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

[641] taken without any difficulty. The Southern troops were expected very soon, so that the attack must be made at once.

I placed the most implicit reliance upon this statement and was very much tempted to march myself with what troops I had landed and seize Drury's Bluff at least. It was a march of but a little rising fourteen miles. My map showed that there was a stage road direct up to the Richmond turnpike, and then, of course, directly into Richmond.

I called on my generals, Smith and Gillmore, and explained this plan. I said to them that our troops were perfectly fresh, and that

Confederate Capitol at Richmond.

indeed they would be better for a march, having been twenty-four hours on the transports. I showed them by the map that there was a direct road up there. The night was a fair one and not dark, and I suggested to them that they march as soon as the men had got their coffee and supper. The men all had two days rations in their haversacks and I would send up plenty of supplies by the wagons in the morning, and they could easily get there by daylight. They both very strongly objected to the expedition. One of them intimated that he should feel it his duty to refuse it even if it were ordered. I said I should not order it for I could have no hopes of an expedition made against the will of the commander. an expedition made against the will of the commander.