San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-11-07
BEN BUTLEas MEMOIRS.
The, Are to Re Written and Published
Right Away.


BosroS, MAss.. October. 23.-Ono of the
Boston papers to-day publishes an interview
with Ben Bntler, in which that gentleman
replies to the query AZ to whether he in.
tends to write and publish his memoirs.
The interview is as follows;
Con. Butler. There neither 10 nor has
been any secret about the matter 10 fur as
know, and zee no objection to telling
you what my intentions are as TO that
subject, health aud life being spared. For
number Of years have been advised by
friends nearest and dearest, in whose
fidelity and judgment in every thing else l
place the utmost confidence, that, II for no
other reason, it ia due to myself aud my
children that should give as full an nc
count as needful of the incidents OF my
action in the forum, the field and IN politics,
so that the exact facts may be known IN
Justice to my memory, and to my children's
love, aud that the truth may appear upon
record, answers TO the false and malicious
statements made concerning nearly every
thing have done, engendered by the ve-
nomous hatred of portions of each political
party, because disagreed with with both
aud 10 the early days of the war OF the
rebellion largely written and published
both in this country and Europe, and
paraded to "fire the Southern heart" az n
sort of posterior justification of rebellion
and treason. 1t was also deemed by my
advisors that might be able, by the
revelation and sIbstantiation Of certain po-
litical acts and conduct OF some OF the
leading personages, as part OF the secret
history of the republic not yet made known
to throw light, even though in some
cases an unpleasant one, on events the
causes of which are now either unknown
or misunderstood. l also confess that l
have n personal desire that the true IN
wardness of the actions Of some soi-distant
saints, martyrs, heroes and generals, who
have figured 30 romantcally in the history
of the greatest occurrences in the lie Oh any
nation as peddled out to magazines at so
many pennies lins, shall be set right by
an impartial statement of the true facts and
incidents of their careers. And for still
higher reasons that far-reaching foresight
upright motives and patriotic endeavors
which moved other and great men to do
everything, suffer everything, and accom-
plish everything for their country, shall be
also set forth and preserved in more en-
during form by historical narration to
to future generations, who will read the
true history of their country, whenever
presented after the ephemela OF the day,
with ther personal illustrations in wood
cuts, shall have passed away. have,
therefore, concluded to devote myself, as
well as l may, to the elucidation of such
matters as will interest every lover of his
country, so he may learn what happened,
and why it happened, before, at and after
the great rebellion. l hope | may write
impartially; l shall try to do that. have
| lived beyond all temptation to do other
wise. 1 know shall write truthfully, fol
| can do that. / hope l shall speak plainly
for am accustomed to do that, and u
health and life are spared me hope shall
add to the knowledge of the civil war that
which shall inspire loyalty to our country
love to its people and terror to future sec.
tional treason forever. | may have laid
out more than can accomplish, but have
tried to guard against that as well as can,
if my health and strength fail, by leaving
all the material / can in the hands OF one
who is the best historian the country af-
fords
Reporter. You seem, General. to have
lain out for very considerable labor In
your declining years.
Gen. Butler Yes, sir; am afraid NOSE
than can do But as Gen. jackson put
it, when explaining how he was able after
he had received III his arm the bullet OF
Col. Dickinson in their duel coolly to raise
that arm to kill his adversary, II believe !
had will enough left to have killed him II
he had shot me through the heart And
10 think shall have will enough to sus-
tain me until have done justice to both
my friends and enemies, and especially the
latter. -,
Reporter. TO do 30 much, General, Will
require pretty ample equipment, with
letters, memoranda and knowledge OF
personal histories.
Gen. Butler. That is true. / do not
think shall fail there. When an accident
tai exception / believe bave in my poses
sion copy of every important letter writ
ten by me and to Inc since 1861. and Q
knowledge of topics that it will not take
great deal of research to verify.