Zebulon Butler


Zebulon Butler was a soldier and politician from Connecticut who served with the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He represented the Wyoming Valley in the Connecticut Assembly. At the time, the territory was claimed both by Connecticut and by Pennsylvania, and was nominally under the former's jurisdiction.

Early life

Zebulon Butler was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts on January 23, 1731 and grew up in Lyme, Connecticut.

French and Indian War

In 1755, the colonial militias were mustered to repel an attack by the French. During this time, Butler was commissioned as an ensign to Captain Andrew Ward in the 3rd regiment of the Connecticut army. The 3rd regiment was stationed at Fort William Henry in 1756. On May 27, 1758, Butler was promoted to lieutenant of the 9th company of the 4th Connecticut regiment, stationed at Fort Edward. On October 4, he participated in a scouting mission to Fort Carillon and Crown Point. Shortly after, he took part in a failed attack on those places. In March 1759, he was made Captain of the 9th Company and participated in a successful attack on Crown Point.

Revolutionary War

On January 1, 1777, Butler was commissioned as lieutenant colonel of the 3rd Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Army. He commanded the garrison of Forty Fort in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania. His most famous action was the Battle of Wyoming, which resulted in his defeat by British-allied forces; he lost 340 men while attacking a superior force estimated at 574 Loyalists and Iroquois under the command of Loyalist Colonel John Butler.