Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Butler (1818-1893), a Union army general during the Civil War--the one who captured New Orleans in 1862, and commanded the city during the balance of the year. He was then transferred to Washington, D.C., where he served as commissioner for the exchange of prisoners. After the war, he was served as one the Massachusetts federal congressmen, was later the governor of Massachusetts, and thereafter an attorney.

Major-General Benjamin Butler was a Union officer during the American Civil War. In this autobiography, he reflects on his legal, political, and military career, offering a first-hand account of some of the most significant events in American history. From his involvement in the Emancipation Proclamation to his leadership during the Siege of Petersburg, Butler's memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in the Civil War era. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Benjamin Franklin Butler (1818- 1893) served in prominent positions throughout the course of his life, from being a Major-General in the Civil War to a Congressman and Governor of Massachusetts. However, he is best known today for his time spent governing New Orleans, which helped earn him the moniker "Beast". While Butler administered New Orleans in a strict manner, which kept it orderly during its occupation, the South despised him. Butler became notorious for several acts, including seizing a massive amount of money that had been deposited in the Dutch consul's office. But it was General Order No. 28, which said any woman in town who insulted a member of the army would be treated like "a "woman of the town plying her avocation". In other words, she'd be treated as a prostitute. The order earned widespread condemnation across the nation, and even abroad in England. Butler was so brutal that Confederate president Jefferson Davis personally ordered that Beast Butler should be executed if he was captured. But he never was. Instead, he was recalled east and served in commands for the duration of the war, before going on to a distinguished political career.Butler covered all of it in his autobiography, speaking frankly about his Civil War record and how he perceived his treatment and reputation, while covering his post war career in only a few chapters.

Excerpt from Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benj. F. Butler: Butler's Book General butler has said in his introduction that every point is to be proven. This has necessitated a large staff of workers to carefully search the records of the War Department, and the consequent proof corrections have occasioned a long delay in the publication of the work, and required the reprinting of many folios. The work has in consequence been increased in number of pages and illustrations not originally announced or contemplated, making, we trust, valuable and interesting additions. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 edition. Excerpt: ... without confusion. The vessels were placed somewhat nearer to the works and were able to throw in their shell which were before falling into the water. One or two leading vessels having made the mistake of anchoring too far off, caused those coming after them to commit a like error; but when they all got into place, and commenced work in earnest, the shower of shell (115 per minute) was irresistible. So quickly were the enemy's guns silenced that not an officer or man was injured. . . . At 7 A. M., on the 25th, I made signal to get under way and form in line of battle, which was quickly done. The order to attack was given, and the Ironsides took position in her usual handsome style, the monitors following close after her. All the vessels followed according to order, and took position without a shot being fired at them, excepting a few shots fired at the four last vessels that got into line. The firing this day was slow, only sufficient to amuse the enemy while the army landed, which they were doing five miles to the eastward of the fleet. ... In the bombardment of the 25th the men were engaged firing slowly for seven hours. The rebels kept a couple of guns on the upper batteries firing on the vessels, hitting some of them several times without doing much damage. The Wabash and Powhatan being within their range, the object seemed mainly to disable them, but a rapid fire soon closed them up. Everything was coolly and systematically done throughout the day, and I witnessed some beautiful practice. . . . I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, David D. Porter, Rear-Admiral.1 [So. 142. See pose 819.] North Atlantic Squadron, U. S. Flag-ship Malvern, Off Wilmington, Dec. 24, 1864. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary Of The Navy, ..

Based on nearly five decades of research, this magisterial work is a biographical register and analysis of the people who most directly influenced the course of the Civil War, its high commanders. Numbering 3,396, they include the presidents and their cabinet members, state governors, general officers of the Union and Confederate armies (regular, provisional, volunteers, and militia), and admirals and commodores of the two navies. Civil War High Commands will become a cornerstone reference work on these personalities and the meaning of their commands, and on the Civil War itself. Errors of fact and interpretation concerning the high commanders are legion in the Civil War literature, in reference works as well as in narrative accounts. The present work brings together for the first time in one volume the most reliable facts available, drawn from more than 1,000 sources and including the most recent research. The biographical entries include complete names, birthplaces, important relatives, education, vocations, publications, military grades, wartime assignments, wounds, captures, exchanges, paroles, honors, and place of death and interment. In addition to its main component, the biographies, the volume also includes a number of essays, tables, and synopses designed to clarify previously obscure matters such as the definition of grades and ranks; the difference between commissions in regular, provisional, volunteer, and militia services; the chronology of military laws and executive decisions before, during, and after the war; and the geographical breakdown of command structures. The book is illustrated with 84 new diagrams of all the insignias used throughout the war and with 129 portraits of the most important high commanders.