Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-06-16
paign which followed, that it may we'll super
sede any narrative at second hand

| TALLAHASSEE, April 5, 1914.
SIR: avail myself of the earliest leisure
have had since the receipt of your letter of the
18th of February, to i've you reply.
A difference of political sentiments will not
induce me to withhold the narrative you have
requested, of the military services of Col VIM
0 Butler, during the late war with Great Bril-
tain, 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 well acquainted with his merits,
as gentleman and a soldier, as any other
man living. And although we are now stand
ing in opposite ranks, cannot forget the days
and nights we have stood side by side facing
the common enemy of our country, sharing
the same faugues, dangers, and privations,
and participating in the same pleasures and en-
Joyments. The feelings and sympathies
spnnglng from such associations in the days
OF our youth can never be removed or impaired
by difference of opinion with regard to men
or measures, when each may well believe the
other equally sincere 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 lieutenant, IN the fall
of 1914, | was ordered to Join the company
of Captain Butler, of the 44th regiment of in
fantry, then at Nashville, Tennessee, When
| arrived and reported myself, found the COM
pany under orders to join our regiment in the
south. The march-mostly through an I'M
settled wilderness-was conducted by Capt.
Butler with his usual pr0mttude and energy
and, by forced and rapid movements, we ar
rived at Fort Montgomery, the headquarters
of Gen Jackson, a 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 neutral territory.
The vanguard of the army destined for the in
vasion OF Louisiana had made Pensacola It's
headquarters, and the British navy in the Gulf
of Mexico had rendezvoused in that beautiful
bay.
The penetrating sagacity of Gen. Jackson
discovered the advantage OF the position as
sumed by the british forces; and with deci
sion and energy which never faItered, he re-
solved to find his enemy, even under the flag
of neutral power This was done by a
prompt and rapid march, surprising and cut,
ting off all the advanced pickets, until we ar
rived within gunshot of the fort at Pensacola
The army of Gen jackson was then so incon-
siderable as to render reinforcement of a
single company, commanded by such an Off.
Ger as Capt Butler, an important acquisition
And although there were several companies
of regular troops ordered TO march from Tenn
essee at the same time, Capt. Buffers, by his
extraordinary energy and promtitude, was the
only one which arrived in time to Join this eX.
petition. His company formed part of the
centre column of attack at Pensacola. The
street we entered was defended by battery il
front which fired on US necessarily, while sew
eral strong block houses, on our TANKS
, discharged upon us small arms and artillery
But a gallant and rapid charge soon carried
the guns in front, and the town immedatel
surrendered.
Tn this fight Capt Butler led on his compa
ny with his usual intrepidity. He had one
officer, Lieut. Flournoy, severely wounded
and several non commissioned officers and pri
Yates killed and wounded.
From Pensacola, after the object of the ex
, petition was completed, by another promp
and rapid movement we arrived at New Or
leans faw weeks before the appearance o.
the enemy.
On the 23d of December the signal-gun an
nounced the approach of the enemy. The
previous night they had surprised and captur.
ed one Of our pickits had assembled bayou
disembarked, and had taken possession of the
left bank of the Mississippi, within six miles
of New Orleans. The energy of every Off
Ger was put in requsition, to concentrate oul
forces in time to meet the enemy. Capt But,
Ter was one of the first to arrive at the Gen'ls
) quarters, and ask Instructions; they were re-
ceived, and promptly executed. Our regiment
) stationed on the opposite side, was transpor
ted across the river All the available forces
of our army, not much exceeding fifteen nun
dred men, were concentrated in the city; and
while the sun went down the line of battle
was formed, and every officer took the station
assigned him in the fight. The infantry formed
on the open square, in front OF the cathedral
waiting in anXions expectation for the order tC
move During this momentary pause, while
the enemy was expected to enter the city, &
scene OF deep and thrilling interest was pre-.
scented. Every gallery, porch, and window
around the square were filled with the fail
forms of beauty, in silent anxiety and alarm
waving their handkerchiefs to the gallant and
devoted band which stood before them, pre-.
pared to die, or defend them from the rude in
struson of foreign sodery. 1t was scene
calculated to awaken emotions never to be
forgotten. 1t appealed to the chivalry anc
patriotism of every officer and soldier-lt in
spred every heart, and nerved every arm to
battle. From this impressive scene the army
marched 10 meet the eHeHly, anu dDoul CIS IL
O'Clock at night they were surprised in theiI
encampment, Immediately On the banks OF the
Mississippi. Undiscovered, our line was
!, formed in silence within a short distance Of
the enemy; rapid charge was made into thell
camp, and a desperate conflict ensued. Attel
a determined resistance, the enemy gave way
but disputng every inch ofground we gained
In advancing over bitches and fences IN the
night, rendered still more dark by the smoke
of the battle, much confusion necessarily en-
sued, and many officers became separated from
during the fight, that some of our officers
through mistake, entered the enemy's lines
and the British officers in like manner entered
ours The meritorious officer IN command oil
our regiment, at the commencement OF the bat
tie lost his position in the darkness and contu
sion, and was unable to regain it until the &C
ton was over In this manner. for a shor
time, the regiment was without commander
and It's movements were regulated by the pa
toon officers, which increased the confusion
and irreguiarity of the advance in this crItl
cal situation, and in the heart OF the battle
Capt Butler, as the senior officer present, as
sumed command of the regiment, and led it or
most calamity 10 repeated and successful
charges, until the fight ended in the complete
rout of the enemy. We were still pressing or
their rear, when an officer of the generals stat
rode up and ordered the pursuit discontinued
Capt Butler urged It's continuance, and ex
pressed the confident belief of his ability Il
take many prisoners, if permitted to advance
But the order was promptly repeated unde