Edmond Butler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edmond Butler
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Edmond Butler
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| Born | 1827 Ireland |
| Died | August 21, 1895 (aged 67–68) Trouville, Normandy, France |
| Place of burial |
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1891 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 5th U.S. Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Indian Wars |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor |
Edmond Butler (born March 19 or September 19, 1827 – died August 21, 1895) was an officer in the United States Army. He served during the American Civil War with the Union Army. After the war, he became known for his role in conflicts with Native American tribes in the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Southwestern United States. In 1894, he received the Medal of Honor. This award was for his bravery against the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes at the Battle of Wolf Mountain.
Contents
Edmond Butler's Life and Military Career
Joining the Army
Edmond Butler was born in Ireland. As a young man, he moved to the United States. Soon after arriving in Brooklyn, New York, he joined the United States Army. In October 1861, he became a second lieutenant. He was assigned to the 5th U.S. Infantry. He also helped inspect volunteer army groups in Kansas and Missouri.
Service in the Southwest
In 1862, Butler was sent to the New Mexico Territory. He helped rebuild Fort Bliss after the Union Army took it back. He was promoted to captain in 1864. Later, he moved to Fort Wingate, New Mexico. In 1865, he led a mission against the Navajo people in Canyon de Chelly.
During this mission, he stopped a Navajo group. He recovered many sheep and other animals taken from the nearby Apache people. His group traveled 720 miles in 22 days. They captured 27 Navajos and killed 31. Butler also helped move 3,000 Navajo people. They were relocated to the Fort Sumner Reservation by the Pecos River.
Conflicts on the Plains
In 1866, Butler moved to Kansas. He spent two years there. In December 1868, he was sent to the Beecher Island battle site. His job was to collect the bodies of soldiers killed there. Even with many Sioux warriors nearby, Butler successfully removed the bodies. He did this while under fire from the main Sioux group.
In 1869, Butler guarded the stagecoach route between Fort Wallace and Denver. He also volunteered for a mission against the Pawnee people.
Red River and Black Hills Campaigns
Butler returned to Kansas in October 1871. He worked to control groups causing land disputes in the southeast. Three years later, he served with Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles. This was during the Red River campaign. He also took part in the Black Hills War. In this war, he led six companies to chase Sitting Bull. Sitting Bull and Gall escaped to Canada. However, Butler helped capture eight other Sioux leaders. They also captured about 700 lodges (homes).
Medal of Honor and Retirement
On January 8, 1877, Butler fought against the Sioux at Wolf Mountain. He led Company C during this battle. He was praised for his bravery. He led his group against many more enemy Native Americans who were strongly dug in. For his actions, he was promoted to major and received the Medal of Honor.
Later in 1877, he escorted Chief Joseph and other Nez Perce people. He took them to Fort Buford between October and November. In the early 1880s, he was stationed at Fort Snelling, Minnesota and Fort Keogh, Montana. He guarded construction workers building the Northern Pacific Railroad.
Edmond Butler held many different positions. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on March 9, 1891. This was the day he retired from the army. He died in Trouville, France, three years later. His body was brought back to the United States. He was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.
See also
