Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1892-03-23
RlJTLER'S BOOK-Continued.

,eason to change my opinion of you,
which, from the beginning, has been
Of the highest character, as you know.
Now. l want to give you q command
nnte equal in extent and Importance
to the ono you won for yourself at
New Orleans. In it you can do great
GOOD to the country. The question
Of abolition of slavery is now settled.
| want you to 60 down on the Missis-
sippi river, take command there, and
enlist. arm AMI organize rs many
negro troops as can be had. | know
of no one who can do this as we'll as
yourself. From our correspondence,
see that you thoroughly believe in
negro troops. You shall have the
nomination OF all the officers, and l
will endorse them by appointment"
81 am infinitely obliged to you for
your good opinion" Butler said; "bu,
I could have enlisted several thousand
if you had gwen me full power when
l was in New Orleans. Indeed, you
see the Mississippi River country is
black with them, and have only to
march up the river to get them. !
would have 50 marched if l could have
had any reinforcements; but now that
march cannot be made without fight
ing. Sending Banks to command in
my place and then sending me down on
the Mississippi to enlist troops, would
be simply saying that was not fit to
command troops, but only fit for a
recruiting sergeant"
"There is something in that" said
Mr.. Lincoln shut l will give you COM
mand. You may take Grants COM
mand down there"
"Mr. President" Butler replied, 81
feel keenly enough my own recall and
having another man put in my place
without any reason given for it ex>
cepting in,ompetency. | have
watched Grants movements with care,
and see no reason why he should be
recalled. He seems to have done
we'll enough, and l do not want to be
aparty to such another injustice as l
suffer. But, Mr.. President, why not
do this: Send me back to take my
old command, and will 60 up the
Mississippi rolling up troops like a
SNOWFALL in the soft snow. Now,
every soldier costs the country
at least $4,000 IN bounties, and
In doing anything with him,
getting him drilled and transported.
These negro soldiers will cost nothing
but their pay, uniforms, and rations,
and the last we can get as We go
along. To recall Banks will be no
aspersion upon him; it viii! stand on
the ground that his appointment was
owing to the mistake of my removal ;
and | cannot believe it is just to my.
SELL my family, or the country that
should take different command"
tie walked backward and forward
once or twice along the audience
chamber and returned to me with an
appealing look, saying: "But cannot
recall Banks"
After somewhat lengthy CONVEX
sa''on Butler said: "The position
mat have taken in my farewell ad.
oress at New Orleans, which l shall
stand by, will cause me to be looked
upon as at the head, next to yourself,
OF the apti-slavery cause. Since this
war began, have never failed in any.
'"ng have undertaken, and shall
"o' tail In this, Mr.. President, and
'o' VIII nave no warmer supporter oil
your administration than l am so long
you hold your present course as re
CARDS slavery, and not let it be be.
usViied by Seward. l think must
90 20 Lew II, Mr.. President; but here,
again, Is my commission"
oh," Mr.. Lincoln answered, "You
"a'i 60 where you please, General;
'u' Keep your commission"
o.n February Butler was again
are lieu 10 Washington bv the Prrsi
IN IN and re- offered Grants command
oo1ier again declined it.
S-B Blank Proofs of Labor e.
'@'e at this Office.