Handkerchief of General Daniel Butterfield

Handkerchief of General Daniel Butterfield - Inventory Number: IDE 235

Framed handkerchief worn by General Daniel Butterfield. General Butterfield is best known today for his bravery and leadership during the Civil War. He was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg and awarded the medal-of-honor for gallantry during the Battle of Gaines’ Mill in 1862. A period, ink-written note affixed to the handkerchief attests to its provenance, stating it was used as late as 1863 or 1864 by the General (likely during the Battle of Gettysburg).      

Excitingly, there is a period account that seems to his describe this very handkerchief being used by General Butterfield on the battlefield in 1862:    

"A private of the command, at a campfire in New York, told of General Butterfield being on his horse and writing an order for his orderly to carry when shot and shell were flying in every direction. One of the shells struck dirt nearby and bespattered the general, covering his face and memorandum pad with mud. Butterfield simply took his handkerchief out of his pocket, wiped his face, took out the dirty Leaf from the pad, finished his order, and handed it to the orderly as calmly as if on dress parade.”- Army of the Potomac (1895).            

Outside the frame, the handkerchief is quite large and rectangular.  The frame measures 32 x 12.

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Inventory Number: IDE 235