New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-04

the Northern newspapers are mentioning your
name a candidate for the Vice Presidency on the
Sound-Money ticket said, Yes. and then I
turned to the youngster and said. Bolivar. how'd
you like me TO be n candidate for the Vice-Presi-
dency?' oh. pshaw!' said Bolivar L don't want
you 10 60 and live In old Washington. There amt
nothing there but lot of old houses. You can't
hunt there l told him then that, even IL re-
ceved the nomination did not expect be elected
Oh WELL says he, If that's all there is 10 1t.
don't care. Go ahead and run for It. grandpa"
General Buckner usually wears long frock coat
unbuttoned. and dresses in most somtre black
broadcoth. His seventy-three years OF age do not
seem 10 Cypress him. He has fought in two wars
in Mexico and the other Confederate SOL
der. Born in Kentucky, accustomed TO the insii
tuition OF slavery. he was In sympathy with the at
tempt OF the South TO perpetuate the slave holding
Point. graduating in 1874 two years before the Mex
lean War broke out. He was then lieutenant In the
Army. and came out captain for gallant conduct
at Moline del Rey. Following this war. he returned
10 West Point as member OF the faculty. and
taught seven years. In 1855 he appointed
superintendent OF construction OF the Chicago Gus
tom House. While at Chicago expedition was
organized to subdue the Indians of Utah, and Cap
tain Buckner raised a regiment. OF which he was
made colonel but the need for II passed away be-
fore the regiment could start, and II was never
mustered in. Buckner then returned TO Kentucky.
part In the preparations for the overthrow OF the
National Government in 1860 He Commander
of the Knights Of the Golden Circle an organiza-
ton that spread into Indiana and gave the Natiohai
and State authorities great trouble
At the outbreak Of the War Of the Rebellion
Buckner was made Adjutant-General OF tho state
and commander OF the State Guard He issued an
address 10 the people Of Kentucky. calling upon
them to take up arms against what he termed the
Of hat
Abraham Lincoln He stationed in charge OF
troops Fort Henry when the rederaI armies
appeared under General Gran; and drove the rebels
to Fort pon~lson Buokner was third In COMMAND
al this fort when 1t. too. was hesiegeo- Inc o'ner
generals IN the fort we're Floyd and Pillow. The
fort was surrounded ali SIDES except Inc river
side and the attack Of February II and Il from the
United States Army and Navy showed the senior
generals that resistance not possible much
longer On tho night Of the 18th they turned the
command successfully from one TO the o'fer ana
then 10 Ruckner and. taking 5000 men, all they
could load on the few steamboats, AT command they
left General Buckner TO shift for himself He quick
~ saw that he must surrender. and he sought 10
obtain the best terms he could. Ills correspond
ence with General Grant from It's remarkable char
acte-. became historical 1t gave Grant his first
title Of unconditional Surrender Grant" That
correspondence follows
Headquarters. Fort .Donelson. Feb IS vs.
yoNerrns The present situation Of affairs at this
station. propose 70 the commanding onlcer OF tne
Federal forces the appointment OF commissioners
70 agree pon terms OF capitulation Of the forces
this post under my command In ihat view sug-
gest an armistice until y o'clock to-day am.
very respectfully your obedient servant.
S r. BtCKNER Brieadier-General. C. 8 Army
I-n5ied States forces near Fort Donelson
Tho reply Of General Grant 10 this letter was as
follows:
headquarters on the field Fort Done'on' Feb 10
To General s. B. Buckner
Sir: Yours OF this date proposing an armistioe
and the appointment OF commssoners 10 sea" %5
the terms Of capitulation: Is just received no
terms except unconditional surrender can be ac-
works am very respectfully. your obedient SER
want. , s,
To this General Buckner responded:
Headquarters Dover. Tenn. Feb ls ls2
Rrigadier-Gererai Grant United States Army;
siT The distribution Of for:es under my com
manders and the Overwhelming force unoer your
ccmnand compel me 10 9ne accep
me ungenerous and unchivalrous terms "ni'n YOU
psoR9' BrcK s r. xG1a c Army
In his address TO his troops later. General Grant
remarked that Fort Donelson will hereafter fe
marked with capitals on the map OF our uh"ea
Jefferson Davis President OF me southerl Con
federacy. in his message 10 his Congress On the
fall OF Doneson reported; ~ is no. foI ga nor Is
II demonstrated 10 have been impoSsipie 10 ~ =.
saved the army by evacuating the position: nor =
to withdraw part OF the garrison leaving re re-
m ainder to surrender: nor lDon what an'ho'iN, OF
nrincipIes Of action the senior generals ananNoi
Responsibility by transferring the command 'o
Junior officer. -. ,-,.a
Davis further informs his Congress that floyd
and Pillow had been relieved OF ihttr So1I'"''"S'
The number Of men captured 0ts i"Wn 49,
General Buckner was imprisoned ~ f''t warm
IN Boston Harhor. but was eXchl lted ~ =, ieus' "'
he eame ,-ear He later commdalol the Thsi d.
vision Of General Hardee's CORDS in Rrascs nrrY.
and rose to the rank Of major-gen"rM. III charse
~ the Third Division. He participated ln the
battles Of Murfreesboro and Chicx1mlu!a. Hnd
commanded part Of he army OF kNby Slnlth
n,ban I, Surrendered al Baton Rouge In May. 1850.
General Buckner was elected Governor o. Ntr
tucky in 1857 lie served one OF the pa l'"rs
AZ General Grants funeral. Since hi: 'ir.ment
from Office he has lived quiet life with ms lannH
and servants about him. His home Is ~ inc me- -
tains OF Kentucky and is only 20 be rcarhei ~
water on his private steamer ana r%h OILY 4.p
miles from Louisville. II requires an entire Day %
make the trip He keeps large retnue or ante
bellum dependents and probably l. ~ near Z" 'Fve
fo~l cric