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

[503] ready to aid you as willing servants, faithful laborers, or, using the tactics taught them by your enemies, to fight with you in the field.

By steady attention to the laws of health, you have stayed the pestilence, and, humble instruments in the hands of God, you have demonstrated the necessity that His creatures should obey His laws, and, reaping His blessing in this most unhealthy climate, you have preserved your ranks fuller than those of any other battalions of the same length of service.

You have met double numbers of the enemy, and defeated him in the open field; but I need not further enlarge on this topic. You were sent here to do that.

I commend you to your commander. You are worthy of his love, Farewell, my comrades! again farewell!

Benj. F. Butler, Major-General Commanding.

The true history of the Army of the Gulf as set forth in the above order has now been published for more than twenty-eight years, and never has been questioned either by friends or foes.

Decorative Motif.