MAJOR GENERAL DANIEL BUTTERFIELD - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 05/05/1888 - HFSID 261539

MAJOR GENERAL DANIEL BUTTERFIELD
Daniel Butterfield sends a typed letter to Felix Campbell about House Bill 9210.
Typed Letter Signed: "Daniel Butterfield", 2p, 4½x7. New York, 1888 May 5. To Hon. F. Campbell. In full: "My attention has been called to House Bill 9210 for the restoration of Fort Putnam. I think it is a work that should be done without delay and in the most thorough manner. As a revolutionary fortress full of historic interest and within the grounds and property and control of the general gov't, it would be a burning shame to let any further ruin or decay overtake it. I hope the appropriation named $5000 will be enlarged to $10,000. Fort Putnam is so to speak, a beacon light in Revolutionary history. It is part of the glory of the whole country. I make no apology for addressing you on the subject. You know the ground is classic and I trust I am right in the supposition that when your attention is called to the bill and its merits, you will aid and urge its passage. I am, very truly yours," Brooklyn Democrat FELIX CAMPBELL served in the House from 1883-1891. Built in 1778 by Colonel Rufus Putnam's 5th Massachusetts Regiment, Fort Putnam was the key fortification in the interlocking network of forts and redoubts making up West Point's defenses. Major General BUTTERFIELD received the Medal of Honor for his bravery at Gaines' Mill in the 1862 Peninsular Campaign. In July 1862, while in camp at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, Butterfield created the music for "Taps". He ordered that his call be used instead of "Tattoo", adapted from a French melody, to signal the extinguishing of lights in camp. After the Civil War, "Taps" was established as the official military call for the end of the day. Rectangular shading on first page, which comes through to top 2 lines of signature page. Stained at mid-vertical fold of verso. Numerous type ink stains on first page. Lightly creased. Folds do not touch signature.