The National tribune., 1893-02-02

Tho copntry rs n man of extraordinary enter.
prise in thanking Baltimore by landing al
Annapolis a body of troops IN way mol
thought of by the rehelicCs city. Inc act al
once fixed Batter in the public mind as man
of undoubted genius for emergencies, with MOI
little of the strategic quality in military
science.
Before Butler thus appeared on the scene he
had pracliced in all the courts OF the land
with nearly every description OF cases, calling
for every kind of cx2ertress, and for resources
equal to any occasion. The situation in which
he found himself at Perrysville, on the Snsque-
hannah River, was similar to that in which he
had been Thousand times in the courts, when
it was question OF tactics.
When Butler hung Milford for hauling down
the American flag that foated over the Custom
house in New Orleans. he displayed the quail
ties Of a great Provost-MarshaI, though it can
not be claimed for him that he did more than ap-
plying the rule of Gen Dix; TO wit: a Ifanyone
attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot
him on the spot" In hanging Milford, Batter
acted on the principle that many g time had
served him in the courts in quoting the exact
law and decision that applied to the case He
was simply equal to the EN- Urgency, as man
Of great executive ability.
Buffers brief campaign at and from Annapo-
lis made him conspicuous individuality before
the country that nothing-not even the New
Orleans expedition, year after-equaed.
II is not too much 10 say, had Butler paused
at Annapolis for orders, there would have been
no Annapolis campaign. While he was oper-
ating on his own account, and thus IN COM
paratively few days reduced Baltimore TO sub
mission by bloodless strategy and activity, Gen.
Scott, an adept in military science, at Washing
ton. was considering a campaign for the same
object that contemplated thousands OF men and
a considerable length Of time 10 accomplish.
1t is a fair question therefore, What would
Butler have accomplished on larger scale had
he been free TO act against the rebellion after
the fashion of his action against Baltimore?
That Cutters enterprislng spirit was not APP
plauded by Gen. Scott, then at the head of all
things military, there is no disputing. 1t Is
also true that nearly everything in the Gov
eminent at the moment was operated on the
military line, and what Gen. Scott did not
know in that regard, no one else was supposed
10 know. The problem presented by the politi-
cal aspect of the difficulties was great and con-
fusng to Mr.. Lincoln. Butler came upon the
scene with not much respect for either, if only
the rebellion was npped in the bud. As yet
he thought there was no call for great dis
play of military science. and as for the rest he
knew the law, the enforcement of which was
as yet the only question. and the circum-
stances were such that he felt like paying little
heed to the regularity of the proceedings in the
new field in which he bad been called to prac-
tice-call il military or civil-if only the end
was accomplished. IL il may be said Butler
had one turned to catch popular applause,
it is only saying that there existed the human
element in the inspiration that moved him.
Ii was no accident that sent Gen. Butler to
Fort Monroe. 1t is not too much to say that
what to do with him very soon became ques-
ton after he landed at Annapolis. At Wash
ington it was held to be a good thing to have
rebellious Baltimore circumvented, but with
Scott itywas not so fine to have Gen. Butler,
with his old renown lawyer and politician,
and new fame acquired in performance that
might signify extraordinary military genius,
at the Capital with a body of Massachusetts
troops, with Massachusetts, ideas willing to
look 10 Butler for action. At once it became
the question, how TO get Butler away from
Washington. He was willing enough to go
where rebellion could be scented in the air;
towards where it was to have its growth and
first Observation-Disclosures. Protection Of
the Capital was then, as it frequently afterwards
was the great question; and Butler was for
seeking out its enemies and dealing with them
before they had time to organize aud acquire
strength. 1t can be said that Butler was for
doing in Richmond and other places what was
afterwards done in New Orleans. His ideas
may have been impracticable but he had them.
He reconciled them with his few military
ideas justified them with his political training,
and was strong in Them as a lawyer and patriot.
Annapolis and what 10 do with him was the
question at Washington, an inquiry was sent
by the New York Tribune, could not the CORE
spondent who had lately retuTped from Charles
ton proceed TO Fort Monroe and ascertain what
was the situation there?" Mr.. Greeley and Mr..
Dana both sent for me as the person indicated.
No outsider at that time was permitted to 20
through Baltimore; nevertheless, it seemed TO
be taken for granted that if ] could remain in
Charleston several months while things were
so hot there i could 60 through Baltimore aud
reach Fort Monroe. j will not stop to
explain how ] reached Fort Monroe through
the heart Of Baltimore at the moment
Of greatest excitement. My reception and
stay there as tie guest Of the officers was
ali could have desired. The conversation
was unreseryed. ] was there to ascertain the
real sentiment OF the garrison, and i bad no
difficulty in ascertainiDg that il was loyal TO
the core. The rebels had all gone, the last only
. few days before my arrival, and the officers
who remained, nearly 30 in number, had volun.
tarily renewed their oath Of allegiance TO the
country. Before coming away ] said TO GER
tain OF the officers that my return TO New
York / would be expected to report my view
OF the greatest need and wish of the garrison.
j said had made up my mind that the great.
est need OF the Fort was commanding officer
of rank. enterprise, and UNREASONABLE patriot
ism, whose appointment would be significant
measures TO put down the rebellion. did not
name Gen. Butler. but was understood as mean
ing him, and before leaving leading member
Of the garrison. speaking for Others gave ne
70 understand i was exactly correct.
On my return home made this report TO
Mr.. Greeley, and in a few days Gen. Butler,
who had reached Fort Mclienry and subdued
Baltimore, was ordered TO Fort Monroe. and
was directed 10 follow him as the regular cor
respondent of the n T. Tribune Butler ar.
rived al the Fort May % 1861, and j or the
following day. His coming gave great salts
faction. Col. Dimmick, whom he relieved, was
good soldier Of Mexican war experience but
not the man for the place al such a time.
Gen. Scott was glad enough of this DISPOSE
tion Of Butler. and President Lincoln was not
sorry 70 have the problem thus solved. What
was done 10 relieve an embarrassment was
made TO appear an independent act of wis
dom on all hands. Probably the least pleased
person was Butler, for the order Of Scott plac.
ing him at Fort Monroe appeared to him
foil of ambition, great ideas and purposes, as
he was-to be virtual Punishment. In GER
tain sense il was so intended, though at the
Fort he was at first most heartily welcomed
say at hrst for II was not long before this feel
ing began to change. Fort Monroe was in
tensely Regular in its military ideas, education,
and practice. 1t was at the time school of
artillery practice. The officers were largely
experienced soldiers who acknowledged West
Point as the only school where that which WAS
valuable in such an emergency as the country
was nearing could be learned. Gen. Buffers