The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-06-24

The third, William E. Butler, also sery-
ed in the army OF Gen. Jackson.
4lh. Perciyai Butler, captain in the
revolutionary war, and adjutant gener-
al of Kentucky during the last war, had
four sons: first, Thomas, who was a
captain, and aid to Gen. Jackson at
New Orleans; next, Gen. William o.
Butler, the subject of this notice; third
Richard, who was assistant adiutant
general in the campaigns Of the war OF
1919. Percival Butler, ;he youngest
son now a distinguished lawyer, was
not Of an age to bear arms in the last
war. Of the second generation Of the
Bntlers, there are nine certainly, and
probably more, engaged in the present
war. M e oto ag
This glance at the family shows the
character OF the race. An anecdote,
derived from a letter Of an old PENN
sylvania friend of the parents, who
transplanted it from Ireland, shows that
its military instinct was an inheritance.
.While the FIVE sons," says the latter,
"werc absent from home in the service
of the country, the old father took it in
his head to 60 also. The neighbors
collected 10 demonstrate againstit; but
his wife said. 'Let him GO! ! can get a.
long without him, and raise something
to feed the army into the bargain; and
the coun try wants every man who can
shoulder musket." 1t was doubtless
this extraordinary zeal Of the Butler
family which induced Gen. Washington
to give the toast--"The Buffers, and
their five sons," at his own table, whilst
surrounded by large party OF officers.
This anecdote rests on the authority OF
the late Gen. Findlay, Of Cincinnati =
A similar tribute of respect was paid 10
the devoted house of soldiers by Gen.
La Fayette, in a letter now extant, and
| in the possession OF lady connected
with it by marriage. La Fayette says,
"When Iwanlsd a thing ceH done, Ior-
dered a Butler to do IT,"
From this retrospect, it will be seen
that. in all the wars of the country
| in the revolutionary war, in the last
British war, and the present Mexican
war-the blood of almost every Butler
able to 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 a pri.
vate being The only one he ever sought.
At the opening Of the war of 1912, ne
had just graduated in the Transylvania
University, and was looking to the law
as profession. The surrender OF De-
noit, and the army by Hull, aroused 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 society of Lex
ing,on, where he lived among a circle
of fond and partial relations-the hope
to crafty their ambition in shining at
the bar, or in the political forum Of the
State-to Join Capt. Hart's company
of infantry as private soldier. :.
Before the march to join the north
western army, he was elected cor
poraI. In this grade he marched to the
relief of Fort Wayne, which was in
vested by hostile Indians. These were
driven before the Kentucky volunteers
to their towns on the Wabash, which
were destroyed, and the troops then
returned TO the Miami Of the likes
where they made winter encamp'
mept. Here an ensign's commission
| in the econd regiment Of United States
Infantry was rendered to the volunteer
corporal, which he declined, unless per
mitted to remain with the northwestern
. army, which he had entered 70 share
: in the effort Of the Kentucky militia te
wipe out the disgrace OF Hull's surren
: der by the recapture Of Detroit. Hi'
, propo sition was assented to, and ht
received an ensign's appointment in shs
Il L. ~
! 17lh infantry, then part Of the north
, western army, under the command Q
Gen. Winchester. After enduring
8 every priyation in a winter encamP
!, ment, in the wilderness and irozel
4 marshes ofthe the lake country, await
4 ing in vain the expected support Of ad
ditional forces, the Kentucky volun
4 teers, led by Lewis, Allen and Madl
!, son, with Wells regiment, (l7th U. g.
4 advanced 10 encounter the force Q
3 British and Indians which defended De
Q tfoit. On leaving Kentucky, the vo'
E unteers had pledged themselves to driv ~
: the British invaders from OUT soil.-
!. These men and their leaders were hel
1 in such estimation at home, that the e.
!; pectation formed Of them exceede
!, their promises; end these volunteer
2 though disappointed in every succo
which thew had reason to anticipate