United States Congressman from Massachusetts

Member of the President Andrew Johnson Impeachment Congress

Governor of Massachusetts

Free frank signature as Member of Congress

(1818-1893) A lawyer, he was elected to the Massachusetts house of Representatives in 1853, and to the State Senate in 1859. The following year Butler was a delegate to the Democratic Convention which met in Charleston, where he voted 57 consecutive times to nominate Jefferson Davis for President of the United States. As a Brigadier General of the Massachusetts Militia, Butler entered the war in dramatic fashion; five days after the bombardment of Fort Sumter he lifted the blockade of Washington with the 8th Massachusetts. He was the first volunteer general appointed by Lincoln. He was badly defeated at Big Bethel. Butler was the first to apply the term "contraband of war" to slaves. He commanded the successful attack on Hatteras Inlet and later became the vilified military governor of New Orleans. In 1863 he was given command of the Army of the James which he saw action with at Bermuda Hundred and the Petersburg campaign. Elected to Congress in 1866, he played a prominent role in the Andrew Johnson impeachment. He later became Governor of Massachusetts.

Free Frank on Cover: 6 1/4 x 3 1/2, signed in ink at upper right corner, Benj. F. Butler, M.[ember] C.[ongress]. The cover is addressed to Col. Henry Ware, State House, Boston, Mass. Light age toning and wear. Very nice strong signature.