Civil War Union Major General, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He was born in Utica, New York and graduated from Union College at Schenectady. Butterfield was a businessman in New York City when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted in the 12th New York Regiment as a First Sergeant and quickly moved up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Butterfield was than promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers in September of 1861 and commanded a Brigade in the 5th Corp. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions at Gaines' Mills during the Peninsula Campaign. After the Battle of Fredricksburg, he was promoted to Major General and Chief of Staff of the Union's Army of the Potomac. Butterfield was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. By the end of the war, he was breveted a Brigadier General. Despite all his military exploits, he is mostly famous for creating bugle calls, most notably the composition of Taps'. There has been some controversy around this, some have said that Butterfield only rewrote an existing bugle call. Despite this, Taps is probably the most recognizable bugle call in the military today. It is played at the end of the day, lowering of the flag, memorial services and at all military funerals. Butterfield's tomb at West Point is the most ornate one there despite the fact he never attended the Military Academy. Son of John Warren Butterfield and Malinda Harriet Baker Butterfield.
Civil War Union Major General, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He was born in Utica, New York and graduated from Union College at Schenectady. Butterfield was a businessman in New York City when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted in the 12th New York Regiment as a First Sergeant and quickly moved up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Butterfield was than promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers in September of 1861 and commanded a Brigade in the 5th Corp. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions at Gaines' Mills during the Peninsula Campaign. After the Battle of Fredricksburg, he was promoted to Major General and Chief of Staff of the Union's Army of the Potomac. Butterfield was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg. By the end of the war, he was breveted a Brigadier General. Despite all his military exploits, he is mostly famous for creating bugle calls, most notably the composition of Taps'. There has been some controversy around this, some have said that Butterfield only rewrote an existing bugle call. Despite this, Taps is probably the most recognizable bugle call in the military today. It is played at the end of the day, lowering of the flag, memorial services and at all military funerals. Butterfield's tomb at West Point is the most ornate one there despite the fact he never attended the Military Academy. Son of John Warren Butterfield and Malinda Harriet Baker Butterfield.
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