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Butler's infamous "Order #28" to the woman of New Orleans, with the mayor's heated response & apology...
Butler's infamous "Order #28" to the woman of New Orleans, with the mayor's heated response & apology...
Item # 629728
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June 11, 1862
WESTERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, Cincinnati, Ohio, June 11, 1862
* General Benjamin Butler
* Infamous Order # 28
* New Orleans Women
Although there is front page Civil War content, as well as elsewhere, certainly the most historic content is on page 2 which contains General Butler's infamous Order #28 (see).
As a bit of history: Butler's General Order No. 28 was a decree made by him following the Battle of New Orleans. Butler established himself as military commander of that city on May 1. Many of the city's inhabitants were strongly hostile to the Yankee government, and many women in particular expressed this contempt by insulting Union troops. Accordingly, on May 15 Butler issued an order to the effect that any woman insulting or showing contempt for any officer or soldier of the United States should be treated as a woman of the town "plying her avocation" - meaning soliciting of prostitution. The order had no sexual connotation; rather, it permitted soldiers to not treat women performing such acts as ladies. If a woman punched a soldier, for example, he could punch her back. Known as the "Woman's Order," it nonetheless was very controversial at home and abroad, as women throughout New Orleans interpreted it as Butler legalizing rape. The general dislike over No. 28 even went so far as people printing his portrait on the bottom of chamber pots, and was a cause of Butler's removal from command of New Orleans on December 16, 1862 (credit Wikipedia).
In addition to Order #28 is the mayor's very angry response to it, followed by his apology for the letter (see).
Eight pages, very nice condition.
Category: Yankee
No Longer Available
