MAJOR GENERAL BENJAMIN F. BUTLER - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 02/10/1892 - HFSID 86964

GENERAL BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Union Civil War General Benjamin F. Butler signed this manuscript letter in New York City in 1892, one year before his death, to request information on how a railroad got into and out of receivership.
Manuscript letter signed "Benj F Butler". 1 page, 5¾x8¾. New York City, Feb. 10, 1892. Addressed to the Honorable Leonard Meyers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In full: "My dear Meyers, The Phila & Reading R.R. co. went into the hands of Receivers some years ago. Will you look up the date, and the terms of the decree which put the R.R. into the hands of the Receivers? How did they ever get out? Have they been reorganized since - and what became of the old organization? If you will answer these questions, I will be much obliged to you. Please answer to Boston. I may then want copies of some papers, after some further com-munication with you. I am, Very truly yours,". A well-known lawyer and political leader and a Brigadier General of the Massachusetts militia, Butler (1818-1893) entered the Civil War in a dramatic way. Leading the 8th Massachusetts, he broke the blockade of Washington five days after the bombardment of Ft. Sumter. President Abraham Lincoln rewarded him with an appointment as the first volunteer Major General. Butler was appointed Military Governor of New Orleans in May of 1862, but he served only until December, earning the sobriquet "Beast Butler" from angry Southerners. He returned to combat duty with command of the Army of the James in 1863. He proved to be inept against General P.G.T. Beauregard at the Battle at Bermuda Hundred (May 16, 1864), and Grant sent him to New York. Butler resigned his commission in January of 1865. He was a member of the House of Representatives (1867-1875, 1877-1879), where he played a prominent part in the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. He changed political parties several times, and was elected Massachusetts' Democratic Governor (1882-1884). In 1884, Butler, who advocated an eight-hour workday, ran unsuccessfully for president on an anti-monopoly platform. Lightly toned, soiled and creased. Manuscript writing, but not signature, is lightly smeared but legible. Paper clip impression at left edge, which touches manuscript writing but not signature, and at top edge. Light tears in right, left and bottom edges. Missing bottom left corner. Folded in half vertically and twice horizontally and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.