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

Maj-Gen. B. F. Butler is hereby authorized to raise, organize, arm, uniform, and equip a volunteer force for the war, in the New England States, not exceeding six (6) regiments of the maximum standard, of such arms, and in such proportions, and in such manner as he may judge expedient; and for this purpose his orders and requisitions on the quartermaster, ordnance, and other staff departments of the army, are to be obeyed and answered. Provided the cost of such recruitment does not exceed in the aggregate that of like troops now or hereafter raised for the service of the United States.

I came home, and the first New England State I struck was Connecticut. Her chief magistrate was Governor Buckingham, than whom a nobler, truer, or more loyal man did not exist. I told him I wanted to enlist a regiment under that order.

“Well, General,” said he, “whom do you want for colonel of your regiment?”

“I want Mr. Henry Deming, late mayor of Hartford.”

Be it known that Mr. Deming was with me at the Charleston convention. He was a thorough Democrat, and even a little more pronounced on the slavery question than I was. As mayor of Hartford he had called the city council together to consult if my troops should be allowed to go through Hartford on the way to the war. He was a true, loyal man, who did not believe in having a war, but who was a patriot to the core. He died the first Republican representative to Congress that was ever elected in the Hartford district.

“Why,” said the governor, “Deming will never go to the war in the world.”

“Well, Governor, if you offer him the appointment and he doesn't go, it will be his fault and not yours, won't it?”

“Oh, well, I will appoint him if you desire, but I don't think it will do any good; you will have to select somebody else, I guess.”

“It may be so,” I said; “I guess I will go and see Deming.”

So I walked over to Mr. Deming's office, called upon him, and after the usual chat between old friends, I said: “Deming, I am going to raise a regiment in Connecticut for a special service, and I want a good man for colonel,--I want you.”

“Well, if you do, you cannot have me, because Governor Buckingham would never appoint me.”