Ethan Walker
Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5, 1818 – January 11, 1893) was a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was a controversial figure, often disliked by both sides of the conflict, and was known for his questionable military skills and his controversial command of New Orleans. Butler was not a Catholic, but he did introduce the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 and co-authored the Civil Rights Act of 1875.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Benjamin Franklin Butler |
| Birthplace | Deerfield, New Hampshire |
| Birthdate | November 5, 1818 |
| Death date | January 11, 1893 |
| Occupation | Major General of the Union Army, Lawyer, Politician, Businessman |
| Education | Colby College in Maine |
| Political affiliation | Democrat, War Democrat, Radical Republican |
| Military service | Union Army during the American Civil War |
| Military rank | Major General |
| Notable battles/campaigns | First Battle of Fort Fisher, Bermuda Hundred Campaign, Petersburg Campaign |
| Nicknames | "Beast Butler", "Butler the Beast", "Spoons Butler" |
| Legacy | Contraband Decision, Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, Civil Rights Act of 1875 |
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What You'll Learn
Benjamin Butler's pre-Civil War life
Benjamin Franklin Butler was born on November 5, 1818, in Deerfield, New Hampshire. His father, John Butler, served under General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 and later became a privateer. John Butler died of yellow fever soon after Benjamin's birth. His mother, Charlotte Ellison Butler, was a devout Baptist who encouraged him to read the Bible and prepare for the ministry.
In 1828, the family moved to Lowell, Massachusetts, where Benjamin's mother operated a boarding house for workers at the textile mills. He attended public schools there and was almost expelled for fighting. He was described by a schoolmate as "a reckless, impetuous, headstrong boy". In 1827, at the age of nine, Butler was awarded a scholarship to Phillips Exeter Academy, where he spent one term.
After graduating from Colby College in 1838, Butler apprenticed himself to a lawyer, passing the Massachusetts Bar Exam in 1840 and being admitted to the Massachusetts Bar and before the United States Supreme Court in 1845. He quickly developed a successful practice, primarily as a defence attorney for working-class people, which put him at odds with the majority of mill owners and the wealthy of Massachusetts. He also had a contentious relationship with the local press.
In 1843, Butler joined the Massachusetts Militia, and by 1855, he had become a Brigadier General of Militia. His primary military role was in peacekeeping and riot control. He also served in the Massachusetts legislature as an antiwar Democrat and as an officer in the state militia. In 1853, he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives and then to the Senate of the Commonwealth in 1859.
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Butler's role in the Civil War
Benjamin Butler was a controversial figure who played a significant role in the American Civil War, particularly in its early stages. A lawyer and politician by profession, Butler is often remembered for his ruthless and unconventional tactics, which earned him both praise and criticism.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Butler, a Massachusetts native, quickly rose through the ranks of the Union Army. In May 1861, he was appointed major general of volunteers and given command of the Department of Virginia, which included the crucial area of Fort Monroe. It was here that Butler made one of his most significant contributions to the war. In May 1861, he implemented what became known as the "Fort Monroe Doctrine," whereby he refused to return escaped slaves to their owners, arguing that they were contraband of war. This policy not only denied the Confederacy a valuable resource but also helped set the stage for the emancipation of slaves in the Union-controlled areas.
Another important aspect of Butler's role in the Civil War was his command of the Army of the James in 1864. During this campaign, he led his forces up the James River towards Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy. While the campaign was not a complete success militarily, it did help to keep significant Confederate forces occupied and unable to reinforce other areas. Additionally, Butler's forces were able to destroy important Confederate infrastructure and resources, further weakening their war effort.
However, Butler's career was also marked by controversy and failure. In 1862, he was sent to New Orleans, which had been captured by Union forces, as its military governor. His time there was marked by heavy-handed rule and unpopular decisions, including the issuance of General Order No. 28, which stated that women insulting Union soldiers would be treated as prostitutes. This order caused outrage and led to his removal from his position.
Butler's most significant military defeat came at the Battle of Crater during the Siege of Petersburg in 1864. Butler's forces had dug a long tunnel under the Confederate lines and filled it with explosives, which were then detonated, creating a massive crater. However, the subsequent Union assault was poorly executed, and Butler's forces were repulsed with heavy casualties. This defeat led to his final removal from command in the field.
In conclusion, Benjamin Butler's role in the Civil War was complex and multifaceted. While he made significant contributions, particularly in terms of his policies towards escaped slaves and his leadership during the campaign for Richmond, he was also marked by controversies and military failures. Nonetheless, his impact on the course of the war was undeniable, and he remains a notable figure in the history of the American Civil War.
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His controversial decisions
One of Benjamin Butler's most well-known controversial decisions during the Civil War was his aggressive and unconventional tactics in New Orleans. After the city fell to Union forces in April 1862, Butler was appointed as its military governor. He declared martial law and began a strict occupation, characterized by heavy-handed and often arbitrary rule. Butler became known for his quick and severe punishments, earning him the nickname "Beast" among Confederates. He once ordered the execution of a Confederate sympathizer who had torn down an American flag, and he also authorized the imprisonment of local women who had publicly insulted Union soldiers.
Another controversial decision made by Butler was his General Order No. 28, often referred to as the "Women Order." This order stated that any woman who insulted or showed contempt for any officer or soldier of the United States should be "treated as a woman of the town plying her avocation." In other words, he instructed his soldiers to treat these women as prostitutes, which caused outrage and was seen as a gross overstep of his authority. The order was eventually rescinded, but it damaged Butler's reputation, particularly in the South.
Butler's decision to confiscate food and supplies from civilians in New Orleans also caused controversy. He argued that it was necessary to feed his troops and that the Confederacy was doing the same to Union supplies. However, this action led to accusations of theft and looting, and it further inflamed tensions between the occupying Union forces and the local population.
Additionally, Butler's handling of refugee slaves and his interpretation of the Fugitive Slave Act created controversy. He chose to employ runaway slaves in his army, paying them wages and offering them protection. This decision was seen as a direct challenge to the Fugitive Slave Act, which required the return of runaway slaves to their owners, and it caused friction with those who supported the law. Butler's actions, however, were in line with the Confiscation Acts, which allowed the Union army to seize Confederate property, including slaves.
Finally, his removal from command in Virginia in 1863 was also mired in controversy. After a series of military setbacks, Butler was relieved of his command by General Ulysses S. Grant. However, Butler argued that he was being made a scapegoat for the failures and that his removal was politically motivated. He requested a court-martial to clear his name, which found him not guilty of any wrongdoing. Nonetheless, the controversy surrounding his removal added to his reputation as a divisive and controversial figure.
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Political career post-Civil War
After the Civil War, Benjamin Butler returned to politics, serving as a Congressman and Chairman of the House Committee on Reconstruction. He was also Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. As committee chair, he authored the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, also known as the "Ku Klux Bill", to curtail the activities of the Ku Klux Klan. He also co-authored the Civil Rights Act of 1875, a landmark piece of legislation.
Butler was a Radical Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1867 to 1875 and again from 1877 to 1879. He supported strong Reconstruction measures towards the South and played a leading role in the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson. He was a staunch supporter of President Ulysses S. Grant after 1868 but broke with the party in 1878 due to his sympathy with the inflationary Greenback movement.
Butler was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1882 after several unsuccessful campaigns. He ran for president in 1884 on the Greenback Party and the Anti-Monopoly Party tickets, having unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination. He advocated for an eight-hour workday and national control of interstate commerce but failed to win any electoral votes.
Throughout his career, Butler was a controversial figure, often at odds with more conservative members of the political establishment. He was accused of corruption on several occasions, but no charges were ever proven.
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His legacy
Benjamin Butler was a controversial figure during the American Civil War, and his legacy is equally complex and disputed. Often characterized as a political opportunist and a military leader with a dubious record, Butler's reputation has been the subject of much debate and re-evaluation over the years. Here is an overview of his legacy:
Early Political Career and Controversy:
Before the Civil War, Butler established himself as a successful lawyer and entered politics, serving in the Massachusetts state legislature and later in the United States House of Representatives. He was a vocal opponent of the spread of slavery and supported abolitionist causes, which brought him both praise and criticism. Butler's strong stances often made him a divisive figure, a trait that would follow him throughout his career.
Military Leadership and the "Butler Controversy":
When the Civil War broke out, Butler joined the Union Army and rose to the rank of major general. He is perhaps best known for his command in New Orleans, where he implemented strict martial law and took a hardline stance against Confederate sympathizers, earning him the hatred of many Southerners. His controversial decision to confiscate cotton in the city and use it for personal profit led to a scandal known as the "Butler Controversy." This incident damaged his reputation and led to his removal from command in New Orleans.
Unionism and Emancipation:
Despite the controversies, Butler played a significant role in the Union war effort. He was an early and strong advocate for the emancipation of slaves, believing that it was crucial to the Union's success. Butler's efforts to recruit Black soldiers and his support for their fair treatment and compensation laid the groundwork for the eventual formation of the United States Colored Troops. His actions in this regard were driven by both his abolitionist beliefs and his pragmatic sense of military strategy.
Post-War Political Career:
After the war, Butler returned to politics and was again elected to the House of Representatives. He remained a staunch supporter of civil rights for African Americans and introduced legislation to enforce their voting rights. However, his political career was also marked by allegations of corruption and scandal. He was involved in several business ventures that drew criticism, and his reputation for self-promotion and controversial statements often overshadowed his legislative achievements.
Historical Assessment and Legacy:
Historians have offered varied assessments of Butler's legacy. Some emphasize his role as a champion of civil rights and his contributions to the emancipation and empowerment of African Americans. Others highlight his controversial military decisions, political opportunism, and questionable business dealings. Butler's complex personality and contradictory actions make him a challenging figure to evaluate. Some see him as a flawed but ultimately well-intentioned leader, while others view him as a self-serving opportunist who exploited the turmoil of war for personal gain.
In summary, the legacy of Civil War General Benjamin Butler is a nuanced and disputed topic. He is remembered for his strong abolitionist stances, controversial military commands, and post-war political career. While some view him as a defender of civil rights, others criticize his personal conduct and questionable decisions. Butler's complex legacy reflects the tumultuous nature of the Civil War era and the challenges of interpreting historical figures with multifaceted personalities and conflicting actions.
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