Daniel Butterfield

Daniel Butterfield was a prominent Union Army officer during the American Civil War, a businessman, and the composer of the iconic bugle call "Taps." Born in Utica, New York, he rose to the rank of major general and served as chief of staff to generals including Joseph Hooker and George G. Meade. His postwar career was marked by significant roles in finance and transportation, though his military legacy remains his most enduring contribution, particularly through his association with the Army of the Potomac and the creation of a lasting musical tradition.

Early life and education

Born on October 31, 1831, in Utica, New York, he was the son of John Butterfield, a founder of the American Express company and a prominent figure in early transportation. He received his early education at Union Academy in Schenectady before attending Union College, though he did not graduate. He entered the business world, working for his father's companies, including the Overland Mail Company, which operated stagecoach lines to California. This early exposure to large-scale logistics and management would later inform his military career. In 1859, he joined the New York State Militia as a colonel in the 12th New York Militia, marking his formal entry into military affairs.

Civil War service

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, he was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the 12th New York Infantry Regiment and quickly demonstrated administrative skill. He was promoted to brigadier general in September 1861 and commanded a brigade in the Fifth Corps during the Peninsula Campaign. He was wounded at the Battle of Gaines' Mill but received the Medal of Honor decades later for his actions there. He is most famously credited with composing the bugle call "Taps" in July 1862 while with the Army of the Potomac at Harrison's Landing. He served as chief of staff to General Joseph Hooker and later to General George G. Meade, playing a key role during the Battle of Gettysburg and the subsequent campaigns. He briefly commanded the V Corps in 1863 before continuing his staff duties until the end of the war, mustering out in 1866 as a major general.

Postbellum career and legacy

After the war, he returned to the business world, serving as treasurer and later vice president of American Express. He was also involved with the Union Pacific Railroad during its construction and held directorships in several companies. His military legacy is complex; while respected for his administrative prowess, his relationships with superiors like George G. Meade were often contentious. His most lasting contribution remains the widespread adoption of "Taps" as the U.S. military's official bugle call for lights out and at military funerals. He also designed a distinctive system of corps badges for the Army of the Potomac to improve unit identification. He authored a book on camp and outpost duty that was used as a manual.

Awards and honors

His primary military decoration was the Medal of Honor, awarded in 1892 for his gallantry at the Battle of Gaines' Mill, where he seized the colors of his regiment and rallied the troops under heavy fire. He was also a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Grand Army of the Republic, prominent Union Army veterans' organizations. In 1910, a statue of him was erected at Gettysburg Battlefield, commemorating his service. The Butterfield Stage historical marker in the American West references his father's transportation legacy, indirectly honoring the family name.

Personal life

He married Julia Lorillard James in 1862, a member of the prominent Lorillard family of New York City; they had no children. After the war, they resided in New York City and at his estate, "Cragside," in Cold Spring, New York, near the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was an avid art collector and patron. He died of pneumonia on July 17, 1901, in Cold Spring, New York, and was buried with full military honors at West Point Cemetery, where his grave is marked by a distinctive monument. Category:American military personnel of the American Civil War Category:American Express people Category:People from Utica, New York Category:Union College alumni