Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

Benjamin Franklin Butler (1818- 1893) served in prominent positions throughout the course of his life, from being a Major-General in the Civil War to a Congressman and Governor of Massachusetts. However, he is best known today for his time spent governing New Orleans, which helped earn him the moniker "Beast". While Butler administered New Orleans in a strict manner, which kept it orderly during its occupation, the South despised him. Butler became notorious for several acts, including seizing a massive amount of money that had been deposited in the Dutch consul's office. But it was General Order No. 28, which said any woman in town who insulted a member of the army would be treated like "a "woman of the town plying her avocation". In other words, she'd be treated as a prostitute. The order earned widespread condemnation across the nation, and even abroad in England. Butler was so brutal that Confederate president Jefferson Davis personally ordered that Beast Butler should be executed if he was captured. But he never was. Instead, he was recalled east and served in commands for the duration of the war, before going on to a distinguished political career.Butler covered all of it in his autobiography, speaking frankly about his Civil War record and how he perceived his treatment and reputation, while covering his post war career in only a few chapters.