The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-06-06

arily enSued, ana nhhy ,oin~Si roS"hhv sVP.
eraied from their commands. Il more than
once occurred during The fight that some Of
our officers, through mistake, entered the
euemy's lines; and the British officers in a
like manner entered ours. The mertorious
officer in command OF our regiment, at the
commencement Of the battle, lost his posi-
ton in the darkness and con 'usion, aud was
unable 10 regain il until the action was ovcr.
In this manner, for short time, the regi-
ment was without commander and is
movements were regulated by the platoon
officers, which increased the confusion and
irregularity Of the advance. In Ills critical
situation, and in the heat ofthe battle, Capt.
Butler, as the senior officer present, assum-
ID command Of the regiment, and led il on
most gallantly to repeated and successful
charges, until the fight ended in the COM
pleie route Of the enemy. We were still
pressing on their rear, when an officer OF the
generals staff rode up and ordered the pur-
suit discontinued. Captain Butler urged its
continuance, and expressed the confident
belief Of his ability TO take many prisoners, if
permitted 10 advance. But the order was
promptly repeated, under ihe well-lounded
apprehension that our troops might como in
COLLISION with each other, an event which had
unhappily occurred at previous hour Of the
fight No corps on the field was more brave
ly led TO battle than the regiment command
ed by Butler, and no officer of any rank,
save the commander-in-chef, was entitled to
higher credit for the achievement Of that glo-
rious night aag 9agris ! i. f
-i" A short time before the battle Of the Sth
Of January, Capt. Boiler was detailed 10 com
mand the guaidiin front ofihe yencampment.
A house standing near the bridge, in advance
Of bis position, had been taken possession OF
by the light troops of the enemy from
whence they annoyed our guard. Captain
Butler determined to dislodge them and
burn the house. He accordingly marched
TO the attack at the head of his command,
but the enemy retired before him. Seeing
them retreat, he halted his guard, and ad-
vanced himself, accompanied by Two or three
men only, for the purpose of burning the
house. 1t was an old frame building, wea-
ther-boarded, without ceiling or plaster on
the inside, with single door opening to the
British camp. On entering the house he
found soldier of the enemy concealed in
one corner, whom he captured and sent to
the rear with his men, remaining alone in
the house. While he was in the act OF kin.
ding FIRE, detachment oflhe enemy, un-
perceived, occupied The only door. The
first impulse was TO force, with his single
arm, passage d rough them, but he was in
stantly seized in violent manner by two or
three stout fellows, who pushed him back
against the wall such force as 10 burst off
the Notwithstanding from the wall, and he
fell through the opening thus made. In an
instant he recovered HIMSELF and under a
heavy fire from the enemy, he retreated un-
til supported by the guard, which he imme-
diately led on to the attack, drove the Br;-
tish light troops from their strong position,
and burnt the house in the presence Of The
two armies. ,
i"I Witnessed on that field many deeds of
daring courage, but none of which excited
my admiration more than this. N
q" Capt. Butler was soon after in the battle
Of the 6th hof January, where he sustained d
his previously high and well earned reputa-
tatiou for bravery and usefulness But that
battle, which, from its important results, has
eclpsed those which preceded it. was but
slaughter Of the enemy, with trivial loss on
our part, and presenting few instance ofin-
dividual distinction.
.Capt. Butler received The breyet rank
Of Major 70. his gallant services during tba,
eventful campaign, and the reward Of merit
was never more worthily bestowed. Soon
after the close of the war, he was appointed
a:d-de-camp TO General Jackson, in which
station he remained until he retired from
the army. Since that period | have seldom