brigadier general in the United States service, but he declined it, saying he was a major general at home.
General Jackson was appointed to command the forces at New Orleans, while General Butler was to command in Charleston. They had been comrades in early life and Jackson sent him word that they were both called militia generals, but he knew whichever was attacked would do his duty. General Pickens desired to prescribe the more of defense of Charleston.
His plan was to allow the enemy to land and fight them in the streets from behind barricades. Butler's response to him, when he assumed the command, was that he expected to consult the dictates of his own judgment, and they should meet them in the water. An incursion was made upon one of the islands for the purpose of supplying provisions to the fleet off the coast, and a slight affair occurred in which Captain Dent of the navy was principally engaged. The incursion was repelled. This was the only engagement with the enemy of any portion of General Butler's command. It had fallen to the lot of his friend Jackson to vindicate the ability of militia generals. The war terminated with the battle of New Orleans and General Butler became a private citizen.
From this period to the close of his life he confined himself principally to the business of his farm. During the
