The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-08-23
Butler ON Phelps.

The correspondence between Gen. But
ler and Gen. Phelps is by far the most
racy OF any that has occurred during the
war On July Both Gen. Phelps wrote to
Capt Davis, inclosiug reQusitions for arms
clothing, camp and garrison equipages, &c.
for three regiments ofnegroes he proposed
raising, and five companies OF which he
then had on hand. In his letter he dis.
cussed the negro question generally, and
suggested that cadet graduates be sent to
South Carolina and New Orleang to disci-
pline the African levies. The letter is de-
sidedly Phelpsy, and proves how silly an
otherwise sensible man may become under
the influence of negro on the brain. Capt.
Davis, for Gen. Butler. replied to the letter
briefly, and directed Gen. Phelps to en-
ploy his pet five companies in cutting down
trees and forming an abattis between his
lines and the lake, according to plans
furnished by Lieutenant Wetzel, Gen.
Buffers chief engineer The negro mania
of Gen. Phelps was reused into fury by
the order, and he informed Gen. Butler,
through Capt. Davis, OF his entire absence
of qualification to command persons OF
African descent otherwise than as soldiers,
and rendered his resignation, requesting
leave Of absence until it was accepted. By
esting that Gen Butler no longer employ
ed an amanuensis, but conducted the
correspondence for himself and by himself,
aud he did it in such q manner that the
spunky Gen. Phelps was precluded from
reply. There is a directness about Gen.
Buffers letter that proves its authorship.
He advises Gen. Phelps that the arms,
clothing, camp and garrison eQuipage
which are at New Orleans are expressly
limited to ,chite soldiers He adds: Gen
eral, your resignation will not be accepted
by me; leave of absence will not be grant
ed" Thi. letter Of Gen. Butler finished
the correspondence and Gen. Phelps at
the same time. On the same day, however,
Gen. Butler wrote 10 the Secretary of War,
inclosing copy OF the correspondence
and detailing the entire affair. The answer
of the Secretary, if any has been made, has
not been published, and here the matter
rests.
A noticeable feature of this correspond
ence if the statement that the arms, cloth
ing, &c, at New Orleans were expressly
limited to white soldiers, and for that, if
for 70 other reason, the acquisitions Of
Gen Phelps could not be filled 1t would
seem from this that the War Department
had AN inkiing that the abolition procliyi-
ties Of Gen. Ghelps were about 10 be prac-
tically exercised, and took precaution 10
prevent mischief from him. No such ex-
press Limitation was ever made by the
War Department in this country until it
was called upon to arm the the slaves that
might hevp US to fog their masters. That
it has been thus called upon, and has re-
spectfully declined, is shown by Gen. But
Ter letter
We now take it for granted that if Kan
sas, Massachusetts,, Rhode Island, or any
other State, attempts TO furnish black
soldiers, it will have an answer from the
government disposing Of the whole ques
,ion as Gen. Butler has disposed of it. If
upon this account abolition Generals
tender their designations, as Old Gen Philips
le, them be brought to order as he was
IsmcS