2022-11 Raynors HCA Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2022
BUTLER, Benjamin Franklin (1818-1893). Union general who initiated the idea of treating slaves as contraband of war, and won fame for his "Women of New Orleans Order" and the hanging of a man for pulling down the American flag in occupied New Orleans. He was later a U.S. Congressman and Governor of Massachusetts. Letter Signed "Benj. F. Butler, Maj Gen Commanding", written to New York Governor Edwin Morgan, datelined Head Qtrs., dept of VA, Fort Monroe Aug. 16th 1861. In full, "Sir, Learning that Capt. McNutt, late of 2nd Regt NYV, is an applicant for a new commission in the New York Volunteers, I forward to you a true copy of a list of liquors furnished to himself and his men during ninety one days, by a single sutler. For this, I gave him his choice - to be court-martialed, or, to resign. He chose the latter ..." The letter is on page three of a four page document titled, "Capt. McNutt, 2nd Regt. New York Volunteers" which lists 50 line items of various liquors on the 1st 3pp. Interesting is the date, which coincides with Butler's contraband concept of confiscating slaves used by the Confederacy.
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