Walter Butler was an American-born Loyalist military officer during the American Revolutionary War. He left his home in Tryon County, New York for Montreal in 1775 and obtained a commission as an ensign in the British Army. Butler was present at the Battle of the Cedars in May 1776 and the Siege of Fort Stanwix in August 1777. He was captured by the Americans shortly afterwards and sentenced to be hanged as a spy. His sentence was commuted and he was imprisoned in Albany. Butler escaped from custody in April 1778, and was commissioned a captain in Butler's Rangers. In November 1778, Butler led British, Loyalist and Seneca forces at the Cherry Valley massacre. Butler was unable to restrain the Seneca who killed 32 non-combatants. He was present at the Battle of Newtown in August 1779. Butler was killed in October 1781 at West Canada Creek fighting a rear-guard action following the Battle of Johnstown.

Occupation: military personnel
Born: 1752
Died: October 30, 1781

Overview

Captain Walter Butler ( – October 30, 1781) was an American-born Loyalist military officer during the American Revolutionary War. He was born near Johnstown, New York, the son of John Butler, an Indian agent who worked for Sir William Johnson. Walter Butler studied law, and became a lawyer in Albany, New York prior to the American Revolution. He was killed in battle in 1781. Military career At the start of the American Revolution, the women of the Butler family were taken captive in Albany while Walter was commissioned as an ensign in the 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot, with which he served at the Battle of Oriskany. When his father, John, formed Butler's Rangers, Walter Butler transferred to that company and was commissioned as a captain. In late 1777, he was captured by Continental Army troops while trying to recruit Rangers at Shoemaker Tavern in German Flatts, New York. He was sentenced to death for spying by Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willett and was imprisoned in Albany; but, after a few months, he escaped and returned to Canada.

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