Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-06-06

almost every Butler able 10 bear arms, has been
freely shed in the public cause. Major General
William o. Butler is now among the highest in
the military service Of his country; and he has
attained this grade from the ranks-the position
Of private being the only one he ever sought.
At the opening of the war Of 1912, he had just
graduated in the Pennsylvania University, and
was looking 10 the law as profession. The sur
render of Detroit, and of the army by Hull, arous.
ed the patriotism and the valor Of Kentucky; and
young Butler, yet in his minority, was among
the first to volunteer. He gave up his books,
and the enjoyments of the gay and polished So
ciety of Lexington, where he lived among
circle of fond and partial relationship hope 10
crafty their ambition in shining at the bar, or
in the political forum of tho State-to join Cap.
tain Hare's company Of infantry as private
soldier.
Before the march to join the northwestern ar
nv. ne was elected corporal. In this grade he
matched 10 the relief of Fort Wayne, which was
invested by hostile Indians. These were driven
before The kentucky volunteers 10 their towns on
the Wabash, which were destroyed, and the troops
then returned 10 the Miami OF the lakes, where
they made winter encampment Here an en-
signs commission in the Sc, md regiment oil Y.
States infantry was rendered TO the volunteer cor
poral, which he declined, unless permitled TO re-
main with the northwestern army, which ne had
entered TO share in the effort OF The Kentucky
militia 10 wipe out the disgrace OF Hulls surren-
der by the recapture of Detroit. His proposition
was assented To- and he received an enslgns ap-
poinment in he Eth infantry, then part OF The
northwestern army, under the command OF Gen.
Winchester. Alter enduring every privation in
a winter encampment, in The wilderness and fro
zen marshes OF The lake country, awaiting in
vain the expected support OF additional torces The
Kentucky volunteers, led bv Lewis, Allen, and
Madison, with Weiss regiment, 18th U. s. ad-
vanced 10 encounter the force OF British and ln.
dams which defended Detroit. On leaving Ken
lucky, The volunteers had pledged themselves 10
drive the British invaders from our soil. These
men and their leaders were held in such estimation
at home, that the expectation formed OF them e1-
ceeded their promises and these volunteers,
though disappointed in every succor which they
had reason 10 anticipate wanting IN provisions,
clothes, cannon, in everylhing-resolved, ratner
Than lose reputation 10 press on 20 The enterprise
and endeavor 10 draw on alter them, by en-
tering into action, the troops behind. II is not
proper here TO enter into explanations OF the causes
OF The disaster al the river Raisin, the consequence
of this movement nor 10 give The particulars oil
the battle. The incidents which sisnallzed the
character OF The subjec. Of this memoir alone are
proper here.
There were two battles at the River Raisin-
one on the 18th, the other on the 22d Of Janu.
ary. In the first, the whole body OF Indian
warriors, drawn together from all the lake
tribes, Tor the defence of Upper Canada against
the approaching Kentuckians, were encounter
ed. In moving to the attack Of this formidable
force of the 6ercest, and bravest, and most e1-
pert warriors on the continent, strong party OF
them were described from the line with which
Ensign Butler advanced, running forward TO
reach fence, as cover from which to ply
their rifles. Butler instantly proposed, and was
permitted, 10 anticipate them. Calling upon
some of the most alert and active men OF The
company, he ran directly to meet the Indians at
the fence. He and his comrades outstrlpped the
enemy; and, getting possession OF the fence,
kept the advantage of the position for their ad-
vancing friends. This incident, of however
little Importance as to results, is worth remcm-
brance in giving the traits OF young soldiers
character. II is said that the hardest veteran,
at the opening of the FIRE in battle, feels for the
moment, somewhat appalled,; and General
Wolfe, one Of The brayest of men, declared
that the "horrid yell of the Indian strikes the
bodest heart with alright The STRIPPING
student, who, for the first time beheld held OF
battle on the SHOWS Of the River Rasin, pre-.
SeUlIIlS III UOlu iob5 hiSS " sHoSS NSs'.S'~
enemies, whose massacres had filled his native
State with tales of horror, must have felt some
stirring sensations. But the crack Of the Indian
rifle, and his savage YELL awoke in him the
chiyalric instincts Of his nature; and the promp-
titude with which he communicated his enthu.
siasm TO few comrades around, ami rushed
forward to meet danger in its most appalling
form, risking himself to save others, and to Sc
cure triumph which he could scarcely hope to
share, gave earnest of the military talent, the
self sacrificing courage, aud the soldierly SYM
pathies which have drawn to him the nations
esteem. The close of the battle of the lSth
gave another instance 10 which these latter
traits Of General Buffers character were still
more strikinely illustrated The Indians,
driven from the defences around the town on the
River Rasin, retired, fighting into The thick
woods beyond it. The contest Of sharp-shoot-
ing, IRON tree to tree, was here continued the
Keuluckians pressing forward, and The Indians
retreated-until night closed in, when the Ken
tuckians were recalled to the encampment in
the village. The Indians advanced as their op.
posers withdrew, and kept up the fire until the
Kentuckians emerged from the woods into the
open ground. Just as the column to which En-
sign Butler belonged reached the verge of the
dark forest, the voice Of wounded man, who
had been left some distance behind, was heard
calling out most piteously for help Butler in-
duced three Of his company to 60 back IN the
woods with him to bring him of. He was found,
and they fought their way backbone of the
men, Jeremiah Walker, receiving shot, OF
which he subsequently died.
In the second sanguinary battle OF The river
Raisin, on the 22d Of January, with The British
and Indians, another act OF selfdevotion was per-
h,,p ,,,lor far ho nd
OF the right wing, belonging to Weiss COM
mand, the whole force OF the British and Indians
was concentrated against the small body oil troops
under Major Madison, that maintained their
ground within the picketed gardens. A double
barn, commanding The plat of ground on which
the Kenuckians stood, was approached ON one
side by the Indians underline cover of an orchard
and fence; the British on the other side, being
so posted as 10 command the space between il
and the pickets. A party in The rear OF The barn
were discovered advancing TO take possession OF
il. All saw the fatal consequences OF the secure
Judgment Of the enemy at place which would
present every man within the pickles at close
riae-shot 10 The aim Of their marksneu. Major
Madison inquired if there was no one who would
volunteer to run the gauntlet OF the FIRE OF the
British and Indian lines, and put torch to The
combus,ib.es within the barn, 10 save the rem
nant OF the little army from sacrifice. Butler,
without a moments delay, took some blazing
sticks from fire at hand, leaped the pickets, and,
running a, bis utmost speed, thrust The fire into
the straw within the barn One who was an
anxious spectator OF the event We narra'e, says,
"lha, although volleY upon yolley was fired al
him, Butler, after making some steps on his way
back turned 10 see if the fire had taken, and not
being satisfied, returned to the barn and set it in
blaz,. As The conaagraion grew, the enemy
was seen relreating from the rear OF the building,
which they had entered at one end as the flame
assembled IN the other Soon after reaching Inc
pickles in safety, amid The shouts oil his friends,
he was struck by ball in his breast. Believing
from The pain he fell. that it had penetrated his
chest, turning 10 Adjuant (now GeneraD Me-
Gala, one of his,Lexinglop comrades, and press
ing his hand TO the spot, he said, 81 fear this shot
is mortal; but while | am able to move, ! will
do nv dntu IT, Ia .nx;ons IN nniries Of this