Brigadier-General Benjamin F. Butler to Major-General Robert Patterson, May 1, 1861

DRAFT.

Dept. of Annapolis, May 1st, 1861

Major General PATTERSON

SIR: You will find enclosed an open letter from General Scott.

General Scott is mistaken in his information in regard to the reinforcement of McHenry. I will do so however, tomorrow, with the right wing of Col. Hartrauft's regiment, about 500 men, unless I receive orders from you not so to do. Genl. Scott evidently supposes it to be done. I have the provisions for their subsistence. We are now in receipt of full supplies save camp equipage in which we cannot much aid Washington.

If any different disposition has been made at McHenry please send word by telegraph as follows, “Do not see Henry.” I shall understand it, and not go forward; otherwise I shall send reinforcements tomorrow. Can you send me 100,000 caps for the musket.

Truly your most obt. servant,

(BENJ. F. BUTLER)

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. 61

Brigadier-General Benjamin F. Butler to Simon Cameron, April 30, 1861

Department of Annapolis, April 30th, 1861

The Secretary of War

DEAR SIR: I am annoyed to death with the continual call for passage. To check it I have established a tariff of $4.00 from Washington to Perryville, except those upon official business, and I hope this number will be limited by the department, as the number now interferes with the transportation of troops.

Will you allow me to suggest that we are getting yeoman service from S. M. Felton, Esq. President of the Phila. & Wil. Railroad. Will you not by an order put this whole matter of transportation by this line under his direction, subject to my order for military purposes. Mr. Felton took the responsibility of giving me sole charge of the Maryland Steamer by means of which a landing could be effected. He is efficient and true as steel.

I am constructing a short piece of railroad for the connection of tide water with Washington. I have the material now and trust to be able to have it in order in ten days.

Respectfully, Your obedient servant,

BENJ. F. BUTLER

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. 57-8

Brigadier-General Benjamin F. Butler to Colonel Edward D. Townsend, April 29, 1861

Headquarters, Department of Annapolis, April 29th, 1861

Col. E. D. TownsEND, Asst. Adj. Gen’l., Headquarters of the Army, WASHINGTON, D.C.

The 3rd Battalion of rifles is an independent Batt. under the command of a major, & forms no part of any Mass. regiment. I specially desire they may remain here for the defense of this Post, they having been instructed for that purpose. I learn by the master of Transportation that the road is badly guarded from the junction to Bladensburg. I have ordered Col. Bryan of 25th N. York to use his command of 500 men for that duty. I shall direct him to make his Headquarters at Laurel Factory. I will send no more troops until further orders.

By order of Brig. Gen. BUTLER

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. 54

Brigadier-General Benjamin F. Butler to Sarah Hildreth Butler, April 28, 1861

April 28th, Annapolis Headquarters, Department of Annapolis

DEAR SARAH: I am ordered by the War Department to take command of this department of Maryland. A high honor never yet conferred upon a Militia Genl. who had seen no service. We have won.

I have a very excellent house here, well furnished, a good corps of servants, and am keeping house. Shall be here some months. Harriet¹ has come. I have sent for Blanche. She will be with me tonight and wait your coming. You had better come on yourself. I shall detain Harriet a day or two as housekeeper. Shut up the house and come on. Bring Gilman.² You can send the children over to Dracut or to the salt water with Lote.³ Bring nothing but your table service of silver. The horses had better be turned out to pasture except Charly for the farm. Burley⁴ had better move in to kitchen. Bring summer clothes as weather is warm. Love to all in great haste. If you do not like this do not execute it. I am so in the habit of giving orders lately that I write in a peremptory style. All our people are well and have behaved gloriously. (You may put this last in the newspapers — it will relieve all men’s minds.)

Yours respectfully,

B. F. BUTLER.

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¹ Harriet Hildreth Heard, sister of Mrs. Butler.

² Gilman Jones, family coachman.

³ Laura Wright Hildreth, sister of Mrs. Butler.

⁴ Burley, the gardener.

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. 52-3