Thomas Butler
Thomas Butler, the brother of Colonel Richard Butler, was born in 1754. In all, five brothers engaged in the Continental Army. There were five brothers engaged in the Continental army, all natives of Pennsylvania. Thomas was a law student under James Wilson of Philadelphia at the commencement of the Revolution. In 1776, enlisted in the war, and proved a brave and efficient officer. He had command of a company to the close of the Revolution and was in nearly every severe battle in the middle States. At Brandywine he received the thanks of General Washington on the field of battle through his aid General Hamilton, for rallying a detachment of flying troops and giving the enemy a severe check.At the battle of Monmouth he received the thanks of General Wayne for defending a defile while Colonel Richard Butler removed his regiment from a perilous position. He had command of a battalion under General St. Clair on November 4, 1791.
Mounted on his horse he led his men to the charge after his leg was broken by a ball. His surviving brother, Captain Edward Butler, had great difficulty in bringing him from the field.
In 1794 Butler Thomas was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and put in command of the 4th sub Legion. He commanded at Pittsburgh and by his undaunted courage more than by the numerical force of his troops he prevented the whisky insurgents from taking possession of the garrison. He was continued on the peace establishment-made several treaties with the Indians-was persecuted by jealous enemies-charged with misconduct-tried by a court martial-honorably acquitted and died the 7th of September 1805.