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Lot 42: Benjamin Butler Signed Document

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Lot   42: Benjamin Butler Signed Document
<b>Autographs</b><hr><b>Civil War 'Coloured Cavalry' Appointment</b>

<b>BENJAMIN F. BUTLER, Union General.</b>
Partly-printed Document Signed, 'Benj F. Butler,' as Major General Commanding, Department of Virginia, North Carolina, &C., February 20, 1864, Fort Monroe, (Va.), 17' x 14', Very Fine. Enos B. Wood of Darmay, New York is appointed '1st Lieut. of Second Regiment of U.S. Coloured Cavalry... ' Enos B. Wood signs an oath of loyalty on verso, and the mustering officer signs that Wood has accepted the appointment. Enos Wood was white, as were all officers of 'coloured' regiments. The document is lightly toned, with normal folds and minor wrinkling. This is a rare document form, which is attractive and suitable for framing and display.

The 2nd Regiment of U.S. Coloured Cavalry was organized at Fort Monroe, Va., December 22, 1863 and was mustered out February 12, 1866. It was involved in ButlerÕs operations on the south side of the James River and against Petersburg and Richmond, in the capture of Bermuda Hundred and City Point. It saw action at DruryÕs Bluff, was part of the siege of Petersburg and Richmond, fought at Deep Bottom, ChaffinÕs Farm, Barbytown Road, the battle of Fair Oaks, and more. On June 10, 1865, the regiment sailed for Texas and did duty on the Rio Grande and at various points in Texas until February 1866. A record of the service of the 2nd Regiment U.S. Coloured Cavalry is provided with this document.

Benjamin Butler took command of the Dept. of Va. and N.C. in late 1863. He had served as military governor of New Orleans from May 1-Dec. 16, 1862, which earned him the undying enmity of the South and the imputation of corruption in office; he was recalled and replaced by General Banks. After the elections of 1864, Grant was finally able to get LincolnÕs consent to relieve Butler of command.