Dan Butterfield

Dan Butterfield

Daniel Adams Butterfield (31 October 1831-17 July 1901) was born in Utica, New York and graduated from Union College at Schenectady. He was the eastern superintendent of the American Express Company in New York when the Civil War broke out.

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Despite his lack of military experience, he rose quickly in rank. A Colonel in the 12th Regiment of the New York State Militia, he was promoted to Brigadier General and given command of a brigade of the V Corps of the Army of the Potomac. The 12th served in the Shenandoah Valley during the Bull Run Campaign. During the Peninsular Campaign Butterfield served prominently when during the Battle of Gaines Mill, despite an injury, he seized the colors of the 83rd Pennsylvania and rallied the regiment at a critical time in the battle. Years later, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for that act of heroism.

He survived the war and eventually died in Cold Spring, New York. He was buried in West Point Cemetery, although he had not attended the United States Military Academy.

So he was just another Civil War soldier? Yes, but he has two distinct claims to fame. His father, John Butterfield, operated stage coach and freight lines. He founded the Butterfield Overland Express, which ran from St. Louis to San Francisco. He also formed a partnership in a company that had two notable spinoffs at a later date, Wells Fargo and American Express.

There is one more thing Dan Butterfield should be noted for. Soon after the Peninsular Campaign he sent for the brigade’s bugler. He had him play a few notes, they discussed it and modified it, and then the bugler played again. Finally, Butterfield was satisfied with the piece of music. He ordered the bugler to play it henceforth for Lights Out, instead of what they were using at the time. It quickly caught on throughout the army. Today we know it as “Taps.”