Greenville in Butler County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

In Memory of Captain William Butler

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 17, 2019

1. In Memory of Captain William Butler Marker

Inscription.
A native of Virginia.
Pioneer settler of Butler County
for whom the county is named
Massacred by the Indians
near Butler Springs
March 18, 1818

Erected 1925 by the Father Ryan Chapter U.D.C.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 18, 1818.

Location. 31° 49.716′ N, 86° 37.341′ W. Marker is in Greenville, Alabama, in Butler County. Marker is on South Park Street south of Walnut Street, on the right when traveling north. Located at northwest corner of Pioneer Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: South Park Street, Greenville AL 36037, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pioneer Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Confederate Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Our Confederate Dead Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Greenville City Hall-Site of Public School / Confederate Park (about 400 feet away); World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away); The Camellia City / Greenville

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(about 500 feet away); Butler County (approx. ¼ mile away); Butler County World War I Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

More about this marker. The inscription has been modified to change the year from 1820 to 1818.

Regarding In Memory of Captain William Butler. On March 20th 1818, one week after the Ogly-Stroud Massacre , Captain William Butler and James Saffold, in company with William P. Gardner, Daniel Shaw and young Hinson, set out from the Fort Dale, to meet Colonel Dale, who was then marching to that point with a party of volunteers, a portion of whom they desired to induce him to send to the flat, to protect the citizens, while cultivating their fields. Advancing about two miles, Savannah Jack and his warriors -- the same who had murdered the Ogles-- fired upon them from a ravine. Gardner and Shaw, riddled with rifle balls, fell dead from their horses. Butler and Hinson, both being wounded, were thrown to the ground. The latter, regaining his seat in the saddle, fled back to the fort. Unable to reach his horse, Butler attempted,

Captain William Butler Marker at Pioneer Cemetery (aka The Old Cemetery). image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 17, 2019

2. Captain William Butler Marker at Pioneer Cemetery (aka The Old Cemetery).

by running across the ravine, to gain the road in advance of the Indians; but he was pursued and shot at, from tree to tree, until he fell dead, but not before he had killed one of his pursuers. Captain Saffold escaped to the fort, receiving no injury, except the perforation of his clothes by rifle balls. A detachment, sent by Dale the next day, buried the dead, whose heads were beaten to pieces, and their bodies horribly mutilated. From Albert James Pickett's History of Alabama.

Markers at base of Captain William Butler marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 17, 2019

3. Markers at base of Captain William Butler marker.

Entrance gate to the Pioneer Cemetery. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 17, 2019

4. Entrance gate to the Pioneer Cemetery.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 618 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 17, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.