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

[897] because I held that nothing could be done about freeing the slave, except through the President, he resigned his command and reported to Washington to argue the question with the President, so that I lost him. He is now deceased.

Of General Williams and his services I said all that ever can be said in my general order of notice of his untimely death.

Gen. George F. Shepley was promoted to be brigadier-general and at the same time was appointed Governor of Louisiana.

I would that space permitted me to speak in detail of other officers, regimental commanders, etc. But they made their own mark, especially in the histories of their several regiments, and as I cannot speak of all as I would do, it would seem invidious to mention any.

In November, 1863, when I relieved General Foster in the command of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, he took his personal staff with him, and the departmental staff reported to me.

Most of my staff at New Orleans whom I have already noticed were assigned to duty, and need not be further mentioned.

Maj. J. L. Stackpole, the judge advocate-general of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, who had been acting as provost judge, I replaced with Major Bell, and remitted Major Stackpole to his duties as judge advocate-general, in the performance of which I found him one of the most competent officers that I have ever seen filling that position. He was faithful, diligent, and a good lawyer, and he retained his position during my command. He now pursues his profession in the city of Boston, with the esteem of all who know him.

I also found upon the departmental staff Lieut.-Col. Herman Biggs, chief quartermaster, a thoroughly able and efficient officer. I shall never cease to remember with gratitude his great aid in enabling me to make the expedition, of which I have heretofore spoken, up the river with the Army of the James to City Point.

I found Lieut.-Col. John Cassels as provost marshal of the department. I did not reappoint him when I made up my staff.

There are no more arduous duties in the administration of a military department than those devolving upon the provost marshal. He is charged with the arrest of all citizens whose doings make such action necessary, and also to put in close confinement the officers