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BUTLER, BENJAMIN F.

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BUTLER, BENJAMIN F.
(1818 - 1893) Union major general, called ""The Beast"" for his authoritarian control of occupied New Orleans, later he commanded the Army of the James. Rare fine content war-date A.D.S. on the verso of a letter to him by merchant John McCloskey, 1p. 4to., New Orleans, July 24, 1862. McCloskey writes, in part: ""àMy business calls me away from the city tomorrow, and thus I am prevented from awaiting your decision on the memorial I had the honor to present to you on the 21st inst. in regard to the coal belonging to McCloskey, Cosgrove & Coà"". Interestingly, a partner in the firm, James McCloskey, served as captain of the Confederate Guards, a militia unit formed for the defense of New Orleans and was at this time on the staff of Gen. Richard Taylor. We suspect the cagey Butler may have been wise to what appears to have been a scam; on the verso he writes: ""Having been informed that this coal has been sold to the Confederate government by James McCloskey, one of the partners now in the Confederate service on red River, I propose to hold the coal for investigation. Benj. F. Butler Comg. Genl. New Orleans Aug. 1, 1862"". He also dockets the letter: ""Copy of letter to Gen. Butler and reply. Aug. 1, 1862"". Light toning and soiling, otherwise very good.