Benjamin Butler (politician)

Benjamin Butler
Portrait by Brady-Handy studio, 1870s
33rd Governor of Massachusetts
In office January 4, 1883 – January 3, 1884
Lieutenant	Oliver Ames
Preceded by	John D. Long
Succeeded by	George D. Robinson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 7th district
In office March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1879
Preceded by	John K. Tarbox
Succeeded by	William A. Russell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 6th district
In office March 4, 1873 – March 4, 1875
Preceded by	Nathaniel P. Banks
Succeeded by	Charles Perkins Thompson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 5th district
In office March 4, 1867 – March 4, 1873
Preceded by	John B. Alley
Succeeded by	Daniel W. Gooch
Member of the Massachusetts Senate
In office 1859–1859
Preceded by	Arthur P. Bonney
Succeeded by	Ephraim B. Patch
Personal details
Born	Benjamin Franklin Butler (1818-11-05)November 5, 1818 Deerfield, New Hampshire
Died	January 11, 1893(1893-01-11) (aged 74) Washington, D.C.
Resting place	Hildreth Family Cemetery Lowell, Massachusetts 42°39′39″N 71°18′36″W / 42.660798°N 71.309928°W / 42.660798; -71.309928
Political party	Democratic (1840–1854) Republican (1854–1874) Democratic and/or Greenback (1874–1889)
Spouse(s)	Sarah Hildreth (1844–1876)
Children	Paul I (1845–1850) Blanche Paul II (1852–1918) Ben-Israel
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	U.S. Army (Union Army)
Rank	Major general
Commands	Department of Virginia Department of the Gulf Army of the James
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Big Bethel Battle of Hatteras Inlet Battle of New Orleans Bermuda Hundred Campaign Battle of Port Walthall Battle of Proctor's Creek Battle of Ware Bottom Church First Battle of Petersburg Battle of Chaffin's Farm First Battle of Fort Fisher

United States of America

American Civil War

Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5, 1818 – January 11, 1893) was an American lawyer, politician, soldier and businessman from Massachusetts. Born in New Hampshire and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, Butler is best known as a political major general of the Union Army during the American Civil War, and for his leadership role in the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. He was a colorful and often controversial figure on the national stage and in the Massachusetts political scene, where he served one term as Governor.

Butler, a successful trial lawyer, served in the Massachusetts legislature as an antiwar Democrat and as an officer in the state militia. Early in the Civil War he joined the Union Army, where he was noted for his lack of military skill, and his controversial command of New Orleans, which brought him wide dislike in the South and the "Beast" epithet. He helped create the legal idea of effectively freeing fugitive slaves by designating them as contraband of war in service of military objectives, which led to a political groundswell in the North which included general emancipation and the end of slavery as official war goals. His commands were marred by financial and logistical dealings across enemy lines, some of which probably took place with his knowledge and to his financial benefit.