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

[184] tenor of his instructions to wait rather than go through Baltimore, I still propose to march with this regiment. I propose to occupy the town, and hold it open as a means of communication. I have then but to advance by a forced march of thirty miles to reach the capital, in accordance with the orders I at first received, but which subsequent events, in my judgment, vary in their execution, believing from the telegraphs that there will be others in great numbers to aid me. Being accompanied by officers of more experience, who will be able to direct the affair, I think it will be accomplished. We have no light batteries. I have, therefore, telegraphed to Governor Andrew to have the Boston Light Battery put on shipboard at once to-night to help me in marching on Washington. In pursuance of this plan, I have detailed Captains Devereux and Briggs, with their commands, to hold the boat at Havre de Grace. At 11 A. M. Colonel Lefferts has refused to march with me. I go alone at three o'clock to execute this imperfect plan. If I succeed, success will justify me. If I fail, purity of intention will excuse want of judgment or rashness.

B. F. Butler.

I desire here and now to give Mr. S. M. Felton the highest praise for his loyalty, his energy, and his advice and hearty co-operation. Before I left him I said: “But, Mr. Felton, if we capture the Maryland, it may be necessary to burn her or sink her.” He immediately gave me an order on her officer to do either.

Among the considerations which pressed upon my mind to determine me to make the attempt to hold Annapolis, and open the way to Washington, was the remembrance of a little bit of history:--

Washington had determined upon placing the capital where it now is. He had substantially laid out the plan which brought the capitol building, in the final location of it, close to the top of a slope which commands a view of the very large and substantially level ground east of the capitol where, by this plan, the city was to be built. But this level tract took in a large piece of the ground belonging to Mr. Carroll, and some belonging to the Custis family. On this account, Edmund Randolph, Washington's attorney-general, attacked him in a pamphlet, which was the mode of political warfare in those days. He urged that the location of the capital, and especially the plan of the city, was simply the result of nepotism on the part of the President, who desired to give great value by the