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

sert them. We can only add the close OF the pc.
EN-, where he takes leave OF group of his young
comrades in Harris company, who had fallen To-
gelher:
And here see that youthful band,
ThatlOved TO move at fiart's command;
saw them for the battle dressed,
And still where danger thickest pressed,
marked their crimson plumace wave.
How many fill this bloody grave.
Their pillow and their wnding.sheet
The virgin snuw-a shroud most meet.
But wherefore do nger here!
Why drop The unavalling tear.
Where'er turn, some youthful form,
Like howeret broken by the storm,
Appeals To me in sad array,
And bids me yet Il moment stay,
Till could fnndy lay ME down
And sleep with him on the cold ground
For thee, thou dread and solemn plain,
meier shall look on thee again;
And Spring, with her effacing showers,
Shall come, and Summers mantng nowersj
And each succeeding Winter throw
On thy red breast new robes of snow;
Yet will wear thee in my heart,
All dark and CORY as thou art.
Shortly after his return from Canada, Ensign
Butler was promoted 10 a captancy In the Teal-
meni to which he belonged. But as this promo
lion was irregular, being made over The heads oil
senior officers in that regiment, captaincy was
given him in The 44lh, newly raised regiment
When freed from parole, by exchange, in 1914,
pany which he had recrnired al Nashville, Ten
ne,see. His regiment was ordered 10 join Gen.
Jackson in the South; but Captain Butler, finding
its movements too taIdy, pushed on and ELECTED
that junction with his company alone. General
Call, at that time an officer in Captain Buffers
company, (since Governor OF Florida in letter
addressed 10 Mr.. Tanner OF Kentucky presents,
as an eye witness, so graphically the share which
Captain Butler had in The campaign which iol-
ed, ha, ii may well supersedc any narrative al
second hand.
TALLAnAssE, April 3, 1874
Sir: avail myself Of the earliest leisure |
have had since The receipt of your letter OF The
18th Of February, 10 give you reply.
A difference of political sentiments will not IN.
duce me 10 withhold the narrative YOU have re-.
ouesled, OF the military services OF Col. VIM y.
Butler, during the lae war with Great BRIAN,
while attached 10 The army OF The south. MY IN
innate 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 soldier, as any other man living. And al.
though we are nov standing 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 iaiigues, dangers and
privatons, and participating in the some plea
sures and epioymenls The feeling. and sympa
THE, sprinsing from such associations in the
DAYS OF our youth can never be removed or I'M
paired by difference Of opinion with regard 10
men or measures, when each may well oeileve
The other equally sincere as himself, and where
the most ardent desire OF both is 10 sustain the
honor, the happiness, and prosperity OF our coun-
try.
Soon after my appointment, in the army OF the
United States, as lieutenant, in The TALL OF 1914,
7 IN min
Butler, of the 44th regiment of infantry then at
Nashville, Tennessee. When arrived and re-
ported myself, | found the company under orders
10 Join our regimen! in The south. The march
mostly through an unsettled wilderness-was
conducted by Capt. Butler with his usual pTomp.
liude and energy; and, by forced marches and
rapid movements, we arrived al Fort Monlgome-
~. The headquarters OF Gen. Jackson, short dis
lance above the Florida line, just in time TO FOL.
low our beloved general in his bold enterprise 10
drive the enemy from his strong position in a
neutral territory. The vanguard Of the army
destined Tor the invasion of Louisiana had made
Pensacola its headquarters, and the British navy
10 the Cult OF Mexico had rendezyoused in that
beautiful bay.
The penetrating sagacity Of General Jackson
discovered the advantage of the position as
sumed By the British forces; and, with decis
ion and energy which never fatered, ne resoly'
ed 10 find his enemy, even under the nag oil
neutral power. This was done by prompt and
rapid march, surprising and cutting off all the
advanced pickets, until we arrived within gun.
shot of the fort at Pensacola. The army OF
General Jackson was then SO inconsiderable, as
TO render a reinforcement OF a single company,
commanded by such an officer as Captain But.
Ter, an important acquisition. And although
Of
ordered to march from Tennessee at the same
time, Captain Buffers, by his extraordinary
energy and prompttude, was The only one
which arrived in time to join this expedition
His company formed part Of the centre co
lum of attack at Pensacola. The street we
entered was defended by battery in front
which fred on us necessarily, while severa
strong blockhouses, on our TANKS, discharged
upon us small arms and artillery. But gal
liant and rapid charge soon carried the guns IN
front. and the town Immediately surrendered.
In this fight Captain Butter led on his com
PAW with his usual intrepidity. He had one of
ficer, Lieutenant Flournoy, severely wounded,
and several non-commissioned officers and pri
Yates killed and wounded.
From Pensacola, after the object of the e1.
petition was completed, BY another prompt and
rapid movement we arrived at New Orleans a
few weeks before the appearance of the enemy
On the 23d OF December the sisnal-sun an
nounced the approach OF the enemy. The pre-
yious night they had surprised and captured one
OF our pickles; had assembled bayou, disembark
ed, and had taken possession oil the LETT bank Of
The Mississippi, within six miles of New Or
leans. The energy OF every officer was put IN
reouisilion, 10 concentrate our forces IN time 10
NEE, the enemy. Capt. Butler was one of The
frs. to arrive al the Generals quarters, and ask
instructions; they were received and promptly
executed Our regiment, stationed on The oppo.
site side, was transported across the river. All
the available forces oil our army, not much ex.
ceeding fifteen hundred men, were concentrated
10 the city; ami 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 calhe-
dral waiting in anxious expection for the order
TO move. During this momentary pause, while
The enemy was expected 10 enter the city, a scene
of deep and thrilling interest was presented
Every gallery, porch and window around the
,onare we're filled with fair forms OF beauty in
silent anxiety and alarm, waving their handker'
chiefs 10 the gallant and devoted band which
stood before them, prepared 10 die, or delcno 'nen
from the rude intrusion OF foreign soldiery. i
was a scene calculated 10 awaken emotions never
10 be forgotten. 1t appealed 10 the chival'y ant
patriotism of every officer and soldier-i INSPIRED
every heart and nerved every arm Tor oat'le.-
From this impressive scene the army niaicneu Y
meet the enemy, and about eight O'CLOCK al high
they were surprised in their encampment lmme
diaiely on the banks of the Mississippi. Undis
covered, our line was formed in silence within
Short distance or The enemy; rapid charge
was made into their camp and desperate
conflict ensued. After determined resistance
the enemy gave way, bat dispuling every inch b, o
ground we gained. In advancing over bitches
and fences IN the aigh,, rendered still more darl
by the smoke Of the battle, much confusion ne
cessarly ensued, and many officers became Sc
parated from their commands. II more thar