GENERAL DANIEL BUTTERFIELD WAR MEMORIAL

AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE CIVIL WAR IN 1861, HE SERVED AS A COLONEL IN THE 12TH NEW YORK MILITIA DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIP IN MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS ON THE UPPER POTOMAC IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY, BUTTERFIELD ROSE RAPIDLY IN THE RANKS TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL OF VOLUNTEERS IN THE 12TH INFANTRY. HE IS ALSO NOTED FOR INITIATING SOUNDING OF TAPS TO END THE DAY. THE FIRST KNOWN PLAYING OF TAPS FOR A BURIAL CEREMONY WAS PERFORMED BY A CAPTAIN IN AN ARTILLERY COMPANY. ONE OF HIS MEN HAD BEEN KILLED AND INSTEAD OF THE THREE TRADITIONAL VOLLEYS OF RIFLE FIRE, THE CAPTAIN CHOSE TO HAVE THE BUGLER PLAY TAPS IN FEAR THAT THE RIFLE VOLLEY WOULD MAKE OTHERS THINK THAT THERE WAS A RENEWAL OF FIGHTING.