Benjamin F. Butler, Maj. Gen. (U.S. Civil War) Color Changing Coffee Mug 11oz

Benjamin Franklin Butler was a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Born on November 5, 1818, in New Orleans, Louisiana, he grew up to become a lawyer and served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives before the outbreak of the war. Butler is most famous for his "Martial Law Order No. 28," issued during the Union occupation of New Orleans, which declared that all slaves within the Confederate lines were to be considered "contraband of war" and not returned if they escaped to Union-held territory. This policy became a significant factor in the emancipation process. Butler also played a crucial role in the Bermuda Hundred campaign, where he commanded the Army of the James. After the war, he served as Governor of Massachusetts (1881-1883) and made unsuccessful bids for the Democratic nomination for President in 1884 and 1896. He died on July 13, 1902. Butler's military career was marked by a blend of political savvy and military strategy, making him a key figure in the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction period. His policies and actions continue to be subjects of historical debate and analysis.