The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-04-30
A Bogus Soldier.

A Bogus Soldier.
Tic proposition tD erect a monu-
mcnt to commemorate the war record
If Gen. 3. +. Butler, OF unsaVarys
memory, has called out some salty
"reminiscences Of his GiSgraceful acts
while wearing the uniform of his
country as che of her soldiers. We
fully agree with the Augusta Chronicle
that the Massachusetts, legislature
will do well to let him sleep on, and
not unnecessarily provoke discussion
OF The war record Of this military
governor Of New Orleans. Little
good is to come Of tanning anew the
emDers Of dead past, but in this na7
ton that has not many honorable
heroes, so many soldiers who wore the
blue. whose memory is as fragant and
respected in the south as at the north
there is no need for any state to select
for conspicuous public honorS one
whose name is an offenSe to any other
state in this reunited country. Very
naturally the proposition to rear a
monument to Gen. B. F. Butler has
aroused resentment in Louisiana, and
the New Orleans Time-Democrat
pillories him as "a bogus soldier" and
reciteS some of the execrable expe-
rienceS that citizen of the Crescent
City endured under his military rule"
Tho Times Democrat Says general
order No %, which was issued by
Gen. Butler when he was military
governor Of New Orleans during the
civil war, lis not an order that can
be broadly discussed in polite society,
which is unfortunate, for it is upon
this infamous order alone that the
fame of the Massachusetts, general as
soldier rests. There is nothing else
in bis military career that is worthy
of serious comment. Ludicrous incl
dents there arein plenty, such as the
attempted destruction of Fort Fisher
by raft loaded with powder, but his
career throughout the war, aside from
the issuance Of the infamous order, is
matter for discussion by the
lGmOriSt rather than the historian.
\ consummate Judge Of human
nature. this soldier" knew that the
surcst means to strike terror into the
hearts of a race Of men possessed OF
courage was to threaten their helpless
women. That was the purpose OF the
Infamous order No. %, in which
rude and poorly disciplined soldlery
was ordered to treat any woman whose
carriage or conduct did not meet their
own views Of what was right as
women Of the town plying their yoea-
tion." This order proved to be, as it
was intended to be. revenue pro-
ducer. 1t inaugurated as gigantic
scheme of plumber that has not been
known in the history of warfare since
Count Tilly sacked Madgeburg.
The redoubtedly general organized
q system Of robbery and blackma1i
that proved that he made up IN his
capacity as an organizer what ne lack
ed in military ability. He instituted
system OF confscations and auction
sales Of the property Of enemies OF
the country that resulted in the
sale of household effects at prices un-
heard Of before in the markets OF the
world. 1t followed as necessary
corollary Of this system that the
wealthiest citizens were the most
reasonable. TO be traitor it was
only necessary that one should possess
property that some one else wanted.
Camp followers wore velvet, and the
private soldier could purchase the
accumulated wealth Of well-to-do
family. Real laces sold at the price
of calico, and negreSseS blazed IN
jewelry. Ladies and their children
were turned out on the streets because
their place of residence had taken the
fancy of some dissolute camp follower.
Priceless libraries were packed and
shipped to northern homes, and were
followed by cases Of brlc-a-orac,
family pictures and even horses and.
carriages. Silver in whatever form
was 'contraband Of war" and silver
spoons We're reasonable" To the
honor OF the Massachusetts Legisla-
ture. be it said. it refused to appro-
pirate the peoples money to erect a
monument to the memory Of a man
whose chief claim to military dlstlnc-
tion is associated with an order so in
famous, and an era Of blackmall and
rapine that can never be forgotten by
its victims. In honoriag the memory
of such a man Massachusetts, would
diShOnor herself.