Collection: General Benjamin Butler chamber pot | Special Collections & Archives

Overview

Commercially produced chamber pot

Dates

after 1862

Biographical / Historical

General Benjamin Butler chamber pots were produced in New Orleans after the city was occupied by Union soldiers under the command of General Benjamin Butler in 1862. The citizens of New Orleans, especially the women, repeatedly insulted and disobeyed the Union forces, spitting on them and even going so far as to dump their chamber pots (many of which had Bulter's picture pasted in the bottom) on passing soldiers, including Admiral David Farragut. This led to Butler's General Order No. 28 (also known as the "Woman's Order") which allowed his soldiers to treat any woman who spat on or cursed them as a prostitute. While this order generally stopped the open disrespect, it ultimately led to Butler's removal from command in New Orleans after only eight months.

Extent

1 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Provenance

Unknown

General

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