Headquarters, 3rd
Brigade Mass. Vol. Milit. ANNAPOLIS,
MD. Apr. 23, 1861
To His Excellency THOMAS H. HICKS, Governor of Maryland
SIR: I did myself
the honor in my communication of yesterday, wherein I asked permission to land
in the State of Maryland, to inform you that the portion of the Militia of the
United States under my command were armed only against the disturbers of the peace
of the State of Maryland and of the United States. I have understood, within
the last hour, that some apprehensions are entertained of an insurrection of
the negro population of this neighborhood. I am anxious to convince all classes
of persons that the forces under my command are not here in any way to
interfere or countenance an interference with the laws of the State. I
therefore am ready to coöperate with your Excellency in suppressing most
promptly and efficiently any insurrection vs. the laws of the State of
Maryland. I beg therefore that you announce publicly that any portion of the
forces under my command is at your Excellency's disposal, to act immediately
for the preservation and quietness of the peace of this community. I have the
honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Yours,
BENJ. F. BUTLER, Brig. Gen. Comdg.
SOURCE: Jessie Ames
Marshall, Editor, Private and Official Correspondence of Gen. Benjamin
F. Butler During the Period of the Civil War, Volume 1: April 1860 – June
1862, p. 26-7
No comments:
Post a Comment