Difference between revisions of "Roderick R. Butler"
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==Post-war years== | ==Post-war years== | ||
Following the Civil War, Butler returned to practicing law and sought to ensure [[pension]]s for black soldiers in the Union.<ref name=johnsoncitypress/> | Following the Civil War, Butler returned to practicing law and sought to ensure [[pension]]s for black soldiers in the Union.<ref name=johnsoncitypress/> | ||
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| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Leonidas Houk]], Republican U.S. representative from Tennessee's 2nd district | ||
| + | *[[Brazilla Carroll Reece]], later Republican U.S. representative from Tennessee's 1st district | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 00:34, November 7, 2021
| Roderick Randum “R. R.” Butler | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Former State Senator from Tennessee From: 1893–1901 | |||
| Predecessor | ??? | ||
| Successor | ??? | ||
| Former U.S. Representative from Tennessee's 1st Congressional District From: March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1889 | |||
| Predecessor | August H. Pettibone | ||
| Successor | Alfred A. Taylor | ||
| Former State Representative from Tennessee From: 1879–1885 | |||
| Predecessor | ??? | ||
| Successor | ??? | ||
| Former U.S. Representative from Tennessee's 1st Congressional District From: March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1875 | |||
| Predecessor | Nathaniel G. Taylor | ||
| Successor | William McFarland | ||
| Former State Representative from Tennessee From: 1859–1862 | |||
| Predecessor | ??? | ||
| Successor | ??? | ||
| Information | |||
| Party | Whig (before 1960s) Republican (since 1960s) | ||
| Spouse(s) | Emeline Jane Donnelly (died 1899) | ||
| Military Service | |||
| Allegiance | United States | ||
| Service/branch | Union Army | ||
| Service Years | 1862–1864 | ||
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel | ||
| Unit | 13th Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry | ||
Roderick Randum Butler (April 9, 1827 – August 18, 1902), also known as R. R. Butler, was a Tennessee Unionist and Republican who served in the state legislature as well as the United States House of Representatives. Staunchly opposing secession, he led crucial efforts in Eastern Tennessee to assist the Union during the Civil War.
His middle name Randum[1] is sometimes misspelled as "Random."[2]
State legislature, secession, Civil War
Butler was elected to the Tennessee legislature in 1959, running as a Unionist in a Democrat-dominated state.[3]
As a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, Butler was among the state legislators who voted against seceding from the Union.[4] After the measure passed, he was among several state representatives, along with future House colleague Horace Maynard, to oppose resistance methods deemed revolutionary or extreme.[5]
State law required legislators to take an oath swearing allegiance to the Confederacy, and refusal would often result in being sent to prison in Alabama.[3] Butler took the oath on the grounds that he could then work to aid the Union cause effectively, though was nonetheless criticized for the decision.
In 1861, several bridges in Eastern Tennessee were burned down in an effort to derail Confederate military strategies, and Unionists in the region were subsequently arrested and brought to Nashville on treason charges.[3] Butler, who himself was also arrested twice by Confederates, represented the Unionists brought to court due to his lawyer background and made efforts to return them to their homes.
Butler played a role in organizing the 13th Tennessee Union Cavalry, which he joined in 1862 as a Lieutenant Colonel.[3] He ultimately resigned his position a year prior to the war's conclusion due to health reasons.
Post-war years
Following the Civil War, Butler returned to practicing law and sought to ensure pensions for black soldiers in the Union.[3]
See also
- Leonidas Houk, Republican U.S. representative from Tennessee's 2nd district
- Brazilla Carroll Reece, later Republican U.S. representative from Tennessee's 1st district
References
- ↑ Butler, O to R. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ↑ Roderick Random Butler. Find a Grave. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Paykamian, Brandon (November 2, 2019). Rep. Roderick Butler, a leader to local Civil War Unionists. Johnson City Press. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ↑ Temple, Oliver Perry. East Tennessee and the Civil War, p. 223. Google Books. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ↑ East Tennessee and the Civil War, p. 352.
External links
- Profile at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress