The National tribune., 1892-03-31
GEN. B. f. BUTLER.
Comrade Thinks lie is Justified in Going for
Admiral Porter.

Admiral Porter.
EnIToR Maternal TRIBUNE: In recent
| issue OF your paper SEQ that at meeting OF
Naval Post, 400, Of Philadelphia, Department of
| Pennsylvania, GAR, Jheld on February IL,
| strong condemnatory resolutions against Gen.
Is. +. Butler were passed on account of Ian
| guage used in his book against Admiral Porter.
have not read his book; therefore, though l
| nave read press notes, comments, and crlti-
| cisms, both favorable and unfavorable, know
ingly can have no opinion as to its merits or
demerits, but must say, from what hear, 1t IS
| quite probable that there is in it moro or less
| extraneous matter. AS to that there are few
books, especially personal memoirs, that have
not. But be that as it may while no man can
| truthtuiiy question the personal bravery ana
grand heroism of Admiral David d. Porter.
yet it can be truthfully said that with
| scarcely an exceptiOn) he, in common with all
other Regular Army and Navy officers, was ex-
ceedingly jealous of the volunteer officers.
And we all know that it began to crop out
| very soon after the breaking out of the war,
| and that they embraced every opportunity to
manifest their jealously Of the volunteer otli-
| GERS.
They wanted to be looked up to as superior
| beings. and were seldom, if ever. ready with
any degree of alacrity to follow obey, or CO.
operate with volunteer officers. 1t was patent
that some of them preferred that the battle
should be lost rather than the glory of victory
| should be accorded to the prowess and valor
of the volunteer officers.
am free to affirm that there is no man in
the country who took part in the late war for
tho Union that had more reason to feel this
jealously than had Gen. B. +. Butler. And
though politically many of US do very ear
nestiy and emphatically disapprove Of his course
Tor years past. yet we are all in duty bound to
acknowledge that during the war there was no
pltrlOfic In IL m
common country than Gen. Butler; and none did
more than he, with the chances he had, to save
the country and to restore the Union of the
Fathers; to preserve the Constitution, and see
that neither star nor stripe should be taken
from the old flag.
1t is an undisputed fact we'll known to every
careful reader and close observer OF those
times especially those who took an active part
III that four years of dark and bloody war, that
II Admiral Porter, with the forces at his COM
mand, had with proper alacrity co-operated
with Gen. Butler when they went to North
Carolina with orders to take Fort Fisher, the
expedition would have proved success instead
of failure.
Gen. Butler landed his troops preparatory to
making the assault, according to the program
made and agreed upon before starting, but
Admiral Porter was not on hand to perform his
part in the drama. He lid not do his duty,
because Butler was the man in charge Of the
expedition. He was volunteer officer, and
must be crushed. Had the expedition proved
a success he would have had another wreath
with which to bedecle his brow.
Gen. WeitZel was of Gen. Buffers staff, and his
chief advising and consulting engineer 10 Regu-
lar Army otficer). Speaking Of him Admiral POr-
ter said: He is one of the best Engineers in
the American service, one whose advice is at all
times worthy Of the most careful consideration
and respect" And he advised Gen. Butler not
IN .I,o .opft A,,u ne }taf f,it
of Admiral Porter to come up on time to coop
crate with the army in making the attack. as
the rebels had been given time to strengthen
their positions and gather in renforcements.
Gen. Weitzel saidt that Fort Fisher was
stronger than Seyastopol; that to advance after
the delay-made necessary on account of the
hanging back os Admiral Porter and the fleet
would be certain death and Gen. Butler, hav-
ing confidence! in Gen. Weilzel, and seeing
things in the same light. re EN- barked and re-
turned; and that was recorded unsuccess-
full expedition simply because Gen. Butler
a volunteer, was in command and Admiral Por-
ter was Regular.
These certainly very. broad assertions
and should be madeby no man unless he be-
licves them to be true; and if any one doubts
the facts herein stated ad wise him to examine
the records of acase that was tried in New York
City some time afterthe war, wherein Admiral |
Porter and Gen. Butler figured most conspicu.
onsiy. There the afimus was made fully man |
ifcst. In that case Admiral Porter showed |
clearly the feelings of jealousy that existed |
among the Regulars against the volunteers, |
and from that day to this wherever they have |
an opportunity to belittle the volunteers they
j jump at the chance. OF course there are few |
honorable exceptions.
While ! don't approve of everything that
Gen. Butler has said and done since the war,
don't blame him if he has expressed the facts
and his feelings concerning Admiral Porter.
lie certainly had good reason to do so, and is
fully justified i'll going as far as the truth will
G. WHEELER, Sandusky, o.