[ Autographs ] BENJAMIN F. BUTLER (1818 - 1893) Union major general, called "The Beast" for his authoritarian control of occupied New Orleans, later he commanded the Army of the James. War-dated L.S. 4pp.4to., Fortress Monroe, Va., Jan. 27, 1864 on the letterhead of the Headquarters 18th Army Corps, a fascinating letter in which Butler, who supposedly enriched himself through his corrupt administration of New Orleans, attempts to evade the paying of his income taxes! In part "...I acknowledge the receipt of your...letter directing me to make out and return a list of my income for taxation for Internal Revenue..With no property upon which it might be levied except my personal wearing apparel and the horses and arms which I use...and the few dollars balance of my pay which is not yet expended...my pay...is dulytaxed before I get it...my declining to send you the list you require is from no...desire to evade proper taxation...if I had such interest while I remain in this district, where martial law is predominant...itwould be exceedingly difficult for you to collect the tax in the Civil Courts...". Very good.