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Butler, Francis E. (2)

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Butler, Francis E.

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a Presbyterian minister and martyr to the cause of liberty, was born in Suffield, Conn., February 7, 1825. He engaged in mercantile business in New York at an early age, and was marked for his piety and for his active services in all benevolent enterprises. At 29 he abandoned business and entered Yale College, where he graduated in 1857. He studied theology at Princeton, and in 1862 became chaplain of the 25th N. J. Volunteers. His labors were unprecedentedly successful. He organized ai flourishing regimental church. To this, during the last three months of his life, no less than thirteen were added on confession of their faith, while a still larger number were seeking Christ. Some of these cases were of great interest, and it is only the want of space that prevents their insertion here. His whole time, and thoughts were given to the men, in caring both for their temporal and eternal interests. He believed it his duty to go wherever the men were called to go. In the battle of Fredericksburg he was at his post caring for the wounded, though the bullets were flying thick around him. About noon he learned that some of his own men, wounded while skirmishing at some distance from the place occupied by the chaplains and surgeons were suffering for the want of immediate care. He volunteered to go with a surgeon to their relief. In order to do this duty, they had to cross an open field which was exposed to the fire of the enemy's sharp-shooters. He was told of the danger, but his sense of duty was not to be overcome by the fear of death. While crossing this field a minie-ball struck him and passed through his body. In twenty-four hours he was dead. — Wilson, Presbyt. Historical Almanac, 6:100.