Walter Butler was an American-born Loyalist military officer during the American Revolutionary War. He left his home in Tryon County, New York for Montreal in 1775 and obtained a commission as an ensign in the British Army. Butler was present at the Battle of the Cedars in May 1776 and the Siege of Fort Stanwix in August 1777. He was captured by the Americans shortly afterwards and sentenced to be hanged as a spy. His sentence was commuted and he was imprisoned in Albany. Butler escaped from custody in April 1778, and was commissioned a captain in Butler's Rangers. In November 1778, Butler led British, Loyalist and Seneca forces at the Cherry Valley massacre. Butler was unable to restrain the Seneca who killed 32 non-combatants. He was present at the Battle of Newtown in August 1779. Butler was killed in October 1781 at West Canada Creek fighting a rear-guard action following the Battle of Johnstown.