Major-General Benjamin F. Butler to Brigadier General John W. Phelps, May 10, 1862

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,

New Orleans, May 10, 1862.

General PHELPS:

I commend to you the bearers of this note, Peter Saure and P. Soniat, gentlemen and planters of Jefferson, just above your lines. They will make the statement of facts to you which they have made to me, and which from their characters I am bound to believe. You will see the need of giving them every aid in your power to save and protect the levee, even to returning their own negroes and adding others if need be to their forces.

This is outside of the question of returning negroes. You should send your soldiers, let alone allowing the men who are protecting us all from the Mississippi to have their workmen who are accustomed to this service.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 15 (Serial No. 21), p. 443