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

[199] fraternized, and the officers apparently, until after a consultation with Colonel Lefferts as to the best way of opening the road and marching to Washington. In this consultation I endeavored to impress upon him the necessity of immediate action. I was informed by him, however, that he had held a consultation with his officers, and had concluded to remain there until more reinforcements should arrive. I suggested that waiting there would only give the rebels outside further time to tear up the railroad, which I was assured was not then in a very bad condition, and could be repaired very quickly. I urged him, as I had in the meantime got news that the Fifth Massachusetts was coming very soon, to march out at once with his regiment, and lay out on the road and repair it. The difficulty as to provisions having been relieved so far as the Eighth was concerned, and no such difficulty existing in his own regiment, I impressed upon him as strongly as I could the necessity for marching at once. Meantime I had been reliably informed that this was the desire of some of the officers of the Seventh.

The trouble with Lefferts appeared to be that he had picked up somewhere a man who had once been at West Point, to accompany and cosset him in his command. Lefferts never called upon me without him, and he at times was somewhat officious, and not always too courteous. But I pardoned that on account of the color of his nose, and because I was not seeking difficulties.

I then got the acquiescence of Lefferts that I should address his officers on parade ground, at dress parade, on the necessity of an immediate march for the relief of Washington. I did so address them, and, I thought, got their assent; for, as I made my points they turned their eyes very steadfastly on Lefferts and his dry nurse. Some time after parade had been dismissed, Lefferts informed me that upon further consultation, his officers declined to march.

“Colonel Lefferts,” said I, “war is not carried on in this way. A commander doesn't consult his regiment as to the propriety of obeying his orders; he must judge of what those orders should be. Now, by the Articles of War, I am in command, as brigadier-general of the United States militia, called into service, and actually in service. I take the responsibility of giving you an order to march, and shall expect it to be obeyed.”

Here Red Nose lighted up and said:--