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

Willard's, Jan. 23, 1865.
Maj.-Gen. G. Weitzel:

My Dear Weitzel:--I am afraid you have been annoyed lest I might possibly think that your advice at Fort Fisher was not such as I ought to have acted upon. Let me assure you that I have never in any moment, amid the delightful stream of obloquy which is pouring upon me, doubted the military sagacity of the advice you gave, or the propriety of my action under it. Indeed, my friend, I am glad I was there to act as a shield to a young officer in a moment of fearful responsibility, from the consequences of a proper act which might have injured him in his profession, but which cannot harm me, who have a different one. The judgment of cool reason hereafter will applaud it, but hot passion might have harmed you, as it has done me, for the hour. Indeed, it was in view of this very event that I went at all. With the invocation of every blessing upon you and yours,

I am, your friend,

Benj. F. Butler, Major-General.

Cincinnati, Jan. 26, 1865.

My Dear General:--I was so delighted this morning to receive your note from Willard's. As the truth became developed I saw I had not made a mistake. At first, I was terribly frightened.

Many of my friends and fellow-citizens here, too, at first, made long faces, and only one paper, our oldest and most respectable, the Gazette, stood out for you boldly as against “marking Pot Porter” as they called him.

In one of his best despatches, however, Porter is compelled to acknowledge the correctness of our judgment . . . .

Yours truly,

G. Weitzel, Major-General.