Edward Butler (soldier)

For the British soldier, see Edward Gerard Butler.

Edward Butler (March 20, 1762 – May 6, 1803) was an officer in the United States Army who served as acting Adjutant General and acting Inspector General of the U.S. Army from 1793 to 1794 and from 1796 to 1797.

Edward Butler
Portrait by Edward Greene Malbone
Born	(1762-03-20)March 20, 1762 Pennsylvania
Died	May 6, 1803(1803-05-06) (aged 41) Springfield, Tennessee
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1778–1783 1791–1803
Rank	Captain
Commands	Adjutant General Inspector General
Battles / wars	American Revolutionary War Battle of Stony Point Siege of Yorktown Battle of Green Spring Northwest Indian War Battle of the Wabash Battle of Fallen Timbers
Relations	Richard Butler (brother) Edward G. W. Butler (son)

Early life

Edward Butler was born on March 20, 1762, in West Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania. He was one of five Butler brothers from Pennsylvania who served in the American Revolution.

Military career

Butler was commissioned an ensign in the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment on July 1, 1778, at the age of 16. He was promoted to lieutenant on January 28, 1779, and transferred to the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment on January 17, 1781. He was again transferred to the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment on January 1, 1783, and was discharged on November 3, 1783, when the Continental Army was disbanded.

He was on original member of the Society of the Cincinnati along with three of his brothers.

He was a captain in the levies under Major General Arthur St. Clair and saw action at St. Clair's Defeat in which his brother Richard was killed and his brother Thomas was wounded.

He was commissioned a captain in the United States Army on March 5, 1792, and transferred to the 4th Sub-Legion on September 4, 1792.

On July 18, 1793, he was appointed Adjutant and Inspector of the United States Army and served until May 13, 1794. He was assigned as a captain in the 4th Infantry Regiment on November 1, 1796. He was transferred to the 2nd Infantry Regiment on April 1, 1802.

He died on May 6, 1803.

See also

• List of Adjutant Generals of the U.S. Army
• List of Inspectors General of the U.S. Army

References

• Egle, William (1883). Historical Register: Notes and Queries, Historical and Genealogical, Relating to Interior Pennsylvania. Vol. 1–2. LS Hart.
• Historical Society of Pennsylvania (1883). The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. Vol. 7. Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

External links

• Butler Family Papers at The Historic New Orleans Collection
• American Revolution Institute