1836: Applied to West Point, but was denied admission

1838: Graduated from Waterville College (now called Colby College

1840: Admitted to the Massachusetts bar

1850: Supported the Compromise of 1850 and spoke out against the abolition of slavery

1852: Elected to the State Legislature, however his support for Franklin Pierce cost him reelection

1858: Elected to State Senate

1859: As a Republican, nominated for governor and ran on a pro-slavery, pro-tariff platform narrowly losing to the incumbent

1860: Democratic National Convention in Charleston, S.C. He initially supported John Breckenridge for president, but then shifted his support to Jefferson Davis. He believed only a moderate could hold the Democratic Party together

1860: Butler sympathized with the South and stated "I was always a friend of Southern rights, but an enemy of Southern wrongs."

1861: Butler bought his rank of general by using his bank contacts to ensure loans would be needed to fund the military operations would be on the condition of Butler being named General

April 20, 1861: Left Philadelphia amid news the railroad connections around Baltimore were being severed. He traveled with the 8th Volunteers Militia by rail and ferry to Annapolis. He landed occupying the Naval Academy.

After being joined by the 7th New York Militia, directed his men to restore rail services between Annapolis and Washington via Annapolis Junction

Early May 1861: Entered Baltimore on train with 1,000 men. Gen Scott criticized Butler as they were not his orders.

May 16, 1861: Received one of early appointments as Maj. Gen. of Volunteer Forces.

May 1861: Was assigned command of Fort Monroe and the Department of Virginia

May 27, 1861: Sent a force 8 miles north to Newport News, VA which was excellent anchorage for the Union Navy. The force fortified Camp Butler and a battery at Newport News Point. This covered the entrance to the James River and expanded Camp Hamilton which could be covered by Fort Monroe's guns.

While at Fort Monroe, Butler declined to send fugitive slaves back to their owners

He argued that Virginia called them chattel property and they could not appeal to the Fugitive Slave Act because Virginia had seceded. Slaves were used as laborers for building fortifications and other military activities would be consisted contraband of war. It was later made the standard in the Army. Was also extended to the Union Navy.

Aug '61: Commanded expeditionary force in conjunction with the Navy took Forts Hatteras and Clark.

With the effect of the first Union Victory since Bull Run, he was sent back to Massachusetts to raise new forces. But he had a conflict with the governor on appointment of officers.

Dec 61: First Union expedition to Ship Island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast

May 62: Commanded forces that conducted the capture of New Orleans after the Naval occupation following the battles of Fort Jackson and St. Philip

As administrator of the city, devised a plan for relief of poor, demanded oaths of allegiance and confiscated weapons

As military governor, his inability failed him as he was notorious for the antisemitism

As public health manager, the city of New Orleans had a 10% mortality rate due to Yellow Fever. Butler imposed strict quarantine and rigid programs of garbage disposal. In 1862, only two cases were reported.

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