The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-06-24
Shortly his return from Canada,

Shortly after his return from Canada.
Ensign Butler was promoted 10 cap.
taincy in the regiment 10 which he be-
Ionged. But as this promotion was ir-
regular, being made over the heads OF
senior officers in that regiment, a cap.
taincy was given him in the 44th, a
newly raised regiment. When freed
from parole, by exchange, in 1914, he
entered on active duty, with
a 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 tardy, pushed on,
and effected tha. junction with his COM
pany alone. Gen. Call, at that time an
officer in Captain Buffers company,
(since governor Of Florida,) in letter
addressed to Mr.. Tanner, Of Kentucky,
presents, as an eyewitness, SO graphi-
cally the share which Captain Butler
had in the campaign which followed,
that it may well supercede any narra-
tive at second hand.
TALLAHASSEE, April 8, 1914.
SlR: avail myself Of the earliest leis-
ure have had since the receift OF
your letter OF the I 9th Of Februarysto
give you reply.
A difference Of political sentiments
will not induce me to withhold the nara.
tive you have requested, Of the services
of Col. VIM. o. Butler, during the late
war with Grea, Britain, while attached
to the army Of the south. My intimate
association with him, in camp, on the
march, and in the field, has perhaps
made me as we'll acquainted with his
merits, as gentleman and soldier,
as any other man living. And al
though we are now standing in oppo-
site ranks, cannot forget the days and
nights we have stood side by side fac
ing the common enemy Of our coun-
try, sharing the same fatigues, dangers
and privations, and participating in the
same pleasures and enjoyments. Tho
feelings and sympathies springing from
such associations in the days Of our
youth can never be removed or impair
ed bya difference of opinion with re-
gard to men or measures, when each
may well believe the other equally sim
cere as himself, and where the most
ardent desire of both is to sustain the
honor, the happiness, and prosperity Of
our country.
Soon after my appointment in the
army of the United States. as lieuten.
ant, in the fall Of 1914, | was ordered
to join the company Of Captain Butler,
of the 44th regiment Of infantry, then
at Nashville, Tennessee. When ] ar.
rived and reported myself, found the
company under orders to join our1egi-
ment in the south. The march
mostly through an unsettled wilderness
was conducted.by Capt. Butler with
his usual promptitude and energy;
and, by forced and rapid movements,
we arrived at Fort Montgomery, the
headquarters Of Gen. Jackson, short
distance above the Florida line. Just in
time to follow our beloved general in
his bold enterprise to drive the enemy
from his strong position in a neutral
territory. The vanguard Of the army
destined for the invasion Of I.ouisiana
had made Pensacola its headquarters,
and the British navy in the Gulf Of
Mexico had rendezvoused in that beau.
tiful bay. ne ss
The penetrating sagacity. Of Jack
son discovered the advantage Of the
position assumed by the British forces;
and, with decision and energy which
never faltered, he resolved 10 find his
enemy, even under the flag Of a neutral
power. This was done by a prompt
and rapid march, surprising and cutting
off all the advanced pickets, until we
arrived within gunshot of the fort at
Pensacola. The army Of Gen. Jack
son was then so inconsiderable as to
render reinforcement of a single com
pany, commanded by such an officer
as Capt. Butler, an important acquisi-
tion. And although there were sever
al companies Of regular troops or
|dered to march from Tennessee az
the same time, Captain Butler, by
his extraordinary energy and prompts.
tude, was the only one which arrived
4 in time to join this expedition. His
company formed part Of the centre
column Of attack at Pensacola. Tho
street we entered was defended BY
battery in front. which fred on US IN.
cessan,ly, while several strong block
houses, on our tanks, discharged upon
| us small arms and al tilery. Bat gai-
liant and rapid charge soon carried the
guns in front, and the town Immediate
IIv surrendered.
1 In this fight Capt. Butler led on his
company with his usual intrepidiiy.
4 He had one officer, Lieut.. FIournoy So.