US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Original burial site. Butler was the veteran 1st Sergeant of the 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment. He was described as 5'5", grey eyes, sandy hair with a ruddy complexion. His civilian occupation was farmer. Butler first enlisted, with the consent of his mother, into the army on April 3, 1860, at Albany, NY. On September 5, 1860, he arrived at Ft Garland, New Mexico Territory and was assigned to the 2nd US Cavalry Regiment. After several reenlistments, Butler was assigned to Company L, 7th US Cavalry Regiment at Ft Leavenworth, KS on June 26, 1870. Company L was commanded by 1st Lt James Calhoun, LTC George A. Custer's and Captain Tom Custer's brother-in-law. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Company L was attached to LTC Custer's Battalion. After the battle, Butler's remains were one of the first bodies found. His body, described as "scalped and mutilated", was discovered some distance from the main battlefield. And (depending on which witness account) he was found on or near a ridge overlooking Medicine Tail Coulee Ford and the Little Bighorn River. There were no other bodies reported as being found in this area. Surrounding and under Butler's body were numerous spent cartridge casings. The many casings appeared to indicate that Butler, who was a known marksman, had put up a good fight, before dying from several wounds. Over the years there has been a lot of speculation regarding why this senior sergeant had died alone and so far from his comrades and the main battlefield. It is believed by researchers and historians that Butler could have been sent by Custer as one of several couriers to Maj Reno and Capt Benteen. Butler's rank and status in the regiment, would indicate any message he carried was significant. In later years, warrior participants recalled pursuing a lone soldier from Calhoun Ridge for a long distance. Just as the pursuing warriors decided to give up on the chase; the soldier, for unknown reasons, suddenly stopped and dismounted. The warriors quickly moved in on him. It is possible that this lone soldier was Butler. Butler was originally buried near where his marker stands today. In 1881 all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on Last Stand Hill. On October 21, 1881, his mother was awarded a survivor's pension. The mother was unaware that her son had married and her pension was rescinded and awarded to his widow, Mary and their two children.
US Soldier killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Original burial site. Butler was the veteran 1st Sergeant of the 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment. He was described as 5'5", grey eyes, sandy hair with a ruddy complexion. His civilian occupation was farmer. Butler first enlisted, with the consent of his mother, into the army on April 3, 1860, at Albany, NY. On September 5, 1860, he arrived at Ft Garland, New Mexico Territory and was assigned to the 2nd US Cavalry Regiment. After several reenlistments, Butler was assigned to Company L, 7th US Cavalry Regiment at Ft Leavenworth, KS on June 26, 1870. Company L was commanded by 1st Lt James Calhoun, LTC George A. Custer's and Captain Tom Custer's brother-in-law. At the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Company L was attached to LTC Custer's Battalion. After the battle, Butler's remains were one of the first bodies found. His body, described as "scalped and mutilated", was discovered some distance from the main battlefield. And (depending on which witness account) he was found on or near a ridge overlooking Medicine Tail Coulee Ford and the Little Bighorn River. There were no other bodies reported as being found in this area. Surrounding and under Butler's body were numerous spent cartridge casings. The many casings appeared to indicate that Butler, who was a known marksman, had put up a good fight, before dying from several wounds. Over the years there has been a lot of speculation regarding why this senior sergeant had died alone and so far from his comrades and the main battlefield. It is believed by researchers and historians that Butler could have been sent by Custer as one of several couriers to Maj Reno and Capt Benteen. Butler's rank and status in the regiment, would indicate any message he carried was significant. In later years, warrior participants recalled pursuing a lone soldier from Calhoun Ridge for a long distance. Just as the pursuing warriors decided to give up on the chase; the soldier, for unknown reasons, suddenly stopped and dismounted. The warriors quickly moved in on him. It is possible that this lone soldier was Butler. Butler was originally buried near where his marker stands today. In 1881 all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on Last Stand Hill. On October 21, 1881, his mother was awarded a survivor's pension. The mother was unaware that her son had married and her pension was rescinded and awarded to his widow, Mary and their two children.
Inscription
SERGT.
JAS. BUTLER
TROOP L
7 U.S. CAV.
FELL HERE
JUNE 25, 1876
