Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

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General Grant thereupon assured me I was quite correct in this last opinion. He said that the phrase in his report which had given so much offence had not been originated by him, and had not been adopted in the way of disrespect. It had been used first by General Barnard, chief of engineers, by way of illustration merely, during a consultation with him about a new disposition of the forces before Richmond. That in a few days thereafter, being himself required to make his report, he used Barnard's illustration because it was apt and on his mind, but without the slightest intention of reflecting upon General Butler.

In relation to the soiree or “reception,” General Grant said that he had entrusted the matter of the invitations, as usual, to one of the members of his staff; that the officer alluded to had for his guide the cards which had been left at his (Grant's) house, the names of members of Congress, and other persons of distinction who were known to be in town. That General Butler, at the date of the party, was not a member of Congress; and, as his card had not been left at his house, the officer had no direct means of knowing that he was in town. For these reasons, no invitation had been sent to General Butler at the time when the other invitations were issued; but his (Grant's) attention having been called by Mrs. Grant, on the afternoon of the reception day, to the fact that GeneralButler and Mrs. Butler were in Washington, he at once directed invitations to be sent to them — certainly not with the intention of showing disrespect, but with a directly opposite purpose.

I beg leave, therefore, to call your attention to the fact that General Grant has thus frankly disclaimed to me, as a declared friend of yours, any, nay, the slightest intention of reflecting upon you in the first instance, or of showing you other than entire respect in the second.

These facts are submitted to you simply as matters of fact; and they are referred, without suggestion, to your judgment by one who has complete confidence therein, and who has the honor to remain,

Very truly yours,

Geo. Wilkes.

This being communicated to me, I said: “Very well; I will go and see General Grant and have a talk with him.”

I called at the White House and was very cordially received. We sat down together and went over our whole past relations. I soon learned what had been impressed upon his mind as to my feelings toward him by those around him, some of whom he had discovered not to be the honorable and unselfish men he had believed them. He