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

[no. 87. see page 758.]

Sir:--By one of my detectives, corroborated by a member of the staff of Major-General Sandford, I learn that no arms or ammunition have been sent from the State arsenal in 7th Avenue, into the interior of the State, since July last, when a large quantity of both were transferred to the custody of Gen. John C. Greene.

I also learn, by same authority, that there are now in the arsenal, four twelve-pound howitzers, and about eighteen hundred stand of arms, with but a small quantity of ammunition.

The arms enumerated include those just deposited by the Seventy-Seventh Regiment National Guard, who have been on duty at Elmira for one hundred days, but are not regarded as very reliable.

There are no packages of any kind in the arsenal to denote an intention to remove anything more.

I also learn that the Seventh National Guards have six four-pound howitzers with about one thousand stand of arms at their armory, Tompkins' Market.

That the Twenty-Second N. G. have two twelve-pound howitzers, one thousand Enfield rifles (their private property), and ten thousand ball cartridges at their armory, Palace Garden, 14th Street.

Very respectfully,

[no. 88. see page 758.]

Sir:--I beg leave to report that the troops detailed for duty here have all arrived and dispositions made which will insure quiet.

I enclose a copy of my order and I trust it will meet your approbation. I have done all I could to prevent the secessionists from voting and think have had some effect.

I think I may be able to punish some of the rascals for their crimes after election.

All will be quiet here. The State authorities are sending from the arsenal in New York arms and ammunition to Mr. John A. Green, brigadier-general at Buffalo, and I am powerless to prevent it.

This is what I mean by wanting “territorial jurisdiction.” I am in command of troops solely. It is none of my business to prevent arms and ammunition being sent to Buffalo.

This is one of the dozen cases wherein I cannot act without colliding with General Dix and the State authorities both.

I have not landed any of my men save those I have sent to Buffalo, which are two (2) regiments of regulars and one hundred (100) men at Watervliet for Albany. Now these regiments report to General Peck, but Peck does not report to me. He has some regulars besides those arriving and to arrive.