Life span: 10/31/1831 to 07/17/1901TabsLife SummaryFull name: Daniel ButterfieldPlace of Birth: Utica, NYBurial Place: United States Military Academy, West Point, NYBirth Date Certainty: ExactDeath Date Certainty: ExactGender: MaleRace: WhiteSectional choice: NorthOrigins: Free StateNo. of Spouses: 2No. of Children: 0Family: John Butterfield (father), Malinda Harriet Baker (mother), Elizabeth (first wife, 1857), Julia Lorrilard James (second wife)Education: OtherOther Education: Union College, NYOccupation: MilitaryBusinessmanRelation to Slavery: White non-slaveholderPolitical Parties: RepublicanGovernment: Grant Administration (1869-77)Military: Union ArmyUS military (Post-Civil War) Note Cards Daniel Butterfield (American National Biography) ScholarshipButterfield's rapid rise in the volunteer service and his regular army appointments cannot be reconciled with his limited talent as a field commander. Family prominence, high rank in the militia, and political connections appear to have been responsible. His managerial and organizational talents served him well as a staff officer, although his officiousness and his sometimes abrasive personality weakened his usefulness as a liaison between army headquarters and subordinate commanders. Despite his prominent position in the Union hierarchy, despite serving in important campaigns in the two major theaters of operations, and despite winning a Medal of Honor, he is remembered chiefly--but inaccurately--as the composer of "Taps."Edward G. LongacrE, "Butterfield, Daniel," American National Biography Online, February 2000, http://www.anb.org/articles/05/05-00111.html. Events Documents Images Daniel Butterfield Daniel Butterfield, detail Daniel Butterfield, engraving Daniel Butterfield, engraving, detail Bibliography
Daniel Butterfield (American National Biography) ScholarshipButterfield's rapid rise in the volunteer service and his regular army appointments cannot be reconciled with his limited talent as a field commander. Family prominence, high rank in the militia, and political connections appear to have been responsible. His managerial and organizational talents served him well as a staff officer, although his officiousness and his sometimes abrasive personality weakened his usefulness as a liaison between army headquarters and subordinate commanders. Despite his prominent position in the Union hierarchy, despite serving in important campaigns in the two major theaters of operations, and despite winning a Medal of Honor, he is remembered chiefly--but inaccurately--as the composer of "Taps."Edward G. LongacrE, "Butterfield, Daniel," American National Biography Online, February 2000, http://www.anb.org/articles/05/05-00111.html.
