Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-07-25
Gen. Buffers Woman Order.
THE GENERAL GIVES HIS REASONS FOR ISSUING IT.
From the Boston Journal.
Headquarters Department of the Gulf

,
My Dear Sir-Iam asjealons Of the good opin-
ion of my friends as am careless of the ISLANDERS
of my enemies, and your kind expressions in re-
gard 10 Order No. 2S lead me 10 say word to
you on the subject
That it ever could have been so misconceived
as it has been by some portions of the northern
press is wonderful, and would lead one to ex-
claim with the jew, 80, Father Abraham, what
these Christians are, whose own hard dealings
teach them 10 suspect the very thoughts of 9TH
ers"
What was the state of things to which the wo-
man order applied?
We two thousand five hundred men in
city seven miles long by two 10 four wide, of a
hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants, all hos
tile, bitter, defiant explosive, standing literally
on a magazine; spark only needed for destruc-
ton. The devil had entered the hearts of the
women of this town, (you know seven of them
chose Mary Magdalen for residence to stir UP
strife in every way possible. Every opprobious
epithet every Insulting gesture was made by
these bcjeweled, becrinolined and laced crea-
lures, calling themselves ladies', toward my SOL
diers and officers, from the windows of houses
and in the streets. How long do you suppose
our flesh aud blood could have stood this with
out retort2 That would lead to disturbances and
riot, from which we must clear the streets by ar
tillery-and then howl that we had murdered
fine women. l had arrested the men who h,a-
rdted for Beauragard. Could arrest the wo-
menT No. What was to be done? No order
could be made save one that would execute it.
self With anxious, careful thought, hit upon
this: "WOmen who insult my soldiers are 10 be
regarded and treated as common women plying
their vocation"
Pray, how do you treat a common woman ply
ing her vocation in the streets? You pass her by
unheeded, you can and will take no notice Of
her If she speaks her words are not opprobri-
GUS 1t is ouly when she becomes a continuous
and positive nuisance that you call watchman
and give her in charge TO him.
Butsome fthe Northern editors seem to think
that whenever one meets such woman, one
must stop her talk with her, insult her, or hold
daliiance with her, and so from their own con-
duct they construed my order.
The editor of the Boston Courier may SO deal
with common women, and out of the abundance
of the heart his mouth may sPeak-but so do
not ].
Why, those she adders of New Orleans them
selves were at once shamed into proprety Of con-
duct by the order, and from that day no woman
has either insulted or annoyed any live soldier
or officer, and Of certainty no soldier has insult
ted woman.
When passed through Baltimore on the 23d
OF February last members of my staff were in
suited by the gestures of the ladies (?) there
Not so in New Orleans
One of the worst possible of all these women,
showed disrespect to the remains of gallant
young DeKay, and you viii see her punishment
a copy of the order which i enclose, is at once
yindication and construction of my order
! can only say that would issue it again un-
der Ike circumstances. Again- tbaIllriae you
for your kind interest, r.s
! am truly your friend,
BENZ. L. BUTLER,
Major General Commanding