The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-10-29
BUCKNER 4 HERO.
Maj. Van Zandt, Who Was at Fort Don.
elson, Tells All About 1t.

Fort Worth, Tex, Oct. 23.-(Special.)
Regarding last Wednesday nights
meeting, there is no secret made of the
fact here that had Culberson alone been
involved in the condemnation no effort
would have been exerted to thwart the
accomplishment of the purpose of the
meeting. The other candidates on the
machine democratic ticket-state, district
and cOunty-had friends here who feared
the effect of the adoption of resolutions
at this time condemnatory of Culberson
on their prospects. 1t was this fear
alone that caused them to rush into the
breach and move heaven and earth. so
to speak, to put the matter off until
after the election. The above are facts
admitted here openly.
There are men here who openly say
that perhaps Governor Culberson as
saulted Buckner with design: that it was
his desire to divert the attention of as
sailants from other quarters in which
they had been attacking him.
Governor Culberson states: Gen. For
rest refused to be surrendered, but took
his command out of the fort without Sc
rious opposition or resistance
Maj. X. Nj. Van Zandt, who was in
command of an infantry company at
Fort Donelson, said of this feature of
a reporter today:
Forrest commanded cavalry. To take
any command out of the fort, Hickman
creek had to be fOrded 1t was saddle
skirt deep in water, filed with ice and
sleet. The snow was also four inches
deep on the ground. At the council of
war. held on Saturday night, four Off
GERS were presentations. Floyd, Pillow,
Buckner and Forrest. The latter was
there at the instance of Gen. Floyd. The
latter wanted Forests cavalry to act as
his Floyd's) escort in his effort to es-
CAPE At that council of war the situa-
ton was fully gone over. Gen. Buckner
then and there stated, according to Off
cial reports, never heretofore controvert
ed, that his medical directors informed
him that an attempt to retreat with his
infantry command meant death to fully
one-half of them, as Hickman creek
would have to be forded in its semi-frozen
condition and the men could not stand
it. This is history and the truth
Continuing. Maj. Van Iandt said:
Now let me tell you the condition of
Gen. Buckner's command. My company
was Just as was the others. For days we
had stood to outpost in the bitter cold
and snow. We attacked at every turn
when command was given. | know for
nights | dared not let my men be still
less they become numbed with cold an1,
death result. Why, two days before the
surrender, my gallant company was ~
ing in the trenches awaiting to be ordered
out. They were almost dead from eX-
haustion, cold and arduous lighting
feared some of my men would go 10
sleep. never to wake. L walked my lines
to keep the boys awake. The sleet ana
snow was falling at terrible rate. In
nv command was Felix H. Johnson, Il
physician. now residing in Gainesville,
Tex. He was as brave a boy as there
was in the southern army. l saw him
living fiat on his back in trench, sleeping
calmly with his face to the sky and sleet
nouring into it. 1t was sheer exhaustion
that made the brave soldier sleep. This
is tbe condition Buckner's command was
in. and in this condition, it is thought by
some. Gen. Buckner should nave forced
his command to wade the iced waters of
Hickman creek . ...-n
"There is another tang I now RECALL,
and it Is this: At a, council Of war Gen.
Forrest himself Seated that he had re-
connoitered th..4 ground formerly cap cap
tured by Ur ted States troops ana t h,t
the enemy mad not only regained II, ~.
were tn N holding it with double tile
force &c formerly had on it, LET po1
ernor CuIberson talk as he pleases a9ouf
FC rest withdrawing his colllniahue g.
Vas there, and / will add TINS m mciin iu
!, ther TO the record. II was buo DUH +bo
| half.dead infantry that conlron,.eu or raiL
| enemy at the very time forrgs' nod NV
| nv forded Hickman creek. .;,ao +bey
| Command in line at the very tiiile , tnoy
uo,ra marking time in the snow TO Keep
frem freezing when that retreat Of Of, For nn
t rsStt was made. Again, let me tell you