[ Autographs ] BUTLER'S OCCUPATION OF NEW ORLEANS BROADSIDE An outstanding, excessively-rare printed broadside proclaiming the occupation of the surrendered city of New Orleans, dated the first dayof the Union army occupation of the city and signed in type by Major General Benjamin "Beast" Butler! The broadside is dated May 1, 1862 atNew Orleans and is officially issued by Butler from the Headquarters Department of the Gulf. The text of the proclamation offers a hint of the forthcoming harsh rule by Butler over his dominion, reading in part: "...Thrice before, has the city of New Orleans been rescued fromthe hand of a foreign government...by the money and arms of the UnitedStates...all persons in arms against the United States are requested to surrender themselves with their arms...all flags, ensigns and devices...save the flag of the United States...[such flags] must not be exhibited but suppressed...the American ensign, the emblem of the United States, must be treated with the utmost deference and respect by all persons under the pain of severe punishment...all persons stillholding allegiance to the Confederate States will be deemed rebels against the authorities of the United States, and regarded and treatedas enemies thereof...sufficient force shall be kept in the city to preserve order and maintain the laws...the killing of an American soldier by any disorderly person or mob, is simply assassination and murder and not war, and will be so regarded and punished...the Armies of the United States came here not to destroy but to make good, to restore order out of chaos, and the government of laws in place of thepassions of men..." Much more fine, important content. Butler strictlyenforced his regulations, actually hanging a man for flying the Confederate flag! Fine condition, double-matted and framed, unexamined out of frame.