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suits of this battle and of several other defeats of the Indians were of such forceful character that theyp.Captain Samuel Butts Proved Brave Soldier In The War With EnglandMAN FOR WHOM BUTTS COUNTY IS NAMED KILLED WHILE LEADING CHARGE AT BAT-TLE OF CHILLABEE IN 1814An interesting paper on Captain Samuel Butta, for whom Butta county is named, was read by Mrs. Henry Byron Thursday night at the meeting of the Butts County Historical Society. The paper is one of such rare interest that it is published in foil and will find a place in the per-anent records of the society at the Indian Springs Museum:SAMUEL BUTTS Samuel Butts, belonging to a family noted for its patriotism and fearless independence, was bom November 24, 1777, on hia father’s farm at Southampton. Virginia. His first paternal ancestor in America was Thomas l^utts, who was among the original pioneers who settled Jamestown, Virginia. His grandfather, James Butts, was commissioned as captain in the Virginia militia, following the fortunes of General Light Horse Hajjry LCe's command through the Revolutionary War. Hia father, Simmons Butta, served as captain during the War of 1812 and greatly distinguished himself for discretion and bravery and humane treatment of his mon while serving under General Jett Thomas and Colonel Ignatius Few, both illustrious Georgians. At the same time Lewis Butts, his brother, although a private was in the same command and was highly esteemed as a soldier.On hia mother's side his grandfather, Spratling Simmons, was also in the Revolutionary War, under General Greene. He took an active part in many battles, Guilford Court House, Germantown, Brandywine, Cowpcns and so forth. For that period Samuel Butts had good educational advantages. Besides being trained in the best common schools of the land, he was taught some Latin and Greek.While quite a young man ho came with his father's family to Georgia, settling first in Hancock county. As soon as he arrived at maturity he went to Montfeello, in Jasper county. In 1807 Jaaper county was organised aa Randolph county, and It was soon after this that Mr. Butta arrived. In 1812 Mr. Butta, together with many Georgia citizens, induced the legislature to change the to . Jaaper county. For some he engaged In, mercantile pur-and on account of fair daaUng and oogagtag Manaan he beeama gotta popular and busineoa proapor.enabled General Andrew Jackson to work quite'a change in the condition of affairs throughout the land.Captain Butts left several children whose descendants today are scattered from Georgia to Illinois to Texas. During the War Between theDuring the British War, which lasted from 1812 to 1816, the Indiana all along the Georgia and Ala-bamn frontiers, instigated by the British to feel that any white settlement near them was an encroachment upon their domain, had risen on masse against the whites, visiting upon them masy horrible atrocities. In 1813 the Federal Government called upon Honorable Peter Early, then Governor of Georgia, for a levy of troops from his State for the purpose of suppressing the Indian outrages. Major-General John Floyd was placed in charge of these troops.Middle Georgia counties responded at once. Jasper raised its quota and Samuel Butts joined aa a private, but before the seat of the war, which was in upper western Georgia and eastern Alabama, was reached, he was elected captain. Reaching the scene of action his company at once joined General Floyd’s command, doing good service in waging war against the Indians at Autos-see, Tallassee, Camp Defiance and other places. In all engagements “for bravery no officer stood higher than did Captain Samuel Butta. All special orders entrusted to him were faithfully executed with coolness and discretion.On the morning of January 27, 1814, before day, the Indians attacked General Floyd's camp. The darkness of the hour, the cover afforded the Indians by the thick pines with which the camp was surrounded, the total want of breastworks, and the surprise which the first yell of the savages occasioned, were well calculated to put the courage of many to the greatest teat. But with the coolest intrepedlty they met the enemy; not a platoon faltered, but every man brought into action kept up a constant and brisk fire.At the dawn of day General Floyd ordered a charge and‘in less than fifteen minutes every hostllo Indian except thoso dead and dying had fled from the battlefield. While at the head of hie command Captain Butta wae shot through tho body and loon died. In thle action, known in the official reporta ae the battle of Chillabee, the detachment euetafned eevere loaees In both killed and wounded. Among the former wae the gallant aotdiar and true patriot, Captain iamufl Butta.la the battle of ChlUabee such a defeat waa Inflicted upon the hostile Indians that for a long tine they bosame leoe troubleeome. The restates his grandsons and great-grandsons fought against each other under the Stars and Stripes and the Stars and Bars.Captain Henry Butta settled in Upson county, where he lived to be ninety-eight. The second son waa Jesse Butts; his sons entered tha Union Army, were captured at the Battle of Chattanooga and brought to Atlanta. From their prison in a wooden building they escaped and reached the home of a relative in Troup County, a loyal Confederate; however, notwithstanding strong feeling, they were cared for. A daughter, Elizabeth, married James F. West of Monroe county; one of her descendants is General Andrew West, of Atlanta, well thought of by his Confederate companions.In honor of Captain Samuel Butt^the legislature of Georgia, during the session of 1825, cut off from the countiea of Henry and Monroe a very prosperous county, naming it for him. _J. J. Massey, author. ,Compiled for program of February 16, 1939, from “Men of Mark in Georgia, by Northern. Volume II, pages 174-177.Mrs. Henry Byron, program chair-
Newspaper Details
Jackson Progress Argus
Jackson, Georgia, US
Thu, Feb 23, 1939
Page 2
Full Page
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Janice R.
GA, USA 26 Jan 2018
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