The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1909-04-22
Former South Carolina Sena-
Passes Alvey.
WAS A CONFEDERATE OFFICER
Cavalry - Was Former United
States Senator From South Caro-
hna-Served in Spanish-American
War.

ate cavalry generals, died Wednesday
night at IL 40 at local infirmary.
For several weeks General Butler had
been i'll and had been gradually grow
ing weaker and for several days it
had been known that the end was
near. General Buffers death was duo
to complication of diseases. induced
by an old wound.
In 1876 General Butler was elected
to the United States Senate and
served three terms. During the Span
lsh-AmericEn war he was n major gen.
eral in the United States army. After
the war lie YVES appointed member
of the Cuban peace commission. He is
survived by his widow and three chill
dren, Capt. NJ. c. Butler. Jr., u. S.
A.; DR.. F. ". p. Butler of this city.
and Mrs. McNeely, wife of a naval
officer.
On his 18th birthday General But
Ter received supreme JUNCTION from
the Catholic Church He died within
so yards Of the convention hall in
which the secession convention met.
General Butler was nephew of Com
modare Perry, of the United States
navy, and bat for fate might have
been distinguished officer of the
United States army instead of a Con-
fedcrate leader.
Gen. Butler was son of Or. Will
liam Butler and descended from
spenldid ancestry.
In childhood he accompanied his
father to Arkansas. but after the
latter's death returned to South Caro-
lima in 1851. and made his home with
Senator a. P. Butler, near Edgefield.
He was educated at the South Caro-
lima College and then reading law was
admitted to practice in 1857. In the
following year he was married to
Maria. daughter of Governor F. w.
Plckcns. He was elected to the Leg
lsiature in 1850, but before the con-
clusion of his term, entered the mill
tary service of his State as captain of
company of cavalry in Hampton s
Legion. This command took a dis
tinguished part in the first battle of
Manassas, and Captain Butler was
promoted major to date from July
2lst, the beginning Of his famous
career in the cavalry of the Army Of
Northern Virginia. He commanded
the cavalry Of the legion under Stuart
IN the withdrawal of the troops from
Yorktown, and was warmly com
mended for gallantry at Williams
burg. In August, 1862, he was pro-
NOTED to colonel of the Second Reci-
ment, South Carolina Cavalry, Hamp-
ton s Brigade, and in this rank he
participated in the Second Manassas
and Maryland campaign. winning fav-
orahle mention for gallant leadership
IN the affair at Monacacy Bridge and
Stuart s Chamhcrsburg raid. He COM
mandcd the main part of his brigade
In the Dumfriea expedition of Decem-
Der. 1862, and in June. 1863. he was
one OF the most conspicuous leaders
In the famous cavalry battle of Bran
dy station. Here he was severely
wounded by shell, losing his right
foot, and promotion to brigadier gcn-
eral followed in September. Return
ing to service before his wound heal
cd. he was sent home to recover. He
succeeded General Hampton in brigade
command, and took part in the fall
campaigns of the army in 1863. and
throughout the famous struggle of
1864, at the Wilderness, Spottsyl-
vania and before Richmond IN oppos,-
ilor to Sheridan. he was one of the
heroic figures of this last great cam
palgn of the Confederate armies. The
reports of Sheridan and himself at
test the splendid fight of Butler and
his brigade at Hawe's shop. and Cold
Harbor. AT Trevilian station he w:s
In command of Hampton's division.
and repulsed seven distinct and deter
mined assaults by the largely super
ior forces under Sheridan, his COM
mand occupying most important
part of a Confederate line and fight
Ing as infantry. In September he
was promoted MOTOR general, and in
the spring of 1865 he was detached
with a small division for the campaign
against Sherman in the CaroIinas. He
commanded the rear guard of Har-
dee's army at the evacuation of Co.
lumbia and Cheraw. and at the last
mad division command of cavalry, his
forces and Gen. Joe Wheeler's form
ing the command of Lieutenant Cen
eral Wade Hampton. The close of the
war left him in financial ruin, but he
bravely met the exigencies of fhe oc-
casion, and in a short time attained
national repute for the frmness and
boldness with which he handled the
political questions which concerned
the essentials of the reorganized social
hfe. While he powerfully advocated
obedience to tie reconstruction meas
IN 4 L.