Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-07-02
Beast Butler has a Fight.

From the Boston Courier
We have received from the best authority the facts Of
the encounter at DWELL, alluded to in paper of yes
terday. We conceive it proper that they should be laid
before the public because very important consequences
may be dependent upon the relations to the pubic of
man who might again be called to high command, and
who is put forward already in various quarters for emf
nent political station. We have several communications
upon the entering much into detail than
propose to do but prefer to give the more impor
tant parts of the narrative obtain it from the
lips Of the reator AS learn the facts they
follows
Mr.. Russell, who is mason in Lowell, was employed
by Mr.. Eastman, the agent of Gen. Bute to lay the
pipes in drain which Eastman had dug the Gener.
als premises. The laying CT the pipes nearly
peed one only OF the sections lying by the side of the
trench. At this time General Butler came toward
Mr. r. and ordered him to large stone within
the side of the DRAIN and distance beneath the
face of the ground, saying it would interfere with the
pillow. TO this Mr.. Russell objected, stating that it
bis business to Jay the pipes and not dig the drain,
which had been prepared for his work by Eastman.-
ThereupOn, General Butler, with violent and profane
language, ordered him to leave his premises Mr. Rus
sell told him he employed by another person, and
did not look to him for his pay, and should finish his
work. General Butler kicked the section of the pipe
into the drain which Mr. Russell picked up, ard placed
again in its former position Repeating the offensive
language General B., kicked the pipe again. and
Mr. Russell attempting to replace it, he received
violent blow in the lace. We understand that subse-.
quenty Gen. B. alleged this to have been accident but
state ments upon the other side do correspond with
that view of the case. Mr.. Russell Immediately Jump
ed from the ditch, and quickly Gen. B. fiat upon
the ground and Mr. Russell had him by the throat and
held him there. General Butler, is alleged to have
made no resistance; but after holding him as long as
he thought necessary Mir. Russell allowed him to rise,
and accompanied him hundred two hundred rods
out of the field.
We learn that Mr.. Russell told the General that he
old sixty years OF age, and had never
before been assailed in this way; that the General must
remember that he was in Massachusetts, and not in
New Orleans, and that such conduct his would not
be tolerated New England soil. He also told him
it wonder that we were beaten by the rebels
when such officers led that, for his own part
he the grandson of revolutionary patriot, who
killed by the British in his house. lat Lexing
tony and he himself and the other descendants of that
had been to their Democratic princ PIES Re-
mnding the General of bis action at the Charleston
Convention and of his political tergiversaons in gene
raj, Mr. Russell then left him. We not disposed to
make any comments this transaction. We give the
facts as they detailed to US ); and, as, in
formed, the affair witnessed by number Of per.
sons.