Lieutenant Archibald Butt in 1909.

Major Archibald Willingham Butt (September 26, 1865 – April 15, 1912) was an influential military aide to U.S. presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. Before becoming an aide to Roosevelt, Butt had pursued a career in journalism and served in the Spanish-American War. After a six week vacation in Europe in 1912, he boarded the ocean liner RMS Titanic. On the night of April 14 the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank the next morning with Butt being one of the 1,517 victims of the disaster. Stories based on anecdotes of his actions while the ship was sinking made him one of the heroes of the disaster. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1422x2000, 1392 KB)TITLE: Captain Archibald Willingham Butt, soldier and story writer whom Mr. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1422x2000, 1392 KB)TITLE: Captain Archibald Willingham Butt, soldier and story writer whom Mr. ... Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1865 (MDCCLXV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... For other persons named Theodore Roosevelt, see Theodore Roosevelt (disambiguation). ... For other persons named William Howard Taft, see William Howard Taft (disambiguation). ... Belligerents United States Republic of Cuba Philippine Republic Kingdom of Spain Commanders Nelson A. Miles William R. Shafter George Dewey Máximo Gómez Emilio Aguinaldo Patricio Montojo Pascual Cervera Arsenio Linares Manuel Macías y Casado Ramón Blanco y Erenas Casualties and losses 385 KIA USA 5,000... Year 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Titanic (disambiguation). ... is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Iceberg (disambiguation). ...

Early life

Archibald Willingham Butt was born in Augusta, Georgia to Joshua Willingham Butt and Pamela Robertson. The Butt family was prominent in Augusta, but had suffered financially during the American Civil War. His father died when Butt was fourteen years old, and Butt was obliged to go to work to support his mother, sister, and younger brother. Thanks in part to contributions from the pastor of his church, and to his mother, who took a job as the school's librarian, Archibald Butt was able to attend the University of the South in Tennessee, graduating in 1888. He was also initiated as a member to the Delta Tau Delta fraternity during his college years. Butt began a career in journalism with his first position at the Louisville Courier-Journal and thereafter became a reporter in Washington, D.C. covering the Capitol for several Southern newspapers, including The Atlanta Constitution and the Nashville Banner. While Butt was working in Washington he became the first secretary for the American Embassy in Mexico with former Senator Matt Ransom. Augusta is a city in the state of Georgia in the United States of America. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... The University of the South is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Sewanee, Tennessee. ... This article is about the U.S. state of Tennessee. ... Year 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Delta Tau Delta (ΔΤΔ, DTD, or Delts) is a U.S.-based international college fraternity. ... The Courier-Journal, nicknamed the C-J, is the main newspaper for the city of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. According to the 1999 Editor & Publisher International Yearbook, the paper is the 48th largest daily paper in the United States and the single largest in Kentucky. ... For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the only major daily newspaper in Atlanta and its suburbs. ... The front page from a 1974 issue of The Nashville Banner The Nashville Banner was a daily newspaper of Nashville, Tennessee which ceased publication in 1998. ... Categories: Stub | 1826 births | 1904 deaths | United States Senators ...

Military service

In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, Butt joined the army as a lieutenant. He served in the Philippines from 1900 through 1904. While he was in the Philippines, he had a part in founding the Military Order of the Carabao, a tongue-in-cheek spoof military fraternal organization still in operation today. In 1904, he was made Depot Quartermaster of Washington, D.C., where he met then-president Theodore Roosevelt. In 1906 he was sent to Cuba to as part of the pacification force. In 1908, the now Captain Butt was recalled to Washington to serve as chief military aide to President Theodore Roosevelt. When William Howard Taft became President the following year, Butt stayed on in the same capacity. In 1911 Butt was promoted to the rank of Major. Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Belligerents United States Republic of Cuba Philippine Republic Kingdom of Spain Commanders Nelson A. Miles William R. Shafter George Dewey Máximo Gómez Emilio Aguinaldo Patricio Montojo Pascual Cervera Arsenio Linares Manuel Macías y Casado Ramón Blanco y Erenas Casualties and losses 385 KIA USA 5,000... The United States Army is the largest, and by some standards oldest, established branch of the armed forces of the United States and is one of seven uniformed services. ... Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service or police officer rank. ... Ğ: For the film, see: 1900 (film). ... 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... Medal showing the insignia of the Military Order of the Carabao. ... For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... For other persons named Theodore Roosevelt, see Theodore Roosevelt (disambiguation). ... Year 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Captain (disambiguation). ... For other persons named Theodore Roosevelt, see Theodore Roosevelt (disambiguation). ... For other persons named William Howard Taft, see William Howard Taft (disambiguation). ... Year 1911 (MCMXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ...

By 1912, Taft's first term was coming to an end and Roosevelt was known to be considering a run against him. Very close to both men and fiercely loyal, Butt was caught in the middle. As his health was deteriorating during this period, his friend Francis Davis Millet asked Taft to give him a leave of absence to recuperate before the presidential primaries began. Taft agreed and ordered Butt to go on vacation. Year 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Francis Davis Millet Francis Davis Millet (name sometimes given as Francis David Millet; November 3, 1846 - April 15, 1912) was an American painter and writer and one of those who died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. ... The series of U.S. presidential primaries is one of the first steps in the process of electing a President of the United States. ...

During his time serving with two presidents, Butt wrote almost daily letters to his sister-in-law Clara, of Augusta, GA. These letters are prized by modern historians as a key source of information on the more private events of these two presidencies, as well as invaluable insights into the respective characters of Roosevelt and Taft. The seal of the City of Augusta Augusta is a city located in the Georgia. ...

Accompanies President Taft to throw out baseball's first pitch

At the 1910 home opener of Major League Baseball's Washington Senators, the sight of the nation's 335-pound chief executive hurling a baseball toward the mound from his seat in American League Park delighted the spectators. "It was the first time in history," one scribe wrote, "that a President of the United States has opened a game of professional baseball or had attempted to rival the honors of Mathewson, Mordecai Brown, Walter Johnson, et al." Major Leagues redirects here. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 6, 14, 29, 34, 42 Name Minnesota Twins (1961–present) Washington Nationals/Senators (1901-1960) Other nicknames The Twinkies Ballpark Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 1982-present Metropolitan Stadium (1961-1981) Griffith Stadium (1911-1960... Christopher Christy Mathewson (August 12, 1880 - October 7, 1925), nicknamed Big Six, The Christian Gentleman, or Matty, was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. ... {{Infobox baseball player | name=Mordecai Peter Centennial Three Finger Brown | image name= none | birthdate=October 19, 1876 | birthplace=Nyesville, Indiana | dead=dead | deathdate=February 14, 1948 | deathplace=Terre Haute, Indiana | debutdate=April 19, 1903 | debutteam=St. ... Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887-December 10, 1946), American professional baseball pitcher. ...

"TAFT TOSSES BALL," announced The Washington Post. "Crowd Cheers President's Fine Delivery of the Sphere." The Washington Post is the largest newspaper in Washington, D.C.. It is also one of the citys oldest papers, having been founded in 1877. ...

The tradition born that afternoon sputtered in the early years. Taft threw out the first ball again in 1911, attending the game with his close friend and military aide Archibald Butt, who had sat with the president in 1910, too. Then four days before the 1912 home opener, while he was returning from Europe -- from a vacation he had taken at Taft's urging -- Butt went down with the Titanic.

"Yesterday the president could not be present for obvious reasons," The Post reported after Opening Day.

Aboard the Titanic

In the early spring of 1912 Butt's health took a turn for the worse; urged to rest by both President Taft, he left on a six-week vacation to Europe. He was accompanied for part of his vacation by the American painter Francis Davis Millet. Butt's only known official work during his vacation was a visit with Pope Pius X, during which he delivered to the pontiff a personal message from Taft. Butt booked passage on the RMS Titanic for his return to the United States. He boarded the Titanic at Southampton, UK on April 10, 1912; his friend Millet boarded the ship at Cherbourg, France later that same day. Butt was playing cards on the night of April 14 in the first-class smoking room when the Titanic struck an iceberg.^[1] The ship sank at 2:20 AM the next morning. Year 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Francis Davis Millet Francis Davis Millet (name sometimes given as Francis David Millet; November 3, 1846 - April 15, 1912) was an American painter and writer and one of those who died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. ... Pope St. ... For other uses, see Titanic (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Southampton (disambiguation). ... The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in western Europe, and member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the G8, the European Union, and NATO. Usually known simply as the United Kingdom, the UK, or (inaccurately) as Great Britain or Britain, the UK has four constituent... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... For the Australian town and Aboriginal Mission, see Cherbourg, Queensland. ... is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Major Butt's actions on board the ship while it was sinking are largely unverified, but many accounts of a typically sensationalist nature were published by newspapers after the disaster. According to some accounts, Titanic captain Edward J. Smith informed Butt that the "ship was doomed" and that "lifeboats were being readied." Butt immediately began acting as another officer of the ship, herding women and children into the lifeboats. One account tells of Butt staving off desperate steerage men trying to crowd the boats to escape.^[2] Walter Lord's book A Night to Remember disagrees with claims that Butt acted like an officer, claiming he was more likely quietly observing the ship's evacuation.^[3] Butt died during the sinking; his remains, if found, were not identified. For other persons named Edward Smith, see Edward Smith (disambiguation). ... The steerage was one of the lowest decks of a ship. ... Walter Lord (October 8, 1917 – May 19, 2002) was an American author, best known for his documentary-style non-fiction account A Night to Remember, about the sinking of the RMS Titanic. ... A Night to Remember is a 1955 non-fiction book by Walter Lord about the sinking of the ocean liner RMS Titanic in 1912. ...

Memorial service

As Archibald Butt's remains were not recovered, a cenotaph was erected in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery. On May 2, 1912, a memorial service was held in the Butt family home with 1,500 mourners, including President Taft, attending. Taft spoke at the service where he said, The Cenotaph, London. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 122nd day of the year (123rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

"If Archie could have selected a time to die he would have chosen the one God gave him. His life was spent in self–sacrifice, serving others. His forgetfulness of self had become a part of his nature. Everybody who knew him called him Archie. I couldn't prepare anything in advance to say here. I tried, but couldn't. He was too near me. He was loyal to my predecessor, Mr. Roosevelt, who selected him to be military aide, and to me he had become as a son or a brother."^[4]

In 1913 The Millet-Butt Memorial Fountain was constructed near the White House in the Ellipse. In Augusta, Georgia, the Butt Memorial Bridge was dedicated in 1914 by Taft. Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... Presidents Park, located in Washington, D.C., includes the White House, a visitor center, Lafayette Park, and the Ellipse. ... Augusta is a city in the state of Georgia in the United States of America. ... The Butt Memorial Bridge is a road bridge in Augusta, Georgia dedicated to Major Archibald Willingham Butt, a victim of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

The Washington National Cathedral contains a large plaque dedicated to Major Archibald Butt. It can be found on the wall in the Museum Store.

In fiction

Butt appears and plays a significant role in Jack Finney's time travel novel, From Time to Time. In it, Butt was sent to Europe by President Taft and former President Roosevelt in an effort to stave off World War I. In Europe, he apparently gets the necessary assurances to make a European war impossible. However, even when informed of the ship's approaching sinking by the time travelling protagonist, he refuses to save himself and his mission when women and children will perish. His mission fails with his death. Jack Finney (October 2, 1911 - November 16, 1995) was an American author. ... From Time to Time is a 1995 illustrated novel by Jack Finney, the sequel to Time and Again, which tells the story of how Simon Morley, working on a secret government project in 1970, was able to travel back in time to the New York City of 1882. ...

Notes

1. ^  Lynch, Don (1993). Titanic: An Illustrated History. Hyperion. ISBN 0-7868-8147-X. 
2. ^  Rutman, Sharon and Jay Stevenson (1998). The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Titanic. Alpha Books. ISBN 0-02-862712-1. 
3. ^  Lord, Walter (1955). A Night to Remember. Page 78. Bantam Books. ISBN 0-553-27827-4. 
4. ^  Archibald Willingham Butt: Major, United States Army. Arlington National Cemetery Website. Retrieved on August 7, 2005.

Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

• Hustak, Alan, Hermann Söldner, Craig Stringer and Geoff Whitfield. Major Archibald Willingham Butt. Encyclopedia Titanica. Retrieved on August 7, 2005.

Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Major Archibald Butt's Memorial on Titanic-Titanic.com
• Washington Post article