Daniel Adams Butterfield - West Point, NY - Medal Of Honor Resting Places on Waymarking.com

Daniel Butterfield 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. After the Battle of Fredericksburg, 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 had rose to the rank of 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 surrounding this claim, 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.

General Butterfield was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions at Gaines' Mills during the Peninsula Campaign. His Medal of Honor citation reads:

"Seized the colors of the 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteers at a critical moment and, under a galling fire of the enemy, encouraged the depleted ranks to renewed exertion."
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General Butterfield is buried at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery at West Point. His tomb at West Point is one of the most ornate ones there despite the fact he never attended the Military Academy.

Note: Visitors to the United States Military Academy are required to pass through a security check prior to being allow onto the post. Visitors are required to have proper photo identification. Persons and vehicles are subject to search.

Armed Service: Army

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Date Logged Log User Rating   02/16/2012 chachycpt visited it