Speech of W. O. Butler, of Kentucky: In Committee of the Whole, in Reply to Mr. Biddle and Mr. Hunt, Upon the Appropriation for Suppressing Hostilitie
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Speech of W. O. Butler, of Kentucky, in Committee of the whole: in reply to Mr. Biddle and Mr. Hunt upon the appropiation for suppresssing hostilities ... the House of representatives, June 11, 1840
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William Orlando Butler was an American soldier, lawyer, congressman, and vice-presidential candidate. He is remembered for his service as a Democratic congressman from Kentucky from 1839 to 1843.
Background
William Orlando Butler was born on April 19, 1791 and was of Irish descent, the second of four brothers, all destined to become men of note, and a son of Percival Butler, who with three brothers played a prominent part in the Revolution and won the attention of Washington and Lafayette.
Percival Butler moved to Kentucky in 1784, and marrying Mildred Hawkins, a sister-in-law of Col. John Todd, a victim of the battle of the Blue Licks, settled in Jessamine County, where William O. Butler was born.
Education
In 1796 William Butler removed to the mouth of the Kentucky River and established there the famous Butler estate. William O. Butler attended Transylvania University where he graduated in 1812. He immediately began the study of law in Lexington under the celebrated Robert Wickliffe, but on the declaration of war against Great Britain in June he volunteered as a private.
Career
William Orlando Butler well maintained the traditional military glory of the Butler family, for it was his war record that gave him his greatest claim to remembrance. He was attached to Winchester's army and was sent to the relief of Fort Wayne. He took part in the battle at the River Raisin, January 18 and 22, 1813. At the second engagement he was wounded and captured but escaped the massacre that was meted out to many of his comrades.
He was taken to Fort Niagara and after many sufferings and hardships was exchanged. Making his way back to Kentucky, he won a commission as a captain, and raised a company which he led under Andrew Jackson against Pensacola. He took part in the battle of New Orleans, leading the attack on Pakenham on the night of December 23, 1814, thereby making it possible to throw up the defenses at Chaumette.
He also took a prominent part in the battle on January 8. His bravery and resourcefulness won him the unstinted praise of Jackson, a brevet majorship, and in 1816 a position on Jackson's staff, succeeding his brother Thomas B. Butler. He came eloquently to the defense of Jackson in his conflict with the New Orleans authorities following the battle.
Butler showed unmistakable military genius and he greatly disappointed Jackson when he resigned from the army in 1817 to finish the study of law.
On the declaration of war against Mexico in 1846 he was appointed by President Polk major-general of volunteers and assigned to General Taylor's command. He took an important part in the campaign, being second in command at Monterey, where, in the street fighting, he was wounded in the leg.
After spending some time at home recuperating, he joined General Scott in 1848 and was present at the capture of Mexico City. Shortly before the treaty of peace was made he succeeded General Scott in command of the army in Mexico. For his bravery at Monterey he was voted a sword by Congress and also by Kentucky. On returning home he gave up the practise of law to engage in farming.
Butler's military record from the beginning gave him outstanding political opportunities. In 1817 and 1818 he represented Gallatin County in the legislature and in 1839 took his seat in Congress, being reelected for the following term.
He refused to stand for a third term. With a successful congressional career back of him, he was drafted by the Democrats as their candidate for governor in 1844.
He died in Carrollton.
Achievements
William Butler major achievements came during the Mexican War military campaign when he was appointed major general of volunteers in 1846, and commanded the 1st Volunteer Division in the Army of Occupation. He also served as second-in-command to Zachary Taylor during the Battle of Monterrey. Another achievement was that he superseded General Winfield Scott as the commanding general of the American army on February 18, 1848. After he retired from military service on August 18, 1848, he was nominated as the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee.
Butler County, Iowa, and Butler County, Missouri, were named for General Butler, as well as General Butler State Resort Park near Carrollton, Kentucky. Butler Township, County of Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, is also named for him.
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Politics
Butler stood firmly for the preservation of the Union and was a Union Democrat during the Civil War. Although the state was almost impregnably Whig at this time he reduced the majority against him to less than 5, 000. In 1848 when both parties were capitalizing war records the Democrats nominated him for vice-president to run with Lewis Cass.
In addition to his military record, as a Southern slaveholder he gave strength to the ticket. In 1851 the Kentucky Democrats attempted without success to elect him to the United States Senate, and in the following year, encouraged by his friends, he developed ambitions for the presidency. In 1855 President Pierce offered him the governorship of Nebraska but he declined it.
Views
Butler, though a slaveholder, was opposed to the extension of slavery and in 1861 stood staunchly for the maintenance of the Union.
Personality
William Orlando Butler was tall, dignified, and refined, not a brilliant orator but an able speaker.
Interests
He had some literary ability and often wrote poetry, published in the state press. A book of his poems was published called, The Boatman's Horn and Other Poems.
