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[568] thief. A sword that he had stolen from a woman — the niece of the brave Twiggs —— was presented to him as a reward of valor.1 He had violated the laws of God and man. The law makers of the United States voted him thanks, and the preachers of the Yankee gospel of blood came to him and worshipped him. He had broken into the safes and strong boxes of merchants. The New York Chamber of Commerce gave him a dinner. He had insulted women. Things in female attire lavished harlot smiles upon him. He was a murderer, and a nation of assassins have deified him. He is at this time the representative man of a people lost to all shame, to all humanity, all honor, all virtue, all manhood. Cowards by nature, thieves upon principle, and assassins at heart, it would be marvelous, indeed, if the people of the North refused to render homage to Benjamin Butler — the beastliest, bloodiest poltroon and pickpocket the world ever saw.

I was called to Washington, and the question of my taking command on the Mississippi River was again discussed between the President and myself. He wished me to go on to the Mississippi River from St. Louis down, and examine what, if anything, was being done in the way of civil administration of the several departments, and also to advise him upon the military situation. I heard him fully and told him that I would take that proposition into consideration. When I saw him afterwards he produced an authorization and pass, written wholly by his own hand, dated February 11, 1863, a fac-simile of which is herewith published, and presenting it said: “Now, Butler, if you go down there, and find anything that wants to be set right, report to me and I will put you in command, in the hope that you will also carry out what I indicated to you about enrolling the slaves.”

I replied: “And there comes the difficulty, Mr. President. This rather adds to my embarrassment, because if I should be put in command under such circumstances the cry would be that I told tales in order to get for myself a command.” 2

I had learned from Senator Sumner that the President had said he hoped to return me to New Orleans very soon. That was the only

1 Twiggs' sword, being deposited in the treasury by me, after the war was returned to his daughter, although his reputed mistress, from whose possession it was taken, brought suit against me in New York for it, which I successfully defended.

2 At that time I did not know, as I now do from the correspondence between McClellan and Halleck, that theretofore there had been fault found with General Grant, so that upon Halleck's grave accusations, McClellan had ordered the removal of Grant from command, and his arrest by Halleck.

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