Butterfield, Daniel (1831-1901)

Name:

Butterfield, Daniel (1831-1901)

Title:

Major General in the Union Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Assistant Treasurer of the United States

Other Names:

Daniel Adams Butterfield

Born:

10/31/1831

Birthplace:

Utica, NY

Died:

07/17/1901

Death Location:

Cold Spring, NY

Nationality:

American

Occupation:

Union General, Assistant U.S. Treasurer in New York

Father:

Butterfield, John Warren

Relations:

Maj. General Joseph Hooker (close friend)

Spouse:

Mrs. Julia L. James (m. 09/21/1886)

Notes:

Joined 12th NY Militia as 1st Sergent, 04/16/1861. Became a Brigadier General by that September.
Fought at Seven Days Battles, wounded, but was awarded the Medal of Honor (1892) for his actions during Gaines' Mill.
Composed "Taps", based off earlier "Scott Tattoo" c.07/1862.
Brigade commander at Second Battle of Bull Run and Battle of Antietam.
Commanded V Corps at Battle of Fredericksburg.
Became friends with General Hooker. Reviled as a voluptutarian by many of his fellow generals, due to his and Hooker's headquarters being frequented by women and liquer.
Helped Hooker improve shelter, morale and medical suport for Army in spring, 1863.
Introduced unit insignia to bulk of Army in the spring of 1863, designed many himself.
Retained as chief of staff by Meade upon replacement of Hooker.
Wounded by spent artillery shell fragment at Gettysburg on 07/03/1863.
Removed as chief of staff 07/14/1863.
Actively undermined Meade post-Gettysburg.
Returned to position of Hooker's aide in fall, 1863, commanding two divisions in the Army of the Cumberland.
Led 3rd Division through Sherman's Atlanta campaign.
Appointed Secretary of the Treasury by President Grant, involved in Black Friday panic/scandel as an informant to speculators.