With inscription on the reverse: "I know you are sorry it isn't Old Abe."

(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.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 4 card. Standing view in uniform with rank of brigadier general, wide stripe on his trousers, and holding his kepi towards the camera to show the U.S. hat wreath insignia. Maj. Gen'l B.F. Butler is imprinted on the front mount. Backmark: E. Anthony, New York, made from a photographic negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. Period ink inscription on the reverse: "I know you are sorry it isn't Old Abe." Edges and top right corner of the mount are slightly trimmed. Sharp image. Desirable pose of "Beast" Butler.