Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1848-06-27

auce and expressed the confident belief hisabi-
" TO take many prisoners it permitted to advance.
But the order was promptly repeated, under the
we'll founded apprehension that our troops might
come in collision with each other, an event which
had unhappily occurred at a previous hour of the
fight. No corps on that field was more bravely
led to battle than the regiment commanded by
Capt Butler and no officer OF any rank, says the
commander-in.Chef was entitled to higher credit
for the achievements Of that glorious night.
50 A short time before the battle of the 9Th OF
January, Capt. Butler was detailed to command
the guard in front Of the encampment. A house
standing near the bridge, in advance of his posi-
I ti0n, had been taken possession of by The light
s of tse e smYsst Lpn whence they ANNOYED
our quartz 4ssptaln Butler deteent!nsd 10 dis
lodge them and burn the house. lie Accordingly
marched to the attack at the head
but the enemy retired before him Seeing them
retreat, he halted lis guard, and advanced him
self, accompanied by two or three men only, tor
the purpose of burning the house. 1t was an Old
frame building, weather. boarded, without ceiling
or plaster in the inside, with single door open
ing TO the British camp. On entering the house,
he found a soldier of the enemy concealed i'll one
corner, whom he CAPTURED and sent 10 the rear
with his men, remaining alone in the house.
While he was in the act Of kindiing a fire, de-
tachmcnt OF the enemy, Unpercelvcd, occupied the
only door The first impulse was to force, with
his single arm, a passage through them, but lie
was instantly seized i'll q violent manner by Two
or three stout fellows, who pushed him back
gainst the wall with such force as 10 burst oil
the weather boarding from the wall, and he fell
through the opening thus made. IN all instant
he recovered himself, and under heavy lire from
the enemy, he relrcatcd until supported by the
guard, which lie Immediately led on to the attack,
drove the British light troops from their strong po-
siton, and burnt the house in the presence o: the
two armies.
IL witnessed on that field many deeds OF daring
.tfoI1
miration than this.
'Capt Butler was soon after in the battle of the
9Th of January, where he sustained his previously
high and well earned reputation for bravery aud
usefulness But that battle, which, from its i'm
portant results, has eclipsed those which proceed
cd it, was but slaughter oftle enemy, with trivial
loss on our part, and. presenting few instances OF
individual distinction.
Capt Butler received the Brevet rank OF Ma
l0r for his gallant services during that eventtul
campaign, and the reward of merit was never
more wortllilv bestowed. Soon after the close
Of the war he was appointed aid de-Camp to Gen.
Jackson, in which station he remained until he
retired from the army. Since that period have
seldom had the pleasure Of meeting with my val
ued friend and companion in arms, and know but
little of his career in civil life. But in camp, his
elevated principles, his Intelligence and generous
feelings, won for him the respect and confidence
of all who knew him; and where he is best known.
WIN e Is Sun lIIDSL IllSh) aPPS-
ciated for every attribute which constitutes the
gentleman and the soldier.
am, sir, very respectfully,
Il. X. CALL.
Gen. :Eackson's sense OF the services Of But
Ter, III this memorable campaign, was strongly
expressed in the following lcitc: TO member
OF the Kentucky Legislature:
HERMITAGE, Feb. 30, 1919.
"MY DEAR SrK You asked me to give youmy
,C,I,o -Jrl,
now Col. WIN. q. Butler, ot kentucky, during the
investment of New Orleans by tue British in IS IA
and 1915. Iwish had sufficient strength to speak
fully of the merit and services of Col Butler on that
occasion; .his strength have not. Suffice it 10
saw that on all occasions he displayed that heroic
Shivalry and camness of judgement IN the midst OF
danger, which distinguish the valuable officer III
the Lour of battle. In a conspicuous manner were
these lrble qualities displayed by him on the night
Orthe 231 December, 1, and on the Sth of Janu-
airy, 1875 as well as at all times during the pre-
sencc of the British army at New Orleans. III
| short, he was to be found at all points where du-
ty called. Hazard nothing in saying, that should
our country again be enSN% ed in acHT during the
lire ngeof Col Butler, he OouLt be 0t he Gerry GeS
selections that could be made 10 command our army
and ieadthe Eagles If our country on TO rict0ry and
noWn. lie has sufficient energy to assume all re-
sponsibity necessary tosucCess. and for his coun-
tTy's good. ANDREW JACKSON.
General Jackson gave earlier proof of the high
estimation in which he held the Young soldier
WHO had identified himself with his own glory at
| New Orleans. He made him his aid de-caInp in
| 1916; which station he retained the peace
establishment, with the rank of colonel. But
like his illEstrious patron, he soon felt that mil
itary station and distinction had no charms 70:
him, when unattended with the dangers, duties
and patriotic achievements OF war. lie resigned,
therefore, even the association with his veteran
Chief of which he was proud, and retired in
IN 10 mall Ia sir A. nf
profession that was interrupted by the war, mar
ried, and settled down on his patrimonal possess
sion at the confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio
rivers in the noiseless but arduous vacations o!
civil life The abode which lie had chosen made
it peculiarly so with him. The region around
him was wild and romantic, sParsely settled, and
by pastoral people,
In the midst of this region, in April, 1901,
William o. Butler was born, in Jesaminc conn
ty on tie Kentucky river. His father had mar
ried in Lexington, soon after his arrival in Ken
tncky, 1852, Miss Hawkins, n sister-in iaw of
Col. Todd, who commanded and persisted in the
battle of the Blue Licks. Following the instincts
of his family, which seemed ever I" court dan
ger General Pierce Butler, as neighborhoud en-
crosched around him, removed, not long after the
;,.h nf IL: III soc william, TO the mouth Of tie Ken
lucky river-Thr0ngh this section the Indian
war path into the Heart Of Kentucky passed
Until the peace "f 1884, there was scarcely a day
that some hostile savage did not prOwl through
the tangled forests. General Pierce Bnfer had
GU one side Of him the Ohio, on the further shore
of which the savage hordes still held the maste-
nv, and on the other the romantic region through
which they hunted and pressed their war enterPri-
ses. And here. amid the scenes CT border war
fare, his son William had that spirit which has
animated him through life, educated by the le-
gendS Of the Indian lighting hunters OF Ken:
lucky.
'TH the feelings and tastc inspired by the pecu-