[Sunday May 4, 1863]

Chaplain Butler died today in the Division Hospital at Suffolk, one of only eleven Union chaplains known to have fallen in battle.

William Nelson's History of Bergen and Passaic Counties, New Jersey eulogized him as "a man of the most exalted character and the purest patriotism...universally beloved by the men in whose service he so bravely died."

[Sunday, May 3, 1863]

Chaplain Francis Butler was hit by a Confederate sharpshooter while he was carrying water and helping wounded soldiers on the field.

Sat. [May] 2 [1863]

Quite warm -- vis. hos. wrote letters -- wrote Cols. report of siege
up to yesterday. Ordered to be ready to march at 3 AM tomorrow
with 2 days rations -- then at 8 A.M.

Fri May 1 [1863]

Lovely day -- pickg. wild flowers encountered an
adder[?] wrote Peter -- turned up walls of my tent threw
out the pine "feathers" _ & aired tent floor -- Debate appointed
but no quorum

Thurs [April] 30 [1863]

Fast day appt. by Pres -- not observed by Army
as it is inspection day -- tried to keep myself & gave
tracts to men -- Inspector has not come yet -- after 1 P.M.
meant to have some service -- perhaps can yet --
While waiting his arrival, held quite a large vol --
service. Read Pres. procl. a few verses fr. Solomon,
prayer --& addressed them. made a prayer &
benediction -- afterwards regt. was mustered --
Letters fr. Mr. Hornblower & [?]

Wed [April] 29 [1863]

Showery & warm -- Attended funeral of Labiaux
Curton addressed Co & Vaw H. replied -- I then conducted Service
accompanied remains to cars -- very muddy. Saw Gen
Dix & Sec. Seward arrive while there. Talked with Capt.
Felt -- dist. tracts. & held meetg in eveg. tremendous
thunder shower & small but interestg meetg --
Peter C. sent me Pil Prog. & another good book by Mail

General John Adams Dix
Secretary of State William H. Seward

Tues [April] 28 [1863]

Saw embalming of Emille's body, opening femoral
artery & injecting Choleides of Arsenic & Zinc &c --
putting it also in bow cavity of bowels by opening
abdomen. It occupied only an hour & cost $20
(His Co. (H) sent him home -) done by a man of 6th
Mass -- Large py. meetg in eveg. Showery.