The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-13
BUFORD AND THE MOB.
The Exciting Experience of the Deceased
Turfman in Springfield, Ill.

Chica News.
The tragic death of Gen Abe Buford of Ken
ucky, recalls story he told during his lastvist
to Chicago. 81 have passed through many try
ing and perilous scenes" he said to n party Of
friends, but never felt so near deaths door as
at Springfield. Ill, just after the war. To begin
with had narrow escape during our fighting
in Georgia. Our forces were encamped with the
Union troops in our front. The sentry lines
thrown out as usual One day passed
through the lines to make some observations at
a distant point. was unattended butmounted
upon powerful horse. During my absence the
Union forces drove back our lines, and occupied
the same ground with their own
pickets. This unknown to me, and
l was surprised and alarmed On my return to be
halted by a Union soldier. Iattempted to ride
on. The soldier tried to stop my horse with his
bayonet. Drawing my revolver fired at him.
and rode on to camp without waiting to see the
effect of the shot The war went on and finally
ended. We surrendered to the superior forces
afterward | went to Springfield to get some
horses which l had left in charge of Willis Rem
frow On the day of my arrival large num-
Der of U Mon soldiers were mustered out OF the
service. They literally swarmed into the hotel
where was stopping. Pretty soon discovered
they were cycling me very closely. The more
they did so the more excited they became.
Their excitement made me nervous, and not a
little frightened when | reflected that | was
alone, without friends, and in the midst
of soldi ers just from the scenes of con
fiict that had aroused all their bitterness
toward the South. AS an officer in
the confederate army, 1 felt that would bear
no small share of their hatred. This thought
frightened me beyond measure. For the first
time in my life l was really afraid because be-
heved that if the soldiers became aroused there
would be no escape for me. The landlord cSyne
over and urged me to conceal myself before an
outbreak occurred. Although terribly scared |
had no thought of showing the white feather. l
merely went to my room, secured my revolver,
and came back to my seat watching the crowd
over the paper pretended to read After awhile
a man wearing a corporars uniform came in.
Several soldiers ran to him in an excited man
ner. l could not hear what was said but
knew l the subject of the talk. The
corporal went to the hotel register, looked at
my name, and then came toward me. Behind
him were several of the men. A score of them
were eagerly watching the scene from the other
side of the room. The landlord, with blanched
face, stood behind the counter, and could
he was frozen with terror AS the corporal and
his comrades came toward me, my hair literally
stood on end. could feel the blood leave my
face. With all my power of self-control |
could not conceal my agitation. felt that after
going through the perils of war | to die at
the hands of mob. No man can portray his
feelings at such time. Though great strength
demanded was so weak l could hardly
stand When the corporal approached me he
asked if l was General Buford. With feeble
voice told him l was
do you remember the Union soldier you
shot when breaking through the Union lines in
Georgia." ne asked.
Il do" was my reply.
81 am that man, said the soldier, land want
to thank you for merely wounding my arm
The man held out his hand. never was so glad
to shake hand in my life The peril l had sup
posed l was in caused great beads of sweat to
cover my face AS 1 took his hand 1 sank ex-
hausted in chair looked upon the corporal
as my savior When he grasped my hand felt
that had gone from hell to heaven. The other
soldiers crowded around 1t seems they were
only excited because late enemy was there.
Before 1 left we all drank to the success of our
common county and agreed to forget we had
been enemies l think that is the most thrilling
personal experience l ever had"