Beginnings

Benjamin Franklin Butler was born on November 5, 1818 in the town of Deerfield, New Hampshire.

Foreword

Benjamin Franklin Butler-Civil War general, ardent supporter of emancipation, first military governor of New Orleans, Radical Republican Congressman from Massachusetts, House manager of the impeachment proceedings against Andrew Johnson, Governor of Massachusetts, and Presidential candidate on the Greenback ticket-was a formidable political force in the 19th century. Yet today, if he is remembered at all, Butler is perceived as a bungler, a demagogue, and possibly a thief. Yet these characterizations of Butler were often promulgated by his political enemies and later adopted by historians who failed to take into account the treacherous undercurrents of Civil War and post-Civil War politics

Over the course of many years I have had the opportunity to read innumerable books and articles concerning this period of American history. The pertinent references will be cited in turn. However, three books stand out in the development of my perspective of this history. First, James McPherson's magisterial book Battle Cry of Freedom remains the best single volume history of the Civil War and provides essential context for understanding the events that shaped Butler's political life. Second, Eric Foner's revisionist history of Reconstruction extends this context through 1877, which includes the time that Butler served Massachusetts in the House of Representatives. Finally, late in life Butler wrote a detailed autobiography entitled Butler's Book. While hardly unbiased and not completely trustworthy, Butler's Book is nonetheless a useful first-hand account of Civil War and post-Civil War events written by an important participant.

I intend to use this blog to reconsider Benjamin Butler's role in 19th century history and to review his contributions to the lively debate about the course of America's future after the Civil War. The events of Butler's political life offer a sideways glance at the history of the Civil War and Reconstruction, reflecting Butler's unique perspective on the events of the time and on the participants in these events. At the same time a reconsideration of Butler's place in American history provides a corrective to the prevailing view of Butler as an incorrigible political renegade.