Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-09-28

"Gen. Butler took in the humor of the
situation, and, wishing to have a little
fun with the gentleman, assumed the
growl of an ogre, and exclaimed: 'Ah,
ha, Mr.. NJ; so, so, Mr.. NJ. I'VE have an.
other name than that of soldiers for per-
sons in your dress! Yes, sir, another
name: We call them spiesr At the
mention of this most dreadful word, the
unfortunate proprietor of The satin vest
went off into protest-pledging his
honor his sacred honor, his honor,
which no man, Gen. Butler, had ever
doubted that he was soldier. After
having much sport with him he was al
lowed to depart" ..--.
"Here is another Virginia anecdote of
Gen. Butler" said Uncle Dave. "In
Norfolk there was society called Per
fectionists,' and in their behalf some ten
or twelve of them addressed a letter to
the commanding general of that depart
ment, setting forth their objections to
swearing allegiance to any earthly gov
ernment The subject was disposed of
in a characteristic manner by Gen. But
Ter, in letter dated Fort Monroe, Janu-
ary 18th, 1864, addressed to the Perfect
ionist petitioners. The letter of Gen.
Butler is as follows:
"Gentlemen: / have read your petit
ton to Gen. Barnes, setting forth your
objections to swearing allegiance to any
earthly government. The first reason
that you set forth is that "all human
governments are a necessary evil, and
are continued in existence Only by the
permission of Jehovah, until the time
arrives for the establishment of his king
dom, and in the establishment of which
all others will be subdued unto it, thus
fulfilling that declaration in the eighth
of Daniel, 14th verse;" etc.
"'You therein establish to your own
satisfaction three points. First, that
government, although an evil, is a nee
essary one. Second, that for time it is
permitted to exist by the wisdom Of
Jehovah. Third, that the time at which
come. Therefore, you ought to swear
United States: First, although an evil.
you admit it to be necessary. Second,
although an evil, you admit it is per-
mitted by the wisdom of Jehovah, and
that it is not for his creatures to ques-
ton the wisdom of his acts. Third,
you only claim to be excused when Je-
uONdu BONGTuHeHG ID suDSJlGlGSu,
which period, you admit, has not ar
rived.'"
"As illustrating Gen. Buffers laconic
style of writing" said Squire Ben, II re-
call an anecdote of him while in COM
mand at New Orleans. In August, 1862,
Col. Holcomb of the First Indiana Vol
unteers, sent a long letter to Gen. But
ler's headquarters at New Orleans, Civ
ing detailed account of disturbance
in his camp, and stating at the close that
he had been obliged to shoot one of the
mutineers. Gen. Butler read the paper
carefully, endorsed it Shoot another
and sent it back to the colonel."
81 think, boys" said old Bob, "that
one of the funniest anecdotes of Gen.
Butler that 1 ever heard was in relation
to the skinning of horse. While in
front of Petersburg, the General receiv-
ed information that his favOrite horse,
Almond Eye had been accidentally
killed by falling into ravine. Upon
the departure of his informant, he or
dered an Irish servant to go and skin
him.
what! Is Almond Eye dead?" ask
ed Pat.
"'What's that to you? Do as l bid
you and ask no questions
''Pat went about his business, and in
an hour or two returned.
"'Well, Pat, where have you been all