Destroyer of Villages - William Butler and the Raid on Unadilla and Onaquaga
William Butler was a Colonel in the Continental Army who fought the Iroquois on the New York frontier.
Butler’s most famous actions were when he stormed through Native American villages and burned them to the ground.
William Butler
William Butler was one of five brothers who fought in the Revolutionary War.
Having established a successful trading business in modern Pittsburgh with his brother, Richard Butler, William was known for his ability to deal with both hostile and peaceful Native Americans.
As such, he was commissioned as a Colonel in the Continental Army and was tasked with fighting the Iroquois Tribe in Upstate New York.
Butler’s actions were a prelude for what was to come.
Burning Villages
Butler’s most notable action was his destruction of the villages of Unadilla and Oquaga.
It had been a year since the Battle of Saratoga was won, but these villages were being used as outposts to raid American frontier settlements.
William was ordered to burn these villages and take the provisions for the Continentals. This task was carried out easily as word of their approach had spread and the Native Americans fled before their arrival.
Sullivan-Clinton Expedition
The following year, with the Iroquois still attacking settlements, William Butler joined the now-famous Sullivan-Clinton Expedition.
This campaign was a much larger scale version on Butler’s previous mission.
The Continental Army stormed across most of Central, Southern and Western New York, sacking any villages they came across.
William played a large role in completing this goal, notably leading half the troops down the east side of Cayuga Lake while future Secretary of War Henry Dearborn took the west.
Civilian Life
After seven years of war, Butler resigned from the army in early 1783.
William returned to Pennsylvania where he continued his career as a frontier trader.
Unfortunately, the Butler boys all seemed to have abbreviated lives, and William passed away before his 50th birthday.
I have written about several SIBLING FOUNDERS.
Here are a few of my favorites:
First Siblings - George Washington’s Brothers (and Sister)
The Fratricide of Wyoming - John and Henry Pencel
The Edwards Brothers Fight Tyranny Together
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