Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-01-20
zThe Challenge toGen. Butler.

The Richmond Register (Radical says
GensD. b. White wrote the letter below TO
Gen Butler on the 18th Of January, and had.
spoken to friend to.carry the letter as soon as
written and deliver tito Butler, but through
some misunderstanding, W hite failed to meet
his friend after the letter was reldy Tor deilv-
erv. and learning that Butler intended leaving
that night, and not wishing him to leave the
CITY EWithou; receiving the letter, it was hand
ea To the clerk at the office OF the Ballard,
with the, request that it be sent up to Butler.
The letter was sent up by a servant.
Gen Butler called two or three OF his friends
around him, showed them the letter, and sent
a verbal message to White, stating that he
would give him all the satisfaction he desired,
and then eftEthe city before. the message could
be delivered. :,
White, fading that Butler had left, and
next day receiving the message that he but
.lerl would give him the satisfaction wanted,
Immediately wrote to Butler, asking if such
were the facts He has received no reply
30 Thu. a@4
The cause Of the difficulty was general or
der issued by Butler, while 10 command OF the
Army of the jane, rejecting severely upon
Col White, who at that time was in command
of regiment. The General is located
preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The following is his uissive to Butler:
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION,
Richmond, Va, Jan. Il, 1868.
Maior Gen. B. F. Butler
Sir-W hist you were 10 command OF the
Army of the James, and having no more
rights than that of private citizen, you un-
dertook then to insult, denonnce, and send me
from your Department. For the first time
since that period we stand upon an equal foot
ing; we stand upon the same soil, and occupy
in every respect the same rights before the law
and the bowers that b.. | deem this, there.
fore. the proper occasion for yindication OF
nv own character before the country, and l.
demand OF you that satisfaction that ono gen
tlenan will always accord to another.
r.J-r-e.~ Your obedient servant,
aa - f'asl s.@ D. B. WHITE.
The Richmond Dispatch says:
It will be remembered that during the war
White was ordered out Of the Army OF the
James by Butler, who refused him permission
to occupy the lucrative post OF sutler IN his
command. ~ .z.
When Butler delivered his speech to the
Convention, a few days ago, White showed MS
Indignation by withdrawing from the hall, IN
company with the protesting Conservatives,
with whom, for the first time, he seemed 70
sympathize. On the same day it is alleged
that he went to his room and wrote challenge,
which was sent to Butler by the hand of ne
gro boy. When the General received it, he
was in company with Mr.. Bowden, Of Norfolk.
and other well knoVn Radicals, in council upon
political matters. He read it, and remarked
that he had never, Intentionally or otherwise,
wronged Colonel White, but had merely per
formed his duty as military officer. lie
could not, therefore, accept the challenge !; but
aside from this, he would not, under any cir,
cumstances, notice challenge conveyed, not
BY friend OF the challenger, but by an un,
known negro. And here the matter ended
Query. How does Thu affect White $
standing as a minister of the gospel and ex-
presiding elder OF the Virginia Conference?