Thomas Butler (soldier)

Thomas Butler (1748–1805) was a Continental Army officer from Pennsylvania during the American Revolution. He was commissioned in the United States Army after the Revolution and rose to the rank of colonel.

American Revolution
Butler was commissioned a 1st lieutenant in the 2nd Pennsylvania Battalion on January 5, 1776 and was promoted to captain in the 3d Pennsylvania on 4 October of the same year. He resigned from the Continental Army on 17 January 1781.

In 1783 he became an original member of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati.

Post-Revolution
Butler was a major in the levies under Major General Arthur St. Clair in 1791. He was wounded in action near Fort Recovery, Ohio on 4 November 1791 in St. Clair's Defeat. His brother Richard Butler was killed in the same battle.

He was commissioned on April 11, 1792 as a Major of Infantry in the United States Army and was assigned to the 4th Sub Legion on 4 September 1792. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 1 July 1794. The 4th Sub Legion was redesignated as the 4th Infantry Regiment on 1 November 1796.

Butler was promoted to colonel of the 2nd Infantry Regiment on 1 November 1802.

Colonel Butler died on 7 September 1805.