Milann Ruff Daugherty ~ BHS '64

Your Affectionate Son

by Milann Ruff Daugherty

When the Milann came across a box of yellowed letters in the bottom drawer of an old dresser, she discovered not only that the letters were all written by her great-great-uncle nearly one hundred and fifty years earlier but that they were a fascinating first-hand account of the Civil War as seen through the eyes of a young soldier.

Diamond Square ~

A reminder of those who fought . . . and died.

Where Butler Soldiers Fought and Died ~ Fredericksburg ~ 1862 ~ 134th Pa. Vol.

Recalling our Civil War heritage.

Photo: Randall Stevenson

Alfred Reed, First Lieutenant 134th Pa ~

Two Civil War cannons in Diamond Park with the name of a Butler soldier, Alfred G. Reed inscribed on them. Before the Battle of Fredrichsburg he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in the 134th Pa. Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded in one of the last six disastrous charges against a 600-foot section of a chest-high stone wall occupied by the Confederates at the base of Marye’s Heights at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Va. and lated died from an infection of the fatal gunshot.

Clara Barton Visits Butler ~

Photo: civilwaracademy.com

Clara Barton, Civil War nurse and founder of the America Red Cross spoke at the present Hill United Presbyterian Church on Brady and Second Streets when she came here to help with the great Typhoid Epidemic in 1903/1904. 127 people died in Butler and there were some 1,500 cases. About 1 out 13 people in Butler/Lyndora had typhoid. This was to be Barton's last mission for the Red Cross. It was her visit which started the Red Cross here in Butler. Clara Barton nursed at the Battle of Antietam.

Cooper Cabin ~

Built by the Cooper family around 1810, the cabin was an original county homestead. It was enlarged after the Civil War and family descendants remained in the cabin until 1963.
It is located 9 miles south of Butler on Cooper Road near Cabot off Route 356.

Medal of Honor ~

The Medal of Honor was conferred on a Butlerite, John Donaldson: Sergeant, Company L of the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia on 9 May 1865.
He captured the flag of the 4th Virginia Cavalry (C.S.A.).