At the Valiants Memorial on the corner of Wellington and Elgin, John Butler’s life-size bronze bust sits tall, a tribute to a heroic Canadian of the American Revolution. The bust is one of five signifying the five distinct military periods of Canadian history.
Butler was born in New London, Connecticut, in 1728 and was originally employed as a native interpreter after learning several local dialects.
In 1755, during the French and Indian War, Butler saw service as a captain in the Indian department, and led aboriginal forces into battle against the French. When the Revolutionary began in 1775, Butler travelled to Canada to join the fight against the attacking American rebels.
Butler defended Fort Oswego and later drove the Americans out of Quebec with a band of 100 First Nation fighters. After a number of successes in battle, he was placed second in command of the aboriginals, and participated in the siege of Fort Stanwix.
After fierce fighting from Montreal to New York, Butler was given the authority to raise his own regiment called Butler’s Rangers. The force was a collection of loyalists, aboriginals and former black slaves that fought the Americans from Kentucky to Niagara.
After participating in the Battle of Wyoming (sometimes called the Wyoming Valley massacre) and the Cherry Valley massacre (in which 30 civilians were killed) Butler and his rangers developed a reputation for savagery among rebel forces.
After the end of the war, Butler returned to his home in the Niagara region. He became deputy superintendent for the Indian Department and a local militia commander. He died at Niagara on May 12, 1796.