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

To show how thoroughly McClellan had been corrupted, or corrupted himself, and that he was utterly unfit to serve under the President and his constitutional advisers in putting down the Rebellion, let us see how he spoke of the government and of his relations with it. On the 10th of October he says: “I was obliged to attend a meeting of the Cabinet at 8 P. M., and was bored and annoyed. There are some of the greatest geese in the cabinet I have ever seen — enough to tax the patience of Job.” And yet he says: “I will try again to write a few lines before I go to Stanton's to ascertain what the law of nations is on this Slidell and Mason seizure.”

I preferred to be foot-loose, and free to take command of volunteers, and stand by Lincoln and constitutional government in the event of an attempted dictator's trip.

Before I had my second consultation with the President I had been examined by the Committee on the Conduct of the War as to the operations in the Department of the Gulf. I gave a report of them generally from memory and substantially as I have already given it here, save that there were some points to which I gave more elaboration, but I believe no substantial difference will be found. I was especially examined upon the question of the capabilities of negroes for soldiers and fighting, and gave the opinion that I have already given here and that I entertain to-day. I believe it was in consequence of those opinions upon that subject so fully expressed to the committee that I was again called in consultation with the President.

In the spring of 1863, I had another conversation with President Lincoln upon the subject of the employment of negroes. The question was, whether all the negro troops then enlisted and organized should be collected together and made a part of the Army of the Potomac and thus reinforce it. He remarked that the States were beginning to organize negro troops, and that I could soon have a large corps, and he wanted me in the Army of the Potomac. I then said to him:--

“Frankly, Mr. President, I do not want to go into the Army of the Potomac. I have never given cause for any prejudice against me by the officers from West Point. Now McClellan has put almost all the brigades in charge of lieutenants, captains, and majors of the regular army, and they all think they are very much my superior in the knowledge of everything pertaining to the art of war. Even ”