MAJOR GENERAL BENJAMIN F. BUTLER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 02/11/1892 - HFSID 56661

GENERAL BENJAMIN F. BUTLER
Union Civil War General Benjamin F. Butler signed this letter, typed on his law firm's letterhead in 1892, to turn down a request for a photograph.
Typed letter signed "Benj. F. Butler". 1 page, 8¼x10¾, on letterhead of the law offices of Benjamin F. Bulter, Washburn and Webster, with three binder holes at right edge. Feb. 11, 1892. Addressed to Darwin C. Parvey, Esq., Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In full: "Dear Sir:- I am in receipt of your letter of the 3rd inst. saying that you wish a photograph of myself. I regret to say that I have no pho-tograph,and I cannot now spare the time or put myself to the trouble of having one taken. I suppose there are negatives of me somewhere in existance [sic] but where they are I cannot say. Yours truly,". 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. Light tears at left and right edges. Folded twice vertically and horizontally and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.