(Private)
New Orleans, November 28th, 1862.
Dear Sir: I
have frequently conversed with Gen'l. Butler about an expedition to Texas, and
since it was known here that Gen. Banks was to command the expedition, I have
had two or three conversations with him. The General evidently expected that
this expedition would be under his command, and now thinks that Gen. Banks
should report to him and act under his orders — for the following reasons.
1st. Because Ship Island is an inconvenient and, for
shipping, a dangerous rendezvous. Most of the Steam vessels from New York would
be unable to enter the Texas harbors. Gen. Butler would put the troops on board
his own light draught steamers, and wait just in the mouth of the river until
fair weather permitted him to run to Galveston in 48 hours. The troops from the
sailing vessels could be landed here and the vessels return home, thus saving
expense, while a few trips of the General's steamers would convey all the
troops to the Texas coast.
2nd. Gen. Butler's troops are acclimated — well disciplined —
have all been under fire, and the weak and sickly have all been weeded out.
Gen. Banks troops will be new and undisciplined, etc. Gen. Butler would retain
the new troops here and send to Texas an equal number of his veterans, who
would form a far more effective force than new troops and not liable to be
weakened by sickness.
3rd. A large army could be accommodated in the City with
greater ease and comfort than upon Ship Island.
4th. This point is the most convenient depot for supplying
Quartermaster and Commissary's stores to Gen. Banks in Texas, and beef and
other supplies to be obtained in Texas are most needed here.
5th. When the rebel army retreats from Vicksburg and Port
Hudson, they may go west to Texas and crush Gen. Banks' force. This can be
prevented by cooperating from this point and cutting them off by taking
Shreveport (on Red River)—and this co operation can be efficient only by unity
of counsel and command.
6th. The General has prepared four or five iron-clad
gunboats, — the only strong boats on the Gulf coast, capable of operating
advantageously in the shallow bays and bayous of Texas.
Such are the reasons I have collected why Gen. Butler should
have command, or rather, why Gen. Banks should report to him. These reasons
come from Gen. Butler himself. Perhaps others could be given, and perhaps these
already stated are not weighty. I thought it proper, at any rate, to state them
to you. Gen. Butler says the above plan would advance the expedition thirty
days. Of course, I am ignorant of Gen. Banks' plan of operations. Intelligent
Texans now here, think the capture of the town of Houston should be the first
object. This is the center of railroads and (they say) the controlling position
(in military sense) of the state. The slave population is large in that part of
the state, and if properly employed, would prove a source of great
weakness to the Rebels.
P. S. I do not know whether Gen. Butler or Gen. Banks is the
ranking officer. I have written this letter only that you might be informed of
Gen. Butler's opinions. He will soon send troops to Galveston.
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol.
2, p. 332-3
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