefleld, Mr., 261
Scotch Rifles, the, 207
"Scotia," the, 287
Scotland, 261
Scott, General, 161, 486, 488
Scott, Charles, 381
Scott, Capt. J. W., 103
Scott, Hetty, 381
Seacock, W. T., asks B, for clemency
toward Andrews, 63
Secession Governor. See Moore, Gov.
Thomas 0.
Secession Ordinance, the. See Louisiana,
the State of
Secessionists, the, 15, 343, 366, 408 '
Secretary ot State. See Seward, Wm. H.

INDEX

625

Secretary of the Navy, the. See Welles,
Gideon, 349
Secretary of the Treasury, See Chase,
Salmon P.
Secretary ot War. See Stanton, Edwin
M.
Seide, Karl, 90
Senate, the, 569, 570
Sequestration Act, 113
Seward, P. W., 223
Seward, WiUiam H., letters to Stanton
from, 10, 256, 274, 442; views on the
Consular questions, 38, 251, 252, 255;
attitude toward B. ot, 38. 664; diplo
matic dinner given by, 38; letters
from B. to, 40, 123, 276, 306, 377, 398,
467, 508, 612; case of McLaurm, 40,
260; the power behind the throne, 44,
46; 61; extract from letter to Adams
from, 74. Life of, 74; interview with
Gen. Shepley, 147; views on negro
, question. 164; receives Roselius, 207;
letter from Gerolt to, 219; letter to
Stuart from, 251; letter to Treilhard
from, 251; letter to van Limburg
from, 252-265; letter to Shepley from,
260; in connection with complaints of
Spanish Minister, 274, 279-283, 347;
suggests establishment of joint com
mission, 282; 298; and the appoint
ment of Shepley as MUitary Governor
of New Orleans, 317; losing power,
334; 336, 336. 368; letter to B. from,
399; 487, 499, 520; resignation of,
652, 666
Seymour, Governor, 334, 500
Shaffer, Col. J. W., confiscated property
ordered to be sold at auction by, 57;
84; endorses Gen. Meigs' statement
about discharging of freight, 186;
B. desires inquiry made of, 246; 284,
285, 392; letters to B. from, 406, 483;
447, 589; letter from Shepley to, 483;
522
Shaw, Captain, 301
Shaw, Major. 311. 312
Shaw. Frank George, 568
"She Adder," a, letter to B. from, 648
Shenandoah VaUey, the, 536
Shepley, NeUy, 164
Shepley, Brig. Gen. George P., made
MUitary Governor of Louisiana, 16.
56. 59; 53; letters to B. from, 69, 147,
260; resignation of Office of Mihtary
Commandant of New Orleans by, 69;
goes to Washington, 82, 131, 147;
sent home, 109; interview with Presi-
VOL. II — 40

dent and Secretaries of State and War,
147; 164, 166; coin taken from Con
turiS by, 252; MUitary Governor of
New Orleans, 254, 255, 258, 282, 317J
letter from Seward to, 260; letter
from B. to, 261; 276, 292, 300; letter
to Stanton from, 306; with B. at New
Orleans, 316, 339; exacts pay from
Weitzel, 352; suspected of interest in
speculations of Col. Butier, 356;
grants trading permits, 358, 359, 378,
379, 423; 396, 408; letter from Johnson
to, 443; 496
Sherman, Gen. T. W., added to B.'s
command, 233, 316; B. advised to
cultivate, 322; letters from B. to, 331,
339; orders regarding negroes, 339;
515
Sherwood, Lorenzo, 632
Shields, Lieutenant Colonel, 216; letter
to B. from, 319
Shields, Mr., 93
Shiloh, 194
Ship Island, 24, 26, 37, 57, 61, 62, 63, 64,
290, 304, 312, 313, 329, 330, 331, 359,
363. 413. 414, 415, 416, 424, 441, 505,
513, 552
Shipley, Capt. A. N., letter to Colonel
Shaffer from, 483
Shipper, G. M., 103, 104
Shipper, Mrs. G. M., 104
Shreveport, 606
Shufeldt, R. W., letter to B. from, 418;
letter from B. to, 464
Siegel, Mr., 93
SUcott, Robert, 208
Sivanler, P. A., 276
SlideU, Benjamin, 390
SUdell, John, 114
Slocumb, Mrs., B. promises protection
to, 1
Smith, 349
Smith, Captain, 383
Smith, Lieutenant, 429
Smith & Co., Samuel, the seizure of
specie ot, 31, 71, 338
"Smyrniote," the, 108
Snow, Mr., 76
Snow, Capt. Josiah, 103
Soldiers Insane Asylum, the, 407
Somonville, Charles, letter from B. to, 58
Soniat, Theodore, 436
Souls, Pierre, 309, 488, 489
South Carolina, 436
Southern Confederacy, the, 86
Southern Independent Association, the,
308

626

INDEX

Spain, 268; Vice-Consul of, 324; Min
ister from. See Tarsara, Gabriel G.;
B.'s friendliness toward, 346
Spanish Nation, the, 182
Spanish Transports, 324, 326
Spark, Pat C, 421
Speed, John J., 532
Sprague, Governor, ot Rhode Island, 563
Spring, Dr., 69
Stafford, Captain, order from B. concern
ing negroes, 88; 106
Stafford, Col. S. H., 339, 360, 376, 377,
429,430,439, 490.. 548
Stafford County, Va., 652
Stancel, Lieutenant Colonel, 428
Stanley, D. C, letter from Fortenberry
to, 438
Stanton and Palmer, claim of, 249, 250
Stanton. B.. 599
Stanton. Edwin M.. letters from B. to,
6, 13, 40, 42, S3, 69, 66, 82, 107, 112,
142, 168, 191, 194, 243, 298, 316, 339,
361, 368, 375, 383, 384, 385, 387, 392,
397, 402, 407, 411, 416, 419, 420. 422.
431, 442, 446, 474, 478, 489, 493, 516,
517, 525; letters to B. from, 9, 41.
222. 247. 250, 298, 377, 392, 421, 501,
518; letters from Seward to, 10, 256,
274, 442; friendliness for B. of, 37,
212, 516, 520, 564; appoints Kinsman
Capt., 37-38; 64; certified copy of
parole of Lowber sent to B. by, 60;
manufacture of clothing at Peniten
tiary suggested to, 106; Gen. Arnold
requests change from, 107; on the
negro question, 131; B. refers case of
Gen. Phelps to, 142, 207; interview
with Gen. Shepley, 147; refuses
recruits, 161; 147,148; refuses resigna
tion of Col. Deming, 151; 166; General
Orders by. No. 98, 199, No. 184, 461;
communication from Dept. of State,
222; orders B. to recognize commission
ot Lieut. Prince, 234. 236; in connec
tion with complaints ot Spanish
Minister, 274, 279; 290; letter from
Shepley to, 306; 334, 354; letter
from Mrs. Pugh to, 461; withholds
sanction from Banks ot New Orleans,
518; letter from Lincoln to, 687; 690
Steiner & Marioni, Messrs., 422
Stephens, Commander H. K., 179, 181
Stewart, W. See Stuart, William
Stinson, Captain, 89
Strong, Mrs., 41, 218, 380, 463
Strong, Maj. George C, letter from Mrs,
Butler to, 40; 44; letters to B. from.

114, 165; asks B. for instructions, 114;
promotion of, 166, 218; asks B. for
commission tor Martin, 166; answer
to Whipple sent to "Herald" by, 166;
goes to New Orleans, 218; 226, 256;
General Orders issued by. No. 36, 485.
No. 71, 285, No. 73, 305, No. 74, 316,
No. 79, 353, No. 88, 437, No. 98, 482;
Special Orders issued by. No. 441, 397,
No. 513, 475, No. 660, 526; starts on
expedition. 287; 323; successful attack
upon Gen. Thompson of, 326, 339;
commended by Gen.-in-Chief, 402;
recommended tor Brig. Gen. by B.,
402; letter from Dow to, 411; letter
from Garrison to, 441; letter from
McMiUan, 444; letter to Nims from,
508
Stuart, William, Her Britannic Majesty's
Charge d'Affaires, 11; 74; settiement
in matter of seizure of sugar, 251;
asks for release of McLaurin, 260;
letter from Russell to, 261; submits
affair ot Borrowes to Sec. ot State. 442;
complains ot treatment ot Lingham,
476, 478
Sturgis, RusseU, 568
Sullivan Randall and Budd, 114
Sumner, Charles, 286, 335, 336; letters
to B. from, 620, 570
"Sumter," the, 141, 169, 179
S. W. Pass. 316
Switzerland, complaint of Consul General
of, 421; 422, 491
"Sykes," the, 393, 404, 405, 406, 483

Tarsara, GABRtEL G., communications
concerning quarantine laws, 274, 275,
339, 342, 343, 345, 346, 347; prefers
complaint in behalf of house of Messrs.
Avendafio Brothers, 279, 387; com
plaint concerning house of Puig Bros.
ot, 368, 369; B. asks that information
concerning Spanish man-of-war be
given to, 368, 389
Tate, Capt. WUson, 67
Taylor, Dr., on Board of Survey, 110
Taylor, I. P., letter to B. from, 191
Taylor, Brig. Gen, Jo., B. sends sword to,
118
Taylor, Maj. Gen. Richard, commander
District of Western Louisiana, 265;
notifies B. of unlicensed acts on part
of soldiers, 265; B.'s reply to, 265;
threats ot, 302, 303; refuses to ex-

INDEX

627

change prisoners, 330; expedition
against, 401
Taylor, Gen. Zachary, sword ot, 118, 191
Teche, the, 444, 446, 451, 452; Military
District of, 465
Tennessee, Governor of. See Johnson,
Gov. Andrew; 168, 223; Buel's Army
in East, 324
"Tennessee," the. 111. 238, 239, 240, 330,
402, 403
Terrebonne, 440
Texas, 5, 6, 8, 16, 40, 44, 168. 191, 194,
303, 349, 382, 395, 401. 413, 421, 454,
461, 463, 466; expedition to, 604, 605,
512; 490, 600, 502, 636, 541, 550, 575,
687, 592, 593
Texas Volunteer MUitia, the, 1st Regt.
of, 463, 572; 1st Cavalry of, 526
Thaddeus Norris and Co., 105
Thibodeaux, 401, 429, 430, 440, 491
Thomas, Judge, B. T., 563
Thomas, Brig. Gen. Lorenzo, letter from
Gen. Phelps to, 146; letters to B. from,
234, 247; letters from B. to, 234, 237,
245, 293, 585; letter from Maj.
Holbrook to, 294
Thomas, Col. S., letter to B. from, 244,
399; command from B. to, 429; 439,
440, 452, 490
Thome, R. J., 568
Thompson, Gen. M. Jefferson, 187, 191;
letters from B. to, 301, 302, 303, 311;
letter to B. from, 311; attack upon,
326
Thornton, Captain, 130, 302
Thorpe, F. B., letter to B. from, 184
Thorpe, T. B., 163; letter to B. from,
689
"Thug Association," the, 607
TUghman, Brigadier General, 363
Times, the, leading Journal in Europe,
75; 503
Times, the, N. Y., 91, 598
Times Weekly Courier, the. 212
Tod. Gov. David, letter to B. from, 599
Tompkins, Col. D.D., on discharging of
freight, 185
Touro Charity BuUding, the, 211
Townsend, Gen. E. D., 199
Treilhard, the Viscount, letter from Sec.
Seward to, 251
Tremont Temple, 680
Tribune, the N. Y., 44, 444, 683, 593
Troy, N. Y., 78
True Delta, the, 540
Tucker, Professor, 590
Turkey, 71

Turkey Point, 10
Turner, Col. John W., 15, 196, 392;
cattle sent to Ship Island by, 414;
letter to B. from. 593
Turo Building, the, 296
Twiggs, Brig. Gen. David E., B.
sequesters house of, 1, 2, 3, 7; swords
of, 5, 6; flight from New Orleans of,
5, 6; letters addressed to, 6; treason
of, 7; appointment as "Provisional
General" ot, 7; declination of position
of Major General by, 7; petitioned to
prevent shipments ot cotton to New
Orleans, 362; concerning disposition
of swords ot, 570
Tyler, WiUiam, letter to B. from, 562
U
Union Association, the, 138
Union Bank ot New Orleans, the, 48
United States, the, vs. Puig Bros., 370
United States Ambassador. See Adams,
Charles Francis
United States Troops, the, 22
Urqhart, Mrs., B. promises protection
to, 1
Usher. Maj. R. G., 493, 494

Vacherie, letter to B. from residents of,
89
Van Buren. John. 590
Van Dom, Major General, in command
of Department of the Mississippi,
13, 70; General Order No. 1 issued
by, 13; 111, 187, 191, 194, 223
Vanity's Fair, the N. Y., 276
Van Nostrand, Benj. T., 109
"Varuna," the, 348, 349
Vendetta, the, 61
"Vengeur," the, 470
Vera Cruz, 5
Veritas, letter to B. from, 374
VermUion Bay, 428
Vermont, Gov, of. See Holbrook, Gov.
Frederick, 295
Vermont Volunteer Militia, the, 7th
Regt. ot, 160, 168, 169, 174, 293, 294,
295. 481, 482. 483; Sth Regt. of. 267,
278, 302. 330, 401, 412, 466, 472, 490
Vicksburg, attack upon, 16, 47, 109, 140,
168; transportation of Confederate
Army at, 65, 66; Gen. WiUiams re
caUed from, 82, 83, 111; advance of
Gen. Grant upon, 82, 111; 98, 103; tail-

INDEX

ure of fleet at, 124, 148; withdrawal ot
fleet from, 168; upper fleet above, 171;
rebels leave, 187, 191; 229, 244; ex
pedition to, 245; exchange of prisoners
at, 302; 366. 388, 444, 462, 467, 505,
614, 551
Victor, J. N., letter to B. from, 53;
protection asked for sisters by, 53
ViUanueva, 495
"Vincent," 441
Virginia, 62, 242. 277, 291, 317, 334
"Virginia Antoinette," the 346
Vogel, Mrs., 221, 319, 366
Vogel & Co., 220
Vogel, WUham, late Consul of Prussia,
220. 221; subscriber to "City defense
funds," 367
"Volunteer." the, 342 W
Wadsworth, John, 334, 568
Wainwright, Capt. W. N., letter to B.
from, 470
Walden, D. T., B.'s reply to, 292
Walden, PhUip E., 292
WaUser, Captain, 208
Walker, Mr., 331, 332, 339
Walles, Major, 278
Wamesit Bank, 122
Ward, Samuel G., complains of seizure
of u-on by B., 392
Warner, Oliver, letter to B. from, 686
Washington, Power's statue ot, 233, 235,
236
Washington, D. C, 37, 38, 43, 44, 65,
71, 82. 92, 123, 131, 142, 147, 148, 232,
247, 256, 273, 277, 286. 290, 307, 309,
321, 324, 334, 355, 613
Washington MiUs the, 538
Waters, D., 24
Waterville CoUege, 263
Wataon, P. H., 222, 274, 279, 298, 377,
392, 421, 442, 445, 476
Watts, Maj. H. G., 462
"Webb," the, 50, 169
Webster, Mr., 110, 241, 248, 304, 319,
320, 464
Webster, Fletcher, 285
Weed, Charles A., given charge of,
plantations, 397
Weeks, Captain, 621
Weitzel, Brig. Gen. Godfrey, promotion
to Brig. Gen. ot, 43, 54, 147, 192, 273
126; sent to Camp Parapet, 143
letters from B. to, 168, 429. 439, 466
at Baton Rouge, 168, 159; sent to

Vicksburg, 169; 170; at Port St.
Philip, 188; surrender ot arms ordered
by, 189; Phelps gives horse, etc., to,
287; letter from Knapp, 297; at New
Orleans, 316; 339; made to f)ay
Shepley, 362; expedition of, 379, 401,
410, 412, 429, 439, 444, 448, 452, 454,
459, 466, 490; in command of district
ot Lafourche, 440, 465, 474, 491, 515;
496
Welles, Gideon, letter from B. to, 287;
matter ot pUlage by soldiers referred
to, 289; instructions concerning trad
ing from, 395, 396
Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, the,
396, 406
"Westfield," the, 140,, 471, 572
West Florida, 199; the District of, 230
"West Florida," the, 395, 396, 501, 502,
524
West Point, 6, 43, 161, 570
West River Bank, the, 278
West Roxbury, 666
West Tennessee, 598
West Virginia, 534
Wetmore, Prosper M., 591
Wheaton's Law of Nations. 98. 101
Whig, the Richmond, 540
Whig Review, Cotton's. 590
Whipple. E. P.. 166, 590
White, Richard Grant, letters to B. from,
568, 576
Whitney, J. S. See Whitney, James T.
Whitney, James T., letters to B. from,
124, 227; 164, 197, 203, 204, 218
Whittemore, E., 163
Whittier, C. S., 464
Whittier, J. G., 690
Wickliffe, R. C, 266, 266
Wiegel, Lieut. W. H., Morris warned of
C. S. boaU in Red River by, 50; 222;
Special Orders issued by. No. 326, 237;
301, 302; cause ot trouble on yacht,
311; advice to. 311; resignation of.
352, 381; certifies finding of box
marked "Prean & ConturiS," 386
Wiggins, Captain, 452, 521
Wiggins, Lieutenant, 444
WiUard, Mr., 110
WUliams, John, and Co., 140
WiUiams. Brig. Gen. Thomas at Vicks
burg, 16, 53; recalled from Vicksburg,
82, 83, 111; Shipper released from
prison by, 103; ordered home 109;
113; unable to make attack at Vicks
burg, 124; refuses privileges to Bates,
139; at Baton Rouge, 149. 161, 202;

INDEX

629

letter from B. to, 160; death ot, 159,
161, 162, 169, 201, 202; 168, 385
Wilmot, Mr., 540
Wilson. Mr., 570
WUson, Henry, letter from B. to, 465;
letter to B. from, 516
WUson, William, 472
Winchester, 93
Wisconsin Volunteer MUitia, the, 4th
Regt. of, 159, 168, 436
Witz, Charles, 351
Wolcott, C. P., letter to B. from, 60
"Women Order," the. See Butler,
Benjamin F., General Orders No. S8
Wood and Brothers. Messrs.. letter from
Memminger to, 4

Wood, P. N., 208
Woodstock, 93
Woodworth, Captain, 415
Wool, Brevet Major General, 110
World, the, N. Y., 538
Wright & Allen, 307
Wyer, Mr., 527, 628, 529
Yager. Lieutenant, 160, 161
Yazoo River, the, 244, 273, 279
"Yeadon, Richard," 662

Zeigler, 680, 581
Zeighler, 106

3 9002 00823 4156

4 •

I; if"- '¦•' ->•

1 7..'.'^ *

.•wsi:

¦^

i.