William Orlando Butler, an American soldier and politician, born in Jessamine county, Ky., in 1793. He studied law, and at the beginning of the war of 1812 enlisted as a private, was in the battles of Frenchtown and the river Raisin, was wounded, rose to be captain, served at Pensacola and New Orleans, was breveted major in December, 1814, and became aide-de-camp to Gen. Jackson. In 1817 he resigned, and entered upon the practice of the law in Kentucky. He was elected to congress in 1843, and was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in 1844. At the beginning of the Mexican war he reentered the army, was made major general June 29, 1846, and led the charge at Monterey, where he was wounded. For his gallantry here a sword was voted to him by congress. On Feb. 18, 1848, he succeeded Gen. Scott in command of the army in Mexico, which he held till May 29. In 1848 he was the democratic candidate for vice president. In 1856 he was appointed governor of Nebraska by President Pierce, but declined. He was a member of the peace congress of 1861. He wrote "The Boatman's Horn," and other short poems.