The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-01


Till could fondy lay me down
And sleep with him on the cold ground,
For thee. thou dread and solemn plain,
ne'er shall look on thee again
And spring with her efacing showers,
Shall come, and Summers nanling flowers;
And each succeeding winter throw
ON thy red breast new robes OF snow
Yet will thee in my heart,
All dark and CORY as thou art,
Shortly after his return from Canada, Ensign Butler
promoted caniancy in the regiment 10 which he
belonged But this promotion was irregular, being
made the heads OF senior officers IN that regimen
a captancy given him IN the 44th, newly raised
regiment When freed from parole by exchange, IN
1914 he instantly entered on active duty, with company
which he had recruited at Nashville, Tennessee. HIS
regiment was ordered to Join General jackson in the
south; but Captain Butler finding its movements too tar
dy pushed on, and elected that junction with his com
pany alone. General Call, at that time officer IN
in letter addressed TO Mr.. Tanner, of Kentucky pre-
sens as an eyewitness, graphically the share which
Captain Butler had in the campaign which followed that
it may well supersede any narrative at second hand,
TALLAHASSEE, April g. 1874
SrR avail myself of the earliest have had since
the receipt of your letter of the 18th OF February to give
A difference OF political sentiments will not induce me TO
withhold the narrative have requested OF the mliia.
Great Britain, while attached the army Of the south
My intimate association with him, in camp, on the march,
and the field has perhaps made me as wen acquainted
with his merits gentleman and soldier as any other
man living. And although we are now standing IN oppo,
side by side facing the enemy OF our coun
try sharing the same fatgues, dangers and pvatons'
The feelings and sympahies springing from such assoca
in the DAYS youth never be removed or mn
paired by difference of opinion with regard TO men or
measures, when each well believe the other equally
sincere as HIMSELF and where the most arden, desire ~
both is the honor the happiness and prosperity
Soon after nv appointment in the army of United
Sates as lieutenant in the fall of 1914, was ordered to
Join the company Captain Butler, Of the an tmeat Of
infantry, then at Nashville, Tennessee. when arrived
and ported myself found the pany under orders to
Join regiment ia the south The narohlmosy thonGn
| with his usual prompttude and energy aud, by loceo
rapid movements arrived al Fort Montgomery the
headquarters OF Gen Jackson "a short dsanc, above ne
Florida line, just time follow beloved general IN
his bold enterprise to drive the enemy from bis strong posi-
ton in neutral territory The vanguard Of NE army af,
tined for the invasion OF Louisiana had made lis
and the British navy in the Gull oil Mexico
| had rendezvoused in that beautiful bay
The penetrating sagacy OF Gen Jack discovered the
wth decision and energy which ialtered he resolved
find his enemy under the flag OF neutral power
cung of all the Ds pas
gunshot of the fort at Pensacola The army OF Jackson
single company, commanded by such officer as Capt
Butler important acquisition And although there we're
Tennessee at the same tme Capt Buffers. by his extraor
binary energy and pomptude, was the only one which
| arrived in time to join this expedition his company
formed part of tho column of attack at Pensacola
The entered was defended by battery IN front
which fired necessarily, while several strong block
houses Hanks, discharged upon us snal arms anu
guns in 'front.' and the Town immediately surrendered.
In this fight Capt Butler led on his company with ais
verey wounded several officers and
| privates killed and wounded
Fro Pensacola after the object of the expedition was
com pleed, by another prompt and rapid movement we
arrived New Orleans few weeks before the appearance
On the Esd OF December the signalsun announced the
approach of the The previous nigh they had sur
bayou dssm6arked and had taken possession of the left
bank of the Mississippi within SIX miles OF New oeams
forces time to meet the enemy Capt But
Ter One Of the first ev arrive at se aod omp
executed Our regiment stationed on the opposite se
of army, much exceeding fifteen hundred men,
We're concentrated in the city; and while the sun Went
the station assigned him in the fight The infantry onned
the open square, front of the cathedral, waiting in
anxious expectation for the order to During this
moentary pause while the enemy expected to enter
the city, scene Of deep and thrilling interest was present,
filed with the fair forms of beauty, in silent anxiety
d dew band Which stood before them. prepared to de-
defend them from the rude intrusion of foreign solery
gotten 1t appealed the chivay and patriotism OF
officer and sodiert inspired every heart and every
ed to the enemy and about eight o'clock they
were surprised in their encampmen immediately on the
formed in silence within short distance OF the enemy
apid charge was made into their camp and desperate
conflict cnsued After determined resistance, the enemy
gave way but dispntng every inch Of ground we gained
ed still dark by the smoke of the bale much confu-
sion necessarily ensued and many officers became
ring the fight that of orr officers, through mi stake,
entered the enemys lines and the British officers in like
entered The merofiois officer command
inent the commencement OF the battle, lost
his position the darkness and confusion and unable
regain until the action In this manner for
time, regiment without a commander and
ulaed by the platoon off GERS which
creased the confusion and gulay the advance In this
critical situation, and the heat OF battle Capt Butler,
the senior officer present. assumed command The regi
ment, and led CALAMITY repeated and
full charges until the fight ended in the complete OF
the enemy We still pressing their rear, when
suit discontinued Captain Butler urged conrinu
and expressed the confident belief OF his ability take
many prisoners if permitted to advance But the order
promp repeated under the welounded apprehen-
oher-an event which had unhappy occurred at pre-
hour of the fight No corps that field more
bravely led battle than the regiment commanded by
Captain Butler and officer of any rank
, mander -in-chief, entitled higher credit the
achievement OF that glorious night.
short before the battle OF the Sth Of January,
Captain Butler detailed 10 command the
of The encampment. house standing bridge,
advance OF his position, had been taken
the light troops the enemy from whence annoyed
our guard. Captain Butler determined dislodge
and the house He accordingly marched
tack the head of his command but The retired be-
fore him. Seeing them retreat, he halted his guard and
advanced himself, panied by only
for the purpose OF burning the house. 1t old
frame building, weather boarded without ceiling
in the inside, with single door opening British
camp. On entering the house, he found der of the
enemy concealed in corner, whom he captured and
the with his men, remaining alone house
While he in the OF kndng lire detachment OF
the enemy, unpercelved, occupied the only door The
first impulse force with his single arm, passage
through them; but he instantly seized violent
liner by fellows, who pushed back
against the wall with such force burst off weather
boa riding from the WALL and he fell through the opening
thus made In instant he recovered himself aud,
der heavy fire from enemy, he retreaed until sup
lxtahh .1ta.l la