Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[82] school in the country, but because I could not foretell what might be his future, and I chose that he should not be hindered, as his father had been, by the fact that he was not a graduate of Harvard. A class of Massachusetts people believe that a course at that college is indispensable to advancement in almost any pursuit in life, especially political; and, as soon as a graduate obtains political preferment he is hailed as the “scholar in politics.”

My wife, with a devotion quite unparalleled, gave me her support by accompanying me, at my earnest wish, in every expedition in the War of the Rebellion, and made for me a home wherever I was stationed in command. She joined me at Annapolis and accompanied me to Fortress Monroe when I was assigned there in May, 1861. She went with me on the expedition to Ship Island for the attack upon New Orleans, wherein I was exposed to the greatest peril of my life; and only when my ship was hourly expected to go to pieces, and when I importunately appealed to her good sense that our children must not be bereft of both parents, did she leave me to seek safety on board a gunboat. But of that more hereafter.

She suffered great privations and hardships on the sands of Ship Island while we were awaiting the attack on New Orleans, and was on the first vessel containing troops that went up the river after the surrender of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. She went ashore with me and lodged at the St. Charles Hotel on the night after I took possession of the city of New Orleans. When in 1863 I was assigned to the command of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, she accompanied me again to Fort Monroe. In 1864 she went with me to the field, and was present with me during most of the campaign of 1864.

Thus I had an advantage over most of my brother commanding generals in the department and in the field, in having an adviser, faithful and true, clear-headed, conscientious and conservative, whose conclusions could always be trusted. In the mere military movements, although she took full note, she never interfered by suggestion, for in regard to them I relied upon the opinions of my valued, accomplished, and efficient staff officers. In other matters all that she agreed to was right and for the best; and if there is anything in my administration of affairs that may be questioned, it is that in which I followed the bent of my own opinions.