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

[14] and the true bearing of these influences and these motives on the great struggle have not been made apparent. Finally I desire to correct much of wrong done to myself by a prejudiced misrepresentation of facts and circumstances as to my own acts in the service of the country, especially in connection with the conduct of its armies. Therefore, I have thought it but just to myself and posterity that the true facts as I know them should be brought out.

All these considerations have compelled me to undertake at this late day of my life the labor of preparing the material necessary to be expended in writing this book, and of putting it in proper form.

Perhaps it would be well in addition to show how the book is written: Wherever facts are set out I have intended that it should be done with literal and exact accuracy, so far as they depend upon my knowledge, and in many cases they are exact memoranda of events; but where any fact is detailed upon the testimony of others,

I have endeavored to verify it by consulting and making known the citations of the authorities either in the text or in the notes. I have thought it the better way, however, to make careful examination of the accounts stated in other publications, and to draw from them in my own manner, any point which may be subject to contradiction in regard to the accuracy of the fact stated. And where I know a fact exists I say so, and where I believe it to exist from information and belief, I have given the source from which I derived that belief, if I doubt as to its truth or challenge its correctness.

Wherever opinions are expressed upon men, their character and conduct, and the motives which influenced them, they are my own opinions and I hope not capable of denial as such. Whether those opinions are correct, well founded or proper in any respect, is open to the fullest criticism.

As to my personal acts, and doings, and omissions to do, “I have in naught extenuated,” but I have reserved to myself the privilege of explaining and exhibiting my motives and feelings. In regard to others I have “set down naught in malice,” reserving to myself, however, the privilege of saying in regard to any man personally what I think it is right to say of him, however harsh the criticism may be, and of giving a true definition of character in whatever distinct terms that criticism calls for.