Walter Butler (Loyalist) - Butler's Death

Butler's Death

Butler died in a skirmish on October 30, 1781. The telling of the details was of apparent great interest to his contemporaries; perhaps no other Loyalist in upstate New York was as hated as Walter Butler. Several men who were present during the event or shortly thereafter testified to the specifics in their (Revolutionary War) pension applications .

Concerning the events of that day, Henry Shaver, one of forty white men chosen at Fort Plank by Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willett to accompany a band of Oneida Indians under the command of Colonel Lewis Cook in pursuit of Major John Ross forces after the Battle of Johnstown, stated . . . "That he" "cried out to his pursuers to “Shoot and be damned” which he had no sooner done than he was struck by a Ball from one Louis The Indian waded over and scalped him." . . . The words of Shaver are echoed by Richard Casler who states . . . "When Willett's men came upon the enemy they were drying their cloaths by fires & were surprised at that place Walter Butler was killed by an indian (he believes) an Oneida indian. He (Casler) was there & saw the indian who killed Butler & who had Butlers Coat and scalp The indian shot Butler from across the Creek Butlers Sergeant was also killed at this place." . . . John Stalker also states that . . . "Col. Butler was killed by an Indian by the name of Lewey who had the command of the American Indians."... But, Nicholas Smith & John Kennada both state that the Indian who shot Butler was "Saucy Nic:", not "Louis", and Rozel Holmes states that it was “Harmanus”, a Schoharie Indian, who actually killed Butler and scalped him. Thus it is doubtful we will never know which one of these three men actually dispatched Mister Butler, but there is no doubt that he was killed and scalped. Concerning the fate of Walter’s body, John Canada testifying in favor of Tall William receiving a Revolutionary War Pension stated: . . . "That he was together with the said Tall William engaged in a battle at West Canada Creek in which Col. Butler was shot through the head and killed and in which the enemy were defeated and after the battle was over I took from the pocket of Col. Butler a half guinea and Black William took the shoe Buckles from his feet and saucy Nick another member of our Tribe & the one who shot Col. Butler took his Clothing and occasionally after that wore the same". . . . No word is recorded as to the disposition of Butler’s body and it is doubtful that the Rebel forces did him the honor of burying him, Ross’ men being actively pursued by them.