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

“ [722] take with the negroes, a redoubt that turned Hancock's corps on a former occasion, that will settle the question.” I proposed to try this in a manner that I had not before seen attempted, either in the Army of the Potomac or elsewhere,--that is, by a regular “dash,” such as I had read of in the history of the wars of Europe.

What I intended to do, and how I intended to do it, is better set forth in the order that I read to General Grant, and which I here reproduce from my order book. I give it as it was then written, because William F. Smith has stated in a magazine article that I was a “child, and incapable of giving an order in the field.” That is true or false, and to substantiate its falsity I propose to submit to military critics everywhere whether I was either “a child or incapable of giving an order in the field,” and allow my reputation as a commanding general to stand or fall with it.

[Confidential.]

headquarters Department Virginia and North Carolina. In the field, Sept. 28, 1864.
to Major-General Ord, Commanding Eighteenth Corps; Major-General Birney, Commanding Tenth Corps; Brigadier-General Kautz, Commanding division of cavalry.

Pursuant to the verbal directions and written instructions of the lieutenant-general commanding, the Army of the James is about to make a movement on the north side of the James River.

its object is to surprise the Confederate forces in our front here and, passing them, to get possession of the city of Richmond. Failing that, to make such serious and determined demonstration to that end as shall draw reinforcements from the right of the enemy's line in sufficient numbers so as to enable the Army of the Potomac to move upon the enemy's communication near Petersburg. The forces appropriated to this purpose are so much of the Army of the James as can be spared from the lines at Bermuda Hundred and the garrisoned posts on the river — the strength of which forces you know.

the manner in which the movement is to be made.

The acting chief of engineers will have caused by twelve (12) o'clock midnight of the 28th inst., a sufficient pontoon bridge, well covered to prevent noise, to be laid from the road on the south side of the James to a point near Varina or Aikens' Landing.