Daniel Butterfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Adams Butterfield
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Daniel Butterfield
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| Born | October 31, 1831 Utica, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 17, 1901 (aged 69) Cold Spring, New York, U.S. |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States (Union) |
| Service/ |
U.S. Army (Union Army) |
| Years of service | 1861–1870 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Unit | 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps |
| Commands held | V Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Other work | Composer of "Taps" Assistant U.S. Treasurer |
Daniel Adams Butterfield (born October 31, 1831 – died July 17, 1901) was an important figure in American history. He was a successful businessman from New York. During the American Civil War, he became a Union general. After the war, he served as Assistant Treasurer of the United States.
Butterfield is most famous for his role in creating the bugle call known as Taps. This special tune is now played at military funerals and to signal "lights out." He was wounded during the Civil War and later received the Medal of Honor for his bravery. After his military service, he returned to business.
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Early Life and Career
Daniel Butterfield was born on October 31, 1831, in Utica, New York. He went to Union Academy and then graduated from Union College in 1849. His father, John Warren Butterfield, helped start the American Express Company.
After college, Daniel studied law. He also worked in various businesses, including his father's American Express Company. He gained experience in different parts of the country.
Civil War Service
When the Civil War began, Daniel Butterfield quickly joined the Union Army. He started as a captain in the New York militia. Soon, he became a colonel in the 12th New York Volunteer Infantry.
He was promoted to brigadier general and then major general. He commanded a division in the V Corps. Butterfield fought in many major battles, including the Peninsula Campaign. At the Battle of Gaines' Mill in June 1862, he was wounded. However, he showed great courage, which later earned him the Medal of Honor.
Butterfield continued to lead his troops at the Second Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Antietam. He then commanded the V Corps at the Battle of Fredericksburg. After this battle, he became chief of staff for General Joseph Hooker.
As chief of staff, Butterfield helped improve the army's morale. He worked to provide better food, shelter, and medical care for the soldiers. He also introduced a new idea that is still used today: distinctive patches for soldiers' hats or shoulders. These patches helped identify which unit a soldier belonged to. Butterfield designed most of these patches himself.
Before the Battle of Gettysburg, General George G. Meade took command of the army. Butterfield remained as chief of staff. He was wounded at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. After recovering, he served again as chief of staff for General Hooker. He then led a division in General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. Due to illness, he later took on lighter duties.
The Story of Taps
While the Union Army was resting after the Seven Days Battles, General Butterfield worked on a new bugle call. He is given credit for creating "Taps." He wanted a special tune to replace the old custom of firing three rifle shots at military burials. "Taps" also replaced an older call used to signal "lights out" at night.
Butterfield's bugler, Oliver W. Norton, was the first to play the new call. Within a few months, "Taps" was being played by buglers in both the Union and Confederate armies. Some historians believe Butterfield revised an older call rather than composing a completely new one.
Medal of Honor Award
The Medal of Honor is the highest military award for bravery. Daniel Butterfield received this award on September 26, 1892.
His award was for his actions at Gaines Mill, Virginia, on June 27, 1862.
Citation: "Seized the colors of the 83d Pennsylvania Volunteers at a critical moment and, under a galling fire of the enemy, encouraged the depleted ranks to renewed exertion." This means he bravely grabbed his unit's flag during heavy fighting and inspired his tired soldiers to keep fighting.
Life After the Civil War
After the war, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Butterfield as Assistant Treasurer of the United States. During this time, he was involved in a plan by some businessmen to control the price of gold. When the government found out, they sold a lot of gold, causing prices to drop quickly. This event is known as Black Friday. Butterfield resigned from his position in October 1869.
He then returned to his business career, including an executive role at American Express. He was also active in his college's alumni association and several groups for Civil War veterans.
In 1886, Daniel Butterfield married Julia Lorrilard Safford James. They built a summer home called Craigside in Cold Spring, New York. Daniel Butterfield passed away there on July 17, 1901. He was buried at the West Point Cemetery, and "Taps" was played at his funeral.
Legacy and Collections
The Butterfield Paramedic Institute in Cold Spring, New York, is named after him. The Julia L Butterfield Memorial Library in Cold Spring is named after his wife.
The General Daniel Butterfield Civil War Collection
The Julia L Butterfield Memorial Library holds a special collection of Daniel Butterfield's war papers. His widow gave these items to the library in 1927. The collection includes letters from Union generals and telegrams from important figures like Secretary of War Stanton and General Sherman. It also has a battle map of Gettysburg and handwritten lists of casualties.
Experts say this collection is very important for understanding the American Civil War. It contains original documents that are incredibly valuable to historians.
Butterfield has also been featured in books and movies. He is a character in the novel The Killer Angels and was mentioned in the movie Glory. There is also a statue of him in Sakura Park in Manhattan.
Cragside Estate
"Cragside" was the name of the Butterfield family's beautiful summer home. It was built from rocks found on the property. The estate had lovely gardens. Some of the old stables from Cragside are still standing today and are used by the local school district. The main house was destroyed by fire in the late 1970s. The land was later sold, and a high school was built on the property, opening in 2005.
See also
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)
