Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-06-07
WisftlIanp.
ZEBULON BUTLER.


sylvania. Captivating in its location-rich IN
its soil--irrigated by the crystal Susquehanna
-bordered with magnificent scenery OF roman
sic grandeur-enlivened by beautiful farm
houses and productive 6elds-crowned with
the fourishing town of Wilksbarre-orna-
mented by several small villages of tasteful
heatness- refreshed by cooling springs and
mountain streams filled with sporting trout
evergreen forests adjacent, towering to the
clouds and full of game-graduated hills on
every side with rich minerals and reaching TO
the mountains-a healthful atmosphere rem
dered pure by the untiring operation of ma
ture's laboratory-inhabited by are intelligent,
enterprising, hospitable people-it is one Of
the most beautiful and delightful valleys in
our expansive country. Its early history rem
ders it sacred to the philanthropst, and is read
with thrilling sensations of painful sympathy.
1t has engaged the pens of our bes, historians
our ablest poets. 1t has been painted with
the finest touches of our boldest artists. When
strangers pass the narrow confines of the ma
jestic mountains on the south, and are ushered
into this grand amphitheatre of creative wis
dom, they gaze with pleasing surprise and
wonder at the weakness of the most vivid de-
scriptions they have read, compared with the
sublime reality Of the enrapturing view before
them.
In this far-famed valley Zebulon Butler act
ed conspicuous, brave and noble part He
was born at Lyme, Coma, in 1871. He re-
ceived good common school and religious
education. The New Testament was then an
approved school-book. He early planted him.
self on the firm basis OF moral rectitude and
primitive religious truth. Without these the
saurels of the here are less fragrant-the tai
ents Of the legislator less brilliant-the noblest
attributes of man less perfect. By these re-
marks | dc not mean Pharisaical religion,
poisonoss fanaticism nor bighting sectarian-
ism. 1t is the honest, consistent, Golden Rule
man | admire. Such man was Zebulon
Butler. He was one of the first patriots who
opposed British tyranny and dared TO be Free
He entered early into the Provincial service,
and served the mother country through the
French war. He commenced his military an
Ensign, and soon rose to the rank of Captain.
He participated in the memorable hardships of
the campaign of 1858, on the frontiers of Can
ada-at Fort Edward, Lake George, Ticon-
derago and Crown Point. In 1862 he was at
the protracted siege of Havana. On his way
he was on board one of the six vessels that
were. shipwrecked. All on board narrowly
escaped watefy grave. They were on the
beach nine days before they were relieved :
On the tenth of August the last of the feet
arrived before Havana. The defence was OBJ
stinate-the sufferings of the beseigers great.
Captain Butler shared largely in the dangers
of the aitack-the glories of the victory. He
sailed for his long absent home on the 2lst of
the ensuing October, in the Royal Duke He
encountered many perils during the voyage
On the 9TH of November the ship began to leak
so rapidly that it was with difficulty that her
crew were transferred to another vessel near
by before she went to the bottom. He arrived
at New York on the 2lst of December, and
once more met the warm embrace of relatives
and friends. He had won enduring laurels-
he stood high as brave and skilful officer
an esteemed and valued citizen. He then left
the army and enjoyed the peaceful pleasures
of private life until the revolutionary storm be-
gan to concentrate its fearful elements. He
was ready to brave its pitiless peltings. He
had rendered arduous and valuable service TO
the mother country-he was well qualified to
repel her ungrateful conduct and render eff
cient aid in the defence of his native SOIL
The goadings and insolence of British hirelings
had deeply penetrated his patriotic soul, and
prepared him for bold and noble action
When the tocsin of war was sounded from the
heights of Lexington, he promptly rendered
his services-was appointed a lieutenant
.colonel'in the Connecticut line, and repaired
TO the post of honor and danger. He was
actively engaged in the campaigns of 1777-8-9.
During the last year he was commissioned
colonel of the I'd Connecticut regiment. He
was with Washington in New Jersey, and
greatly esteemed by him.
A short time previous to the revolutions, he
was one of company from his native place
ahat had purchased Wyoming Valley from the
Indians for fair consideration. Many settlers
had located there and cleared up much of the
forest. Although fully remunerated for their
lands pursuant to contracts made with the
Chiefs in grand council assembled-the red
men were unwilling to leave a place SO en-
chanting and congenial with their views of
happiness. In that salubrious vale, fringed
with hills and mountains on all sides, they
fancied the Great Spirit had his dwelling place
and gave them audible audience as echo re-
verberated their stentorian yells from hill to
mountain and back to the shores of the maies-
tic Susquehanna. As the towering forest fell
before the axe Of the white man, the Indians
murmured and designed the determination of
the pale faces. In this they were encouraged
by the British and black-hearted tories-mos,
of the inhabitants having declared for liberty
Most Of their effective force of near 200 mer
was in the American army. Soon after the
departure of these troops the savages assumed
menacing attitude-manifesting disposition
+o vioIata the terms of neace thev had sa1emn.