The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1895-02-13
SIMON B. BUCKNER
Sketch Of the Distinguished
Kentucky Statesman and
Ex-Governor.
A MAN OF MARKED ABILITY.
His Advent in the Senatorial
Race Has Given 1t More
Of Uncertainty.
HE is AN HONOR to KENTUCKY
frIopsinsville New Era


There is much interest manifested in
the race for the United States Senatorship
from this State. Gen. Simon B. Buck
ner, although he has made no formal an
nouncement Of his candidacy, is in the
field and is receiving great encourage
ment from host OF fiiends and admirers
throughout the State, who will take great
pleasure in doing all in their power to as
sist him to secure the place for which he
is 80 admirably fitted. No better man
could be selected for this important posi-
ton. He has held high offices, both
military and civil, and filed them in
highly creditable and eminently salts
factory manner-showing that he was
thoroughly equipped for the most respon-
sible places. Gen. Bnckner is a man OF
great probity and integrity Of character,
and is noted for his inhexible devotion to
principle, always holding with great
firmness to what he deems his duty, and
standing up for whatever he believes to
be just and right. He was brave, gal
liant and chivalric soldier, and as civil
ian he rendered very valuable service TO
the Democratic party and the people of
Kentucky, showing himself genuine
friend of the true principles of constitu-
tional liberty and honest and faithful in
the administration OF the high public
offices which he held. He has been true
in all the relations of life, as a husband,
as father, as a brother and as friend,
and his many admirable traits of charac-
ter endear him to all who know. him
well. He is very cultivated and polish
ed gentleman, is an able and forceful
speaker, and clear and vigorous writer
He is man of marked ability and Of
wide information, and possesses in a
marked degree what Gov. Stevenson was
in the habit of designating as "old-
fashioned wagon horse sense" 1t would
be an honor to Kentucky to have such
man to represent her in the United
States Senate.
Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner was born
April /, 1923, in Hart county, this State.
He was educated at West Point Military
Academy, where he graduated 1874 at
the age OF twenty-three he was appoint
ed assistant professor of Ethics at West
Point. He entered the army as Second
Lieutenant Of the Sixth infantry, serving
in the winter of 1916, on the Rio Grande;
was at the siege Vera Cruz, and partici-
pated in nearly every battls to the City
of Mexico; was noted for his fsarl ssness
and undaunted courage, and was regard
ed as one OF the most gallant and DASH
ing men in the American army. He
was promoted to First Lieutenant for
gallant conduct at the battle OF Chere-
busco; he was brevetted Captain for his
daring and bravery at the battle OF Mol
inc del Rey, and was mentioned special
ly in official reports for his bravery on
other fields OF battle. After the close OF
the war with Mexico he was for several
years instructor in military tactics at
West Point. In 1852 he was made Cap
tain while serving with bis company on
the Western border; and resigning his
commission in 1865, devoted his atten-
ton to business pursuits. He was Com
mander OF the Kentucky State Guards
in 1860, with the rank OF Major-General,
but resigned his commission when he.
saw the neutral condition of Kentucky
was untenable. When the Legislature
OF the State declared in favor OF support
ing the National Government, he offered
his services 10 the Southern Confederacy,
and soon aiterward, as Brigadier- Gen
eral, occupied Bowling Green, KY, with
a division OF troops. He was third in
command at Fort Donelson which he
lad to surrender TO greatly superior num-
beers under the Federal commander.
After spending some months as pris-
oner OF war at Fort Warren, Boston Har-
Dor, he was exchanged in August, 1862.
He was promoted to Major General and
placed in command OF division OF Har-
dee's corps, in Bragg's army. He par
ticipated in the battle OF Perryvllle, dis
played there, as on other fields, great
gallantry and very superior order OF
generalship. In the winter Of 1862 he
took charge Of the defenses at Mobile,
and in the following summer in COM
mand of the Department OF East Ten
nessee commanded corps in the great
battle Of Chickamauga, where he dis
played his usual military skill and STRAIT
egg; in the following year he was pro-
NOTED to Lieutenant General and took
charge OF the district Of Louisiana. lie
proved himself bold, couIages and
skillful leader, and showed true general
ship and military genius
He was elected Governor OF Kentucky
In 1887, as successor 10 Hon. j. Proctor
Knott, and showed that he was admira-
bly, equipped for the position aud dis
charged the duties OF the Office with
marked ability and fidelity, and made
one OF the very best Governors that
Kentucky has ever had. No Governors
administration has been more creditable
10 himself and more satisfactory TO the
people OF Kentucky than that OF Gov
ernor Backner.
His private life has been marked by
the same admirable traits which distin-
guish his public career. and his sunny
and genial disposition, his courteous and
graceful manner, aud simple and unaf-
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