Newspapers / The North Carolinian (Wilson, … / June 17, 1848, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of The North Carolinian (Wilson, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
overt oattthdatt In advance, per year,$-J 00 Not paid in advance, t 50 Not paid until six months have expir ed 300 Not paid till the year has expired, 350 No subscription received or a less time than a vear. unless the price be paid in advance. Jjf If 0 rtfj xrtti ML TEIMTM OF CHARACTER IS AS IMPORTANT TO STATES AS IT IS to individuals; and the glory of the state IS the common property of ITS CITIZENS. 7 FAYETTEVILLE, SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1848. COMMISSION MERCHANT GENERAL AGENT, WILMINCTOX, N. C 100,000 Acres Valuable TIMBER LAND FOR SALE. riPHE Subscriber has purchased all the Lands JL belonging to the estate of Abram Dubois, dec d, lying principally in Kobeson county, and on both sides of Lumber rirer, the different sur veys containing ovei ONE H JNDRED THOU SAND ACUKS; a large part finely timbered, and convenient to dumber river, where a large iiantity of Timber is now rafted to the George town market. These lands are very valuable both for Tirabei and Turpentine, for which pur pose a large part is well suited, being in a region where the Turpentine yields more abundantly than any other section of the State. The lands will be sold at a low price, and in quantities to suit purchasers Information respecting the title can be obtain ed by applying to the Hon. Robert Strange, J. C. Dobbin, Esq., A. A T. Smith. Esq., Attorneys at Law. I understand there are miny trespassers on these lands, to all of whom notice is hereby given that the law will be enforced against all such of fenders. Application for any part of the lands can be made t myself, 01 to John Wirislow, Esq., who will be duly authorized to make sale of the same. rilOMAS J. CURTIS. M rch 1, ISM tf. To$ft AGENCY. FflHK undersigned will attend to the selling -U. of Timber in Wilmington; and whenever there is a " glut" in the market, J. C. Miocker will give it his perrsonal attention at other times, orders for the sale of Timber will prompt ly be despatched yp addressing V. &, T. Love, wlio will act in my absence, it punctuality in making returns will ensure patronage, then they hope to receive-a share. J. C. KLOCKKR & CO. W1L.MINCJTOW, Sept -25, IS 17. 419-iy. FIltE AND MARINE INSURANCE. SALES AT AUCTION. I Z'llZ either t wutrrc in low a. JNO. M. ROSE, Auet'r. my Sales' June 10, 1848. t. r l!?! PqY' W Wines, Furniture. Fix-IC-L?r hrty roint House, now kept br Jo, nh . "?ld oA reasonable and accomodating terms to any ocrson rl .;... ,.r 1 . . . "K - - . . v cuiimimukiu ioe Dimness June 10, 1843. A. M. CAMPBELL. Trusts. for J. Brooksbank. All peroons indebted to Jos. Brooksbank, either by note or account, are requeted to t-o.. ..i.. .1. .. ""iuu,le,j. A. M. CAM PB ELL. Trustee 48C-3t. ft?-Obat. June 10 1848. UNION ACADEMY. inc. second Session m T7nin A r - - -v . ua 1- V1U 1U1 II'ITI. Mill rTT monsvn vn A. . 1 l June, under the direction of its former teacher. Mr Gilbert clearly evinced during the last Session, his high qualifica tion as an instructer. The Trustees are satisf5.rt fro experience, and from the superioi examination which his vt," uaineu. tnat youth here wUl receive athorouirU moral and intellectual training. x iic raies 01 1 uition are S6. 8. an in ... ..uj.u in respeciaoie lauiilit'S. convenient to the Academy, $6 per month. Students charged from the time the quarter commences till the close of the session, except in caes of protracted UAMKL CURRIE. YCV1 6TL'lirijm Itobeson county, N". C , June 10. 1S48 486-'t BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GEN. WM. 0. BUTLER, OF KENTUCKY. BY FRANCIS P. BLAIR. The Camden Insurance Com pany of N. J. N 10 A R 11 II LA 1) I : LIM II A galeae $100,000. H. L. BCCKLY, S.-c y. R W. OODEN, Frcs t. The undersigned. Agent of this Company, has received a.niranr!i that this Company is conducted by some of the most wealthy and influential Jersey-men. and is second to none in the l.'nion of the same capital. He will take tire and marine risks on as 1'aTorahle term as anv other I'nm- JJNU. .M. ifcuar., -is"". March 4. 1S48. 47i!-tf pany . Ka vctteville. ( I A XKIKL1). BUOT1H2R & CO. " ATn. '227 Jiulliiaore street. A'. E. corner of Chin lea, Halt 1 mo re, .ui., I hi itni-t :ml l)tnltrs 111 ralche Clocks and Jewelry, r Silver and plated Ware. Cutlery, tiiiiif. Tistols. Lamps. Bo hfiiiian lila.-s Ware. Military and Fancy tioods generally. oiler at wholesale a coinpiere nwniiuniir 01 imu . line. One ol' the firm Tisiting F. 11 rope every season, and possessing every facility for obtaining gn.d.t by a direct im portation, aixl frum the principal manufacturers, affords them every advantage. They would call the attention of iii.Tchaiits'aiid dealer visiting Baltimore to their stock. Prices and terms made accommodating. Always on hand t'irlini:ikcr' Tools and materials. Dent ists' files Daguer- reittvpe plates and cases. CANFIF.LI). BIIOTIIKU& CO. Corner of Baltimore and Charles f March 2.". ISIS. ."in Synopsis." General Butler's grand fatlier, Thomas Butler, was born 6tli April, 1720, in Kil kenny, Ireland. He married there in 1742. Three of his five sons who attained manhood, Richard, William, and Thomas, were born abroad. Pierce, the father of enjoyments of the gay and polished society 01 juexington, where he lived among a cir cle of fond and partial relations the hope m giamj ineir amuuion in sinning at ioe bar, or in the political Jorum of the State to join Capt. Hart's company of infantry as a private soldier. Before the march to join the noth western army, he was elected a corporal In this nrniN. I. n 1 I a. 1 I - C C 17 a. bi,u; c iimibiieu to ue rcuei or rort Wayne, which was invested bv hostile T If rwt - . "i- niuians. i nese were uriven before the Kentucky volunteers to their towns on the TI 1 1-1 .. . .vaoasn, wnicn were destroyed, and the troops then returned to the Miami of the lakes, where they made a winter encamp ment- Here an ensign's commission in the 2d regiment of United States infantry was tenaerea to tne volunteer cornoral. which he declined, unless permitted to remain with the northwestern army, which he had entered to share in the eflort of the Ken tucky militia to wipe out the disgrace of null s surrender by the recapture of De troit. His proposition was assentetl to. anu ne received an ensign's appointment in the 17th infantry, then a part of the northwestern army, under the command ofGerr: W inchester. After entlurinsr everv privation in a winter encampment, in the wildernesses and frozen marshes of the lake country, awaiting in vain the expect ed support of additional forces, the Ken tucky volunteers, led by Lewis, Allen, and Madison, with Well's resiment. f!7th U. S.,) advanced to encounter the force of British, and Indians which defended De troit. On leaving Kentucky, the volun teers had pledged themselves to drive the British invaders from our soil- These men and their leaders were held in such estima tion at home, that the expectation fnrmpil ot them exceeded their promises, and these volunteers, though disappointed in every 1 VOX. 9 WTO, 407. Oneuouare of tn-inivwma ; lines or less, for one inser ' tion, 60 cents ; every sub- ''tucnl "iscruon, jocent except it remain in for sev eral months, when it-vvili, be charged 3 for two months, $4 for three, &c. 10 ior twelve months. - Qt" Liberal deduction. ,lbr large advertisements jby the year or six months. the British and Indians, another actof self- devotion was tierformedby Butler. Af ter the route and massacre of th wing, belonging to Wells's command, the wnoie force ol the lSritisn and Indians was concentrated arainst the small bodv of troops under Major Madison, that main tamed their ground within the picketed gardens. A double barn, commanding the platot ground on which the Kentuckians stood, was approached on one side by the Ind tans, under the cover ot an orchard ?-nd fence; the British, on the other side, being so posted as to command the space between it and the pickets. A party in the rear of the barn were discovered advanc ing to take possession of it. All saw the fatal consequences of the secure lodsrment of the enemv at a place which would pre sent every man within the pickets at close rifle-shot to the aim of their marksmen. Major Madison inquired if there was no one who would volunteer to run the gaun tlet of the fire of the British and Indian lines, and put a torch to the combustibles within the barn, to save the remnant of the little army from sacrifice. Bulter. with out a moment's delay took some b sticks from a fire at hand, leaped the pick- a eis, and, running at his utmost speed. thrust the fire, into the straw within the 1 V . oarn. une who was an anxious spectator ot tne event we narrate, savs, that al though volley upon vollev was firoil at him. mi - And spring, with hr u.-, Miall come, and summer's mantling flowers : And each succeed inR winter throw On thy red breast new robes of snow Yet I will wear thee in my heart, ' All dark and gory as thou art. Butl er, after making some steps on his General William O. Butler, and Edward, the youngest son, were born in Pennsyl- succor which they had reason to anticipate 1..LI. il x II ,i i - . warm rig: in provisions ciotnes cannon, FF.VF.lt AM) AtiCK CURED WITHOUT FAIL. SHAW'S PILLS Are an 5f;illiMe rt'inoily for Una disease. I'all and piir cliase a box of th-! I'ilU. if you are trowbleti -with Fever nl A(tuc. He deems it unnecessary t any of the numerom testinmnT lie mscs a r-)jards the etticacy of In Tills, but would reiniest the public to uive them a trial If thev do not cure, tlio money will be refunded, provided .irtv.irtns nrp followed. 'For stale ot the NEW IitU STOUF., under Lafayette Hotel, Hay street. Price, "d cents per box. with full directions. March 2". lal. f,m- vama. It is remarkable that all these men, and all their immediate male descen dants, with a single exception, were engag ed in the military service of this country. Of these five brothers, four had sons all of whom, with one exception, were en gaged in the military or naval service of the country during the last war. 1st. General Richard Butler's son Wil liam died a lieutenant in the navy, early in the last war. His son, Capt. James But ler, was at the head of the Pittsburg Blues, pains of" the northwest, ami was particu larly distinguished in the battle ot Missis- sinnawa. 2d. Colonel William Butler, also of the revolutionary army, had two sons; one died in the navy, the other a subaltern in Way tie's army. 'WILD CIIEKRV AND SARSAPAKILLA 1MLLN. Pit-. t.K ItOV. a Licentiate of the lloyal CollfBC of Fhy ician in London, having u.-ed iu his ri ate practice, for a number of year, the WIL.Ii t llKKUV AND SAUSAI'AUILLA. t I. i). -Hi made an extract of them, which with other Tec- etableo. he has comhiiied in one of the best Tills ever made known to t he F.uropeau omniiniit y. and which met the attention ot the Ainerieaii people. They are the most efficacious purgative and tonic jet discovered. " Til K WILO t'-H KRIS. V" in an excellent tonic. noscssinir awtrinaent u4 aromatic properties, whieh mukc it raluable in Vyrpepnut. Jaundice Weakness of the Stomach and chest. THE S A US A T A It 1 1. L A ... . Tl 1. ... is demulcent, ditiretic and sootnins:. ana is civen in imcu- ni .ti-m Srrofol.-i. Diseases of the Skin, and to eradicate the bad effects of Mercury. In the operations of ail other purgative medicines debilitation and purification go hand i.tn.1 - ih..v r..imiri. tln l'ihhI. as well as the ba4 : thus uat...i.i.' t.i, Mvstem. which they wexe nly reu wired to cleanup. nd taakiiip the cure Reae'ally lost a teul. aiul frequently mueli worse than the disease. Dr. Le Koy g I'ilU. on the contrary, strengthen and tone the system which thev purvre and purify. And this is their peculiar attribute, and the principal cause of their uariTalled popu l.ritv P s The Tirtues of the Sarsaparilla and Wild Ctierry are too well known to medical men and the community to require further detail. r- Trice 25 cents per box. . For sale by S. J. Hinsdale agent. April S-ly. Best Philadelphia and French Calf Skins. Doot Morocco, Fancy and Pink Linings JaVO. il. UOsL. April 15, 184S. - 47S-tf BLANK CHECKS Constantly on hand and fcr tale at BALL'S BOOKSTORE FINE BLOODED STOCK. THE subscriber has some superior North. DeTon Bull Calves, one year old. an4 tit for service next winter, wn,cn lie will sell at $4t) each. .They are of superior formsand the choicest pedigrees. Three or four farmers by uniting in the purchase can furnish themselves with this excellent Etoek (the only highly improved species adapted to our climate) at yer cheap rate. r HOLT. LEXINGTON. Pawnee. 1848. " 486-tf. Tfrajt beautiful residence on Haymount, for merly belonging to C. P. Mallett. Esq., near h feidnoe of Mr Hale, is offered for sale. It has stable and, ontrbpu-e- of all kind ; and everything in complete order Tbia terid.no. i so wellknown and in so commanding a site, overlooking f JTJj" ther particulars w unnecessary. JLaqmre at tn Caroli- nian Office. 486-tf." ' June 10.1848. He was in the battle with the Indians in 1794. 3tl. Lieut. Col. Thomas Bulter, of the oltl stock, had three sons, theeldest a judge. The second. Col. Robert Ituiler, was at the head of Gen Jackson's staft'through out the last war. The third, William E. Putler, also served in the army of Gen. Jackson. 4th. Percival liutler, captain in the revo lutionary war, and adjutant general of Ken tucky during the last war, had four sons : tirst,"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 assis tant adjutant general in the campaigns of the war of 1812- Percival Butler, the youngest son, now a distinguished lawyer, was not of an age to bear arms in the last war. Of the second generation of the Butlers, there are nine certainly, and pro bably more, in the present war. This glance at the family shows the character of the race. An anecdote, de rived from a letter of an old Pennsylvania friend of the parents, who transplanted it from Ireland, shows that its military in stinct was an inheritance. While the five sons," says the letter, 44 were ab sent from home in the service of the coun try, the old lather took it in, his head to go also. The neighbors collected to remon strate against it; but his wife said, 4l.et him o-o! I can get along without him, and raise something to feed the army in the bargain; and the country w ants every man who can shoulder a musket.' It was doubtless this extraordinary zeal of the Butler family which induced Gen. Washington to give the toast 44 The Butlers, and their live sons," at his own table, whilst surrounded by a large party of officers. This anecdote rests on the authority of the late Gen Find lay, of Cincinnati. A similar tribute of respect was paid to this devoted house of soldiers by Gen. Lafayette,-in a letter now extant, and in the possession of a lady con nected with it by marriage. Lafayette savs, 44 When I wanted a thing well done, I ordered a Butler to do it." From this retrospect, it will be seen that, in all the wars of the country in the re volutionary war, in the Indian 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. Maj. Gen. William O. But ler is now among the highest in the military service of his country; and he has attained this prade from the ranks the position of a private being the only one he ever sought. a t the nneninsr of the war of 1 8 1 2, he had iust craduated in the Transylvania Univer- sity, and was looKing w fession. The surrender of Detroit, & ol our army by Hull, aroused the patriotism and the valor of Kentucky; and young Butler, vt in hia mmnritv. was amonc the nrsr. to volunteer, lie gave up nis owauu mm; fe in every thing resolved, rather than lose reputation, to press on to the enterprise, & endeavor to draw on after them, by enter ing into action, the troops behind It is not proper here to enter into explanations of the cause of the disaster at the river Raisin, the consequence of this movement, nor to give the particulars ot the battle. The incidents which signalized the char acter of the subject of this memoir alone are proper here. . m . . . ucsai me river ivai- sin one on the 18th, the other on the 22d of January. In the first, the whole body of Indian warriors, drawn together from all the lake tribes, for the defence of Up per Canada against the approaching Ken- m - a tuckians, were encountered. In moving to the attack of this lormidable torce ot the fiercest, and bravest, and most expert warriors, on the continent, a strong party of them were described from the line with which lL.nsiirn rsutler advanced, running forward to reach a fence, as a cover from which to ply their rifles. Butler instant ly proposed, and was permitted, to antici pate them. Calling upon some ot the most alert and active men of the company, he ran directly to meet the Indians at the fence. He and his comrades outstripped the enemy; and, getting possession of the fence, kept the advantage of the position lor their advancing mends. 1 his incident, of however little importance as to results, is worth remembrance in "ivins the traits of a young soldier's character. It is said that the hardest veteran, at the opening of the lire in battle feels, for the moment, somewhat appalled; and Gen. Wolfe, one or the bravest ot men, declared that the 4horrid yell of the Indian strikes the bold est heart with affright." The - stripling student, who, lor the first time, beheld a field of battle on the snow of the river Raisin, presenting in bold relief long files of those terrible enemies, whose massacres had filled his native State with tales of horror, must have felt some stirring sensa tions. But the crack of the Indian rifie, and his savage yell, awoke the chivalric instincts of his nature, and the promptitude with which he communicated his enthu siasm to a few comrades around, and rush ed forward to meet danger in its most ap palling form, risking himselfto save others, and to secure a triumph which he could scarcely hope to share, gave earnest of the military talent, the self-sacnficingcourage, and the soldierly sympathies which have drawn to him the nation's esteem. The close of the battle of the 18th gave another instance in which these latter traits of Gen. Butler's character were still more strongly illustrated. Thelndians, driven from the defences around the town on the river Raisin, retired fightinginto the thick woods beyond it.. The contest of sharp-shooting from there was here continued the Ken tuckians pressing forward, and the Indians retreating until night closed in when the Kentuckians were recalled to the encamp ment in the village. The Indians advanced as their opposers withdrew, and kept upthe fire until the Kentuckians emerged from the woods into the open ground. Just as the column to which Ensign Butler belong ed reached the verge of the dark forest, the voice of a wounded man, who had been left some distance behind, was heard call ing out most piteously for help. Butler induced three of his company - to go back in the woods with him, to bring him off. He was found, and they fought their way back one of the men, Jeremiah Walker, receiving a shot, of which he subsequently died. ' In the second sanguinary battle of the river Raisin, n the 224 of January, with way back, turned to see If the fire had tak en, and, not being satisfied, returned to the barn, and set it in ablaze. As the conflagration grew, the enemv was seeti rp realm frum iht ro r nF tliA kiiil.rl.ri.rw . av.ua va till UUIIUlll"a which they had entered at one end as the flame ascended in the other. Soon after reaching the pickets in safety amid the shouts ol his lriend, he was struck by a oau in ins breast. 15elieving, - trom the pain he felt, that it had penetrated his cnesi, turning to Adiutant now Generah McCalla, one of his Lexington comrades. anu pressing his hand to the spot, he said, "i iear tins snot is mortal, but while I am aoie to move, I will do my duty." To the anxious inquiries of this friend, who met nun soon atterward again, he opened his vest, with a smile, and showed him that the ball had spent itself on the thick wadd ing of his coat and on hisjprea.stfeftiip-. H The little band within the pickets, which Winchester had surrendered, after being carrieu nimseu a prisoner into lroctor7s camp, denied Ins powers I hey continued to hold the enemy at bay until thev were enabled to capitulate on honorable terms, which, nevertheless, Proctor shamefully vioiaieti, uy leaving ine sick and wounded who were unable to walk to the tomahawk of his allies. Butler, who was among the few of the wounded who escaped the mas sacre, was marched through Canada to Fort Niagara suffering under his wound, and every privation oppressed with grief, hunger, fatigue, and the inclement cold of that desolate region. Even here he for got himself, and his mind wandered back to the last night scene which he surveyed on the bloody shores of the river Raisin, lie gave up the heroic part, and, became the school-boy again, and commemorated his sorrow for his lost friends in verse, like some passionate, heartbroken lover. These elegiac strains were never intended for any but the eye of mutual friends, whose sympathies, like his own, poured out tears with their plaints over the dead. We give some of these lines of his boyhood, to show that the heroic youth had a bosom not less kind than brave. THE FIETJJ OF RAISIN. The battle's o'er! the din is past, Night's mantle on the field is cast; The Indian yell is heard no more, And silence broods o'er Erie's shore. At this lone hour I go to tread The field where valor vainly bled To raise the wounded warrior's crest, Or warm with tears his icy breast ; To treasure up his last command, And bear it to his native land. It may one pulse of joy impart To a fond mother's bleeding heart ; Or for a moment it may dry The tear-drop in the widow's eye. Vain hope, away ! The widow ne'er Her warrior's dying wish shall hear. The passing zephyr bears no sigh, No wounded warrior meets the eye - Death is his sleep by Erie's wave, Of Raisin's snow we heap his grave ! Hi v many hopes lie murdered here The mother's joy, the father's pride, The country's bast, the foeman's fearr In wilder'd havoc, side by side. Lend me, thou silent queen of night, Letd me awhile thy waning light, That I may see each well loved form, That sunk beneath the morning storm. Ttese lines are introductory to what may be considered a succession of epitaphs on the ersonal friends whose bodies he found upon the field. It would extentl the ex trac. too far to insert. We can only add the tlose of the poem, where he takes ltave of agroup of his young comrades in Hart's comjany, who bad lallen together: And here I see that youthful band, Thit loved to move at Hart's command ; saw them for the battle dressed, And still where danger thickest pressed. I marked their crimson plumage wave. How many fill this bloody grave ! Their pillow and their winding-shet The virgin snow-a shroud most meet But wherefore do I linger here: f Why drop the unavailing tear? Vheree I turn, some youthful form Like floweret broken by the storm, Appeals to me in sad array, nd bids me yet a. moment stay, TiU I could fondly lay me down Vnd sleep with him on the cold grouod- , ? For thee, thou dread and solemp plajn, . 1 ne'er shaU look on thee again Shortly after his return from Canada ensign nuuer was promoted to a captaincy in the regiment to which he belonged. But as this promotion was irregular, be made over the heads ot senior officers in that regiment, a captaincy was given him in me h-jui, a newly raised regiment. When freed from parole, by exchange, in 1814, lie instantly entered on active dutv with a company which he had recruited at Nashville, Term. His regiment was or dered to join Gen. Jackson in the south; but Capt. Butler finding its movements too tardy, pushed on, and effected that junc tion with his company alone. Gen. Call, at that time an officer in Capt. Butler's company, (since governor of Florida,) in a letter addressed -to Mr Tanner, of Ken tucky, presents, as an eve witness, so graphically the share which Capt. Butler nan in tne campaign, that it may well su persede any narrative at second hand. Tallahassee, April 3, ISM. Sir: I avail myself of the earliest leisure I have had since the receipt of your letter of the ISth Feb'y, to give you a reply. A difference of political sentiments will not induce me to withhold the narrative you have requested, of the military services of Col. Win. O. Butler, during the late war with tireat Britain, while attached to the army of the south. My intimate association with him, in camp, on the march, and in the field, has perhaps made me as well acquainted with his merits, as a gentleman and a soldier, as any other man living. And al though we are now standing in opposite ranks, 1 cannot forget the days and nights we have stood side by side facing the common enemv of our country, sharing the same fatigues, dangers, and privations, and participating in the same plea sures and enioyments. The leelinsrs and sympa thies springing from such associations in the flays of our youth can never be removed or impaired by a difference of opinion with regard to men or measures, when each may well believe the other equally sincere as himself, and where the most ardent desire of both is to sustain the honor, the happiness, and prosperity of our country. Soon after my appointment in the arrnv of the United States as a lieutenant, in the fall of 181-1. I was ordered to join the company of Cant. But- - ..i - . .. . - ' . ler, oi me in regiment ol mtantrv. then at Nashville, Tenn. When I arrived and reported myseit, l iouna ine company under orders to loin our regiment in the south. The march mostly through an unsettled wilderness was conducted I'H. V Jlccfjoy roWid ouu rapiu moveiiitrins. . i arrived at Fort Montgomery, the headquarters ol Gen. Jackson, a short distance above the t londa line, just in time to follow our beloved general in his bold enterprise to drive the enemy from his strong position in a neutral territory. The vanguard of the army destined for the invasion of Louisiana had made Pensacola its headquarters. and the British navy in the Gulf of Mexico had rendezvoused in that beautiful bay. The penetrating sagacity of Gen. Jackson dis covered the advantage of the position assumed by the British forces; and, with a decision and en ergy whicli never faltered, he resolved to find his enemy, even under the flg of a neutral pow er. 1 Ins was done oy a prompt and rapid march, surprising and cutting off all the advanced pick ets, until we arrived within gunshot of the fort at Pensacola. The army of Gen Jackson was then so inconsiderable as to render a reinforce ment of a single company, commanded by such an officer as Capt. Butler, an important acquisi tion. And although there were several com panies of regular troops ordered to march from Tennessee at the same tune. Capt. Butler s, by his extraordinary energy and promptitude, was the only ine which arrived in time to join the expedition. His company formed a part of the centre column of attack at Pens.icola. I he street we entered was defended by a battery in front, which fired on us incessantly, while several strong block-houses, on our flanks, discharged upon us small arms and artillery. But a gallant and rapid charge soon carried the guns in front, and the town immediately surrendered In this tin lit, Capt. Jiutier led on ins company with his usual intrepidity, lie nau one oinccr, Lieut. Flournov, severely wounded, and sevfml non-commissioned officers and privates killed and wounded. From Pensacola, after the object of the expedi tion was completed, by another prompt and rapid movement we arrived at New Orleans a few weeks before the appearance f the enemy. On the 23d December, the signal-gun announc ed the approach of the enemv. The previous niirht they had surprised and captured one of our pickets; had ascended a bayou, disembarked, and had taken possession of the left bank of the Mis- sissippi, witnin six miles oi isew crieans. x energy ol every omcer was put in requisui"", l" concentrate our forces in time to meet the enemy, Capt. Butler was one of the first to arrive at the General's quarters, and ask instructions ; they were received and promptly executed. Our regiment, stationed on the opposite side, was transported across th river. All the available forces of our arm', not much exceeding fifteen hundred men, were concentrated in the city, and while the sun went down, the line of battle was formed, and every officer took the station assign ed him in the fight. The infantry formed on the open square, in front of the cathedral, waiting in anxious expectation' for the order to move. Dur ing this momentary pause, while the enemy was expected to enter the city, a scene of deep and thrilling interest was presented. Every gallery, porch, and window around the square were tilled II .1 111 n n '- - . ! 1 . . - "".".it jcgdiu ii uiim me anion was over. In this manner, for a short time, the regiment was without a commander, and its movements were regulated by the platoon officers, which in creased the confusion and irregularity of tha ad vance. In this critical situation, and in the heat1 of the battle, Capt. Butler, as the senior officer present, assumed command of the regiment,, and. ".w ii. on most gallantly to repeated and succass ful charges, until the tight ended in the complete rout of the enemy. We were still pressing on their rear, 'vhen an officer of the general's staff" rode up and ordered the pursuit discontinued! Capt. Butler urged its continuance, and express ed the confident belief of his ability to take many prisoners, if permitted to advance. But the or der ws promptly repeated, under the wellr founded apprehension that our troops might, come in collision with each other an event which had unhappily occurred at a previous hour of the tight. No corps on that field was more bravely led to the battle than the regiment commanded by Capt, Butler ; and no officer of any rank, save, the commander-in-chief, was entitled to higher credit for the achievement of that glorious nig.ht. A short time before the battle of the 8th o& January, Capt. Butler was detailed to command" the guard in front of the encampment. A house standing near the bridge, in advance of his posi tion, had been taken possession ofbv the liirha troops of the enemv, from whence they annoved our guard. Capt. Butler determined to dislpdg them and burn the ht.use. He uccordiiurll march ed to the -attack at the head of his command, but tne enemy retired before him. Seeing them re treat, he halted his guard, and advanced himself., accompanied by two or three men onlv, for the purpose of burning the house. It was an old frame building, weather-boarded, without, ceil ing or plaster in" the inside, wilhasiiiole lnnr opening to the British camp. On enteriog the house, he found a soldier of the enemy conceal- in one corner, whom he captured. and sent to the rear with his men, remaining alone in the house. While he was in the act of" kindling a lire, a de tachment of the enemy, unpercei ved, occupied the only door. The first impulse was to' force, with his single arm, a passage through them ; but he was instantly seized in a vicient- tnanuar fcy two or three stout fellows, who pushed him badfc against the wall with fuch force as to burst oft' thejweat her-boarding from the wall, and he fell through the opening thus made. In an instant he recovered himself, and, under a heavy fire from the enemy, he retreated until supported by the guard, which he immediateJyxle4.on to the attack drove the British light troops from their otrong position, and burnt the house in the presence of the two armies. I witnessed on that field many, deeds of daring courage, but none of. which more excited ly ad miration than this. Capt. Butler was soon after ili, tile bat tie of the 8th of January, where he sustained his prvious ly high and well earned, reputation for bravery and usefulness. But that-battle, which, from its important results, has ecliused those which d- ceded it, was but a slaughter of the enemy, with trivial loss on our part, and presenting few in- Liipi. IM'lCl ltwl.ru m vlvraiVIOlllPtll llldjr lor his gallant services during thai eventli.l cam paign, and the r,e-ard ol merit was never more worthily bestowed. Soon after the close ot the war, he was appointed aid-de-camp to Gen. Jack son, in which station lie remained until he retire) frum the annv. Since thatpe,riod I haveseldem had the pleasure of meeting with my valued friend and companion ir-rms, and I know but little of s career in civil life. But in camp, his elevat ed principles, hi-; intelligence and generous feel ings, won lor him the respect and confidence of all who knew him ; and where he is best known. I will venture to say he is st.ll most highly ap preciated for every attribute which constitute the gentleman and. the soldier. J am, sir, verv respectfully, K. K. CALL. Mr WilijAm Tanner. Gen. Jackson's sense of the services, of Butler in this memorable campaign, was strongly expressed in the following letter o a inemoer ot the Kentucky legislature: Hkrmitace, Feb. 20, 1S4 L M.v Dear Sir : You ask me to give y.ot:ro.y opin ion of the military services of the then Capt. (now Colonel ) Wm. O. Butler, of Kentucky, during the investment of. New Orleans by the British forces in lM.l.and 1S15. I wisb I haXs8"eient strength to speak fully of the merit and the services of Col. Butler on that occasion; thisstrcngth I have not. Suffice it to say, that on all occasion he display ed that heroic chivalrylanalmness of judgment in tne iisui.U of danger, which distinguish the valuable officer in the hour of battle. In a con spicuous manner were those noble qualities dis played by him on the nightof, the 23d December, J1 I, anil on the StJi of January, 1S15, as well as at all times diiring the presence of the British army at Nw Orleans. In siiorts he was to be found at all points where duty called. I hazard nothing in saying, that should our country again be engaged in war dng the active age of Col. Butler, he would be one of the very best selec tions that could be made to command our army, and lead the eagles of oun oountry on, to victory ami raio .v.n. He has sufficient energy to assume all responsibility necessary to success, and for his couutrv's good. ANDREW JACKSON. General JacksB gave earlier? proof of the high estimation in which he held theyoun soldier who had identified hiinsell w ith his own lory at New Orleans. He made him his aid de camp in 181G, which station lie retained on the peace establishment, with the rank of colonel. But, like his illustri ous patron, he soon felt that miliary sta tion and distinction had no charms for him w hen unattended w ith the dangofts duties, and natiolic achievement of war. He re signed, therefore, evoathe association with with the fair forms of beauty, in silent anxiety i : veteran chiefi. of which he was so.trMJft. and Uarm waving their handkerchiefs to the r gjl- retire i j 81r ta rivate life. H re- lani ana aevoieu oanu wiiitn skiw utj.c ... , prepared to die, or defend them from the rude intrusion of a foreign soldiery. It was a scene calculated to awaken emotions never to be for gotten. It appealed to the chivalry and patriot ism of every officer and soldier it inspired ev erv heart, and nerved every arm for battle. From this impressive scene the army marched to meet the enemv, and about 3 o'clock at night they were surprised" in their encampaaent, immediately on the banks of the Mississippi. Undiscovered, our line was formed in silence within a short distance of the enemy ; a rapid charge was made into their camp, and a desperate conflict ensued. After a determined resistance, the enemy gave way, but disputing every inch of ground we gained. In advancing over ditches and fences in the night, rendered stilt more dark by the smoke of the battle, much confusion necessarily ensued, and many officers became separated from their commands. It more than once occurred during the fight, that some of ogr officers, through mistake, entered the enemy's lines ; and the British officers. in like manner entered ours The meritorious office in command -of ourrw ment, at the commencement of the battle, loat his position in the darkness and confusion, and private sumed his study of the profession tiiat was interrupted by the war, married, aut) set tled, down on his patrimonial possession at the confluence of the Kentucky aid Ohia rivers, in the noi&elvss but arduoas voca tions of civil life. The abode which he had chosen made it peculiarly, so him; The region around him was wild and roman tic, sparsely settled, and by pastoral peo ple. There are no populous, tuwas. The hi. h. ml line-, and vet rich the pre cipitous cliffs of the Kentucky, of Eagle, Severn, and other inoaumcs which pour into it neac the mouth, make this section of the State still, to some extent, a .wilder ness of thicket of the tangled pea-vine, " the grape vina, a lid Bvt-bearing trees, which rendered al Kentucky, until tke in trusion of the whites, one great Indian park. The whole luxuriant domain was preserved by the Indians as a pasture for buffalo, deer,
The North Carolinian (Wilson, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
June 17, 1848, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75