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

“ [467] done, only that you ordered him to do what he could not do. He says that he doesn't fear it on his own account, because the order of the commanding general will justify him in doing anything, and adds, if you were an officer of the regular army he would obey you without a word; but he loves you, General, and he says it would be your ruin and the loss of your command to do what you want done.”

I sketched to Strong what I wanted done, but not the reasons why I wanted it done. I asked him to go and bring Weitzel. When Weitzel came in I said:--

“Strong has been telling me what your feelings are. I know what they are towards me, and I feel very grateful for them, and I am glad that you said to him that you would do what I wanted done if I were a regular officer. But you also said that I did not know the risk I was incurring. I was both glad and sorry to hear that. I thought, Weitzel, you had been long enough with me to believe that I know more about military law and my responsibility than all the regular officers in the service put together. As a lawyer I ought to know my duty, and as a man I am willing to do it without any regard to consequences. Now, you and Strong go together and draw any order that you two believe will justify you in obeying my commands in this matter, and I must and will take the responsibility. Upon reflection, I will not take no for an answer. Now go and make your order.”

I should remark here perhaps that my plan of carrying out campaigns was always to give my orders first and have them obeyed, and put them in writing afterwards as a justification for the obedience. Papers came last, not first, with me.

In a few minutes they returned with a very carefully drawn order directing Weitzel to go and do what was wanted to be done, the details to be arranged in writing afterwards. I signed it and had it countersigned by my chief of staff.

“Now, strong,” said I, “put that on the order book, and Weitzel, you go and get from the quartermaster anything you want, including any number of men you can use,--and they may be hired if necessary,--and I will pay the bills. We have lost three hours here, and I shall expect you by diligence to make it up. Good morning.”

Colonel Jones was in command of the forts, with the Twenty-Sixth regiment, and he was instructed to exercise his men as much