The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-07-17
VOL. VINO. S.

Slcre TO suiier living oeatii OF cru
Ell hardsllips and bar"aritics, which
lie underwent during long marcel,
through Upper Canada in the dead
of winter, destitute Of every COM
fort of life, to Fort Niagara, whence
he was dismissed on parole and re-
turned to Kentucky in the spring.
He was made captain in the Uni
ted States infantry upon his return,
and employed in recruiting until cx-
changed, in 1914.
( Immediately after this event he
Joined the southern army under Gen
eral Jackson, and accompanied that
great chieitain throughout the bril-
liant campaign which terminated
with the glorious victory of New
Orleans, cmuating his career in the
north with like deeds Of romantic
hcroism. His personal daring, promp-
ness, energy, skill, and efficiency,
eminently displayed on every occa-
sion, won him the highest esteem
and confidence of General Jackson.
The writer may be INDUCED in
single instance Of his soldierly con-
duet as so frequently signalized in
this campaign. 1t occurred in the
preliminary action of the ED De-
ccmber, 1915, at New Orleans. 1t
was late in the evening when news
reached General Jackson that the
British had landed on the left bank
of the Mississippi. The general de-
cided at once upon an attack. Ac-
cordingly, about dark the l4th in
fantry, (the regiment TO Which Col
onel, then Capt. b., belonged, } com
manded by Capt. Baker as colonel,
and Capt. Butler as major, with an
other regiment, and the Tennessee
and Louisiana militia, { in all about
twenty-throe hundred men, march
ed down to attack the British who
, were in force about four thonsand.
A furious onset was made. Captain
Baker having been thrown from his
horse, and severely injured in the
commencement of the action, the
command Of the 4ith regiment dc.
volved on Captain Butler, who led
his force on in the thick of the fight,
drove the British before him for half
mile, cutting them down at every
f step, until his impctuous charge had
, carried him so far in advance Of the
other portions Of the assailing party
: that they were as much surprised as
: rejoiced at his return, supposing,
, from the perilous extremity in Which
) bis bold pursuit had involved him,
, that he must have been cut off. For
| this gallant and most important
: achievement he was brevettcd by
, the President at the special request
of General Jackson. In the great
, battle Of the 18th Of January, lie bore
| a conspicuous part; and after that
: event, until the enemy retired from
| New Orleans, his cmulous valor did
not cease to display itself in those
, exploits Of personal daring and pow
crs, of which, perhaps, the history
f of no living soldier can boast SO ma
. merous and 50 brilliant series. lie
was appointed aid to General jack
son in 1916; and, having been re-
; tanned in the service upon the re-
| duction Of the army, resigned in
/ 1917, TO lead 4 no less honorable ca
, reer in civil life.
But this imperfect memoir of one
Of the most gallant gentlemen and
: finished soldiers in this nation has,
: perhaps, already been expanded to
an inconycnicnt length, and shall
! close, at the hazard of doing an in
Jury TO his fame, with the following
! testimonial of the services and mill
: tary capacity Of Colonel Butler, re-
S ccivcd by a distinguished citizen Of
= Kentucky, from the hand of General
: Jackson himself; which, consider
: ing the exalted source from which
= il comes, is at once conclusive
9 proof of the fitness of Colonel But
Ter for the emergency which is now
: pending and impending in the for
, cign relations Of our country:
"HERMIrAGE, Feb. 90, 1874.
"MY DEAR SIR: Your letter OF the
: 9th instant reached me by due course
, of mail. seize the first moment to
5 acknowledge its receipt that my de-
, bilitatcd state Of body would admit,
! and now ain scarcely able to WELD
Q "You ask me to give my opinion
! Of the military services of the then
! captain, now colonel, William o..
9 Butler, Of Kentucky, during the in
$ vcstmcnt of New Orleans by the
/ British forces in 1914 and 1916. l
{ wish ! had sufficient strength TO
c speak fully of the merit of the SER
: vices of Colonel Butler on that oc-
i, casion; this strength have not /;
: suffice it 10 say, that on all occasions
# lie displayed that heroic chivalry and
c calmness of judgment in the midst
S Of danger, which distinguish the vols
;, liable officer in the hour Of battle.