William Butler (colonel)
Encyclopedia
Colonel William Butler was a Pennsylvania
officer during the American Revolutionary War
, known for his leadership in the Battle of Monmouth
, the burning of the Indian villages at Unadilla
and Oquaga, and in the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition
.
Butler's exact year of birth is unknown, but he was probably born in the mid 1740s. His family emigrated from Ireland sometime before 1760 and settled in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
. In the late 1760s he worked as a frontier fur trade
r near Pittsburgh
with his brother Richard
.
He was commissioned a lieutenant colonel
in the Continental Army
upon the formation of the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment
on October 25, 1776.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
officer during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, known for his leadership in the Battle of Monmouth
Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth was an American Revolutionary War battle fought on June 28, 1778 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court...
, the burning of the Indian villages at Unadilla
Unadilla (village), New York
Unadilla is a village located in the Town of Unadilla in Otsego County, New York, USA. The population was 1,127 at the 2000 census.The Village of Unadilla is located in the south part of the town, southwest of Oneonta...
and Oquaga, and in the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition
Sullivan Expedition
The Sullivan Expedition, also known as the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition, was an American campaign led by Major General John Sullivan and Brigadier General James Clinton against Loyalists and the four nations of the Iroquois who had sided with the British in the American Revolutionary War.The...
.
Butler's exact year of birth is unknown, but he was probably born in the mid 1740s. His family emigrated from Ireland sometime before 1760 and settled in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 235,406.-History:...
. In the late 1760s he worked as a frontier fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
r near Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
with his brother Richard
Richard Butler (general)
Richard Butler was an officer in the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, who later died fighting American Indians in Ohio.-Early life:...
.
He was commissioned a lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
upon the formation of the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment
4th Pennsylvania Regiment
The 4th Pennsylvania Regiment was raised December 9, 1775 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action during the Canadian Campaign of 1775-76 , Garrison Duty at Ticonderoga 1776-77, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth...
on October 25, 1776.
Family
Butler was the second of five brothers who served as officers in the American Revolution. The two oldest brothers were born in Ireland. The brothers were, from oldest to youngest:- RichardRichard Butler (general)Richard Butler was an officer in the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, who later died fighting American Indians in Ohio.-Early life:...
(1743–1791), killed in the Northwest Indian WarNorthwest Indian WarThe Northwest Indian War , also known as Little Turtle's War and by various other names, was a war fought between the United States and a confederation of numerous American Indian tribes for control of the Northwest Territory... - William, the subject of this article
- Thomas (1754–1805), 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment2nd Pennsylvania RegimentThe 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, also known as The 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, was raised, October 12, 1775, under the command of Colonel John Bull for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action during the Battles of Brooklyn, Valcour Island, Trenton, the Brandywine, Germantown,...
, severely wounded in the Northwest Indian WarNorthwest Indian WarThe Northwest Indian War , also known as Little Turtle's War and by various other names, was a war fought between the United States and a confederation of numerous American Indian tribes for control of the Northwest Territory... - Percival (1760–1821), captain in the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment2nd Pennsylvania RegimentThe 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, also known as The 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, was raised, October 12, 1775, under the command of Colonel John Bull for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action during the Battles of Brooklyn, Valcour Island, Trenton, the Brandywine, Germantown,...
, an adjutant general of Kentucky in the War of 1812War of 1812The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant... - Edward (1763–1803), 9th Pennsylvania Regiment9th Pennsylvania RegimentThe 9th Pennsylvania Regiment was authorized 16 September 1776 and was assigned to the main Continental Army on 27 December 1776. It was organized during the spring of 1777 to consite of eight companies of volunteers from Westmoreland, Lancaster, Chester, Philadelphia and Cumberland counties of the...
and the Northwest Indian WarNorthwest Indian WarThe Northwest Indian War , also known as Little Turtle's War and by various other names, was a war fought between the United States and a confederation of numerous American Indian tribes for control of the Northwest Territory...