Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-06-16
TERMS: 81 so in advance.
WHOLE NO. 1876.

January, Captain, Butler was detailed to com.
mand the guard in front of the encampment.
A house standing near the bridge, in advance
of his position, had been taken possession OF
by the light troops of the enemy, from whence
they annoyed our guard. Captain Butler de
termined 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 advanced himself, accompan-
led by two or three men only, for the purpose
OF burning the house. 1t was an old frame
building, weather boarded, without ceiling or
plaster in the incide, with single door open
ing to the British camp. On entering the
house, he found soldier of the enemy con-
cealed in one corner, whom he captured and
sent TO the rear with his men, remaining alone
In the house. While lie was in the act of
kindling fire, detachment of the enemy, I'M
preceived, occupied the only door The first
impulse was to force, with his single arm,
passage through them; but he was instantly
seized IN violent manner by two or three
stout fellows, who pushed him back against
the wall with such force as to burst off the
weather. boarding from the wall, and he fell
| through the opening thus made. In an in
slant he recovered himself, and, under heavy
| fire from the enemy, he retreated until supper
ted by the guard, which he Immediately led
on to the attack, drove the British light troops
from their strong position, and burnt the house
in the presence of the two armies.
| witnessed on that field many deeds OF da-
ring courage, but none of which more excited
my admiration than this.
| Capt. Butler was soon after in the battle of
the 9Th of January, where he sustained his
previously high and we'll earned reputation
for bravary and usefulness. But that battle,
which, from its important results, has eclipsed
| those which preceded it, was but slaughter
Of the enemy, with trivial loss on our part,
and presenting few intances of individual dis
| tnctIon.
Captain Butler received the brevet rank of
Major for his gallant services during that
eventful campaign, and the reward of merit
was never more worthily bestowed. Soon af-
ter the close of the war, he was appointed aid
de camp to General jackson, in which station
he remained until he retired from the army
Since that period have seldom had the plea
sure of meeting with my valued 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 feel
ings, won for him the respect and confidence
known, | will venture 10 say he is still most
highly appreciated for every attribute which
constitutes the gentleman and the soldier.
| am, sill, very respectfully,
R.K. CALL,
Mr. WILLIAM TANNER.
Gen Jacksons sense of the services of But
Ter in this memorable campaign, was strongly
expressed in the following letter to membe
Of the Kentucky legislature:
HERMITAGE, Feb. 20, 1914.
My DEAR SIR: You ask me to give yol
my opinion of the military services of the thel
Capt. (now CooneI) VIM. 0. Butler. of Ken
lucky, during the investment of New Orleans
by the British forces in 1914 and 1915.
wish | had sufficient strength to speak fully
of the merit and the services of Col. Butler or
that occasion ; this strength have not. Suf-
flee it 10 say, that on all occasions he display
ed that heroic chivalry, and calmness of judg-
ment in the midst of danger, which distinguish
the valuable officer in the hour of battle. In
a conspicuous manner were those noble quail
tiles displayed by him on the night of the 23d
December, 1914, and on the 9Th of January
1915, as we'll as at all times during the pres
ence of the British army at New Orleans. In
short. he was to be found at all points where
duty called. hazard nothing in saying. that
should our country again be engaged In wal
during the active age of Col Butler, he would
be one of the very best selections that could
be made TO command our army, and lead the
eagles of our country on TO victory and re-
nown He has sufficient energy TO assume
all responsibility necessary to success, and
for his country's good
ANDREW JACKSON.
Gen. Jackson gave earlier proof OF the high
estimation in which he held the young soldier
who had identified himself with his own glo
ry at New Orleans. He made him his abide
camp in 1916, which station he retained on
the peace establishment, with the rank of CO.
lionel. But, like his ilustriOus patron, he
soon felt that military station and distinction
had no charms for him when unattended with
the dangers, duties, and patriotic achievements
OF war. He resigned, therefore, even the as
ISOLATION with his veteran chief, of which he
was so proud, and retired in 1917 TO private
life He resumed his study of the profession
that was interrupted by the war, married, and
settled down on his patrimona possession a
the confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio rlv-
ers, in the nOiseless but arduOus vOcauOnS 81
civil life. The adobe which he had chosen
made it peculiarly so with him. The region
around him was wild and romantic, sparcely
no popuIous towns. The high, rolling, ant
yet rich landslide precipitous cliffs Of the
Kentucky, of Eagle, Severn. and other trlbG
tares which pour into it near the mouth
make this section OF the State still, to some
extent, a wilderness of thickets-of the tang
led pea-vine, the grape vine, and nut bearing
trees, which rendered all Kentucky, until thu
intrusion Of the whites, one great Indian park
The whole luXuriant domain was preserved
by the Indians as pasture for buffalo, deer
elk, and other anmaIs-their ENJOYMENT alike
as chase and a satisfactorily excluding
every tribe from fixing habitation in it. Its
| name consecrated it as the dark and bloody
ground; and war pursued every foot that troc
it, In the midst of this region, in April 791
/ VIM. 0. Butler was born, in JesSemlne c0un-
ty, on the Kentucky river His father haC
married in Lexington, soon after his arrival il
Kentucky, 1892, Miss Howkins, a sister.in
law of Col. Todd, who commanded and per
ished in the battle of the Blue LIcks. Fol
lowing the instincts OF his family, which seem
ed ever to court danger. Gen'l Pierce Butler
as heighborhood encroached around him. re
moved, not long after the birth of his son
William, to the mouth of the Kentucky river
Through this section, the Indian war. pain IN
to the heart of Kentucky passed. Un''l .he
peace of 1874, there was scarcely DAY ina
some hostile savage did not Prov through ,,is
/ tangled forests, and the labyrlhths OF hl.ls
streams. and cliffs, which adapted this reglor
to their lurking warfare. From IL they emer
oed when they made their last formidable in
cnrson. and pushed their foray to the envl
rons of Frankfort, the capital of the State