Memorandum Concerning Benjamin F. Butler1Jump to section
Col Shaffer has been conversing with me and I have said to him that Genl Butler has my confidence in his ability and fidelity to the country and to me and I wish him sustained in all his efforts in our great common cause subject only to the same supervisions which the Government must take with all Department Commanders A. LINCOLN
Feby 26. 1864
Annotation
[1] Copy, DLC-Butler Papers. The copy of Lincoln's memorandum was enclosed with a letter to Butler from Colonel John W. Shaffer, Butler's chief of staff, dated ``Saturday Morning'' (February 27, 1864):
``I yester[day] had a long and very satisfactory talk with Mr Lincoln and I think I have done all I came to do. I inclose you a copy of the statement Mr L. made on paper. he talked very decidedly in your favor
``I will try and arrange business at War Office to day, and get home Monday or Tuesday.''
As printed in Private and Official Correspondence of Benjamin F. Butler, IV, 547-48, Shaffer's letter is dated July 27, 1864, and Lincoln's enclosure July 26, 1864. In the absence of Lincoln's original memorandum, the date cannot be certified, but a letter from Butler to Lincoln, February 24, 1864, seems to confirm the February date by requesting a statement of Lincoln's confidence. Jared D. Thompson of New Haven, Connecticut, had sworn under oath that Lincoln said ``I think you agree with me that General Butler is not fit to have a command.'' Butler continued, ``My only desire is that the President will say that this supposed conversation did not take place, so that I may properly punish this retailer of slander. . . .'' (Op. cit., III, 464-65).