The following publications contain information about James Butler:

Book: Edgar I. Stewart, Custer's Luck (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press) 1955.

Article: "Sergeant Butler" by Ken Lizorty • Little Big Horn Associates Newsletter • Vol. 1, No. 9•September 1967.

Cover Illustration: "First Sergeant James Butler" by E. L. Reedstrom • Research Review • Vol. VIII, No. 1 • Spring 1974.

Article: "The Enigma of Sergeant Butler" by Greg Bence • Research Review • Vol. VIII, No. 1 • Spring 1974.

Article: "Sergeant Butler's 'Traveling' Marker" by R. L. "Pinky" Nelson • Research Review • Vol. VIII, No. 1 • Spring 1974.

Article: "1st Sgt. James Butler: Introspection" by Edward R. Schwemler • Research Review (Newsletter Literary Section) • Vol. X, No. 1976-5 • May 1976.

Cover Illustration: "Sgt. Butler, Capt. Keogh, and Lt. Calhoun at Fort Lincoln" • Little Big Horn Associates Newsletter • Vol. XVIII, No. 2 • February 1984.

Cover Illustration: "Custer's Last Hope" by J. K. Ralston • Ralston depicts the last moment of Custer's command. Sgt. Butler is shown riding for help. • Greasy Grass, Annual of the Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association • Vol. 1 • May 1985.

Cover Photograph: "First Sergeant James Butler" • Little Big Horn Associates Newsletter • Vol. XXI, No. 6 • July 1987.

Cover Illustration: "Sergeant Butler" by Michael Schreck • Research Review • Vol. 19, No. 1 • Winter 2005.

Article: "The Enduring Mystery of Sgt. Butler" by James Brust, Sandy Barnard, and Brian Pohanka • Greasy Grass, Annual of the Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association • Vol. 22 • May 2006.